Stapleton earns first Ireland WNT call-up
The Republic of Ireland Women's National Team begin preparations for their next 2023 FIFA Women's World Cup qualifiers on Monday.
Shelbourne defender Jessie Stapleton, Celtic's Isibeal Atkinson and Birmingham City forward Emily Whelan have all been drafted into the set-up.
Stapleton, 16, is included for the first time following an impressive debut season in the SSE Airtricity Women's National League and stand-out performances at the Ireland WNT Home-Based sessions.
Injuries rule out Glasgow City's Claire Walsh, Wexford Youths midfielder Ellen Molloy and Liverpool forward Leanne Kiernan.
The squad will train at the FAI National Training Centre on Monday afternoon ahead of taking on Slovakia on Thursday, November 25th and then Georgia on Tuesday, November 30th - both at Tallaght Stadium.
First WNT 🇮🇪 call-up for @shelsfc defender Jessie Stapleton 👍
Isibeal Atkinson & Emily Whelan also drafted ahead of two @FIFAWWC qualifiers
Full Squad 👉 https://t.co/TZvdPUjmW5#IRLSVK | #IRLGEO | #COYGIG pic.twitter.com/vtdMbJwivO— FAIreland ⚽️🇮🇪 (@FAIreland) November 22, 2021
Walsh makes switch to link up with Ireland WNT
Megan Walsh has been added to the Republic of Ireland Women's National Team squad for their 2023 FIFA Women's World Cup qualifiers against Slovakia and Georgia.
Having represented England at Under-17, U-19 & U-23 level, the experienced goalkeeper required international clearance from FIFA to make the switch and become eligible for selection by Ireland Manager Vera Pauw.
The Brighton & Hove Albion stopper - who holds the WSL record for most saves - qualifies for Ireland through her Wexford-born Grandfather, William Walsh, and finally got the green light.
"It is a real honour and privilege to be called up into the Ireland squad. I was with Rianna Jarrett, Denise O'Sullivan and Megan Connolly at Brighton last year when my Irish heritage came up and things went from there," said Walsh.
"It has taken about 12 months to finally get here. I am excited at the opportunity to be part of the Irish Women's Team and to work with Vera.
"My Grandparents, on my Dad's side, were from Enniscorthy, County Wexford, where we still have family. I know they would be so proud of me being part of the Women's National Team."
Originally from Bromsgrove, Walsh started out in the Aston Villa Centre of Excellence before starting her professional career with the same club in 2011.
The 27-year-old has since lined out for Everton, Notts County, Yeovil Town and Brighton & Hove Albion, where she has been a regular starter since 2019.
Walsh reported into Ireland camp following Sunday's game away to Reading, where she was up against Grace Moloney who is one of the other goalkeepers, along with Courtney Brosnan, in the current squad.
"I realise I will have to fight hard for a place on the team but that’s always the case in elite football and I have had to do that wherever I have been in football," said Walsh.
"The main thing is to qualify for the World Cup and I know all the squad will want to make sure we get out of the Group."
Midfielder Jess Ziu has also been added to the squad.
WNT get clearance to add goalkeeper Megan Walsh to squad 👍@BHAFCWomen stopper holds @BarclaysFAWSL record for most saves made 🙌
Full Squad 👉 https://t.co/4xM7OkFPHJ#IRLSVK | #IRLGEO | #COYGIG | #WeAreOne pic.twitter.com/0HLNRTYbsY— FAIreland ⚽️🇮🇪 (@FAIreland) November 22, 2021
Republic of Ireland WNT Squad
Goalkeepers: Courtney Brosnan (Everton), Grace Moloney (Reading), Megan Walsh (Brighton & Hove Albion)
Defenders: Louise Quinn (Birmingham City), Niamh Fahey (Liverpool), Diane Caldwell (North Carolina Courage), Jessie Stapleton (Shelbourne), Savannah McCarthy (Galway WFC), Éabha O'Mahony (Boston College), Áine O'Gorman (Peamount United)
Midfielders: Katie McCabe (Arsenal), Denise O'Sullivan (North Carolina Courage), Megan Connolly (Brighton & Hove Albion), Ruesha Littlejohn (Aston Villa), Jamie Finn (Birmingham City), Niamh Farrelly (Glasgow City), Ciara Grant (Shelbourne), Aoibheann Clancy (Wexford Youths), Roma McLaughlin (Central Connecticut State University), Jess Ziu (Shelbourne)
Forwards: Heather Payne (Florida State University), Amber Barrett (FC Koln), Kyra Carusa (HB Koge), Emily Whelan (Birmingham City) Isibeal Atkinson (Celtic), Saoirse Noonan (Shelbourne), Lucy Quinn (Birmingham City)
2023 FIFA Women's World Cup Qualifying Round - Group A
Republic of Ireland v Slovakia
Thursday, November 25th
Tallaght Stadium
KO 19:00
LIVE on RTÉ2
#IRLSVK
2023 FIFA Women's World Cup Qualifying Round - Group A
Republic of Ireland v Georgia
Tuesday, November 30th
Tallaght Stadium
KO 19:00
LIVE on RTÉ2
#IRLGEO
🎶𝑇ℎ𝑒 𝑉𝑒𝑟𝑎-𝐵𝑢𝑠 𝑖𝑠 𝑐𝑜𝑚𝑖𝑛𝑔 𝑎𝑛𝑑 𝑒𝑣𝑒𝑟𝑦𝑏𝑜𝑑𝑦'𝑠 𝑗𝑢𝑚𝑝𝑖𝑛𝑔!
A huge game ahead on Thursday - who's coming?
🇮🇪Ireland vs 🇸🇰 Slovakia
📅 Thursday 25th of November
🏟️Tallaght Stadium
🎟️Tickets https://t.co/16zvHTGEPe#SkyWNT | #COYGIG | #IRLSVK pic.twitter.com/X5HsHEFjLP— Sky Ireland (@SkyIreland) November 22, 2021
