Colin Bell names first Women's National Team Squad ahead of Cyrpus Cup

Ireland’s new WNT manager Colin Bell has announced his first squad in preparation for the Cyprus Cup which gets underway on March 1^st.

Despite only finding himself in the role a matter of days, the 2015 Women’s Champions League winning manager has already turned his attention to the task at hand.

"The Cyprus Cup is the ideal start for me. Through its intensity, I will have the opportunity to see how the squad react, on and off the pitch, in a difficult situation. Four competitive matches in a week is tough for any team,"

Alongside using the time practically to imprint his philosophy on the players, the camp setting will also provide an opportunity for Bell to get familiar with his new charges and give the squad a chance to bond for  

"One of these priorities will be team building/interaction between player-player and staff-player. For me, I will be looking to get as much information as I need for my players, and study the other teams during this tournament.

Some of the players will be no stranger to the international set-up such as record appearance maker Emma Byrne and Puskas Award nominee Stephanie Roche and their experience will be complimented by a trio of home based prospects - Amanda McQuillan, Roma McLaughlin, and Leanne Kiernan who all line out for Shelbourne Ladies.

The invitational tournament consists of 12 teams from four confederations and will serve as ideal preparation for the 2019 FIFA Women's World Cup qualifiers that get underway in September.

"The Cyprus Cup is from Day One the start of the road to France 2019. That is an important fact that I will be making clear throughout the tournament."

The draw for that qualification campaign will be made in Nyon on Tuesday, April 25 but first up for the WNT is the Czech Republic on March 1^st.

Republic of Ireland WNT Squad

Goalkeepers: Emma Byrne (Brighton & Hove Albion), Amanda McQuillan (Shelbourne Ladies)

Defenders: Sophie Perry (Brighton & Hove Albion), Jetta Berrill (UCD Waves), Diane Caldwell (SC Sand), Louise Quinn (Unattached), Megan Campbell (Manchester City Women), Savannah McCarthy (Glasgow City)

Midfielders: Julie-Ann Russell, Karen Duggan (UCD Waves), Katie McCabe (Arsenal Ladies), Denise O'Sullivan (Houston Dash), Roma McLaughlin (Shelbourne Ladies), Ruesha Littlejohn (Celtic FC Women), Megan Connolly (Florida State University)

Forwards: Stephanie Roche (Sunderland Ladies), Aine O'Gorman (UCD Waves), Noelle Murray, Clare Shine (Glasgow City), Leanne Kiernan (Shelbourne Ladies)

Fixtures

Wednesday, March 1: Republic of Ireland v Czech Republic, KO 12:30 (Irish time)

Friday, March 3: Republic of Ireland v Hungary, KO 15:30 (Irish time)

Monday, March 6: Republic of Ireland v Wales, KO 12:30 (Irish time)