Colin Bell names WNT squad for Slovakia friendly

Following on from their success in the recent Cyprus Cup, the Republic of Ireland Women’s National Team face Slovakia in a friendly at the Tallaght Stadium on April 10^th.

Republic of Ireland Head Coach Colin Bell has named an experienced squad of 22 players for the fixture.

Announcing his selection, Bell said, "I'm really looking forward to my first home game with Ireland. It's really important that we look to recapture the form we had in the Cyprus Cup.

"We'll also have more time to train in camp which will be great for me to look at our shape and style of play in more detail, and also get to know the players even more.”

Also in April, the Republic of Ireland Women's Under 19 team hosts Finland, Scotland and Ukraine in an Elite Qualifiying Round for the European championship. With younger players like Roma McLaughlin, Amanda McQuillan and Leanne Kiernan required for the Under 19s, Bell has taken the opportunity to recall for the senior fixture some players who haven’t featured in a while.

"The young players will all stay with the U19s and hopefully help them qualify for the European Championships through the Elite stage. I'll be going out with the U19s myself before I'm in camp with the senior team and I'm looking forward to getting to know them as well." 

Keeva Keenan (Glasgow City) has been called up to the squad for the first time since the Basque Country friendly three years ago and Shelbourne Ladies defender Niamh Reid-Burke is also recalled. Bell is also delighted this time to have the services of Julie-Ann Russell (UCD Waves), who was named in the head coach’s original squad for the Cyprus Cup but was unable to play.

"I've brought in Keeva Keenan who has performed well in Scotland this season and has been on my radar so it will be great to get to work with her. It's also great to have Julie-Ann available after missing the Cyprus Cup and I'm looking forward to working with her.”

There are call-ups as well for Manchester City midfielder Megan Campbell and Shelbourne striker Siobhan Killeen.

Ireland finished fourth at the Cyprus Cup, losing to Korea DPR in the 3^rd/4^th place play-off. They had earlier beaten Czech Republic and Wales as well as drawing with Hungary.

Goalkeepers: Emma Byrne (Brighton & Hove Albion Women), Marie Hourihan (Manchester City Women), Niamh Reid-Burke (Shelbourne Ladies)

Defenders: Sophie Perry (Brighton and Hove Albion Women), Diane Caldwell (SC Sand), Louise Quinn (Notts County Ladies), Harriet Scott (Reading Women), Savannah McCarthy (Glasgow City), Jetta Berrill (UCD Waves), Keeva Keenan (Glasgow City)

Midfielders: Megan Campbell (Manchester City Women), Karen Duggan (UCD Waves), Denise O'Sullivan (Houston Dash), Megan Connolly (Florida State Seminoles), Ruesha Littlejohn (Celtic FC Women), Stephanie Roche (Sunderland Ladies)

Attackers: Julie-Ann Russell (UCD Waves), Aine O'Gorman (UCD Waves), Katie McCabe (Arsenal Ladies), Claire O'Riordan (Wexford Youths), Siobhan Killeen (Shelbourne Ladies), Clare Shine (Cork City WFC).