Ballinasloe’s Heather Payne is expected to be fit for the Republic of Ireland’s second World Cup fixture against Canada on Wednesday (26th July).
The wing-back was sporting heavy strapping for a hamstring niggle at training today, while fellow defender Louise Quinn is a concern with a foot injury.
Vera Pauw’s side must get at least a draw against the Olympic champions to keep their last-16 ambitions intact. Kick-off at Perth is 1pm.
Leading up to the game, former Ireland international Jason McAteer chatte...
Ballinasloe’s Heather Payne is expected to be fit for the Republic of Ireland’s second World Cup fixture against Canada on Wednesday (26th July).
The wing-back was sporting heavy strapping for a hamstring niggle at training today, while fellow defender Louise Quinn is a concern with a foot injury.
Vera Pauw’s side must get at least a draw against the Olympic champions to keep their last-16 ambitions intact. Kick-off at Perth is 1pm.
Leading up to the game, former Ireland international Jason McAteer chatted to Galway Bay FM's Darren Kelly
==
In advance of Ireland’s Women’s National Team second fixture in Australia on Wednesday, Carlsberg 0.0, an official partner of the Football Association of Ireland, have teamed up with former Irish international Jason McAteer, to encourage fans continue their support for the Girls in Green.
Carlsberg 0.0. identified that this week’s fixture takes place at lunchtime, allowing even more of the best fans in the world, probably, to overcome the challenge of matches occurring during work hours, get behind the team and watch the game. McAteer, a veteran of two World Cup campaigns, knows the difference support, home and away, makes to the team. He, in association with Carlsberg 0.0 will show his support joining fans to watch the game from a local pub in Dublin.
Recognising that, in a landmark year for Irish women’ s football, significant progress has been made by the FAI to improve the perception and accessibility of the women’s game including broadcast deals with all women’s national team matches broadcast on RTÉ, the Women’s Premier Division on LOITV and an additional broadcast deal with TG4, Carlsberg 0.0, wanted to play their part in improving the visibility of the Republic of Ireland Women’s National Team.
Today’s visit from footballing legend Jason McAteer, follows on from an installation last week at Bondi Beach which, outlined a special message of support for the Girls in Green. Whilst, in May, Carlsberg to mark the 50th anniversary of the Republic of Ireland Women’s Team first ever international fixture, teamed up with the FAI and sports bar, The Square Ball in Dublin to unveil ‘The GIG’ – Ireland’s first women’s sports bar – with only women’s sport on the TV screens for the entire weekend.
Carlsberg 0.0 is also unveiling a new out of home advertising campaign with special builds celebrating the achievement of the Republic of Ireland Women’s team and a range of other initiatives, including a heavyweight social media campaign to promote the achievement of this historic group and build support for them.
Jason McAteer, former Irish international footballer commented; “Irish fans are probably the best in the world, home and away. The support we received from Irish football fans, no matter where in the world we played was a very special part of playing for Ireland. The Irish women’s team are deserving of similar support. I encourage all Irish football fans to show the support for this historic team. I am really looking forward to the game and teaming up with Carlsberg 0.0 to watch the match with some of the team’s incredible fans.”
Sean Kavanagh, Commercial Director, FAI commented; “Carlsberg is one of our longest standing partners. The support for the team has a key element in their journey so far and plays such an important role for the players. We are delighted to be working with Carlsberg 0.0 to maximise the support for the team both home and away.”
Linda Bradley, Head of Beers, Diageo Ireland commented; “We are on a mission together with our partners, the FAI, to convert the opportunity to build sustained support behind Women’s National Team this summer. We are delighted to team up with Jason McAteer, who understands from his own experience, how important a role the fans play in a team’s success. We want to continue to support the Republic of Ireland Women’s Team on their incredible journey. We look forward to a lunchtime well spent supporting the team and watching the game.”
Carlsberg is the official beer sponsor of the Women’s National Team.
Enjoy Carlsberg Sensibly. Visit www.drinkaware.ie
==
Game Two of the FIFA Women’s World Cup 2023 for the Ireland Women’s National Team provides them with the opportunity to pick up their first points in Group B.
A narrow defeat to co-hosts Australia marked their tournament debut, but now Vera Pauw’s team are aiming to take the points on offer in Perth to get off the mark.
MATCH DETAILS
FIFA Women’s World Cup 2023
Group B
Canada v Ireland
Wednesday, July 26
Perth Rectangular Stadium, Perth
KO 20:00 (13:00 Irish Time)
LIVE on RTÉ2
MATCH OFFICIALS
Referee: Laura Fortunato (Argentina)
Assistant Referee: Marianna De Almeida (Argentina)
Assistant Referee: Daiana Milone (Argentina)
Fourth Official: Akona Zenith Makhalima (South Africa)
VAR Referee: Alejandro Hernandez (Spain)
VAR Assistant: Juan Martinez (Spain)
Offside VAR Referee: Neuza Back (Brazil)
TEAM NEWS
Defender Louise Quinn has been training with a foot injury picked up in the loss to Australia but will be available for selection.
MANAGER QUOTES – Vera Pauw
“We have taken a lot of confidence from our performance against Australia but also recognised where we need to improve in order to get a positive result against a very good Canada team.
“Canada are the Olympic champions, they have a very good head coach and some world class players, so we know the size of the challenge in front of us. This team, though, always stands up to challenges and that is exactly what we are going to do again in Perth on Wednesday.
“The support from the Irish fans – both in Australia and around the world – has been fantastic and we are very appreciative of it. We want to do them proud. Our players and staff have worked incredibly hard, with such brilliant planning around our preparation, so we now feel that we are ready to go again.”
NOTES
- Canada have competed in seven FIFA Women’s World Cup tournaments – finishing fourth in 2003 and making the quarter-finals in 2015
- In 2022, Canada won the Summer Olympics – defeating Sweden in the Final, who would then go on to be paired with Ireland in their World Cup qualifying group
- There are 15 places between the two games in the FIFA Women’s World Rankings as Canada are currently 7th while Ireland are in 22nd
- Midfielder Ruesha Littlejohn scored Ireland’s goal in the only previous meeting with Canada, which was a game in the Cyprus Cup in 2014
PREVIOUS MEETING
12/03/2014 | Canada 2-1 Ireland, GSP Stadium, Nicosia (Cyprus Cup)
MEDIA
Download official WNT Media Guide
FIFA STATS | AUSTRALIA 1-0 IRELAND
Pass Completion
88% - Sinead Farrelly
87% - Ruesha Littlejohn
85% - Niamh Fahey
84% - Denise O’Sullivan
80% - Louise Quinn, Lucy Quinn
Line Break Completion
100% - Ruesha Littlejohn, Marissa Sheva
80% - Denise O’Sullivan
75% - Lucy Quinn
66% - Sinead Farrelly
63% - Niamh Fahey
Clearances
8 - Niamh Fahey
7 - Katie McCabe, Heather Payne, Louise Quinn
3 - Megan Connolly, Sinead Farrelly
1 - Denise O’Sullivan
Possession Contests Won
6 - Louise Quinn
5 - Sinead Farrelly
4 - Kyra Carusa
2 - Niamh Fahey, Ruesha Littlejohn, Katie McCabe, Denise O’Sullivan, Lucy Quinn
Aerial Duels Won
6 - Louise Quinn
4 - Sinead Farrelly
2 - Kyra Carusa, Ruesha Littlejohn, Denise O’Sullivan, Lucy Quinn
1 - Katie McCabe
STATSPORTS | AUSTRALIA 1-0 IRELAND
Total Distance (m)
10,719 - Ruesha Littlejohn
10,380 - Heather Payne
10,240 - Denise O’Suillivan
9,762 - Katie McCabe
9,712 - Louise Quinn
High Speed Running (m)
726 - Heather Payne
636 - Katie McCabe
522 - Marissa Sheva
408 - Kyra Carusa
384 - Ruesha Littlejohn
Max Speed (KPH)
31.36 - Heather Payne
28.68 - Abbie Larkin
28.44 - Marissa Sheva
28.33 - Kyra Carusa
28.08 - Katie McCabe
High Intensity Distance (m)
2,153 - Heather Payne
1,960 - Denise O’Suillivan
1,955 - Katie McCabe
1,695 - Kyra Carusa
1,648 - Marissa Sheva
IRELAND WNT SQUAD
Goalkeepers: Courtney Brosnan (Everton), Grace Moloney (Reading), Megan Walsh (Brighton & Hove Albion)
Defenders: Heather Payne (Florida State University), Áine O'Gorman (Shamrock Rovers), Louise Quinn (Birmingham City), Niamh Fahey (Liverpool), Diane Caldwell (Reading), Claire O’Riordan (Standard Liege), Chloe Mustaki (Bristol City), Izzy Atkinson (West Ham United)
Midfielders: Katie McCabe (Arsenal), Denise O’Sullivan (North Carolina Courage), Megan Connolly (Brighton & Hove Albion), Ruesha Littlejohn (Aston Villa), Ciara Grant (Hearts), Lily Agg (London City Lionesses), Lucy Quinn (Birmingham City), Sinead Farrelly (NY/NJ Gotham)
Forwards: Kyra Carusa (London City Lionesses), Amber Barrett (Standard Liege), Marissa Sheva (Washington Spirit), Abbie Larkin (Shamrock Rovers)
IRELAND WNT PLAYER STATS
Goalkeepers
Courtney Brosnan | DOB 10/11/1995 | 24 caps / 10 clean sheets | Debut vs Montenegro 11/03/2020
Megan Walsh | DOB 12/11/1994 | 1 cap / 0 clean sheets | Debut vs Russia 19/02/2022
Grace Moloney | DOB 01/03/1993 | 6 caps / 1 clean sheet | Debut vs Austria 02/03/2016
Defenders
Heather Payne | DOB 26/01/2000 | 36 caps / 1 goal | Debut vs Scotland 07/07/2017
Áine O’Gorman | DOB 13/05/1989 | 118 caps / 13 goals | Debut vs Denmark 15/03/2006
Niamh Fahey | DOB 13/10/1987 | 109 caps / 1 goal | Debut vs Portugal 07/03/2007
Diane Caldwell | DOB 11/09/1988 | 96 caps / 4 goals | Debut vs Denmark 15/03/2006
Louise Quinn | DOB 17/06/1990 | 106 caps / 15 goals | Debut vs Poland 02/02/2008
Claire O'Riordan | DOB 12/10/1994 | 19 caps / 1 goal | Debut vs Hungary 07/03/2016
Chloe Mustaki | DOB 29/07/1995 | 6 caps / 0 goals | Debut vs Russia 19/02/2022
Izzy Atkinson | DOB 17/07/2001 | 7 caps / 0 goals | Debut vs Portugal 21/01/2018
Midfielders
Katie McCabe | DOB 21/09/1995 | 74 caps / 20 goals | Debut vs Hungary 04/03/2015
Denise O’Sullivan | DOB | 103 caps / 18 goals | Debut vs Wales 17/09/2011
Megan Connolly | DOB 07/03/1997 | 41 caps / 4 goals | Debut vs USA 23/02/2016
Ruesha Littlejohn | DOB 03/07/1990 | 73 caps / 6 goals | Debut vs Hungary 07/03/2012
Lucy Quinn | DOB 29/09/1993 | 15 caps / 3 goals | Debut vs Australia 21/09/2021
Ciara Grant | DOB 11/06/1993 | 18 caps / 0 goals | Debut vs USA 28/11/2012
Lily Agg | DOB 17/12/1993 | 8 caps / 2 goals | Debut vs Philippines 19/06/2022
Sinead Farrelly | DOB 11/06/1989 | 3 caps / 0 goals | Debut vs USA 08/04/2023
Forwards
Amber Barrett | DOB 16/01/1996 | 36 caps / 7 goals | Debut vs Wales 20/08/2016
Abbie Larkin | DOB 27/04/2005 | 9 caps / 1 goal | Debut vs Russia 19/02/2022
Kyra Carusa | DOB 14/11/1995 | 13 caps / 2 goals | Debut vs Montenegro 11/03/2020
Marissa Sheva | DOB 22/04/1997 | 5 caps / 0 goals | Debut vs China PR 22/02/2023
