Heather Payne has been included in Ireland’s 27-player squad for the FIFA Women's World Cup 2023 training camp.
With friendlies against Zambia (June 22), France (July 6) and Colombia (July 14), manager Vera Pauw is keen to work closely with the players. Ireland’s World Cup tournament kicks off on July 20 against co-hosts Australia.
A squad of 27 players will link up in Dublin on Monday, June 12. The training sessions will be split between UCD and the FAI National Training Centre over a four-week block.
Whereas, captain Katie McCabe along with three US-based players; Denise O'Sullivan, Sinead Farrelly and Marissa Sheva will link up with the squad after the Zambia game. While defender Aoife Mannion is being monitored after picking up a knock in club training recently.
Meanwhile, four players from the SSE Airtricity Women's Premier Division are part of the group, including uncapped Erin McLaughlin. McLaughlin has continued to impress in WNT Home-Based training Sessions.
WNT squad confirmed for pre-World Cup Training Camp 👊#COYGIG | #WeAreOne pic.twitter.com/DitsZp6T77
— Ireland Football ⚽️🇮🇪 (@IrelandFootball) June 9, 2023
Using periodisation, the training camp schedule will factor in when players finished their respective club seasons. Whereas, loads that they can and need to take on plus the recovery times and routines that they require.
This is to ensure that all players will be in line with each other when entering the final stage of preparation in a safe way. This will be achieved through the use of STATSports technology monitored closely by the team's sport scientist and technical staff.
Finally, A final squad for the World Cup, consisting of 23 players, will be whittled down by June 29 ahead of the send-off game in Tallaght Stadium against France. The squad will then depart for Australia on July 7.
Ireland WNT Squad
Goalkeepers: Courtney Brosnan (Everton), Grace Moloney (Reading), Megan Walsh (Brighton & Hove Albion), Sophie Whitehouse (Lewes)
Defenders: Harriet Scott (Birmingham City), Áine O'Gorman (Shamrock Rovers), Louise Quinn (Birmingham City), Niamh Fahey (Liverpool), Diane Caldwell (Reading); Hayley Nolan (London City Lionesses), Claire O’Riordan (Celtic), Megan Campbell (Liverpool), Chloe Mustaki (Bristol City), Tara O'Hanlon (Peamount United)
Midfielders: Katie McCabe (Arsenal), Denise O’Sullivan (North Carolina Courage), Megan Connolly (Brighton & Hove Albion), Ruesha Littlejohn (Aston Villa), Jamie Finn (Birmingham City), Ciara Grant (Hearts), Lily Agg (London City Lionesses), Sinead Farrelly (NY/NJ Gotham), Lucy Quinn (Birmingham City), Erin McLaughlin (Peamount United)
Forwards: Heather Payne (Florida State University), Leanne Kiernan (Liverpool), Abbie Larkin (Shamrock Rovers), Kyra Carusa (London City Lionesses), Amber Barrett (Potsdam Turbine), Marissa Sheva (Washington Spirit), Saoirse Noonan (Durham WFC)
