Republic of Ireland WNT Head Coach Sue Ronan names her squad for Basque Country test

Republic of Ireland Women’s National Team Head Coach Sue Ronan has selected her final squad ahead of the international friendly against the Basque Country.

Ronan, who has managed the WNT for six years, will oversee her final game on Saturday, November 26th before concentrating on her role as the Head of Women’s Football within the FAI. 

Her final squad includes five players from Shelbourne Ladies who recently lifted the Women’s Senior Cup with a 5-0 win over Wexford Youths at the Aviva Stadium in the final. 

Leanne Kiernan, who starred in that game, scoring a cup-final hat-trick and who scored four goals in a 10-0 win over Macedonia for the Republic of Ireland WU19’s side in October, gets her 2nd call-up to the national team squad, as do Alex Kavanagh and Niamh Prior.

Ronan also again calls up Peamount United midfielder Roma McLaughlin who made her senior debut when she came off the bench in the 1-0 defeat to Portugal in September and was also a key part of the WU19s side which topped their qualifying group in October with wins over Wales, FYR Macedonia and Italy.

WNT Head Coach Sue Ronan said: “As the Women’s Senior Cup final and the recent performances by our underage squads in the Euros  showed, the standard in the Women’s National League and indeed in our underage leagues around the country continues to improve, so I’ve named 13 home-based players in this squad to reflect that. 

“Unfortunately some others were unavailable due to work / holiday commitments, one or two of whom I really would have liked to see play at this level, but it gives a chance to some of the young players to get a little taste.  I'm also able to call on Denise O’Sullivan and Stephanie Roche again, both of who unfortunately missed the Portugal game in September - they bring a lot of experience to the squad.  

"This will be a tough game against the Basque Country with many of their players also representing the Spanish national team, who we’re very familiar with after our recent qualifying campaign.  Between that and the fact we also played them in a friendly in May 2014 we know a bit about them and know it’s going to be a very good test for us, so having that right balance between youth and experience is very important.

“I’m really looking forward to this game which is my final one as Women’s National Team Head coach.  I’ve thoroughly enjoyed the role over the last six years and iit’s been an absolute honour to manage my country.  I believe the mix of experienced players and amount of young talent we now have in this country, the future looks very bright for the next person coming in.”

Republic of Ireland Women’s National Team squad v Basque Country

Goalkeepers: Emma Byrne (Arsenal Ladies), Naoishe McAloone, (Peamount United) Amanda McQuillan (Shelbourne Ladies).

Defenders: Niamh Fahey (Chelsea WFC), Louise Quinn (Eskilstuna United), Savannah McCarthy (Glasgow City), Meabh De Burca (Galway WFC), Jetta Berrill (UCD Waves), Jess Gleeson (Wexford Youths), Niamh Prior (UCD Waves).

Midfielders: Karen Duggan (UCD Waves), Diane Caldwell (SC Sand), Roma McLaughlin (Peamount United), Alex Kavanagh (Shelbourne Ladies), Julie Ann Russell (UCD Waves), Denise O’Sullivan (Houston Dash).

Forwards: Stephanie Roche (Sunderland Ladies), Leanne Kiernan (Shelbourne Ladies), Aine O’Gorman (UCD Waves), Noelle Murray (Shelbourne Ladies).