The Women’s Super League (WSL) commenced on October 1st, and with it, the return of various Irish internationals still buzzing with excitement from their World Cup appearances and Nations League wins.
The Republic of Ireland has the largest number of expatriate football players in the WSL. Here is a list of the Irish internationals in the WSL.
1. Katie McCabe (Arsenal)
The Irish captain is a veteran gunner, having played for Arsenal since 2015 with 193 appearances. More recently, McCabe renewed her contract with the club, extending her stay with the side.
McCabe has certainly made an impact on the pitch, both in the WSL and the international stage. Last season, the defender was named The Gunners’ Player of the Season and was even nominated for 2023 Ballon d’Or.
2. Niamh Fahey (Liverpool)
Niamh Fahey has made a name for herself as the captain of Liverpool’s women’s side. In the 2021-2022 season, she led the team to the FA Women’s Championship title which would ultimately help Liverpool be promoted back to the Barclays Women’s Super League.
The Galway native previously played with Chelsea until 2017 and even spent six seasons with Arsenal playing alongside now Irish captain Katie McCabe. While Arsenal and Liverpool were among the first WSL matches of the 2023-2024 season, Fahey was unable to play due to an injury.
3. Leanne Kiernan (Liverpool)
Kiernan joined the team from West Ham United in June 2021 and made an impressive impact by scoring 14 goals, a crucial contribution that helped the Reds secure a spot in the Barclays Women's Super League.
After missing out on most of the 2022 season due to a knee injury, she's back in training and manager Matt Beard expressed optimism about her return to the field.
4. Courtney Brosnan (Everton)
The American-born Irish international goalkeeper is set to embark on her third Women’s Super League campaign with Everton. During the 2022-2023 season, Brosnan made an impressive 36 saves.
The 27 year old also played a pivotal role in Ireland’s participation in 2023 FIFA World Cup due to a penalty she saved against Scotland in a final qualifier match.
5. Megan Campbell (Everton)
Among the most recent Irish transfers within the WSL is Megan Campbell, who signed with Everton last week. In doing this, she will join fellow women’s national team players Heather Payne and Courtney Brosnan.
This marks a new chapter for Campbell, who, as a result of an injury, was not selected to compete in the World Cup.
6. Aoife Mannion (Manchester United)
After coming in second place last season, Mannion is looking to win Manchester United the WSL trophy. This will be delayed, however, as the 28 year old is eight to ten weeks away from a recovery due to a quad injury, according to coach Marc Skinner.
The defender will be embarking on her third year at Leigh Sports Village and made her international debut for Ireland in February 2023.
7. Megan Connolly (Bristol City)
Cork native, Megan Connolly will play her first season at Bristol City after transferring from Brighton and Hove Albion. This is an exciting switch for Connolly as the side was recently promoted to the WSL from the Women’s Championship League.
8. Chloe Mustaki (Bristol City)
Having left Shelbourne for Bristol in July of 2022, Mustaki has had an eventful year. In her first season for the English side, the Irish international scored a goal and assisted in another over the course of the two games she participated in.
9. Heather Payne (Everton)
Payne transferred to Everton in August after spending the last four years playing for the Florida State Seminoles. The 23 year old was called up to the Irish senior squad ahead of the qualifying matches for the 2019 World Cup.
10. Jessica Ziu (West Ham United)
With more Irish national team members on this side than any other in the WSL, Jessica Ziu added to this long list of talent when she signed with West Ham United in 2022. Last season, the midfielder started twice for the club and assisted in a goal.
11. Megan Walsh (West Ham United)
Megan Walsh signed with West Ham United last August. It is clear that the talent she displayed playing with Ireland as well as her former club Brighton & Hove Albion attracted the attention of the club. While Walsh was a substitute goalkeeper at the Women’s World Cup, she made her Irish debut making a set a remarkable saves against Russia in 2022.
12. Izzy Atkinson (West Ham United)
The Dublin native had a great first season with the London football club. Making the change from Scottish club Celtic in 2022, Atkinson scored a goal for West Ham and provided another assist. At just 22 years old, the future looks bright for the midfielder.
13. Jessie Stapleton (West Ham United)
Dubliner Jessie Stapleton moved to West Ham United from Shelbourne this year. While West Ham lost their first match of the season to Manchester City on October 1st, Stapleton still has plenty of time to put her team on the map.
