Unveiling the Fierce Squad of Ireland Women for the Women's World Cup: Get to Know the Powerhouse Girls in Green

Vera Pauw has unveiled the 23-player Republic of Ireland squad for the upcoming Women's World Cup. Initially, the manager had chosen 31 players for a training camp in preparation for Ireland's inaugural major tournament. The final selection was revealed on Thursday.

Ireland's history-making 23 players are profiled as they prepare to travel to Australia and New Zealand in early July. This journey precedes their World Cup opener against Australia in Sydney on July 20, with kick-off scheduled for 11am BST.

Courtney Brosnan

Courtney Brosnan is Pauw's preferred number one goalkeeper and has been instrumental in the remarkable winning streak of the Irish national team. During Ireland's crucial World Cup qualifier against Scotland, Brosnan made a brilliant save on a penalty taken by Caroline Weir in the 13th minute, leading to a victory secured by Amber Barrett.

Leading up to the match against the reigning World Cup champions, the USA, in April, Brosnan had not allowed a single goal in international matches since April 2022. This impressive achievement, spanning over 650 minutes of play, finally came to an end against the Americans. Nonetheless, it served as a poignant reminder of the tremendous progress made by the Irish team.

Grace Moloney

As Reading's first-choice keeper - having been at the club since she was nine-years-old - Grace Moloney is one of the 'keepers fighting for the No 1 jersey.

Content: Moloney is the ideal choice if you're seeking a goalkeeper who remains composed during penalty shootouts. This season, her remarkable saves played a crucial role in Reading's advancement in the Women's FA Cup, following a victorious penalty shootout against Leicester.

Hailing from Slough, a neighboring town to Reading, Moloney's childhood was filled with aspirations of representing Ireland. Her father continuously supported her dreams by outfitting her in the newest national team jerseys.

Megan Walsh

Megan Walsh exudes a wealth of experience, boasting the remarkable achievement of having the highest number of saves in the WSL. With her extensive record as the most active goalkeeper in WSL history, she serves as a reliable option for Pauw.

In 2021, Brighton not only caused a major upset by defeating reigning champions Chelsea, marking their first loss in two years, but Walsh also made history by achieving 500 saves in the WSL during that game. Despite having limited experience in Ireland's senior team, the 28-year-old's potential on the international stage is believed to be immense.

This summer, Walsh is making a transition as she departs from Brighton and Hove Albion, where she served as their top goalkeeper until the end of her contract.

Diane Caldwell

Calm and collected, Diane Caldwell has worldwide football experience, with periods in the United States, Iceland, Germany, Ireland and England.

She also became the first Irishwoman to play for Manchester United and is a lifelong fan of the club.

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Now at Reading, Caldwell brings a commanding presence in both defence and midfield and could earn her 100th cap at this World Cup.

Louise Quinn

Once described as a "tiger" by her Ireland manager, Louise Quinn brings experience and reliability, having started each and every one of Birmingham's 29 fixtures this season.

Look out for Quinn's impressive aerial performance in the box this summer, as set-pieces play a crucial role in Ireland's attack.

Not only does Quinn possess strong leadership qualities, but they also serve as a vital element in Pauw's team cohesion and dynamics.

Heather Payne

Florida State University star Heather Payne has led the line for Ireland, but often plays in her more natural position of right wing-back.

When she launches an attack, she displays an impressive speed and boundless stamina, in addition to offering valuable insider knowledge. In the realm of club football, she shares a locker room with players hailing from various corners of the globe, such as Australia, China, and Nigeria.

Although Payne has only scored one goal for Ireland, she has garnered immense popularity thanks to her relentless work ethic and knack for tirelessly navigating through different areas of the field.

Aine O'Gorman

Aine O'Gorman is one of Ireland's most celebrated footballers, having earned over 100 caps.

She was only 16 years old when she broke into the senior team in 2006 and she maintained a place all the way through to her international retirement in 2018.

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O'Gorman overturned that decision in 2020, paving the way for Ireland to qualify for their inaugural major tournament. As a result, she will now proudly represent her country in the Women's World Cup. With a versatile skill set and primarily a striker throughout her career, the Shamrock Rovers captain was the lone domestic-based player in the starting lineup that secured a 1-0 victory over Scotland, securing their spot in the finals held in Australia and New Zealand.

Claire O'Riordan

Claire O'Riordan became an Ireland international in 2016 and recently made a triumphant return to competitive play after a three-year hiatus. During an important victory against Slovakia in September, she made her first start since recovering from a devastating ankle injury. Last season, she contributed to Celtic's Women's Scottish Cup final victory over Rangers, helping them retain the trophy at Hampden Park. With her sights set on the upcoming summer, she is determined to build on her previous successes.

Niamh Fahey

Niamh Fahey, a key player in Pauw's defensive lineup, has made a successful comeback after battling a long-lasting injury that sidelined her for four months during the last season. As the captain of Liverpool, Fahey showcases her versatility by adeptly playing in the backline and midfield positions.

Izzy Atkinson

Fahey, who has experience playing for top clubs like Arsenal, Chelsea, and Liverpool, is well acquainted with performing on grand platforms. Throughout her career, she has achieved remarkable successes, clinching three WSL titles and contributing to Liverpool's promotion, resulting in an impressive collection of 16 winners' medals.

21-year-old Izzy Atkinson made her debut for Ireland at the tender age of 16 and has since accumulated additional appearances. Having recently secured a spot on the national team, Izzy is now set to participate in her inaugural major tournament. Notably, she is a versatile player who can perform as a winger or left-back and boasts previous Champions League involvement from her time at Celtic, which lasted for a year.

Katie McCabe

Katie McCabe, the admired Ireland captain and the tournament's poster girl, will lead the Girls in Green in their maiden World Cup this summer. McCabe's presence acts as the cohesive force that unites the team, on and off the field.

Renowned for her spirited nature, McCabe assumed the role of captain for Arsenal this season, filling in admirably due to the extensive injuries suffered by Kim Little and vice-captain Leah Williamson.

She is a member of Ireland's 'coffee club', where players gather at a local coffee shop to start their day on camp. McCabe's preferred choice of coffee is a flat white. Additionally, she earned the title of WSL Goal of the Season for a powerful strike against Manchester City. This remarkable goal was scored only days after she sustained a bruised bone during the Champions League match against Bayern Munich, causing concern among Ireland fans in April.

As the only WSL player to make the Champions League team of the season, McCabe will be pivotal in keeping the squad focused on their first foray into a major tournament.

Denise O'Sullivan

Naturally gifted and an incredible playmaker, midfield maestro Denise O'Sullivan represents one of Ireland's biggest threats on the opposition goal.

The coach often refers to the American box-to-box star as a 'junkyard' player because of her aggressive style.

Notably, alongside McCabe, there was no other player who made as significant of a contribution to Ireland's qualification for the World Cup. Both McCabe and O'Sullivan were the most influential players for the team in their attacking efforts during the qualifying campaign, with McCabe scoring 7 goals and O'Sullivan scoring 6, accounting for exactly half of the team's total of 26 goals.

Content: Recently appointed as captain of the North Carolina Courage in the NWSL, she holds a crucial role in Ireland's starting XI, setting the rhythm and flow of the game.

Pauw has previously hailed O'Sullivan as one of the finest midfielders globally, recognized for her exceptional technique and extraordinary dedication, effortlessly spanning every inch of the field.

Megan Connolly

Megan Connolly: A Midfielder with Exceptional Technique and a Knack for Game-Changing Free Kicks

Renowned for her attacking style of play, Megan Connolly possesses exceptional technique that has made her a force to be reckoned with on the international stage. Her ability to strike powerful and precisely placed free kicks has proven to be a game-changer throughout her career. Having served as the trusted captain of Brighton, Connolly recently bid farewell to the club after an impressive five-year tenure, alongside four other notable players.

Connolly played a crucial role in Ireland's qualification campaign, contributing to their success with a goal in a triumphant 2-1 win against Finland. Despite her challenging circumstances of playing with broken ribs, she also displayed her exceptional skill by setting up a goal in the subsequent match with her iconic free-kick.

Ruesha Littlejohn

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Privacy Options Unlocked: Ruesha Littlejohn, the joker within the team, plays a crucial role in Ireland's triumph this summer. Whether on the pitch or off, she is an indispensable member of the squad, known for her vibrant personality.

Littlejohn, sidelined due to a broken foot during Ireland's historic qualification against Scotland, is eagerly anticipating the opportunity to don the green jersey this summer as a swift and lethal goal-scorer. In addition to her football pursuits, she has been actively engaged in her blossoming vlogging career, garnering a remarkable 13,000 subscribers on her YouTube channel since its inception.

Lucy Quinn

With the opening game of the World Cup campaign against Australia, who better to know what it is like scoring against them than Lucy Quinn?

Content: Her debut in 2021 saw her score the opening goal in a memorable victory against the Matildas, courtesy of a deflection from her free-kick.

She possesses versatility and can be positioned either in midfield or as part of the forward line. Additionally, she frequently demonstrates her eagerness to take shots, leading to her scoring crucial goals.

Lily Agg

Quinn clinches back-to-back goal of the season awards with her sensational strike against Chelsea, securing a memorable 3-2 victory in 2019, mirroring her previous success when she won Birmingham's goal of the season accolade with an exceptional goal against Sheffield United last season.

Lily Agg will be remembered as the player who made history by scoring the winning goal in Ireland's 1-0 victory against Finland, securing the team's first-ever World Cup play-off. Agg's instrumental contribution came when she came off the bench to brilliantly head in Connolly's free-kick.

Agg played a crucial role in London City Lionesses' promotion campaign last season. Although they fell just short, the midfielder has been with the club since its inception as a separate entity from Millwall Lionesses in 2019.

While there were initial worries about her fitness following an ankle ligament tear in March, Agg brings not only her experience but also a proven history of delivering during important moments.

Ciara Grant

Ciara Grant has made the leap from doctor to footballer. She fell out of the game in 2015 to focus on her medical studies, but is back and one of the key members of the squad.

Sinead Farrelly

Grant proves herself as a valuable asset to Hearts in the Scottish Women's Premier League, demonstrating her leadership skills both on and off the field. Throughout the season, she exhibited her prowess by scoring four goals, contributing to the team's fourth-place finish. Additionally, Grant made three assists for the Tynecastle outfit, further highlighting her impact on the team's performance.

Sinead Farrelly, who was born in America, distanced herself from football for nearly eight years following her courageous act of exposing the abuse scandal in the US. However, she marked her debut for Ireland in April, and Pauw applauds her as the missing piece in the squad, as her presence alone has drastically changed the team's tactical approach.

Amber Barrett

: Farrelly's sharp and skilled playing style brings a refreshing energy to Ireland's midfield unit. With prior experience representing the USA up to U23 level before changing her allegiance, she holds valuable knowledge that could prove essential if Ireland faces the American team this summer.

The Hero of Hampden and a buzzing personality in the squad, Barrett brings an endless supply of positivity to the Ireland squad.

Content: Barrett's name has been immortalized in the history books with her crucial goal securing Ireland's place at the 2023 World Cup, marking their first-ever participation in a major tournament. However, instead of basking in her own glory, Barrett selflessly used this life-changing moment to honor the 10 victims of a tragic explosion that occurred in Creeslough just days before the match in October.

Despite enduring a challenging season at club level, being part of the only Irish international in the Women's Bundesliga, Barrett's talent and dedication were recognized, earning her a spot in the squad. Her club, Turbine Potsdam, had experienced relegation, standing as one of the two teams in the top tier of German football not affiliated with a men's club.

Despite this, she has a proven ability to achieve goals when it truly matters. Barrett will bring an abundance of positivity, along with potentially more awe-inspiring moments that will be recorded in Ireland's history books.

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Kyra Carusa

Interviewing Kyra Carusa, a US-born player, guarantees a contagious smile. With her vibrant and energetic persona, she proudly claims the title of the loudest voice on the field - a privilege she has rightfully earned. Notably, Carusa's football CV stands out, as she is among the rare Irish athletes to possess Champions League experience.

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A seasoned leader, she has captained the highly successful Danish team HB Koge, who have clinched the national championship twice and have been a consistent presence in the Champions League. Carusa has an impressive record of 30 goals and 13 assists, totaling 43 goal contributions, in her 57 appearances in the top-flight league for HB Koge. Her outstanding performance earned her the prestigious title of the Most-Valuable Player in the 2022 Elitedivisionen.

Currently, she has made a move to the London City Lionesses, an esteemed Championship team, joining them in February.

Abbie Larkin

Abbie Larkin, the youngest member of the squad, made her international debut at the age of 16, with the condition of obtaining her parents' permission to miss school for the game.

Larkin stands out as one of Shamrock Rovers' playmakers, boasting ample experience alongside players like O'Gorman and Savannah McCarthy, to mention a few.

Demonstrating exceptional runs on the wing, Larkin's play is defined by her keen vision and impeccable positioning. Despite her young age, she is already considered one of the potential future stars, consistently earning a spot in the starting lineup and holding her own among seasoned teammates.

A wise head on young shoulders, Larkin has also started her coaching badges resulting in incredible football intelligence and hold-up play.

Marissa Sheva

Marissa Sheva, a talented rocket on the wing, has recently joined Pauw's squad and has made an immediate impact. As a former track and field star specializing in the 3,000m steeplechase, her athleticism is undeniable.

During the recent double header against the USA, the forward, who hails from the US herself, showcased her skills and left a lasting impression. Playing a total of 160 minutes, she exhibited remarkable dribbling ability with a perfect success rate. Additionally, she emerged victorious in nine duels, made six interceptions, and recorded 11 recoveries, resulting in an impressive performance.

What is the World Cup schedule?

The first stage of the competition is set to kick off on July 20 and will span a duration of two weeks, concluding on August 3. During this period, the top-performing teams from each group will advance to the round of 16, scheduled to take place from August 5 to August 8.

Following the group stage, the quarter-finals are slated to be held in Wellington, Auckland, Brisbane, and Sydney on August 11 and 12.

The first semi-final will be held in Auckland on August 15, while the second semi-final will take place at Accor Stadium in Sydney on August 16. The final will be hosted by Accor Stadium on August 20. A third-place play-off will be held in Brisbane on August 19, one day before the final.