Megan Campbell privileged to be central to Carla Ward's Ireland masterplan
MASTERPLAN: Republic of Ireland head coach Carla Ward celebrates with Megan Campbell. Pic: Stephen McCarthy/Sportsfile.
New manager, new campaign and new position combine to make it a new lease of life for Megan Campbell.
When she was the star of Ireland’s underage system – scoring against Germany, Sweden and Ghana in a year that brought to them to the U17 World Cup – history seemed to be beckoning.
That Denise O’Sullivan, who was part of that squad in 2010, has more than double the number of Campbell’s 53 caps illustrates the cruelty of sport.
Although she’s lined out for Manchester City and the two Merseyside clubs, Liverpool and Everton, the 31-year-old’s career has been decimated by injuries.
So conscious of managing her game-time that the player from Drogheda in Co Louth became renowned as the impact substitute, chucked on to cause chaos with her lethal thrown-ins.
So far, 2025 has been unrestricted.
She’s a regular with London City Lionesses, a team bought by American billionaire Michelle Kang who’ll top the English Championship if they win their game in hand.
Carla Ward has observed with interest Campbell’s switch from left-back to centre-half, convincing the new Ireland boss to replicate it at international level.
The player doesn’t recall ever fulfilling that position in her Ireland career but did so in Friday’s 1-0 over Turkey. She’s battling to prove she’s capable of a second game in four days, Tuesday’s second Uefa Nations League B fixture against Slovenia in Koper.
“I think I’m more comfortable at centre-back - I won’t shy away from that,” she confessed.
“As you get older, you get a little slower and naturally you want to be more central. My understanding of the game, ability to read the game, suits me better at centre-back. Ultimately it’s about helping the team where I can.
“I told Carla I will help in any way I can and I’m honoured she trusted me with that position, and the ability to play there.
“There was so much space through the middle on Friday that we needed to be able to find the pockets when we could and maybe step in more.
“I could do that more and hopefully that will come with confidence and gelling with the team. But it’s a new system and formation and it’s positive.
“It’s nice to be on the ball a lot more than usual. And wanting to find passes, and keep possession left or right. Ultimately it’s about more balance.”
Settling on a compromise between dominating possession and adopting a direct approach could define Ward’s era, that starts with this four-team group completed by Greece.
Campbell is certain Ireland are equipped to exhibit the beautiful game, even when it comes to the stiffer challenges in next year’s qualifiers for the 2027 World Cup in Brazil.
“We have the quality to do that but confidence is something we maybe lacked in ourselves as a group,” she noted.
“We need to put that right in terms of our confidence because everyone is technically good enough.”
For sceptics unsure of that statement’s accuracy, she bristled.
“Well, that’s their opinion, innit? We don’t believe their opinion.
“You can’t shy away from having the ball. Football is about having possession and creating opportunities. And we haven’t done that in a long time in terms of possession-based football with the national team.
“So we’re changing that up now. And it’s not going to be perfect overnight. It’s a process we’re going through with new staff and it’s about building the confidence to enjoy playing football a lot more.
“Ultimately football is a game of opinions and people might disagree. We know we are good enough to be on the ball and good enough to create chances more than previously.”
CONNECT WITH US TODAY
Be the first to know the latest news and updates
