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Writer's pictureEllie Byrne

Ireland Name New-Look Squad for Double-Header Against Albania

The Republic of Ireland's Interim manager, Eileen Gleeson, had some difficult decisions to make when it came to picking her squad for the upcoming Nations League games.


With important players such as Ruesha Littlejohn, Niamh Fahey and Aoife Mannion out due to injury, Ireland's Nations League squad has a different look to their World Cup squad.


So who are the players who have been called up for the forthcoming international break that were not featured at the 2023 World Cup?



Sophie Whitehouse


Whitehouse currently competes in the FA Women's Championship with Lewes FC. As Lewes' starting goalkeeper, she has been getting regular minutes for an established Championship club.


She was particularly impressive in Lewes' third game of the season, as she kept a clean sheet in a 0-0 draw against Birmingham City.



Having played for Tottenham, Birmingham City and Bristol City, Sophie Whitehouse has experience training with top-level players.


Whitehouse was selected as a training player for Ireland in their 2023 World Cup campaign, meaning although she was not not a part of the selected 23 players, she accompanied the Ireland squad to Australia during the tournament.



Tyler Toland


Tyler Toland's first appearance under current interim manager Gleeson was against Northern Ireland in the Republic of Ireland's first Nations League game in September. She picked up the player of the match award in Ireland women's first home game in the Aviva Stadium.



Toland had a public fallout with Vera Pauw, Ireland's manager from 2019 to 2023. Following Pauw's departure, Toland was immediately recalled for international duty.


After four years in international exile, to be awarded player of the match upon her return shows she deserves her place within Ireland's midfield.


At just 22 years old, Blackburn Rovers' Toland has a chance to prove her talents amongst the experience of Ireland's usual starting XI to cement her place in the squad.



Caitlin Hayes


Caitlin Hayes has been called up to Ireland's Nations League squad for the second time, with the first being just last month.


Although born in England, Hayes' grandfather was Irish, allowing her to apply for an Irish citizenship. She was able to train with the Republic of Ireland's squad for the first time at the end of September ahead of their clash with Northern Ireland as she finally obtained her Irish citizenship.


She has plenty of experience to bring into Ireland's squad, having had spells at Manchester City, Manchester United, Everton, Cyprus' Barcelona FA and Lewes before joining childhood-club Celtic, where she has played for the last three years.


Hayes was awarded PFA Scotland Women's Player's Player of the Year last season. Celtic's star player caught the eye of Ireland's interim manager, Eileen Gleeson, as she was previously managing Glasgow City in the same league.


Ireland's new defender is already familiar with plenty of the squad, having played with Izzy Atkinson, Tyler Toland and Claire O'Riordan at Celtic, so she will fit in well with her new international side.



Erin McLaughlin


McLaughlin was first called up to Ireland's squad in November 2022 for their training camp in Spain, but was an un-used substitute in their friendly against Morocco.


She was then called up in June 2023 for the Girls in Green's pre-World Cup training camp, where she made her international debut in Ireland's 3-2 win over Zambia.



Erin McLaughlin is in top-form currently, having just won the Irish Women's Premier Division title with Peamount United.


The 20-year-old will be looking to prove her worth within this experienced Irish side, hoping to become a regular name in the Republic of Ireland's international squad.






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