FORMER REPUBLIC OF Ireland U19 midfielder Eva Mangan has received a first call-up to the women’s senior squad ahead of their Euro 2025 qualifier double-header against Sweden.
Ireland will return to the Aviva Stadium on Friday, 31 May to host the Olympic runners-up before travelling to Stockholm for the second game on Tuesday, 4 June.
Mangan has been included in Eileen Gleeson’s selection after impressing for Cork City in the SSE Airtricity Women’s Premier Division this season. The 19-year-old captains the Leesiders, and represented Ireland at underage level.
“I’ve watched Eva throughout the years, we had her in some previous home-based sessions in a former role,” Gleeson told a press conference this morning.
“Eva is a very competent player. For us, and as a developmental pathway going forward, it’s important for me that we develop the LOI and that we take care of players there and provide pathways as well.
“Eva’s been doing really well with Cork City and I would like to see her in our environment and see how she copes with the step up in intensity with the environment.
“We’re delighted to bring Eva in, she’s super happy to get the call, of course. I’m proud for her, I’m sure her family and everyone in Cork is proud. I’m looking forward to having her in.”
Elsewhere, Niamh Fahey and Heather Payne are unavailable for this squad due to Achilles injuries, while Chloe Mustaki, Tara O’Hanlon and Jamie Finn are continuing their recovery from long-term injuries.
Manchester City youngster O’Hanlon is out for “16 to 18 weeks” with a fresh hamstring tear, Gleeson confirmed.
“Tara is in a good environment and when it’s done, she’ll have a good return to play protocol and we’ll manage her introduction.
“Heather hasn’t played for seven weeks and is only back training a week. We knew Niamh was off feet for the same duration. We knew it was going to be very tight on any hope.
“We were still in conversation with Niamh in the last days but we’ve to take care of the player and their injury. There’s no point on us rushing. If the player is not ready, they’re not ready. We have to sustain that absence and look to the longer-term view for the next camps.”
Denise O’Sullivan had emerged as an injury concern ahead of the double-header after picking up a knee injury with her club North Carolina Courage recently.
As reported by The42 yesterday, O’Sullivan was named among the midfielders.
“I’m feeling very positive now,” Gleeson added on the Cork centurion’s status. “Obviously when these things happen it’s very concerning.
“The injury is a lot more minor than initially thought — at the most a Grade 1 MCL knee injury. Denise is in good form, she’s looking forward to coming in, we’re feeling very positive that she will be available for us.”
As expected, Katie McCabe is also included amidst a hectic schedule for club and country. The Irish captain is currently in Melbourne for a post-season friendly with Arsenal.
Goalkeepers: Courtney Brosnan (Everton), Grace Moloney (London City Lionesses), Sophie Whitehouse (Lewes)
Defenders: Jessie Stapleton (West Ham United), Diane Caldwell (FC Zurich), Louise Quinn (Birmingham City), Caitlin Hayes (Celtic), Anna Patten (Aston Villa), Aoife Mannion (Manchester United), Megan Campbell (London City Lionesses)
Midfielders: Katie McCabe (Arsenal), Denise O’Sullivan (North Carolina Courage), Megan Connolly (Bristol City), Ruesha Littlejohn (London City Lionesses), Tyler Toland (Blackburn Rovers), Lily Agg (Birmingham City), Jess Ziu (West Ham United), Lucy Quinn (Birmingham City), Erin McLaughlin (Peamount United), Eva Mangan (Cork City), Izzy Atkinson (Crystal Palace)
Forwards: Kyra Carusa (San Diego Wave), Leanne Kiernan (Liverpool), Emily Murphy (Wake Forest University), Abbie Larkin (Crystal Palace), Amber Barrett (Standard Liege).
- Reporting by Sinéad Farrell and Emma Duffy.
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