Emily Whelan has been called up to the Irish women’s national squad ahead of their match against Northern Ireland on 23 September.
The 21 year old, who plays for Scottish side Glasgow city FC, was unfortunately not included in the Irish World Cup squad.
While Whelan described the time as tough, she supported her counterparts and viewed this as an opportunity to work hard at club level.
This mindset paid off and the young footballer won the Scottish Premier League title last May.
Indeed, the Irish women’s national team has experienced many changes to its administration. Dianne Caldwell is just the latest of the players to express her dissatisfaction with former head coach Vera Pauw who has now been temporarily replaced with Eileen Gleeson.
Whelan herself is familiar with Gleeson’s training style as she was previously her coach at Glasgow City.
“I obviously had Eileen as head coach at Glasgow City so that helps a lot. I think she’s a great coach and I think she’ll bring a lot to this team”, Whelan told a press conference on Tuesday.
“ I think she’s very good, she has all the football knowledge. I think putting that to practice is going to be key and I'm looking forward to working with her.”
AdvertisementAbbie Larkin has signed for Glasgow City.
Joins Claire Walsh, Emily Whelan and Aoife Colvill at the club. https://t.co/SlqqGYhBjO— Emma Duffy (@emmaduffy_) September 14, 2023
The Aviva awaits for Emily Whelan
The first of the Nations League Window games will take place against Northern Ireland at the Aviva stadium, a momentous event as the women’s national team has never played there before.
On her excitement for this milestone Emily Whelan stated, “Obviously as I said it is crazy."
"I was with Shels and watching them in the cup final against Peamount, I was at that game and to think I'm going to be playing in the Aviva stadium now, it is kind of like a full circle moment but I'm just really excited for the game.”
Looking to the future after the Nations League Window, Whelan will not be the only Irish player at Glasgow City.
Following in her footsteps is Abbie Larkin, a member of the Irish team’s World Cup squad who is set to join the Scottish side after having both played at Shelbourne in Ireland.
On this development Whelan said, “I feel like Abbie is going to be a great asset to our team. She’s going to bring great depth, she’s a great player and I'm just really excited to see her come over and see what she can do.”
Here's hoping the duo will continue to light it up at club, and international level over the coming years.
