Finn Suffers ACL as Ireland WNT prepare for first game of 2024

The first game of 2024 for the Ireland Women’s National Team sees them take on Italy on Friday, February 23 in Florence.

This will be the first international game to be played in Viola Park since the state-of-the-art training complex – which is the home base for ACF Fiorentina – opened in October 2023.

Adding to their recent injury woes, the team will now be without midfielder Jamie Finn as it's been revealed that she suffered an ACL tear in training this week, while English born Emily Murphy is still awaiting international clearance.

The fixture is part of two International Friendlies – with Ireland hosting Cymru in Tallaght Stadium on Friday, February 27 – leading into the UEFA EURO 2025 Qualifiers, which kick off in April following the Draw on March 5.

Ireland midfielder Jamie Finn suffered an ACL tear in training in preparation for the Italy game, looks set for a prolonged spell on the sidelines.

Tough blow for Finn, who’s been the epitome of resilience since missing out on World Cup squad selection. https://t.co/uPUCAPDp5g

— Alanna Cunnane (@acunnane10) February 22, 2024

MATCH DETAILS

International Friendly
Italy v Ireland
Friday, February 23
Viola Park, Florence
KO 17:15 (Irish Time)
LIVE on RTÉ NewsNow

MATCH OFFICIALS
Referee | Emanuela Rusta (Albania)
Assistant Referee 1 | Erinda Kume (Albania)
Assistant Referee 2 | Koleta Prenga (Albania)
Fourth Official | Deborah Bianchi (Italy)

NOTES
- There are currently 10 places between Italy (14) and Ireland (24) in the FIFA Women’s World Rankings.
- Katie McCabe scored her first WNT goal in a 1-1 draw with Italy in March 2016. She also scored in the last meeting between the teams in April 2019.
- 2 players are currently on a run of 22 consecutive games stretching back to February 2022 (Courtney Brosnan, Louise Quinn).
- 4 players return to the squad following long absences due to injury (Niamh Fahey – 7 months, Leanne Kiernan – 8 months, Aoife Mannion – 10 months, Jess Ziu – 17 months).
- 4 players switched clubs since the last WNT fixture in December 2023 (Megan Campbell – Everton to London City Lionesses, Jessie Stapleton – West Ham United on loan to Reading, Izzy Atkinson – West Ham United to Crystal Palace, Abbie Larkin – Glasgow City to Crystal Palace).

Locked in 🔒#COYGIG pic.twitter.com/IkXJL2zeV0

— Ireland Football ⚽️🇮🇪 (@IrelandFootball) February 21, 2024

WNT SQUAD

Goalkeepers: Courtney Brosnan (Everton), Grace Moloney (London City Lionesses), Sophie Whitehouse (Lewes)
Defenders: Jessie Stapleton (Reading – on loan from West Ham United), Diane Caldwell (FC Zurich), Niamh Fahey (Liverpool), Caitlin Hayes (Celtic), Louise Quinn (Birmingham City), Aoife Mannion (Manchester United), Megan Campbell (London City Lionesses)

Midfielders: Katie McCabe (Arsenal), Lily Agg (Birmingham City), Megan Connolly (Bristol City), Ruesha Littlejohn (London City Lionesses), Jamie Finn (Birmingham City), Heather Payne (Everton), Jess Ziu (West Ham United), Lucy Quinn (Birmingham City), Izzy Atkinson (Crystal Palace), Erin McLaughlin (Peamount United), Jess Fitzgerald (Peamount United)

Forwards: Kyra Carusa (San Diego Wave), Abbie Larkin (Crystal Palace), Amber Barrett (Standard Liege), Leanne Kiernan (Liverpool), Emily Murphy (Wake Forest University)