Women's National Team squad announced

At the FAI headquarters on Friday afternoon, Ireland Women’s National Team Manager Sue Ronan named a squad of twenty-three girls for the upcoming European Championship qualifier against Finland at Tallaght Stadium on September 21st, a game that will be broadcast live on Setanta Sports.

With the expansion of the European Championships from 12 to 16 teams, Ireland has been handed their best opportunity to reach a major competition, with both the group winners and the best six runners up qualifying automatically alongside the hosts - while the remaining place at Holland 2017 will be decided by a play-off between the remaining two group runners up.

As the new campaign draws closer, Sue Ronan has handed Glasgow City’s Clare Shine a first senior call up after the Cork Native impressed since making the move to the Scottish capital last May.

There's also a recall for goalkeeper Grace Moloney, the Reading shot stopper who has earned huge praise for her performances for Reading in the WSL 2 which sees them currently sit in second position in the league table.

Ronan is also able to call upon the services of senior players such as Louise Quinn, Diane Caldwell and Sophie Perry - who were forced to miss the end of season trip to America due to club commitments.

Despite having not played a qualifying game since defeat to Germany, Ronan told www.fai.ie that she is looking forward to the game against Finland, after a positive year which saw her side hold several training camps and play many friendlies throughout 2015.

“Although it has been a year since we played our last competitive game against Germany, we have been busy having held two training camps in January and August, played four games at the Istria Cup in March, a game against Spain in April and two games against USA and Haiti in May. We have added a few players to what is a largely settled squad and they will have an opportunity next week to stake their claims for a place against Finland.

“This is a big game for us as Finland are second seeds and, if we are to have any chance of qualifying, we will have to finish in front of them or Spain. We have a tough start as we also play Portugal away in October and are at home to Spain in November so it’s important that we get out of the blocks fast and put points on the board. With the top two likely to qualify there is a mood of optimism among the players but we have now got to get the job done. It won’t be easy but we are all very determined to give it our all.”

Republic of Ireland Squad (v Finland)

Goalkeepers: Emma Byrne (Arsenal), Grace Maloney (Reading), Niamh Reid Burke (Shelbourne).

Defenders: Megan Campbell (Florida State University); Meabh De Burca (Galway), Karen Duggan (UCD Waves), Niamh Fahey (Chelsea), Louise Quinn (Eskilstuna); Grace Murray (Newry City), Sophie Perry (Brighton & Hove Albion).

Midfielders: Diane Caldwell (Avaldsness), Dora Gorman (UCD Waves), Ciara Grant (UCD Waves), Rachel Graham (Shelbourne), Siobhan Killeen (Shelbourne), Aine O’Gorman (UCD Waves), Julie-Ann Russell (UCD Waves).

Forwards: Carol Breen (Wexford Youths), Ruesha Littlejohn (Celtic), Katie McCabe (Shelbourne), Denise O’Sullivan (Glasgow City), Stephanie Roche (Sunderland), Clare Shine (Glasgow City).