Soccer

Shelbourne’s 16-year-old Jessie Stapleton earns Ireland call-up

Ellen Molloy will miss World Cup qualifiers through injury after FAI Cup final heroics

16-year-old Shelbourne defender Jessie Stapleton has earned her first Ireland call-up. Photograph: Tommy Dickson/Inpho

Mon Nov 22 2021 - 11:31

Vera Pauw has named her Ireland squad for the upcoming 2023 Women’s World Cup qualifiers against Slovakia and Georgia.

And she has handed a first call-up to 16-year-old Shelbourne defender Jessie Stapleton, on the back of an impressive debut season for the teenager.

Celtic’s Isibeal Atkinson and Birmingham City forward Emily Whelan have also been named in the 25-strong party for the double-header.

There is however no place for Wexford Youths’ Ellen Molloy, who misses out through an injury picked up at the death of Sunday’s FAI Cup final, in which the teenager inspired her side to a 3-1 victory over Shels.

READ MORE

Glasgow City’s Claire Walsh and Liverpool’s Leanne Kiernan are also absent with injuries.

Ireland will train on Monday afternoon before taking on Slovakia on Thursday November 25th and then Georgia on Tuesday November 30th. Both fixtures are at Tallaght Stadium.

Republic of Ireland WNT Squad

Goalkeepers: Courtney Brosnan (Everton), Grace Moloney (Reading)

Defenders: Louise Quinn (Birmingham City), Niamh Fahey (Liverpool), Diane Caldwell (North Carolina Courage), Jessie Stapleton (Shelbourne), Savannah McCarthy (Galway WFC), Éabha O’Mahony (Boston College), Áine O’Gorman (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), Niamh Farrelly (Glasgow City), Ciara Grant (Shelbourne), Aoibheann Clancy (Wexford Youths), Roma McLaughlin (Central Connecticut State University)

Forwards: Heather Payne (Florida State University), Amber Barrett (FC Koln), Kyra Carusa (HB Koge), Emily Whelan (Birmingham City) Isibeal Atkinson (Celtic), Saoirse Noonan (Shelbourne), Lucy Quinn (Birmingham City)

2023 Women’s World Cup Qualifying Round Group A:

Republic of Ireland v Slovakia - Thursday November 25th, Tallaght Stadium (kick-off 7pm, RTÉ 2)

Republic of Ireland v Georgia - Tuesday November 30th, Tallaght Stadium (kick-off 7pm, RTÉ 2)

LATEST STORIES