Sue Ronan announces WNT squad ahead of Euro Qualifiers

Republic of Ireland Women’s Manager Sue Ronan has today announced her squad of 20 players ahead of their crucial upcoming UEFA European Championship qualifiers away to Montenegro and Spain.

Ireland head into the back-to-back away fixtures knowing that they must start to secure some positive results if they are to qualify for next summer's tournament after the Girls in Green suffered defeat in two of their opening three qualifiers at home to Finland and Spain.

In the lead up to this month's qualifiers, Ireland finished seventh in the recent Cyprus Cup. The Girls in Green began the competition with an opening day defeat to Austria, however, that defeat turned out to be their last of the weeklong competition with Sue Ronan’s side drawing with the highly ranked Italians, before defeating Hungary in their final group game.

In the placings game, Ireland secured a 2-0 victory against group 2 rivals Finland a result that Sue Ronan will hope her side can build on against bottom side Montenegro next Thursday afternoon. 

Included in the squad announcement there is a first international call-up for UCD Waves Jetta Berrill. The midfielder, who can also slot in at full-back, has been in brilliant form for the Waves who currently lead the Women’s National League by four points.

There are recalls for Stephanie Roche, who missed the Cyprus Cup due to injury and Fiona O’Sullivan, who returned to international football last January against the USA.

Both Rianna Jarrett (ACL) and Megan Campbell miss the trip after picking up injuries at the Cyprus Cup, while Savannah McCarthy has returned to the under 19’s squad ahead of their upcoming Elite Qualifying campaign which begins next Tuesday at Tallaght Stadium.

Republic of Ireland Women’s National Team Squad

Goalkeepers: Emma Byrne (Arsenal), Niamh Reid-Burke (Shelbourne), Grace Moloney (Reading)

Defenders: Louise Quinn (Eskilstuna United), Jessica Gleeson (Wexford Youths), Niamh Fahey (Chelsea), Sophie Perry (Brighton & Hove Albion), Meabh De Burca (Galway) Aine O’Gorman (UCD Waves).

Midfielders: Karen Duggan (UCD Waves), Denise O’Sullivan (Houston Dash), Diane Caldwell (Kóln), Ruesha Littlejohn (Glasgow City), Julie-Ann Russell (UCD Waves), Katie McCabe (Arsenal), Emma Hansberry (Wexford Youths), Jetta Berrill (UCD Waves)

Forwards: Stephanie Roche (Sunderland), Fiona O’Sullivan, Clare Shine (Glasgow City)

Republic of Ireland WNT’s UEFA Women’s EURO 2017 Qualifiers fixtures for April are: 

Thursday April 7th: Montenegro WNT v Republic of Ireland WNT, Petrovac, 13:00 (Irish Time)

Tuesday, April 12th: Spain WNT v Republic of Ireland WNT, Madrid, 19:30 (Irish Time)