Republic of Ireland Women’s National Team Manager Vera Pauw has selected a 27-player squad for their first appearance in the Pinatar Cup tournament.
Ireland are guaranteed three games in Spain, starting on Wednesday, February 16th against Poland. The aim is to use these games to help with preparation for April’s 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup Qualifier away to Sweden.
Defender Megan Campbell returns to the squad for the first time since November 2020 and will be hoping to add to her 42 senior caps – the last of which was achieved in the 3-2 win over Ukraine in October 2019.
Niamh Fahey is on 99 caps and could be next to join the exclusive WNT Centurion Club that currently has three members in Emma Byrne (134), Áine O’Gorman (111) and Ciara Grant (105).
There is a first senior call-up for Shelbourne forward Abbie Larkin. The Ireland Women’s Under-17 captain impressed in Home-Based Training Sessions and the 16-year-old was invited to train with Pauw’s squad late last year.
The squad will meet in Murcia, Spain on Sunday, February 13th and use the La Manga Stadium as their training base.
Mustaki returns
Back in the Ireland #WNT 😍
Shelbourne’s Chloe Mustaki has been called up to the Ireland international camp.
What a return to action @CMustaki has had since her injury 🇮🇪 #DublinsFinest | #Since1895 pic.twitter.com/sQv0iVzWF7
— Shelbourne FC (@shelsfc) February 15, 2022
It is almost two full years since Chloe Mustaki was last involved with the Republic of Ireland Women's National Team but now she's back.
The Dubliner has been drafted into Vera Pauw's squad to replace Niamh Farrelly, who will not be risked due to a knock picked up on club duty with Glasgow City.
Mustaki is uncapped at senior level and will be keen to make up for lost time having last featured in the squad in March 2020, when she suffered an ACL injury in training.
The Shelbourne ace, who can play in defence or midfield, will report into Ireland camp in La Manga ahead of Wednesday's Pinatar Cup opener against Poland.
Stop that @jessziu7 🤭
WNT getting some practice in ahead of Pinatar Cup 🏆 kicking off on Wednesday#COYGIG | #WeAreOne pic.twitter.com/6rE9AbsCsU
— FAIreland ⚽️🇮🇪 (@FAIreland) February 14, 2022
Republic of Ireland WNT Squad
Goalkeepers: Courtney Brosnan (Everton), Grace Moloney (Reading), Megan Walsh (Brighton & Hove Albion), Eve Badana (DLR Waves)
Defenders: Louise Quinn (Birmingham City), Niamh Fahey (Liverpool), Diane Caldwell (Manchester United), Claire Walsh (Glasgow City), Savannah McCarthy (Galway WFC), Áine O’Gorman (Peamount United), Megan Campbell (Liverpool), Chloe Mustaki (Shelbourne)
Midfielders: Denise O’Sullivan (North Carolina Courage), Megan Connolly (Brighton & Hove Albion), Katie McCabe (Arsenal), Ruesha Littlejohn (Aston Villa), Jamie Finn (Birmingham City), Ciara Grant (Rangers), Jess Ziu (Shelbourne), Ellen Molloy (Wexford Youths), Isibeal Atkinson (Celtic)
Forwards: Heather Payne (Florida State University), Kyra Carusa (HB Hoge), Amber Barrett (FC Koln), Leanne Kiernan (Liverpool), Abbie Larkin (Shelbourne), Lucy Quinn (Birmingham City)
2022 Pinatar Cup Fixtures
16 February
Match A1 | Wales v Scotland, Pinatar Arena, KO 15:30 (14:30 Irish Time)
Match A2 | Slovakia v Belgium, Pinatar Arena, KO 20:30 (19:30 Irish Time)
Match B1 | Republic of Ireland v Poland, La Manga, KO 15:30 (14:30 Irish Time)
Match B2 | Hungary v Russia, La Manga, KO 20:30 (19:30 Irish Time)
19 February
A3 | Winner A1 v Winner A2, Pinatar Arena, KO 20:30 (19:30 Irish Time)
A4 | Runner-up A2 v Runner-up A1, Pinatar Arena, KO 15:30 (14:30 Irish Time)
B3 | Winner B2 v Winner B1, La Manga, KO 20:30 (19:30 Irish Time)
B4 | Runner-up B2 v Runner-up B1, La Manga, KO 15:30 (14:30 Irish Time)
22 February
Final | Winner A3 v Winner B3, Pinatar Arena, KO 20:30 (19:30 Irish Time)
3rd Place | Runner-up A3 v Runner-up B3, La Manga, KO 20:30 (19:30 Irish Time)
5th Place | Winner A4 v Winner B4, Pinatar Arena, KO 15:30 (14:30 Irish Time)
7th Place | Runner-up A4 v Runner-up B4, La Manga, KO 15:30 (14:30 Irish Time)
*Republic of Ireland and Slovakia will not play each other due to being in the same FIFA Women’s World Cup Qualifying Group
