St Patrick’s Carlow player Aoife Kelly has been named on the Republic of Ireland squad to face Switzerland in two international friendly games.
It’s part of their preparations for their UEFA WU17 European Championship Round 2 qualifiers.
Having topped their group in the Qualifying Round last year, Ireland will be keen to regain that momentum, and a trip to the Oliva Nova Complex in Valencia, Spain should help with that.
Head Coach James Scott gives a first call-up to midfielder Sophie Morrin, who is with Liverpool, while a number of players who featured for the Ireland Women’s Under-16s against Portugal last month are included.
Scott knows that everything is geared towards their qualifying games against Slovakia, Finland and Iceland later in the month, but this double-header should get them back to the required speed.
Republic of Ireland WU17 Squad
Goalkeepers: Summer Lawless (Peamount United), Claudia Keenan (Wexford Youths)
Defenders: Meabh Russell (Wexford Youths), Kate Thompson, Eve Dossen (Galway WFC), Heidi Macken (Cork City), Aoibhe Fleming, Tara O’Hanlon (Peamount United)
Midfielders: Jodie Loughrey (Donegal Women’s League), Aoife Kelly (St Patrick’s, Carlow), Orlaith O’Mahony (Shamrock Rovers), Michaela Lawrence (Treaty United), Sophie Morrin (Liverpool)
Forwards: Joy Ralph (DLR Waves), Katie McCarn, Lia O’Leary (Shelbourne), Katie Law (Wexford Youths), Heidi O’Sullivan (Treaty United), Keri Loughrey (Donegal Women’s League), Chloe Atkinson (Cork City)
Fixtures
22 February | Switzerland v Republic of Ireland, Oliva Nova, KO 12:00
24 February | Switzerland v Republic of Ireland, Oliva Nova, KO 15:30
