Donegal players Amber Barrett and Ciara Grant have both been selected for the Republic of Ireland’s 23-player squad for the Women’s World Cup in Australia this summer.
Manager Vera Pauw has sprung a few surprises in her final selection having spent the last five days agonising over who would make the cut.
Aoife Mannion, Megan Campbell and Leanne Kiernan have all missed out on selection.
Pauw will confirm her three back-up players later this morning.
As well as the prestige of being part of Ireland’s first ever appearance at a Women’s World Cup, there’s a financial boost for the players, who are each guaranteed at least €27,400 after FIFA set aside a pool of €102.8m in prize money to divided among the 32 squads depending on how far they progress.
Tomorrow, the selected members of the panel will be part of a Super Bowl-style media day in UCD before attention turns to the farewell friendly against France at Tallaght Stadiu on Thursday 6 July.
The following day Ireland fly to Brisbane where they will set up camp ahead of their massive World Cup group opener against Australia at the 83,500-capacity Accor Stadium in Sydney, a match that has now sold out.
Republic of Ireland World Cup squad
Goalkeepers
Courtney Brosnan (Everton)
Grace Moloney (Reading)
Megan Walsh (Free agent)
Defenders
Áine O’Gorman (Shamrock Rovers)
Louise Quinn (Birmingham City)
Niamh Fahey (Liverpool)
Diane Caldwell (Reading)
Megan Connolly (Free agent)
Chloe Mustaki (Bristol City)
Izzy Atkinson (West Ham)
Heather Payne (Florida State University)
Claire O’Riordan (Celtic)
Midfielders
Katie McCabe (Arsenal)
Denise O’Sullivan (North Carolina Courage)
Lily Agg (London City Lionesses)
Ruesha Littlejohn (Free agent)
Ciara Grant (Hearts)
Sinead Farrelly (Gotham FC)
Lucy Quinn (Birmingham City)
Forwards
Abbie Larkin (Shamrock Rovers)
Kyra Carusa (London City Lionesses)
Amber Barrett (Standard Liege)
Marissa Sheva (Washington Spirit)
