Republic of Ireland trio return for qualifiersImage source, Getty Images & InphoImage caption, Brosnan, Connolly and Kiernan missed the Nations League play-off against BelgiumPublished29 minutes agoCourtney Brosnan, Megan Connolly and Leanne Kiernan have returned to the Republic of Ireland squad for next month’s 2027 Women’s World Cup qualifiers against France and the Netherlands. Everton goalkeeper Brosnan, Lazio midfielder Connolly and forward Kiernan – on loan at Nottingham Forest from Liverpool – all missed the dramatic Nations League play-off win over Belgium in October because of injury.The 23-player squad is again captained by Arsenal’s Katie McCabe, who won her 100th cap in the play-off against Belgium. The Republic of Ireland face France at Tallaght Stadium in Dublin on 3 March before travelling to Utrecht to play the Netherlands four days later.Ward is hoping to emulate her predecessor Vera Pauw by leading the Republic of Ireland to next year’s finals in Brazil. Under Pauw, the Irish qualified for the tournament for the first time, but they exited after finishing bottom of their group. After beating Belgium 5-4 on aggregate to gain promotion to the top tier of the Nations League, the Republic of Ireland beat Hungary 3-2 in a behind-closed-doors friendly in Marbella. West Ham’s Jess Ziu and Leicester City’s Heather Payne are among the players not included. Republic of Ireland squadGoalkeepers: Courtney Brosnan (Everton), Sophie Whitehouse (Charlton Athletic), Grace Moloney (Sunderland)Defenders: Katie McCabe (Arsenal), Anna Patten (Aston Villa), Caitlin Hayes (Brighton & Hove Albion), Hayley Nolan (Crystal Palace), Aoife Mannion (Newcastle United), Jessie Stapleton (Nottingham Forest – loan), Chloe Mustaki (Nottingham Forest)Midfielders: Denise O’Sullivan (Liverpool), Tyler Toland (Durham), Megan Connolly (Lazio), Marissa Sheva (Sunderland), Lucy Quinn (Birmingham City), Ruesha Littlejohn (Crystal Palace), Jamie Finn (Sunderland)Attackers: Saoirse Noonan (Celtic), Abbie Larkin (Crystal Palace), Leanne Kiernan (Nottingham Forest – loan), Emily Murphy (Newcastle United), Kyra Carusa (Kansas City Current – loan), Amber Barrett (Strasbourg)Related topicsRepublic of Ireland Women’s Football Team
