THE WOMEN’S SUPER League [WSL] returns with a bang this weekend.
The 2024/25 season opens with a blockbuster game on Friday night, with six in a row champions Chelsea welcoming Manchester City to Stamford Bridge.
On Saturday, Champions League holders Arsenal host promoted London City Lionesses at the Emirates, and a Merseyside derby at Anfield is among four fixtures down for decision on Sunday.
There are 10 Irish players in line for action in 2025/26, a decrease on recent seasons. Arsenal’s Katie McCabe is the most recognisable face, while they are spread across eight of the 12 teams.
Two others are on the books of WSL clubs, but on loan in the Championship, recently renamed WSL2, for the season: Jessie Stapleton and Jess Ziu. Tara O’Hanlon, meanwhile, has been loaned out until December. They bring the number of Irish players starting out in WSL2 to 19, following a busy summer of transfer activity.
While the second tier has been a happy hunting ground for Irish players of late, the WSL has proved more of a challenge. McCabe, Courtney Brosnan and Anna Patten are arguably the most established names, while others have struggled for game time and been hampered by injury.
Of the 16 Irish internationals on the books of top-flight clubs last season, just 12 featured, and not all regularly. 13 players from these shores were registered for both of the previous two campaigns.
After a summer in which England’s Lionesses won back to back European Championships, all eyes will be on all-conquering Chelsea starting out.
The Blues are chasing seventh heaven, having lifted every title since Arsenal last reigned supreme in 2018/19. Sonia Bompastor is set for her second season at the helm of a stacked squad, due to welcome Sam Kerr back from injury after 19 months out.
Chelsea celebrating WSL success last season. Alamy Stock Photo
Alamy Stock Photo
Arsenal, Manchester City and Manchester United have generally completed the top four, and are widely expected to be Chelsea’s main title rivals.
European champions Arsenal will be targetting domestic honours in Renée Slegers first full season at the helm, with €1.1m world record signing Olivia Smith their marquee arrival of the summer.
Under new manager Andrée Jeglertz, City will be looking to challenge after some subpar seasons, while United are aiming for new heights as they compete in the Champions League for the first time.
Liverpool (Gareth Taylor), Tottenham Hotspur (Martin Ho) and Leicester City (Rick Passmoor, interim) are other sides with new head coaches, the Foxes having sacked Amandine Miquel 11 days before their league opener.
There’s uncertainty there for Leicester’s Irish duo Heather Payne and Katie Keane, with City and West Ham the only other WSL clubs with more than one Irish player on their books.
While other newcomers have suffered swift relegation, London City Lionesses will be looking to make an immediate impact after making some interesting signings amid Michele Kang’s big money project.
An exciting season also lies ahead in WSL2. There are more promotion places on offer owning to the WSL expansion: the top two go up automatically, while the third-placed club will face a play-off against the WSL’s bottom team.
Crystal Palace will be targetting an immediate return to the top flight, while Birmingham City aim high after just missing out on promotion last season. Newcastle United have recruited well as they invest in their women’s programme, while Sunderland has the most Irish players in five.
Here, The 42 looks at all of the Irish players set for the WSL/WSL2 seasons.
(Ruesha Littlejohn and Megan Campbell remain free agents.)
**********
Irish players in WSL
Katie McCabe (Arsenal)
29 | Defender
Needs little introduction. Ireland captain set for 10th season at Arsenal. Key player for the Gunners, instrumental in Champions League success, but facing fresh competition at left-back from new signing Taylor Hinds.
Anna Patten (Aston Villa)
26 | Defender
A mainstay in the heart of the Aston Villa defence, signed a new contract until June 2028 this summer. Centre-back closing in on 100 Villa appearances and has scored five goals.
Anna Patten (4). Alamy Stock Photo
Alamy Stock Photo
Caitlin Hayes (Brighton & Hove Albion)
29 | Defender
Another of Ireland’s centre-half recruits, signed for Brighton last January and had to bide her time before finishing the season strongly. Fit again after minor injury setback.
Courtney Brosnan (Everton)
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29 | Goalkeeper
One of the best ‘keepers in the WSL, Ireland’s number one is set for her fifth season at Everton — and seventh in the league after an earlier spell at West Ham. Pivotal for the Toffees.
Leanne Kiernan (Liverpool)
26 | Forward
Lively attacker fit and available ahead of fifth campaign at Liverpool. Recently signed a contract extension, will be targetting a clear run — and more goals — after a torrid time with injuries.
Megan Walsh (West Ham)
30 | Goalkeeper
Also penned fresh terms this summer, but Poland’s Kinga Szemik has been the Hammers’ first choice. Didn’t clock any WSL minutes last season, and absent from recent Ireland squads.
Tara O’Hanlon (Manchester City – starts the season on loan at Sunderland)
20 | Defender
One of the most exciting young talents in Irish women’s football, but has endured a nightmare run of injuries. Hasn’t made a competitive appearance for City since joining in January 2024. Included here as could feature in the second half of the season.
Eve O’Carroll (Manchester City)
18 | Midfielder
Another bright young talent, the Ireland U19 international made her WSL debut last December. Injury disrupted her rise, will be looking for more opportunities in a star-studded squad.
Heather Payne (Leicester City)
25 | Defender
Versatile player set for new challenge at Leicester after two seasons at Everton. Hard-working and athletic, her running game will boost the Foxes.
Heather Payne. Ryan Byrne / INPHO
Ryan Byrne / INPHO / INPHO
Katie Keane (Leicester City)
19 | Goalkeeper
Ireland underage ‘keeper signed from Shamrock Rovers this summer. Will develop alongside Germany’s Janina Leitzig and Olivia Clark of Wales as she adjusts to full-time, professional football.
**********
WSL2
Lily Agg (Birmingham City)
31 | Midfielder
Birmingham player since 2023, out since January with ACL injury.
Lucy Quinn (Birmingham City)
31 | Forward
Set for fifth season of second spell at Blues.
Jess Ziu (Bristol City – on loan from West Ham)
23 | Midfielder
On season-long loan as she returns from second ACL injury.
Lia O’Leary (Bristol City)
19 | Forward
Set for first full season after signing from Shamrock Rovers in January.
Sophie Whitehouse (Charlton Athletic)
28 | Goalkeeper
First-choice shot-stopper, having joined the Addicks in 2023.
Hayley Nolan (Crystal Palace)
28 | Defender
Back in WSL2 and set for third season at the Eagles.
Abbie Larkin (Crystal Palace)
20 | Forward
Joined in 2023, will be eyeing more game time.
Abbie Larkin (centre) and her Palace teammates. Alamy Stock Photo
Alamy Stock Photo
Tyler Toland (Durham)
24 | Midfielder
Arrived at Durham this summer after two seasons at Blackburn Rovers.
Aoife Mannion (Newcastle United)
29 | Defender
Signed from Manchester United this summer, new challenge awaits in WSL2.
Emily Murphy (Newcastle United)
22 | Forward
Gearing up for first full season with Newcastle, having joined in January.
Jessie Stapleton (Nottingham Forest - on loan from West Ham)
20 | Defender
Will develop further on third WSL2 loan after stints at Reading and Sunderland.
Chloe Mustaki (Nottingham Forest)
30 | Defender
Signed for WSL2 newcomers after three years at Bristol City.
Joy Ralph (Sheffield United)
19 | Forward
Set for first taste of full-time professional football after joining from Shamrock Rovers.
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The Irish players set for new WSL season as Chelsea chase seven in a row
THE WOMEN’S SUPER League [WSL] returns with a bang this weekend.
The 2024/25 season opens with a blockbuster game on Friday night, with six in a row champions Chelsea welcoming Manchester City to Stamford Bridge.
On Saturday, Champions League holders Arsenal host promoted London City Lionesses at the Emirates, and a Merseyside derby at Anfield is among four fixtures down for decision on Sunday.
There are 10 Irish players in line for action in 2025/26, a decrease on recent seasons. Arsenal’s Katie McCabe is the most recognisable face, while they are spread across eight of the 12 teams.
Two others are on the books of WSL clubs, but on loan in the Championship, recently renamed WSL2, for the season: Jessie Stapleton and Jess Ziu. Tara O’Hanlon, meanwhile, has been loaned out until December. They bring the number of Irish players starting out in WSL2 to 19, following a busy summer of transfer activity.
While the second tier has been a happy hunting ground for Irish players of late, the WSL has proved more of a challenge. McCabe, Courtney Brosnan and Anna Patten are arguably the most established names, while others have struggled for game time and been hampered by injury.
Of the 16 Irish internationals on the books of top-flight clubs last season, just 12 featured, and not all regularly. 13 players from these shores were registered for both of the previous two campaigns.
After a summer in which England’s Lionesses won back to back European Championships, all eyes will be on all-conquering Chelsea starting out.
The Blues are chasing seventh heaven, having lifted every title since Arsenal last reigned supreme in 2018/19. Sonia Bompastor is set for her second season at the helm of a stacked squad, due to welcome Sam Kerr back from injury after 19 months out.
Arsenal, Manchester City and Manchester United have generally completed the top four, and are widely expected to be Chelsea’s main title rivals.
European champions Arsenal will be targetting domestic honours in Renée Slegers first full season at the helm, with €1.1m world record signing Olivia Smith their marquee arrival of the summer.
Under new manager Andrée Jeglertz, City will be looking to challenge after some subpar seasons, while United are aiming for new heights as they compete in the Champions League for the first time.
Liverpool (Gareth Taylor), Tottenham Hotspur (Martin Ho) and Leicester City (Rick Passmoor, interim) are other sides with new head coaches, the Foxes having sacked Amandine Miquel 11 days before their league opener.
There’s uncertainty there for Leicester’s Irish duo Heather Payne and Katie Keane, with City and West Ham the only other WSL clubs with more than one Irish player on their books.
While other newcomers have suffered swift relegation, London City Lionesses will be looking to make an immediate impact after making some interesting signings amid Michele Kang’s big money project.
An exciting season also lies ahead in WSL2. There are more promotion places on offer owning to the WSL expansion: the top two go up automatically, while the third-placed club will face a play-off against the WSL’s bottom team.
Crystal Palace will be targetting an immediate return to the top flight, while Birmingham City aim high after just missing out on promotion last season. Newcastle United have recruited well as they invest in their women’s programme, while Sunderland has the most Irish players in five.
Here, The 42 looks at all of the Irish players set for the WSL/WSL2 seasons.
(Ruesha Littlejohn and Megan Campbell remain free agents.)
**********
Irish players in WSL
29 | Defender
Needs little introduction. Ireland captain set for 10th season at Arsenal. Key player for the Gunners, instrumental in Champions League success, but facing fresh competition at left-back from new signing Taylor Hinds.
26 | Defender
A mainstay in the heart of the Aston Villa defence, signed a new contract until June 2028 this summer. Centre-back closing in on 100 Villa appearances and has scored five goals.
29 | Defender
Another of Ireland’s centre-half recruits, signed for Brighton last January and had to bide her time before finishing the season strongly. Fit again after minor injury setback.
29 | Goalkeeper
One of the best ‘keepers in the WSL, Ireland’s number one is set for her fifth season at Everton — and seventh in the league after an earlier spell at West Ham. Pivotal for the Toffees.
26 | Forward
Lively attacker fit and available ahead of fifth campaign at Liverpool. Recently signed a contract extension, will be targetting a clear run — and more goals — after a torrid time with injuries.
30 | Goalkeeper
Also penned fresh terms this summer, but Poland’s Kinga Szemik has been the Hammers’ first choice. Didn’t clock any WSL minutes last season, and absent from recent Ireland squads.
20 | Defender
One of the most exciting young talents in Irish women’s football, but has endured a nightmare run of injuries. Hasn’t made a competitive appearance for City since joining in January 2024. Included here as could feature in the second half of the season.
18 | Midfielder
Another bright young talent, the Ireland U19 international made her WSL debut last December. Injury disrupted her rise, will be looking for more opportunities in a star-studded squad.
25 | Defender
Versatile player set for new challenge at Leicester after two seasons at Everton. Hard-working and athletic, her running game will boost the Foxes.
19 | Goalkeeper
Ireland underage ‘keeper signed from Shamrock Rovers this summer. Will develop alongside Germany’s Janina Leitzig and Olivia Clark of Wales as she adjusts to full-time, professional football.
**********
WSL2
31 | Midfielder
Birmingham player since 2023, out since January with ACL injury.
31 | Forward
Set for fifth season of second spell at Blues.
23 | Midfielder
On season-long loan as she returns from second ACL injury.
19 | Forward
Set for first full season after signing from Shamrock Rovers in January.
28 | Goalkeeper
First-choice shot-stopper, having joined the Addicks in 2023.
28 | Defender
Back in WSL2 and set for third season at the Eagles.
20 | Forward
Joined in 2023, will be eyeing more game time.
24 | Midfielder
Arrived at Durham this summer after two seasons at Blackburn Rovers.
29 | Defender
Signed from Manchester United this summer, new challenge awaits in WSL2.
22 | Forward
Gearing up for first full season with Newcastle, having joined in January.
20 | Defender
Will develop further on third WSL2 loan after stints at Reading and Sunderland.
30 | Defender
Signed for WSL2 newcomers after three years at Bristol City.
19 | Forward
Set for first taste of full-time professional football after joining from Shamrock Rovers.
18 | Defender
Same applies, having signed from Cork City this summer.
32 | Goalkeeper
Joined the Saints this summer after departing London City Lionesses in January.
27 | Midfielder
Made move from Birmingham City, returning from ACL injury.
28 | Midfielder
Set for first full season after signing from NWSL in January.
24 | Defender
Relishing fresh start after arriving from Crystal Palace.
20 | Defender
Loan move to Black Cats from City was announced this evening, bringing the number of Irish players there to five.
- first published 6pm, updated at 6.30pm with news of O’Hanlon’s loan move
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