Barrett, Toland and Patten named in Ireland squad for World Cup qualifiers

Donegal players Amber Barrett, Tyler Toland and Anna Patton are included in the Republic of Ireland’s 24-player squad for the upcoming FIFA Women’s World Cup European Qualifiers double-header against Poland.

Carla Ward’s side first travel to Gdansk on Tuesday, April 14, with the crucial fixture at the Aviva Stadium on Saturday, April 18.

Ireland suffered two agonising defeats in their first two games, with Katie McCabe’s goal against group favourites France in Tallaght Stadium having them ahead for almost an hour before a brace from Melvine Malard in the final twenty minutes gave the French a 2-1 win.

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Ireland then travelled to Utrecht to face the Netherlands, and again McCabe was on target from a penalty to level proceedings, before Lineth Beerensteyn got her second of the game with 83 minutes gone.

Milford woman Barrett has had a good start to life in France with her Strasbourg side, scoring in a 2-2 draw with unbeaten runaway league leaders Lyon on Saturday.

St Johnston native Toland and her Durham side are in a keenly fought relegation battle in the WSL 2, while Patten, who qualifies to play for Ireland through her grandfather, Donald Coyle, from Falcarragh, plays for WSL side Aston Villa, who are ninth in the top tier.

Republic of Ireland WNT Squad

Goalkeepers: Courtney Brosnan (Everton FC), Sophie Whitehouse (Charlton Athletic), Grace Moloney (Sunderland).

Defenders: Katie McCabe (Arsenal FC), Anna Patten (Aston Villa FC), Caitlin Hayes (Brighton & Hove Albion), Aoife Mannion (Newcastle United), Jessie Stapleton (Nottingham Forest – loan), Chloe Mustaki (Nottingham Forest).

Midfielders: Denise O’Sullivan (Liverpool), Tyler Toland (Durham), Megan Connolly (Lazio), Marissa Sheva (Sunderland), Lucy Quinn (Birmingham City), Ruesha Littlejohn (Crystal Palace), Jess Ziu (West Ham United), Lily Agg (Durham), Aoibhe Brennan (Bohemians).

Forwards: Saoirse Noonan (Celtic FC), Abbie Larkin (Crystal Palace), Leanne Kiernan (Nottingham Forest – loan), Emily Murphy (Newcastle United), Kyra Carusa (Kansas City Current – loan), Amber Barrett (Strasbourg).

FIXTURE DETAILS

Poland vs. Republic of Ireland, Tuesday, April 14 | Gdansk Stadium | 5pm (Irish Time)

Republic of Ireland vs. Poland, Saturday, April 18 | Aviva Stadium | 3pm