Local roots stay strong with WNT

In Vera Pauw’s current squad, 13 different counties are represented by the 26 players who are preparing for next Tuesday’s 2022 UEFA Women’s European Championship qualifier against Germany.

Some of the players who were born abroad trace their roots back to specific counties through their parents or grandparents, while others are recognisable figures from their local communities.

Having so many players hail from different parts of the country is a credit to the work done by the Girls’ Centre of Excellence, the Gaynor Cup and the international scouting network that has identified the players.

Here is a breakdown of which counties the players are connected with…

Antrim – Ruesha Littlejohn*
Cavan – Leanne Kiernan
Cork – Eabha O’Mahony, Denise O’Sullivan
Donegal – Amber Barrett
Dublin – Isibeal Atkinskon, Diane Caldwell, Niamh Farrelly, Jamie Finn, Keeva Keenan, Katie McCabe, Niamh Reid-Burke, Emily Whelan, Jessica Ziu
Galway – Niamh Fahey
Kerry – Courtney Brosnan*
Kilkenny – Ellen Molloy
Limerick – Claire O’Riordan
Roscommon – Marie Hourihan*, Heather Payne
Tipperary – Grace Moloney*
Wexford – Rianna Jarrett
Wicklow – Aine O’Gorman, Louise Quinn, Claire Walsh

*Players qualify through Irish-born relations

Recent call-ups would have extended that geographical spread with players having connections to Clare (Alli Murphy), Kildare (Hayley Nolan), Laois (Kyra Carusa) and Louth (Megan Campbell).

Republic of Ireland WNT Squad
Goalkeepers: Marie Hourihan (SC Braga), Courtney Brosnan (West Ham United), Grace Moloney (Reading), Niamh Reid-Burke (Peamount United)
Defenders: Harriet Scott (Birmingham City), Keeva Keenan (Celtic), Claire Walsh (Peamount United), Louise Quinn (Fiorentina), Diane Caldwell (SC Sand), Claire O'Riordan (MSV Duisburg), Eabha O'Mahony (Cork City), Isibeal Atkinson (Shelbourne), Aine O'Gorman (Peamount United)
Midfielders: Niamh Fahey (Liverpool), Jamie Finn (Shelbourne), Denise O'Sullivan (Brighton & Hove Albion - on loan from NC Courage), Niamh Farrelly (Peamount United), Ruesha Littlejohn (Leicester City), Ellen Molloy (Wexford Youths), Jessica Ziu (Shelbourne), Emily Whelan (Shelbourne)
Forwards: Katie McCabe (Arsenal), Heather Payne (Florida State University), Leanne Kiernan (West Ham United), Amber Barrett (FC Koln), Rianna Jarrett (Brighton & Hove Albion)

Republic of Ireland v Germany
UEFA 2022 Women’s European Championship Qualifying – Group I
Tuesday, December 1
Tallaght Stadium
KO 17:00
LIVE on RTE2
#IRLGER