WNT ready for challenge of the USA
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The Republic of Ireland Women’s National Team flew to San Francisco yesterday to mark the beginning of their two game tour which will see them play the United States in San Jose on Sunday, May 10th and Haiti on Thursday, May 14th in early hours of the morning (Irish time) in Lauderhill, Florida.
Manager Sue Ronan, named her squad last weekend for the two games but we were awaiting confirmation of who the second keeper would be for the United States game due to captain Emma Byrne not being released from club duties for the game. Ronan has now called former Wexford Youth’s Women’s AFC goalkeeper Charlotte McCormack to the panel.
McCormack is currently playing for Clayton State University in America and Ronan feels it is a good opportunity to get the 22-year-old involved with the squad. “She played under-age for me when I was manager of the U19s and she was also the Wexford goalkeeper when the National League started in 2011. She has done well in America and this is an excellent chance to catch up with her, especially as I am examining all my options ahead of the Euro 2017 campaign,” said Ronan.
Ireland will play FIFA World No.2 the United States on Sunday, May 10th in San Jose, California. The game is part of the United States send off series, as they prepare for the FIFA Women's World Cup in Canada that kicks off in June. The match will be shown live in both the United States and Ireland where it is being broadcast at 8.06pm on Setanta Ireland.
Speaking to Republic of Ireland defender Méabh De Búrca ahead of the game, she had the following to say to ExtraTime.ie, "The USA game will be a massive challenge. They are a team that will be at their peak ahead of the World Cup next month. There is obviously a big gap in the resources available to the US and ourselves, we know how difficult a task it will be. Haiti are more of an unknown for us and will present a different challenge. It is good experience playing against teams outside of Europe and we are looking forward to the opportunity."
The Haiti game three days later will kick off at 1am (Irish time) on the morning of Thursday, May 14th. The squad will include both FA WSL league players Emma Byrne and Niamh Fahey. You can follow all the build up and live updates here on Extratime.ie.
Republic of Ireland Women's National Team Fixtures
Sunday, May 10
USA v Republic of Ireland
Avaya Stadium, San Jose, California (USA), 20:06 (Irish Time)
(live on Setanta Ireland)
Thursday, May 14
Haiti v Republic of Ireland
Central Broward Regional Park Stadium, Lauderhill, Florida (USA), 01:00 (Irish Time).
Republic of Ireland Squad
GOALKEEPERS: Emma Byrne (Arsenal), Charolette McCormack (Clayton State University), Niamh Reid-Burke (Raheny United).
DEFENDERS: Megan Campbell (Florida State University), Meabh De Burca (Galway WFC), Karen Duggan (UCD Waves), Niamh Fahey (Chelsea) Aine O'Gorman (UCD Waves), Clare Rossiter (Wexford Youths), Nicola Sinnott (Wexford Youths).
MIDFIELDERS: Emma Beckett (Amazon Grimstad), J essica Gleeson (Wexford Youths Women’s AFC), Ciara Grant (UCD Waves) Emma Hansberry (Castlebar Celtic), Deniese O'Sullivan (Glasgow City).
FORWARDS: Ruesha LittleJohn (Celtic), Katie McCabe (Raheny United), Fiona O'Sullivan (Notts County), Stephanie Roche (Houston Dash), Julie Ann Russell (UCD Waves).
