The Republic of Ireland women's national football team have received a timely boost ahead of next month’s 2027 FIFA Women's World Cup qualifiers with the return of Courtney Brosnan, Megan Connolly and Leanne Kiernan.
The trio were absent from October’s dramatic UEFA Women's Nations League play-off victory over Belgium women's national football team due to injury. Their return strengthens head coach Carla Ward’s options as Ireland prepare for demanding fixtures against France women's national football team and the Netherlands women's national football team.
Everton goalkeeper Brosnan, Lazio midfielder Connolly and Kiernan—currently on loan at Nottingham Forest Women from Liverpool Women—add experience and balance to a 23-player squad captained once again by Katie McCabe. The Arsenal defender recently reached a significant milestone by earning her 100th international cap during the Belgium play-off.
Ireland host France at Tallaght Stadium on 3 March before travelling to Utrecht to face the Netherlands four days later—two fixtures that will provide an early benchmark for Ward’s tenure.
Ward is aiming to replicate the success of her predecessor Vera Pauw, who guided Ireland to their first-ever World Cup appearance. While that campaign ended in a group-stage exit, it established a platform of expectation and belief.
Momentum has continued to build. Promotion to the top tier of the Nations League was secured with a 5–4 aggregate win over Belgium, followed by a 3–2 victory against Hungary women's national football team in a closed-doors friendly in Marbella—results that underline both resilience and attacking intent.
Notably absent from the latest squad are Jess Ziu of West Ham United Women and Heather Payne of Leicester City Women.
Goalkeepers: 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)
With key players returning and competitive momentum established, Ireland approach the qualifiers with renewed depth—and a clear test of how far they have progressed against Europe’s elite.
