In Vera Pauw’s current squad, there are five home-based players while 14 of the 23 have played in the League and their time in the domestic game has clearly benefitted them.
As the Ireland squad prepare for their UEFA Women’s EURO 2022 qualifier away to Germany on September 19, they will turn to players with experience of honing their skills in the League.
Now in its 10th season, the League has always had a strong connection with the Ireland WNT and that continues to flourish with Wexford Youths’ Ellen Molloy being the latest player to earn an international call-up.
Molloy links up with Peamount United trio Niamh Reid-Burke, Aine O’Gorman and Niamh Farrelly, as well as Shelbourne’s Jamie Finn, who have a combined total of 109 senior caps.
Also, the standby list for this current squad included the likes of Claire Walsh, Stephanie Roche (Peamount), Isibeal Atkinson, Jessica Ziu and Emily Whelan (Shelbourne). So there are plenty of home-based players on Pauw’s radar.
In fact, Pauw keeps a close watch on those players through home-based training sessions that take place in the FAI National Training Centre, where she can accurately assess the best players in the League.
Of the players who once graced the League before moving abroad to further their respective careers, there are title winners and golden boot top scorers – all of whom have fond memories of playing in the domestic game.
That link between the League and the international team is important as they endorse each other but it also means that more home-based players are stepping up to help their country in crucial games.
Also, the current Ireland WNT assistant manager is Eileen Gleeson, who led Peamount to title glory and UCD Waves to the FAI Women’s Cup Final.
Ireland WNT Players with WNL connections
Niamh Reid-Burke – Raheny United, Peamount United
Louise Quinn – Peamount United
Claire O’Riordan – Wexford Youths
Aine O’Gorman – UCD Waves, Peamount United
Jamie Finn – Raheny United, Shelbourne
Denise O’Sullivan – Peamount United, Cork City
Niamh Farrelly – Peamount United
Hayley Nolan – Peamount United
Ellen Molloy – Wexford Youths
Katie McCabe – Raheny United
Heather Payne – Peamount United
Leanne Kiernan – Shelbourne
Amber Barrett – Peamount United
Rianna Jarrett – Wexford Youths