Heather Payne returns to Ireland squad for Georgia play-off

Heather Payne has been recalled to the Ireland Women's squad for their UEFA EURO 2025 Qualifying Round 1 Play-Off double header against Georgia.

Eileen Gleeson's squad will travel to Tbilisi for the First Leg against Georgia on Friday, October 25^th. Kick-off at 20:00 local time (17:00 Irish Time), before hosting the same opponent in Tallaght Stadium on Tuesday, October 29th.

Injuries rule out Megan Campbell (ankle), Jess Ziu (knee), Ruesha Littlejohn (Achilles) and Jamie Finn (knee), while Emily Murphy is unavailable. Both Payne and Kyra Carusa return after missing the qualifiers in July against England and France.

Goalkeeper Courtney Brosnan will not be involved in the first-leg in Tbilisi due to suspension. Brosnan will link-up with the squad on their return to Dublin.

Meath native Katie Keane earns a second senior call-up following a superb season with Athlone Town. Indeed, Keane recorded 10 clean sheets as her team won the SSE Airtricity Women's Premier Division title.

Keane will report into camp after the Sports Direct Women's FAI Cup Final against Shelbourne on Sunday.

Midfielder Ellen Molloy, who recently joined Sheffield United from Wexford, returns to the squad after last appearing for Ireland in the FIFA Women's World Cup qualifier away to Slovakia in September 2022.

Ireland WNT Squad

Goalkeepers: Courtney Brosnan (Everton), Grace Moloney (London City Lionesses), Sophie Whitehouse (Charlton Athletic), Katie Keane (Athlone Town)

Defenders: Jessie Stapleton (Sunderland, on loan from West Ham United), Diane Caldwell (FC Zurich), Louise Quinn (Birmingham City), Niamh Fahey (Liverpool), Aoife Mannion (Manchester United), Caitlin Hayes (Celtic), Anna Patten (Aston Villa)

Midfielders: Katie McCabe (Arsenal), Denise O'Sullivan (North Carolina Courage), Megan Connolly (Lazio), Tyler Toland (Blackburn Rovers), Lily Agg (Birmingham City), Ellen Molloy (Sheffield United), Heather Payne (Everton), Izzy Atkinson (Crystal Palace), Eva Mangan (Cork City)

Forwards: Kyra Carusa (San Diego Wave), Amber Barrett (Standard Liege), Leanne Kiernan (Liverpool), Abbie Larkin (Crystal Palace), Julie-Ann Russell (Galway United), Marissa Sheva (Portland Thorns).