Vera Pauw names first Irish senior squad ahead of crunch Euro qualifier against Ukraine

Recently appointed Republic of Ireland Women’s National Team Head Coach Vera Pauw has named her first squad as Irish boss ahead of the crunch European qualifier at home to Ukraine next month.

Pauw has named a 23-player panel for the vital fixture which takes place at Tallaght Stadium – following the Girls in Green win over Montenegro earlier this month.  

Among those who have been called up include Arsenal’s Louise Quinn, along with Manchester City duo Tyler Toland and Megan Campbell.

Former Peamount United star Stephanie Roche has also earned a call-up along with Harriet Scott of Birmingham City.

A trio of Women’s National League players have also been named in Pauw’s inaugural international squad – Rianna Jarrett, Claire Walsh and Chloe Mustaki.

With this being the German’s first squad as boss of the Irish senior team – Pauw paid tribute to those who have helped her picked squad for the visit of the Ukrainians.  

“I would like to thank everybody who has helped me to get this squad together because there are players who are coming back from injury and others who have developed well that we have brought in and I needed a lot of information.

"Without all the help I have had I would not have been able to get a squad together that I am comfortable with, but I am very comfortable now with the squad I have named.

“We had open talks with everybody, including Ruud Dokter, Eileen Gleeson and Sue Ronan. Dave Connell has also described every single player for me, which is massive.”

“I will meet Colin Bell tomorrow to go through the group dynamics and the specifics of players in order to ensure a smooth transition from his programme to what we are going to do,” Pauw added.  

“Tom O’Connor was very supportive also. I don’t think we could be in a better situation as we don’t intend to do something different but to build on what has been happening.

“We obviously hope to develop further, but without the knowledge of what the team has done until now, we can’t do that. 

“The video analysis staff were also excellent help to me, Ger Dunne, Gary Seery and Andrew Holt all played their part in providing me with the footage that I needed of all the players we were looking at.”

Republic of Ireland Squad in full

Goalkeepers: Marie Hourihan (SC Braga), Grace Moloney (Reading), Courtney Brosnan (West Ham United).

Defenders: Harriet Scott (Birmingham City), Keeva Keenan (Celtic), Diane Caldwell (SC Sand), Claire Walsh (Peamount United), Claire O’Riordan (MSV Duisburg), Louise Quinn (Arsenal), Hayley Nolan (University of Hartford), Megan Campbell (Manchester City).

Midfielders: Niamh Fahey (Liverpool), Megan Connolly (Brighton and Hove Albion), Denise O’Sullivan (North Carolina Courage), Stephanie Roche (CF Florentia), Tyler Toland (Manchester City), Chloe Mustaki (Shelbourne).

Forwards: Heather Payne (Florida State University), Leanne Kiernan (West Ham United), Amber Barrett (FC Köln), Rianna Jarrett (Wexford Youths), Katie McCabe (Arsenal), Julie-Ann Russell (Sydney University).