Irish women set for World Cup qualifiers

The Republic of Ireland women's senior side begin the road to the FIFA World Cup 2011 with two qualifiers against Switzerland in Wohlen and Kazakhstan in Turners Cross, Cork on September 19 and 24 respectively.

Joining Ireland in group 6 are, Russia, Switzerland, Israel and Kazakhstan.

The winners of each group will progress to the play-offs on 11/12 and 15/16 September 2010, producing four qualifiers for the finals to joins the hosts and holders, Germany.

The defeated sides will then compete in further play-offs for a chance to meet a team from the CONCACAF region for a further finals berth from June 26 until July 17 2011.

The squad have just returned to Ireland following a 10-week training camp in Indiana, USA which included four victories against some of America's top sides with a solitary defeat coming in their final game against Notre Dame University.

Manager Noel King said: "We were bitterly disappointed at losing out on a final place at EURO 2009.

"We desperately want to improve on that finish and I believe that the hard work and effort given by all of the players in the training camp in Indiana has gone some way in ensuring that we are fully prepared for the qualifiers.”