The two 18-year-olds were included by Sue Ronan in the Republic of Ireland Women’s National Team line-up for yesterday’s Cyprus Cup game with Italy and they played their part in an excellent Irish performance which eventually earned a well-deserved draw against the tournament favourites and world No.13.
“We started together as U15s and it nice to have gone through the age groups together and have a familiar face around all the time. Both of us are in the same sort of situation trying to get first our first cap, trying to get our first start so it is nice to experience it together,” said Connolly.
While Connolly made her senior debut in January against world champions USA in San Diego, McCarthy had to wait until this week, but, as sometimes happens, everything came at once for her. Since Sunday, she has played three games for club and country and in the process has made her Glasgow City debut, her WNT debut and her first senior international start.
“To get my first cap and first start was pretty amazing and making my debut for Glasgow as well has made it a week to remember. Since I was a young age I have dreamt of getting my first senior cap and it was really good to do it this week,” said McCarthy.
Connolly also came on as a substitute against Austria and was delighted to be handed the job of leading the Irish attack against the Italians.
“It was a great to get that first start because once I had got my first cap that became the next objective. Now I want to get my first goal and I hope it will be the first for many for Ireland.”
While both will be focused on Ireland’s two remaining Cyprus Cup games on Monday against Hungary and the positional play-off on Wednesday, they admit that will have one eye on Portugal where Dave Connell’s U19s are playing two warm-up matches on Tuesday and Thursday as part of the preparation for next month’s UEFA European Women’s U19 Championship Elite Phase in Dublin against Germany, Poland and Azerbaijan.
“They are two important games for the squad because it is going to be a tough group to get out of next month. Hopefully, the experience we are getting here with the senior squad will help us when we return to the U19s,” said McCarthy, who is the U19 team captain.
But, for now, the minds are on Hungary and the opportunity to build on yesterday’s confidence-boosting performance and result against the Italians.
“We didn’t deserve to lose to Austria because we played very well and we could have beaten Italy because we created some great chances and a perfectly good goal disallowed. We will be looking to maintain that level of performance against Hungary and hopefully get a win as well,” said Connolly.
Ireland will play Hungary on Monday afternoon in the Tasos Marko Stadium in Paralimni at 15:30 (Irish time) and once the final group standings are confirmed they will play their opposite number from Group B in the positional play-offs on Wednesday.