Caribbean Sports Network

REPUBLIC Of Ireland Under-17 women’s coach Noel King has announced a 21-player squad for the FIFA Under-17 Women’s World Cup which will take place here from September 5-25. The Irish Republic squad will also travel to Fort Lauderdale, Florida, for a warm-up match against Trinidad and Tobago on August 28.

They were recent winners of a tri-nation tournament played in Manchester, England, at the weekend as warm-up for next month’s World Cup.

Following their 1-0 win over hosts England on August 18, secured by a Jenny Byrne winner, the Irish clinched the title by drawing 1-1 against Denmark thanks to Siobhan Killeen’s excellent long-range shot.

Speaking at the squad announcement, King said, “We travel to Fort Lauderdale for a week-long training camp and I think the games against tournament hosts, Trinidad and Tobago and New Zealand will give us a real taste of what to expect when the tournament kicks-off in September.

“We will be playing in conditions similar to that of Trinidad and Tobago while gaining experience against teams from two different continents.”

Ireland will play their first ever FIFA Women’s World Cup game against Brazil on September 6, before facing Canada on September 9, both at the Larry Gomes Stadium, Arima.

King’s team will complete their Group D fixtures against Ghana at the Dwight Yorke Stadium, Bacolet, Tobago, on September 13.

The Irish Republic squad: Grace Moloney, Ciara O’Brien, Megan Campbell, Jessica Gleeson, Jennifer Byrne, Ciara Grant, Aileen Gilroy, Dora Gorman, Zoe Boyd, Denise O’Sullivan, Siobhan Killeen, Stacie Donnelly, Rianna Jarrett, Tanya Kennedy, Kerry Glynn, Amanda Budden, Claire Shine Harriet Scott, Rebecca Kearney, Jillian Maloney, Emma Hansberry.