Galway’s Russell back in Ireland squad, Carusa out

Galway United midfielder Julie-Ann Russell is back in the Republic of Ireland squad for the first time in four years, while Marissa Sheva also makes a surprise return for the Euro 2025 qualifiers against England and France.

Head coach Eileen Gleeson named her 26-player squad on Tuesday morning.

Striker Kyra Carusa (hamstring) and Heather Payne (Achilles) are notable absentees due to injury, particularly the former given the side’s struggles in front of goal. Ireland haven’t scored in their last six matches.

In better news, Niamh Fahey and Denise O’Sullivan return having missed the double-header against Sweden in the last window.

Russell, 33, is rewarded for her fine form with Galway United in the SSE Airtricity Women’s Premier Division this year. She was out of the game on maternity leave a couple of years ago but re-signed with Galway last summer and has been a key part of their surge to the top of the table.

Russell has 60 international caps to her name.

Sheva meanwhile hasn’t played for her country since the World Cup group game against Nigeria in Brisbane last August.

Ireland wrap up their Euro 2025 group qualification with games away to England on Friday 12 July and at home to France the following Tuesday.

Captain Katie McCabe is in the squad but will not feature against the English at Carrow Road. The Arsenal star is suspended after picking up another booking against Sweden in Stockholm, where the Girls in Green fell to a late 1-0 defeat.

They are set to make a first ever appearance at Supervalu Páirc Uí Chaoimh, which will host the France clash with the Aviva Stadium and Tallaght Stadium both unavailable. It will be the first time in 12 years that the Ireland women’s team will play a home fixture outside Dublin and will be their seventh game overall in Cork, following five previously in Turner’s Cross and one in Flower’s Lodge.

Ireland will finish bottom of he group having lost their first four matches, but they do have the safety net of the play-offs, which begin with a two-legged semi-final in October.

The draw for those play-offs takes place on Friday 19 July.

UEFA WOMEN’S CHAMPIONSHIP QUALIFICATION FIXTURES

Friday 12 July: England v Republic of Ireland, Carrow Road, 8pm
Tuesday 16 July: Republic of Ireland, Supervalu Páirc Uí Chaoimh, 6pm

Republic of Ireland squad

Goalkeepers: Courtney Brosnan (Everton), Grace Moloney (London City Lionesses), Sophie Whitehouse (Lewes)

Defenders: Jessie Stapleton (West Ham United), Diane Caldwell (FC Zurich), Louise Quinn (Birmingham City), Niamh Fahey (Liverpool), Caitlin Hayes (Celtic), Aoife Mannion (Manchester United), Anna Patten (Aston Villa), Megan Campbell (London City Lionesses)

Midfielders: Katie McCabe (Arsenal), Denise O’Sullivan (North Carolina Courage), Megan Connolly (Bristol City), Lily Agg (Birmingham City), Ruesha Littlejohn (London City Lionesses), Tyler Toland (Blackburn Rovers), Jess Ziu (West Ham United), Izzy Atkinson (Crystal Palace), Eva Mangan (Cork City), Julie-Ann Russell (Galway United)

Forwards: Amber Barrett (Standard Liege), Leanne Kiernan (Liverpool), Abbie Larkin (Crystal Palace), Emily Murphy (Wake Forest University), Marissa Sheva (Portland Thorns)

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