American Erin Healy called up for Ireland WNT double header

The Girls in Green take on Slovenia at Páirc Uí Chaoimh, as well as travelling to Istanbul.

IRELAND'S CALL: Erin Healy of Adelaide United scores the equaliser against Melbourne Victory at Coopers Stadium this month. . Pic: Sarah Reed/Getty Images

Ireland WNT boss Carla Ward has named American forward Erin Healy in her squad for the upcoming Nations League double header.

The Adelaide United player qualifies through her Monaghan-born grandfather. 

Originally from San Diego, the 24-year-old has scored eight goals in her debut season in the A-League.

"Back in college, my coach was always asking players if they had another nationality and if they did, get your citizenship so you have that chance to play for the country," Healy said recently.

"He asked me, and I said: ‘I think so, I’m not exactly sure!’ I just didn’t know how it works. I didn’t know how far back in your family it could go.

“My grandpa grew up in Ireland and came to the US. So my mum is an Irish citizen, which allowed me to be as well. Right around when I graduated we decided to start the process.

"I just got my citizenship back in September, and I started thinking how it would be really cool to get an opportunity to play for their national team. So I’ve been talking with my agent and seeing if that’s a realistic goal, and using this season to help me get on their radar.

“I hope that’s happening, that’s kind of my goal for the next couple of months: to get that opportunity to go play for Ireland and see where it can lead me. I’m super excited I have the citizenship and it’s even a possibility.”

Ireland will round out their UEFA Women’s Nations League Group 2 with games away to Türkiye and home to Slovenia.

The first game sees Ireland take on Türkiye in Istanbul on Friday, May 30th before they finish up by hosting Slovenia in Páirc Uí Chaoimh on Tuesday, June 3rd.

Injuries rule out Heather Payne and Leanne Kiernan, while Tara O’Hanlon, Jamie Finn, Lily Agg and Jess Ziu are still recovering from long-term lay-offs.

Veteran defender Louise Quinn has been included, ahead of her retirement this summer, while Cork's Megan Connolly returns after missing the back-to-back wins over Greece in April.

Captain Katie McCabe will link up with the squad in Türkiye following the UEFA Women’s Champions League Final, where she aims to become the fourth Irish woman to pick up a winners’ medal for Arsenal.

Ireland WNT Squad 

Goalkeepers: Courtney Brosnan (Everton), Grace Moloney (Unattached), Sophie Whitehouse (Charlton Athletic) 

Defenders: Jessie Stapleton (West Ham United), Aoife Mannion (Manchester United), Anna Patten (Aston Villa), Caitlin Hayes (Brighton & Hove Albion), Louise Quinn (Unattached), Chloe Mustaki (Bristol City), Megan Campbell (Unattached), Katie McCabe (Arsenal) 

Midfielders: Denise O’Sullivan (North Carolina Courage), Ruesha Littlejohn (Shamrock Rovers), Megan Connolly (Lazio), Tyler Toland (Blackburn Rovers), Marissa Sheva (Sunderland), Aoibheann Clancy (Shelbourne) 

Forwards: Kyra Carusa (San Diego Wave), Amber Barrett (Standard Liege), Abbie Larkin (Crystal Palace), Lucy Quinn (Birmingham City), Emily Murphy (Newcastle United), Saoirse Noonan (Celtic), Erin Healy (Adelaide United)