Sinead Farrelly ’s absence amongst the 25 Irish WNT players selected for this Nations League window caused confusion, and even more so when she took the field for her club NJ/NY Gotham FC over the weekend despite being listed amongst the FAI’s injured players.
Interim head coach Eileen Gleeson will be disappointed to be without the deft touch of the 33-year-old for the Northern Ireland and Hungary games, especially given she is fit to take to the pitch, but not for the travel required to link up with the team, the FAI explained.
☘️Interesting squad for sure!
🔻Atkinson and Grant from the WC squad are left out, while injuries rule out Fahey, Campbell, Mannion, Stapleton, Walsh, O’Hanlon, McLaughlin, Ziu, Farrelly & Kiernan.
🔺Tolund, McCarthy, Nolan, O’Mahony, Noonan and Whelan all back in.
Thoughts 🤔 https://t.co/lOy1MlOk6h
— Alanna Cunnane (@acunnane10) September 15, 2023
“Ahead of selecting the Ireland Women’s National Team squad for the opening games in the UEFA Nations League, the WNT medical staff were informed by NJ/NY Gotham that midfielder Sinead Farrelly was suffering with back spasms and that a long-haul flight to link up with the Ireland squad was not advisable” an FAI spokesperson said.
“As a result, Sinead was not included in the 25-player squad. The medical advice still stands that her existing injury would be further aggravated should she travel, so Sinead will not join the Ireland squad for this camp.”
78' – #GothamFC Sub
IN: Sinead Farrelly
OUT: Midge Purce pic.twitter.com/cUDrBds0wW— Gotham FC (@GothamFC) September 17, 2023
This clarification came after Farrelly closed out NJ/NY Gotham FC’s game versus Washington Spirit, which ended 2-0.
She was of course given her first Irish cap by the outgoing manager Vera Pauw, playing in all three of Ireland’s World Cup games this summer, but the news fundamentally means she will miss the start of Ireland’s new Nations League campaign, as well as their first game in the Aviva Stadium.
Things just got a whole lot bigger 🙌
As part of 50-Year WNT celebrations, every player to have featured for 🇮🇪 Women's Senior Team can avail of 2 free tickets @AVIVAStadium
Ireland v Northern Ireland
Saturday, Sep 23
UEFA Nations League
Aviva Stadium#COYGIG | #WeAreOne— Ireland Football ⚽️🇮🇪 (@IrelandFootball) August 16, 2023