Confirmed: First Ireland call-ups for Aoife Mannion and Marissa Sheva

Vera Pauw announced the Ireland squad today for the upcoming friendly with China

CALL-UP: Aoife Mannion of Manchester United lines up to shoot at goal during the Barclays FA Women's Super League match between Manchester United Women and Aston Villa Women at Leigh Sports Village on December 19, 2021 in Leigh, England. (Photo by Clive Brunskill/Getty Images)

Manchester United's Aoife Mannion and Marissa Sheva of Washington Spirit get their first Ireland call-ups for the upcoming friendly against China as Vera Pauw looks to freshen up her Ireland squad with the summer World Cup in mind.

The Dutchwoman admitted their qualification for the July tournament last October had sparked interest from several dual-qualified players in declaring for Ireland.

Amongst those are Manchester United centre-back Aoife Mannion who represented England all the way through the underage ranks.

Birmingham-born Mannion, back on the United bench recently after a lay-off with an ACL injury, even made the senior squad of the European champions twice without getting on the pitch.

There is also a place in the squad for Washington based attacker Sheva, who has connections with Tyrone (Grandfather) and Donegal (Grandmother).

It's the first Ireland squad of the year, named for a Marbella training camp and two games against the Chinese, the second an official fixture at the Estadio Nuevo Mirador on Wednesday, February 22 (2pm Irish time).

Injuries rule out Niamh Fahey, Savannah McCarthy, Chloe Mustaki, Ellen Molloy, Jess Ziu, Aoife Colvill and Leanne Kiernan.

Ruesha Littlejohn, Megan Connolly and Heather Payne return to the squad after missing last November’s 4-0 win over Morocco, while Durham WFC goalkeeper Naoisha McAloon and Glasgow City defender Claire Walsh are brought in following impressive spells at club level.

The Girls in Green will have two more friendly matches during an away April camp before they complete preparations with a pair at home.

Opposition for the June 22 fixture has yet to be confirmed but France are scheduled for the July 6 send-off game, at Tallaght Stadium rather than Aviva Stadium.

They then travel Down Under for the tournament, where they face co-hosts Australia on July 20 at the 82,000-capacity Sydney Stadium, followed by Olympic champions Canada on July 26 and Nigeria five days later.

Republic of Ireland WNT Squad 

Goalkeepers: Courtney Brosnan (Everton), Megan Walsh (Brighton & Hove Albion), Grace Moloney (Reading), Naoisha McAloon (Durham WFC) Defenders: Harriet Scott (Birmingham City), Diane Caldwell (Reading), Louise Quinn (Birmingham City), Hayley Nolan (London City Lionesses), Claire Walsh (Glasgow City), Megan Campbell (Liverpool), Áine O’Gorman (Shamrock Rovers), Aoife Mannion (Manchester United).

Midfielders: Katie McCabe (Arsenal), Denise O’Sullivan (North Carolina Courage), Megan Connolly (Brighton & Hove Albion), Ruesha Littlejohn (Aston Villa), Jamie Finn (Birmingham City), Lily Agg (London City Lionesses), Ciara Grant (Hearts), Lucy Quinn (Birmingham City), Isibeal Atkinson (West Ham United).

Forwards: Amber Barrett (Potsdam Turbine), Heather Payne (Florida State University), Kyra Carusa (London City Lionesses), Abbie Larkin (Shamrock Rovers), Marissa Sheva (Washington Spirit).   

International Friendly 

China PR v Republic of Ireland 

Wednesday, February 22 

KO 14:00 (13:00 Irish Time) 

Estadio Nuevo Mirador, Algeciras, Cadiz 

#CHNIRL