Pauw names Pinatar Cup squad as preperations for crunch World Cup qualifier continue

Macdara Ferris reports from FAI HQ

Vera Pauw has named a 27-player Republic of Ireland squad for their upcoming debut appearance in the Pinatar Cup tournament in Spain.

The girls in green are guaranteed three games, starting on Wednesday, February 16th when they play Poland. They will play two further games on 19 February (against Russia or Hungary) and 22 February (against, depending on results during the week, Belgium, Scotland or Wales).
 
The aim of Ireland’s participation in the Pinatar Cup is preparation for April’s 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup Qualifier away to Sweden in Gothenburg. Pauw confirmed that “we will play all the players and everyone will get game time and show us what they are capable of."

There is a first senior call-up for Shelbourne striker and Ireland women’s under-17 skipper Abbie Larkin. The 16-year-old trained with Pauw’s squad last season. 

“She's a huge talent and we want to know where she is,” said Pauw. "We need to see her. She's doing very well at the moment.”

Pauw has no concerns about bringing in the teenager for these upcoming games. 

“If you're good enough, you're old enough. Sherida Spitse will play her 200th cap for the Netherlands next week. She came in when she was 15 when I was coach and she never left the squad. Female players physically mature earlier than male players by about two years.”

At the other end of the age scale is 34-year-old Liverpool player Niamh Fahey who is set to break the 100 cap mark for Ireland. Currently on 99 caps, she will join three other Irish players who have hit the century mark in the women’s game - Emma Byrne (134), Áine O’Gorman (111) and Ciara Grant (105).

“Niamh Fahey is one of the most mature players that we have if not the most mature player. She is always stable. You always know what you get from her. She preforms always at that level. Her experience helps her.

"You will have noticed we moved her from the left side, where she always played at club level, to the right side and she has a new boost in her career. That is great to see. Even now at her age and her experience she is stepping up another level."

Roma McLaughlin, Saoirse Noonan and Aoife Colville were all omitted due to injuires with Jesse Stapleton part of the under-19 squad.

The squad will meet in Murcia, Spain on Sunday, February 13th and use the La Manga Stadium as their training base.

Republic of Ireland WNT Squad

Goalkeepers: Courtney Brosnan (Everton), Grace Moloney (Reading), Megan Walsh (Brighton & Hove Albion), Eve Badana (DLR Waves)
Defenders: Louise Quinn (Birmingham City), Niamh Fahey (Liverpool), Diane Caldwell (Manchester United), Claire Walsh (Glasgow City), Savannah McCarthy (Galway WFC), Áine O’Gorman (Peamount United), Megan Campbell (Liverpool)
Midfielders: Denise O’Sullivan (North Carolina Courage), Megan Connolly (Brighton & Hove Albion), Katie McCabe (Arsenal), Ruesha Littlejohn (Aston Villa), Jamie Finn (Birmingham City), Niamh Farrelly (Glasgow City), Ciara Grant (Rangers), Jess Ziu (Shelbourne), Ellen Molloy (Wexford Youths), Isibeal Atkinson (Celtic)
Forwards: Heather Payne (Florida State University), Kyra Carusa (HB Hoge), Amber Barrett (FC Koln), Leanne Kiernan (Liverpool), Abbie Larkin (Shelbourne), Lucy Quinn (Birmingham City)

Vera Pauw worried about Brexit impact on WNL https://t.co/x3Yb76LN0ppic.twitter.com/80RNohqv0u

— Extratime.com (@ExtratimeNews) February 11, 2022