Barrett and Grant called up for Republic of Ireland training camp in Spain

Amber Barrett and Ciara Grant are part of the Republic of Ireland Women’s National Team’s squad who have a training camp in Spain that will play a key part in their preparations for FIFA Women’s World Cup 2023.

Milford native Barrett, who plays for Potsdam Turbine in Germany, scored the all-important goal in the World Cup play-off in October against Scotland to seal a place in the finals this summer. Grant is from Letterkenny and plays for Heart of Midlothian.

There are first-time call-ups for two players who have received FIFA international clearance: defender Aoife Mannion and forward Marissa Sheva. Manchester United centre-back Mannion has Irish roots.

Manager Vera Pauw will use the 10 days to work with her players at their training base in Marbella ahead of taking on AFC Women’s Asian Cup winner China PR in an International Friendly on February 22 in Estadio Nuevo Mirador, Algeciras, Cadiz.

Ruesha Littlejohn, Megan Connolly and Heather Payne return to the squad after missing last November’s 4-0 win over Morocco, while Durham WFC goalkeeper Naoisha McAloon and Glasgow City defender Claire Walsh are brought in following impressive spells at club level.

Injuries rule out Niamh Fahey, Savannah McCarthy, Chloe Mustaki, Ellen Molloy, Jess Ziu, Aoife Colvill and Leanne Kiernan. The squad will assemble in Spain on Monday, February 13 to begin the training camp that will conclude with the International Friendly against China PR.

Republic of Ireland WNT Squad
Goalkeepers: Courtney Brosnan (Everton), Megan Walsh (Brighton & Hove Albion), Grace Moloney (Reading), Naoisha McAloon (Durham WFC)
Defenders: Harriet Scott (Birmingham City), Diane Caldwell (Reading), Louise Quinn (Birmingham City), Hayley Nolan (London City Lionesses), Claire Walsh (Glasgow City), Megan Campbell (Liverpool), Áine O’Gorman (Shamrock Rovers), Aoife Mannion (Manchester United)
Midfielders: Katie McCabe (Arsenal), Denise O’Sullivan (North Carolina Courage), Megan Connolly (Brighton & Hove Albion), Ruesha Littlejohn (Aston Villa), Jamie Finn (Birmingham City), Lily Agg (London City Lionesses), Ciara Grant (Hearts), Lucy Quinn (Birmingham City), Isibeal Atkinson (West Ham United)
Forwards: Amber Barrett (Potsdam Turbine), Heather Payne (Florida State University), Kyra Carusa (London City Lionesses), Abbie Larkin (Shamrock Rovers), Marissa Sheva (Washington Spirit)