Anna Patten granted international clearance to play for Ireland

"I was super excited when Eileen (Gleeson, Head Coach) gave me the call and now to have the clearance come through is great," said the defender.

PATTEN THE BACK: Anna Patten poses for a portrait during a Republic of Ireland Women's media day at Castleknock Hotel in Dublin. Photo by Stephen McCarthy/Sportsfile

Anna Patten admits she is delighted to get the opportunity to integrate into the Republic of Ireland Women's National Team after receiving international clearance from FIFA.

The 24-year-old defender required a change of Association and has now been given the green light to be eligible for the EURO 2025 qualifiers against France (April 5) and England (April 9).

Patten's Irish roots connect back to her Grandfather Donald Coyle who hailed from Falcarragh in Donegal and her Grandmother Bridie Coyle (nee Conroy) who was from Lettermore in Galway.

"I'm delighted to be in with the Ireland squad," enthused Patten.

"I was super excited when Eileen (Gleeson, Head Coach) gave me the call and now to have the clearance come through is great. This is a really strong squad and I just want to bring what I can to it to help the team.

"My Grandparents have always been my greatest supporters and they have really motivated me to work hard to succeed in my career, so I'm delighted to be able to represent Ireland through them."

Patten linked up with the Ireland squad on Monday as they began preparations for their opening qualifiers in Group A3.

FIXTURES

UEFA EURO 2025 Qualifier

Group A3

France v Ireland

Friday, April 5

Saint-Smyphorien Stadium, Metz KO 20:10 (Irish Time)

LIVE on RTÉ2

UEFA EURO 2025 Qualifier

Group A3

Ireland v England

Tuesday, April 9

Aviva Stadium KO 19:30

LIVE on RTÉ2

REPUBLIC OF IRELAND WNT SQUAD

Goalkeepers: Courtney Brosnan (Everton), Grace Moloney (London City Lionesses), Sophie Whitehouse (Lewes).

Defenders: Jessie Stapleton (Reading - on loan from West Ham United), Diane Caldwell (FC Zurich), Louise Quinn (Birmingham City), Niamh Fahey (Liverpool), Aoife Mannion (Manchester United), Caitlin Hayes (Celtic), Anna Patten (Aston Villa), Megan Campbell (London City Lionesses).

Midfielders: Katie McCabe (Arsenal), Denise O'Sullivan (North Carolina Courage), Megan Connolly (Bristol City), Ruesha Littlejohn (London City Lionesses), Tyler Toland (Blackburn Rovers), Lily Agg (Birmingham City), Heather Payne (Everton), Jess Ziu (West Ham United), Lucy Quinn (Birmingham City), Izzy Atkinson (Crystal Palace).

Forwards: Kyra Carusa (San Diego Wave), Abbie Larkin (Crystal Palace), Amber Barrett (Standard Liege), Leanne Kiernan (Liverpool), Emily Murphy (Wake Forest University).