The squad shows five changes from last month’s game against World Champions and World No.1 USA and sees the return of Reading goalkeeper Grace Moloney, Chelsea defender Niamh Fahey, Shelbourne's Rachel Graham and the Wexford Youths duo of Rianna Jarrett and Emma Hansberry. They replace Ciara Rossiter, Grace Wright, Fiona O’Sullivan, Stephanie Roche and Siobhan Killeen.
“It is great to have Rianna Jarrett back in the squad. She tore her cruciate ligament over a year ago at our Winter Training Camp in La Manga and it’s been a long road back for her. She has worked very hard and we have closely monitored her recovery and I feel she is ready for this challenge. But, once again we have players who are unable to travel due to work and college commitments which is an unfortunate fact of life for us while Stephanie Roche has had to pull out because of a shoulder injury,” said Ronan.
“The trip to America was also very helpful in terms of selecting this squad as a couple of players seized the opportunity to lay down a marker and I will be looking for them to continue pushing for a place in the starting line-up,” she added.
“We will resume the EURO 2017 qualifying campaign in April so the Cyprus Cup is going to be very important in terms of getting ready for that because we have a lot of work to do if we want to finish in the top two in our group.”
This year’s Cyprus Cup is an eight team tournament and Ireland has been drawn in Group A along with Austria, Italy and Hungary. They faced Austria and Hungary last year at the Istria Cup in Croatia but, for manager Sue Ronan, the clash against Italy on March 4 will be the first time she has faced the Azzuri since taking charge of the senior side in 2010.
“I’m looking forward to that challenge as it is always good to pit yourself against new teams, new tactics and new challenges. We know Austria and Hungary and are well aware that they are going to present stiff challenges. While we always go out to win every game, our emphasis is going to be on performance, doing the right things in the right parts of the pitch, being difficult to beat and being a potent threat in front of goal.”
The squad includes four uncapped players in Grace Moloney, Savannah McCarthy, Rianna Jarrett and Emma Hansberry.
The other countries participating in this year’s Cyprus Cup are Finland, Poland, Czech Republic and Wales.
Republic of Ireland Women’s National Team Squad
Goalkeepers: Emma Byrne (Arsenal), Niamh Reid-Burke (Shelbourne), Grace Moloney (Reading)
Defenders: Louise Quinn (Eskilstuna United), Jessica Gleeson (Wexford Youths), Megan Campbell (Manchester City), Niamh Fahey (Chelsea), Savannah McCarthy (Glasgow City), Sophie Perry (Brighton & Hove Albion), Meabh De Burca (Galway).
Midfielders: Karen Duggan (UCD Waves), Denise O’Sullivan (Glasgow City), Diane Caldwell (Kóln), Ruesha Littlejohn (Glasgow City), Julie-Ann Russell (UCD Waves), Megan Connolly (Florida State University), Katie McCabe (Arsenal), Emma Hansberry (Wexford Youths), Rachel Graham (Shelbourne)
Forwards: Clare Shine (Glasgow City), Rianna Jarrett (Wexford Youths), Aine O’Gorman (UCD Waves).
Ireland’s Cyprus Cup Schedule is as follows:
Wednesday, March 2: Republic of Ireland v Austria, Paralimni, 12:30 (Irish time)
Friday, March 4: Republic of Ireland v Italy, Larnaca, 15:30 (Irish time)
Monday, March 7: Republic of Ireland v Hungary, Paralimni, 15:30 (Irish time).
Wednesday, March 9: Positional Play-Offs