Cyprus Cup Preview - Bell kicks off WNT reign

Republic of Ireland women’s team are set to kick off a new chapter in their history with the first game under new head coach Colin Bell due to be played on Wednesday at 12:30pm. This will be first game under new management since Sue Ronan stepped down after six years in charge earlier this year.

Bell took over the reins in early February having previously worked at women’s club level. Bell brings a level of success to the team after winning the UEFA Women's Champions League with FFC Frankfurt in 2015. Speaking to the FAI after the announcement, he stated, "It is a dream come true to be given the opportunity to become a national team coach and it is something during my 27 years coaching that I always wanted to be. Now, I'm looking forward to getting started.”

Bell’s first game in charge comes with little preparation as the team step into a tournament environment in the Cyprus Cup after two training sessions. This period of March is always a fun time for women’s soccer fans with a host of tournaments taken place such as the Algarve Cup in Portugal and the She Believes tournament in the United States.

The women’s team take on the Czech Republic in their opening game of the tournament.

Speaking to the FAI ahead of the tournament, Bell said, "I'm really looking forward to it. It's been great to get onto the pitch with the group, starting on Sunday at Abbotstown and out here again today. I'm trying to get a few bits of information across to the group; it's going to be a tough game for us with only two small sessions of preparation.”

The Czech Republic are currently ranked one place ahead of Ireland at 33^rd in the FIFA World ranking and Irish fans will be eager to see how the team perform with a number of new faces within the squad such as Marie Hourihan a keeper from Manchester City who is eligible to play for Ireland.

You can follow updates on ExtraTime.ie and further coverage of the tournament to follow.

Cyprus Cup 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)
Wednesday, March 8: TBC