Ellen Molloy back in Ireland squad, Athlone's Katie Keane also rewarded

Ellen Molloy of Sheffield United runs with the ball during the Barclays Women's Championship match between Sheffield United and Birmingham City at Bramall Lane on October 11, 2024 in Sheffield, England. (Photo by George Wood/Getty Images)

Ellen Molloy earns her first recall to an Ireland senior squad since 2022, as Eileen Gleeson names her 26-player selection for the two-legged Euro 2025 Qualifying Round 1 play-off with Georgia.

The skillful attacker has recently joined Sheffield United from Wexford and has been in fine form in the English Championship, after injury disrupted her career in recent years.

Another notable callup is goalkeeper Katie Keane, fresh from a superb season with new WNL champions Athlone. She will join up with the squad after Sunday's FAI Cup final with Shelbourne.

With regular keeper Courtney Brosnan unavailable for the first leg due to suspension, Grace Moloney or Sophie Whitehouse are likely to get a start in goal. 

Injuries rule out Megan Campbell (ankle), Jess Ziu (knee), Ruesha Littlejohn (Achilles) and Jamie Finn (knee), while Emily Murphy is unavailable. Both Heather Payne and Kyra Carusa return after missing the qualifiers in July against England and France.

The squad will travel to Tbilisi for the first leg on Friday, October 25th (5pm)), before hosting the same opponent in Tallaght Stadium on Tuesday, October 29th. Both games will be broadcast live on RTÉ2.

IRELAND WNT SQUAD 

Goalkeepers: Courtney Brosnan (Everton), Grace Moloney (London City Lionesses), Sophie Whitehouse (Charlton Athletic), Katie Keane (Athlone Town) 

Defenders: Jessie Stapleton (Sunderland, 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) 

Midfielders: Katie McCabe (Arsenal), Denise O'Sullivan (North Carolina Courage), Megan Connolly (Lazio), Tyler Toland (Blackburn Rovers), Lily Agg (Birmingham City), Ellen Molloy (Sheffield United), Heather Payne (Everton), Izzy Atkinson (Crystal Palace), Eva Mangan (Cork City) 

Forwards: Kyra Carusa (San Diego Wave), Amber Barrett (Standard Liege), Leanne Kiernan (Liverpool), Abbie Larkin (Crystal Palace), Julie-Ann Russell (Galway United), Marissa Sheva (Portland Thorns)