The Republic of Ireland’s interim head coach Eileen Gleeson spoke to the media this morning following her squad announcement for the nation’s upcoming fixtures against Hungary and Northern Ireland in the UEFA Women’s Nations League.
The Girls in Green will face Hungary on 1 December 2023 at Tallaght Stadium in Dublin before heading to Windsor Park for their away fixture against Northern Ireland on 5 December 2023. The away fixture marks the first time that a senior Republic of Ireland team has played at Windsor Park since 1994.
When speaking in an official FAI press conference, Gleeson expressed her excitement ahead of the occasion.
“It’s great that we’re in Windsor Park and it’s a nice fixture to finish off the Nations League campaign with, so it’s very exciting,” Gleeson said. “It’s a big occasion, we’re proud to be a part of that occasion.”
There is plenty of Barclays Women’s Super League representation in the latest Republic of Ireland squad including West Ham United youngsters Jessie Stapleton and Izzy Atkinson. Teenager Stapleton is making her return to the national team squad. Gleeson went on to discuss the player’s development since signing a professional contract with West Ham United in July.
She said “She’s obviously had a setback with an injury, so the transition between an amateur and professional, it takes a little bit of time to settle in.
“She picked up the injury but I think Jessie is adapting very well, I think you’re going to see her really come into her own. She’s in a fully professional environment now, she’s playing with top players, so you’d expect to see her really kick on.”
Gleeson also spoke about Stapleton’s West Ham United teammate Atkinson who has retained her position in the squad ahead of December’s fixtures.
She said “We love Izzy, she’s really coming on. She’s really direct, she’s a real threat in a one v one, she’s exciting to watch. She’s a young player, the development process is still going on but I think she’s showing a lot of progression.”
Commenting on the youth of the Republic of Ireland side more generally, Gleeson expressed her excitement for the talent coming through the squad.
“The future is really bright,” she said. “We’ve got these players coming through. For me as a manager and someone who has always been involved in Irish Football, it’s super-exciting to be able to give those young players the opportunity and they’ve earned it.
“Jessie [Stapleton], Abbie [Larkin], Ellen [Dolan], they are the future. They’re the players we want to see in 2025 and in the next World Cup, so it’s nice for us to be able to give them the exposure during this campaign as well.”
The Republic of Ireland celebrated promotion into League A of the UEFA Women’s Nations League following October’s 5-1 victory over Hungary and their 1-0 win in Albania. The matches saw Republic of Ireland captain, Katie McCabe, collect three goals and two assists across the two fixtures. Gleeson spoke of the importance of such performances and the role that her senior players have in inspiring younger talent.
“Those players are real role models for the younger players coming through,” Gleeson said. “It’s a challenge support environment, so they need to raise their game.
“When you’ve got players like that with the characters they have and the qualities they have, as a young player, it’s pretty inspiring. It’s a real role model to be inspired to be like, so it can only be beneficial.”
Republic of Ireland Squad
Goalkeepers: Courtney Brosnan (Everton), Grace Moloney (London City Lionesses), Sophie Whitehouse (Lewes)
Defenders: Caitlin Hayes (Celtic), Louise Quinn (Birmingham City), Diane Caldwell (FC Zürich), Hayley Nolan (Crystal Palace), Jessie Stapleton (West Ham United), Chloe Mustaki (Bristol City), Heather Payne (Everton), Izzy Atkinson (West Ham United)
Midfielders: Katie McCabe (Arsenal), Denise O’Sullivan (North Carolina Courage), Megan Connolly (Bristol City), Ruesha Littlejohn (London City Lionesses), Jamie Finn (Birmingham City), Lily Agg (Birmingham City), Tyler Toland (Blackburn Rovers), Sinead Farrelly (Gotham FC), Lucy Quinn (Birmingham City)
Forwards: Kyra Carusa (San Diego Wave), Abbie Larkin (Glasgow City), Erin McLaughlin (Peamount United), Emily Whelan (Glasgow City), Saoirse Noonan (Durham), Ellen Dolan (Peamount United)
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