World Cup Qualifier
21.08.2010 at 15:00 - Ferrycarrig Park Wexford
Republic of Ireland women's senior interim manager, Susan Ronan has announced an 18 player squad for the upcoming FIFA World Cup qualifiers against Russia and Israel which will be played in Ferrycarrig Park and the Carlisle Grounds, Bray on August 21 and 25 respectively.
Following Noel King's appointment to the Republic of Ireland U21 manager's position, Susan Ronan makes the step up the women's senior team from her post as Women's U19 manager and the FAI's Women's Unit manager where she plays an important role developing women's football at grassroots level.
Ronan will get an opportunity to see her team in action prior to the World Cup qualification double-header next week with a friendly against the Netherlands on Sunday (August 15) in Velsen, just outside Amsterdam.
Among the 18 players selected in the squad is Irish women's U17 goalkeeper, Grace Moloney who makes the jump to senior level after a string of impressive performances during the Women's U17 UEFA Championship campaign last season.
Speaking in the Netherland's ahead of Sunday's friendly, Irish interim boss, Susan Ronan said, "Sunday's game against the Netherlands is a vital opportunity to get some much needed match practice under our belts before the two World Cup qualifiers next week. Most of the players are out of season at the moment and playing against the Netherlands on Sunday will give them the match practice and the sharpness that they need at international level," said Ronan.
"It is a obviously a great honour for me to manage the team for these games and even though qualification to the FIFA World Cup is probably beyond the team at the moment, I think that the players have a lot to play for in terms of pride and of course, making sure that they play well enough to be included in the plans of the next manager, whoever that may be," she added.
Sunday, August 15, 2010
International friendly
Netherlands v Republic of Ireland
Velsen
2.00pm [local time]
Saturday, August 21, 2010
FIFA Women's World Cup qualifier
Republic of Ireland v Russia
Ferrycarrig Park, Wexford
Kick-off: 15.00
Wednesday, August 25, 2010
FIFA Women's World Cup qualifier
Republic of Ireland v Israel
Carlisle Grounds, Bray
Kick-off: 19.30
Republic of Ireland squad
Emma Byrne - Arsenal
Grace Moloney - Reading
Jemma Connor - Birmingham
Rebecca Creagh - Raheny
Meabh de Burca - Salthill Devon
Niamh Fahey - Arsenal
Ciara Grant - Arsenal
Sonya Hughes - St. Francis
Lynn Marie Grant - Tramore
Ciara McCormack - Kolbotn FC
Mary Therese McDonnell - Chicago
Shannon McDonnell - Unattached
Áine O'Gorman - Stella Maris
Fiona O'Sullivan - San Francisco Storm
Louise Quinn - Peamount
Stephanie Roche - Raheny United
Yvonne Tracy - Arsenal
Shannon Smyth - Donn Toppfotball
While neither the Republic of Ireland nor Russia are likely to qualify from this group for next year's World Cup, the tie is sure to be an intriguing one.
Russia's tag of group favourites counted for little when they were beaten by Switzerland 3-0 in June, leaving their victors with a free run at taking top spot in pool six.
Only a shock result of the Swiss failing to beat Kazakhstan in Fribourg today would reignite Russia's hopes - and that's only if they accrue maximum points from their final games against Ireland and Kazakhstan.
Igor Shalimov, Russia's coach, was quoted recently as saying: "There is the faint hope that Switzerland will lose points in their game against Kazakhstan, but that is almost impossible. So we have to think of the future, and use every game to improve our skills and get ready for other tournaments."
Ireland, likely to finish third in the group, will hope the visitors don't take out their anger on them here today in Wexford.
Caretaker manager Sue Ronan oversaw her first game in charge last week as the girls lost 2-0 away to the Netherlands and she expects a similarly stern test this afternoon with vital World Cup qualifying points at stake.
"I've watched Russia play and they are fliers!" admitted Ronan. "They have two full-backs that bomb on into attack and we'll need to be solid against them.
"It's been a positive campaign for the squad so far and we want to finish the group strongly in these final two matches at home to Russia and Israel over the next five days."
The return of the absent Julieanne Russell from the Dutch friendly will provide Ronan with another option on the wing against a Russian side with bundles of quality.
The Salthill Devon flanker is one of the most highly-rated young talents in the country and recently claimed the 2009 FAI international Under-19 player of the year accolade.
With the Under-17 Girls set for World Cup duty in Trinidad and Tobago next month, it's an exciting time for Women's football in Ireland.
A decent performance today on the lush surface at Ferrycarrig Park would be another in a long list of boosts for the game this year.
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