Friendly
09.10.2018 at 15:00 - Municipal Stadium, Ostroda, Poland
Republic of Ireland Womens National Team Head Coach Colin Bell will be missing Harriet Scott and Leanne Kiernan for tomorrows international friendly against Poland.
The WNT have travelled to Ostroda, Poland ahead of the friendly match as they look to begin their preparations for the UEFA 2021 European Championships campaign in September.
Birmingham City defender Harriet Scott is unavailable for the game and West Ham striker Leanne Kiernan is also ruled out with an injury. Peamount United midfielder Dearbhaile Beirne has been called into the squad and WNT Head Coach Bell believes Poland pose a real threat.
"It is going to be a tough test for us, they are above us in the world rankings and they had a good World Cup campaign as well," Bell admitted.
"They are a very physical side and they have got a player up front in Ewa Pajor who is destined to become a world-class player."
Aine O Gorman and Karen Duggan recently retired from international football and a number of players are currently playing with the Ireland Womens Under 19 squad in their UEFA European Championships Qualifying round group in Lithuania.
Despite the injuries and retirements, Bell believes they present an opportunity to players to make their mark on the national team with tomorrows friendly the last match of 2018.
"It is a bit of a problem for us, we have got a few injuries. Tyler [Toland] is out for the next few months after the horrific tackle she suffered against Northern Ireland. Harriet Scott is not available whilst Heather Payne and Isibeal Atkinson are with the Under 19s for their European Championships campaign," Bell said.
"Leanne Kiernan will also be missing after an injury ahead of coming in and with Aine O Gorman and Karen Duggan announcing their retirements, we are obviously looking for other players to come in.
"That is what we are always looking for really, a chance for new players to come in and make their mark. This game presents an opportunity for those players so it will be interesting tomorrow."
Republic of Ireland WNT Squad v Poland
Goalkeepers: Marie Hourihan (Brighton and Hove Albion), Grace Moloney (Reading)
Defenders: Sophie Perry (Brighton and Hove Albion), Niamh Fahey (Liverpool), Diane Caldwell (SC Sand), Louise Quinn (Arsenal), Claire O Riordan (MSV Duisburg)
Midfielders: Denise O Sullivan (NC Courage), Aislinn Meaney (Galway Womens), Katie McCabe (Arsenal), Ruesha Littlejohn (London Bees), Zara Foley (Cork City), Jessica Ziu (Shelbourne), Dearbhaile Beirne (Peamount United)
Forwards: Rianna Jarrett (Wexford Youths), Amber Barrett (Peamount United), Emily Whelan (Shelbourne)
Fixtures - International Friendlies
09/10/2018 - Poland v Republic of Ireland, Municipal Stadium, Ostroda - KO 5pm (6pm local time)
|
