VERA PAUW HAS named an extended 31-player squad for Ireland’s World Cup training camp this month.
Aoife Mannion is one big absentee. The Manchester United defender is “being monitored” as she recovers from a knee setback, but may yet be available for selection for Ireland’s first-ever major tournament in Australia and New Zealand next month.
“It will be tight but possible,” Pauw told her squad announcement press conference this afternoon. “The vibes are very positive that she will make the squad.” Mannion is due to see a knee specialist on Monday.
Four players — captain Katie McCabe and US-based trio Denise O’Sullivan, Sinead Farrelly and Marissa Sheva — will most likely not link up with the squad in Dublin until after the first warm-up match against Zambia on 22 June.
Arsenal star McCabe may come into camp on the 19th, though, depending on the outcome of a club v country wrangle. “The plan is not to play her [against Zambia] and we’ll see when she gets in,” Pauw said. “Katie is Katie. With Katie, you never know.”
Peamount United midfielder Erin McLaughlin is the only uncapped outfield player in the squad, and one of four from the Women’s Premier Division to get the call-up alongside clubmate Tara O’Hanlon and Shamrock Rovers duo Áine O’Gorman and Abbie Larkin.
“Erin is doing so well. The home-based sessions have worked so well for her and for Tara O’Hanlon. They have grown so much. She deserves her place.”
Leanne Kiernan, Niamh Fahey, Lily Agg and Chloe Mustaki all return from injury; Megan Campbell is available again; while Saoirse Noonan is recalled to the set-up for the first time this year.
Kiernan’s inclusion is a major boost, the Liverpool striker having recently returned from an eight-month lay-off with a serious ankle injury. “I definitely know I’ve done everything possible to make that squad,” she told The 42 last week.
Pauw is due to name her final squad on 29 June, when she will whittle the number down to 23 players and three travelling training members.
Camp begins in Dublin on Monday, with training taking place between FAI HQ and UCD. The squad will be based on the south Dublin university campus.
“Every player who comes into the camp has the same chances,” Pauw added this afternoon. “We stay open until the last minute of [making] the decision.
“It’s devastating. I’m very much aware that I have broken dreams.
“The tightest calls are yet to come.”
Tallaght Stadium will host sold-out send-off friendlies against Zambia and France on 22 June and 6 July respectively. Ireland will travel to their Brisbane base thereafter, where they’re set to tune up against Colombia in a behind closed doors game on 14 July.
Their highly-anticipated opener against co-hosts Australia takes place six days later at Sydney’s 83,500-capacity Stadium Australia. The Girls In Green also face Olympic champions Canada in Perth, and Nigeria in Brisbane, in Group B.
Pauw’s side remain at an all-time high of 22nd in the Fifa world rankings, which were updated this morning.
Goalkeepers
Defenders
Midfielders
Forwards
The Journal publishes the biggest breaking news in Irish and international sport but for all of The 42′s insightful analysis and sharp sportswriting, subscribe here.
To embed this post, copy the code below on your site
have your say