Grace Moloney to get chance in Ireland goal for Belgium visit

Courtney Brosnan’s injury has left Carla Ward with the dilemma of choosing either Moloney or the uncapped Sophie Whitehouse.

Goalkeeper Grace Moloney during a Republic of Ireland women training session at the Aviva Stadium in Dublin. Photo by Stephen McCarthy/Sportsfile

Grace Moloney is set to deputise in goal for Ireland in Friday’s Women’s Euro playoff against Belgium at Lansdowne Road (7pm).

Brosnan’s injury for Everton left Carla Ward with the dilemma of choosing either Moloney, with seven caps, or the uncapped Sophie Whitehouse for the first leg of a tie that will determine which team is guaranteed a playoff for the 2027 World Cup.

Born in Slough, Moloney declared for Ireland in time to feature at the U17 World Cup in 2010, making her senior debut against Austria in 2016.

Caps have been difficult to come by since, as Brosnan emerged from the supporting cast to succeed Emma Byrne’s heir Marie Hourihan.

Ward confirmed her starting team is finalised, stopping short of revealing the chosen custodian but the 32-year-old of Sunderland is primed to start.

“Data-wise, they're one and two in WSL 2,” said Ward, encompassing Charlton Athletic’s Whitehouse.

“They're both consistently competing, improving all the time and I think we'd be comfortable with either of them.

“But one thing they have done is they've both been exceptional this week, both in their application and the way they've gone about things.” 

Katie McCabe will captain the team and all going well will hit the century of caps on Tuesday for the second leg in Leuven.

Her last playoff game at the Dublin 4 venue last December was one to forget as Ireland spurned the chance of complementing their World Cup appearance by qualifying for this year’s Euros.

Ireland’s skipper was also close to getting sent off as underdogs Wales engineered a 3-2 aggregate defeat.

“The Wales game last year knocked me to be honest with you - it really hurt,” admits Arsenal’s Champions League winner.

“It was our first time in terms of our two legged playoff, compared to our one leg over in Scotland, so that was kind of new for myself and the team.

“There were lot of learnings, some I won't share because they're quite personal but I think as a team it's just making sure about what's in front of you.  

“Going through that process at the start of the year and getting back to where we are now, I've never been more hungry to achieve great things with this team.

“Of course, the World Cup's up next and I want to get there again. I still want to get to my first Euros as well. Hopefully, I'll be around for a few more years. Unfortunately, you’ll still have to listen to me.” 

Aston Villa defender Anna Patten is suspended for the first leg, heightening the possibility of Caitlin Hayes of Brighton and Hove Albion filling the vacancy in the back three.