Aoife Mannion hoping to build on promising Ireland debut

NEWCOMERS: Republic of Ireland players, from left, Aoife Mannion, Marissa Sheva and Deborah-Anne de la Harpe after the international friendly match between China PR and Republic of Ireland at Estadio Nuevo Mirador in Algeciras, Spain. Pic: Stephen McCarthy/Sportsfile

Newcomer Aoife Mannion is confident of earning a World Cup spot despite her lack of gametime at Manchester United.

The 27-year-old made her Ireland debut in Wednesday’s scoreless draw against China in Spain, the first of five friendly matches in advance of the July tournament co-hosted by Australia and New Zealand.