Latest news with #AoibheannClancy
Irish Daily Mirror
11-06-2025
- Sport
- Irish Daily Mirror
Ireland squad for USA games as one player misses out over family bereavement
Ireland head coach Carla Ward has named a 23-player squad for Ireland's friendly double-header away to the USA later this month - and there are some big-name absentees. Arsenal's Champions League winning star Katie McCabe has been given permission to skip the games. Ward said earlier this month that the Tallaght native was 'on the verge of burnout' after a busy season for club and country. Also unavailable for selection are Aoife Mannion, Heather Payne, Tara O'Hanlon, Jamie Finn, Lily Agg, Jess Ziu and Leanne Kiernan. Shelbourne midfielder Aoibheann Clancy is also out. Ward, her staff and players have sent their condolences to Clancy following the passing of her mother, Siobhan. 'The WNT players & staff send their condolences to midfielder Aoibheann Clancy following the passing of her mother, Siobhan. She is being given the time to deal with this difficult period and has the full support of the WNT squad,' read a line in the press release detailing Ward's squad. Ireland will take on the world's top ranked nation in two friendlies - on Thursday June 26 in Denver, Colorado (2am Irish time) and Sunday June 29 in Cincinnati (8pm Irish time). Defender Hayley Nolan and midfielder Ellen Molloy receive their first call-ups under Ward. Nolan last featured for Ireland on their most recent US tour in April 2023, while Molloy's return is on the back of impressive performances with Wexford. 'The two games against the USA are an opportunity for us to work together on a number of things – both on and off the pitch – as we build towards the UEFA Nations League Play-Off against Belgium in October,' said Ward. 'We will be coming up against the best team in women's football, so we will have a plan for those games but it's also important that we make the most out of this camp as a whole. 'When these games were first proposed to us we knew that we would be without certain players, but that opens the door for others to step up. 'We are building, camp by camp, so we are looking forward to getting together again and putting in some extra work that will stand to us moving forward.' Goalkeepers: Courtney Brosnan (Everton), Grace Moloney (Unattached), Sophie Whitehouse (Charlton Athletic) Defenders: Jessie Stapleton (West Ham United), Anna Patten (Aston Villa), Caitlin Hayes (Brighton & Hove Albion), Hayley Nolan (Crystal Palace), Chloe Mustaki (Bristol City), Megan Campbell (Unattached) Midfielders: Denise O'Sullivan (North Carolina Courage), Megan Connolly (Lazio), Tyler Toland (Blackburn Rovers), Ruesha Littlejohn (Shamrock Rovers), Marissa Sheva (Sunderland), Ellen Molloy (Wexford) Forwards: Kyra Carusa (San Diego Wave), Abbie Larkin (Crystal Palace), Amber Barrett (Standard Liege), Lucy Quinn (Birmingham City), Emily Murphy (Newcastle United), Saoirse Noonan (Celtic), Erin Healy (Adelaide United), Izzy Atkinson (Unattached) # Both games will be broadcast live on the RTÉ Player, with the second game also live on RTÉ2.
The Irish Sun
09-06-2025
- Sport
- The Irish Sun
Tributes paid following death of Ireland star's ‘beloved' mum as Shelbourne promise to ‘do everything we can to support'
SHELBOURNE have led tributes following the sad death of Aoibheann Clancy's mum. Siobhan Clancy sadly died on Monday, and was described as a "loving wife, utterly devoted mother and sister" in her Advertisement 2 Aoibheann Clancy's mum has died Credit: Stephen McCarthy/Sportsfile 2 Condolences flooded in for the family of the Republic of Ireland international, third from left Credit: Stephen McCarthy/Sportsfile Taking to Shels said: "All at "Everyone at Tolka sends their heartfelt condolences to Aoibheann and her family . "The club will do everything we can to support her at this incredibly difficult time. Advertisement Read More on Ireland WNT "Ar dheis Dé go raibh a hanam dílis." Aoibheann Clancy is one of the brightest talents in the Women 's National League, having previously played for Wexford posted: "We are deeply saddened to learn of the sudden passing of Siobhán Clancy, beloved mother of our former player Aoibheann. "Our deepest condolences to Padraig, Caoimhe, Sean, Aoibheann, extended family and friends. Advertisement Most read in Football "Ar dheis Dé go raibh a hanam dílis" A prodigious youth international, the Limerick-native made her senior 'You can't make this up' - Irish fans in stitches at Ruesha Littlejohn's playful prank upon Katie McCabe's camp arrival Despite missing the cut for the summer , the midfielder has been incorporated into several squads by Carla Ward. Offering their condolences in the wake of her mum's death, the Advertisement "Our heartfelt condolences go out to Aoibheann and her family during this heartbreaking time. "We will do everything possible to support her through this incredibly difficult period." Aoibheann's local "Ar dheis de go raibh ar a ainm dilis." Advertisement Fans elsewhere took the time to offer their condolences, with one saying: "Sorry to hear of your loss @aoibheannclancy thinking of you and your family at this time" A second said: "Such incredibly sad news . Siobhan was such a remarkable lady and her loss is immense to her family, friends and all who knew her. "I feel blessed to have known her. Thinking of Padraig, Caoimhe, Séan, Aoibheann and the extended family. Rest easy Siobhan" A third posted: "Rest in Peace Siobhan, thinking of all the Clancy and of course Aoibheann at this very sad time." Advertisement And a fourth added: "So very sorry to hear of this , sending condolences to Aoibheann and her family ." Funeral details have not yet been announced.
The 42
19-05-2025
- Sport
- The 42
What can we expect as Carla Ward names Ireland squad for Nations League finale?
IRELAND HEAD COACH Carla Ward is due to name her third squad tomorrow morning. The selection for the final Nations League group double-header against Türkiye and Slovenia will be unveiled before 9am when Ward speaks to the media in Dublin. Most eyes will be trained on the defenders: retiring centurion Louise Quinn has made herself available 'until the summer', the manager revealed last week. Quinn last played for Ireland in a Euro 2025 qualifier win over France at Páirc Uí Chaoimh last July. A long-term hip injury sidelined her for much of the season, and the towering centre-half announced her retirement from football last month. She featured in Birmingham City's final Championship fixture, and could be set for an international farewell, pending selection. Ward also confirmed last week that Heather Payne (Achilles) and Leanne Kiernan (quad) are unlikely to be available, but Megan Connolly and Kyra Carusa are back in the mix, having returned to full fitness. Connolly missed the Greece double bill due to an ankle setback, while Carusa sustained a hamstring issue and withdrew from the second game. Since her appointment in January, Ward's squads have generally run along expected lines. Melisa Filis was the only new face in her first selection, but the Charlton Athletic midfielder was not recalled and remains uncapped. Shelbourne's Aoibheann Clancy was a headline inclusion last time out, while Saoirse Noonan and Chloe Mustaki also returned. Noonan, who scored 31 goals for Celtic this season, was the only one to get minutes. Aoibheann Clancy (right) and Jess Fitzgerald, who recently trained with the squad, in actin in an FAI Women's Development game. Ryan Byrne / INPHO Ryan Byrne / INPHO / INPHO Another Shelbourne player, Alex Kavanagh, was a later fringe addition, replacing the suspended Katie McCabe and bringing the number of Women's Premier Division representatives in the squad to three. Ruesha Littlejohn of Shamrock Rovers needs little introduction. Advertisement Ward and her assistant head coach, Alan Mahon, have been taking in games across the domestic league, while there has been a WhatsApp group set up with club managers. After watching Shamrock Rovers versus Sligo Rovers at Tallaght Stadium two weeks ago, the former Aston Villa manager identified 15-year-old Hoops left-back Keelin Comiskey as 'the best player on the pitch by a mile'. 'Tidy' Ellen Molloy, who returned to Wexford after a stint at Sheffield United, has been staking a claim for a recall, while there are several other players across the league on the radar. It's understood Shelbourne defender Jess Gargan was in the provisional squad last time out. 'We will continue to look at not just performances on the pitch but how much everybody wants it, on and off the pitch. We look at every aspect,' Ward recently explained. 'Aoibheann Clancy for example, she hasn't left me alone since the last camp, wanting to know everything about reviews. She's so hungry to learn and that's what you want. Whether it's Ellen, Alex, the young left-back, we look at every aspect of being a top pro.' Sarah Rowe (right) celebrating A-League Women's glory on Sunday. Alamy Stock Photo Alamy Stock Photo The 42 understands Sarah Rowe has been included in recent extended squads. The Mayo multi-sport star helped Central Coast Mariners to historic A-League Women's success over the weekend, having recently transitioned from winger to right-back. Rowe is due back to Collingwood for AFLW pre-season this month, but told The 42 that she would 'never turn down an opportunity to play for my country'. Ciara Grant also won a league title with Hibernian in Scotland this weekend, but the Donegal midfielder hasn't been called up since the 2023 World Cup. Ward was at Wembley Stadium on Sunday for Chelsea's FA Cup final win over Manchester United. United's Aoife Mannion was the only Irish international in action — and is one of the few WSL players still with her club, ahead of the inaugural World Sevens Football tournament in Lisbon this week. Katie McCabe will travel to the Portuguese capital for one of the biggest games of her career on Saturday as Arsenal face Barcelona in the Champions League final. The Ireland captain is due to arrive late to camp as a result. The squad report directly to Istanbul on Sunday, ahead of next Friday's game, with the Páirc Uí Chaoimh showdown against Slovenia scheduled for the following Tuesday. While question marks may hang over McCabe's availability for Türkiye, she and Denise O'Sullivan will spearhead tomorrow's squad. As with before, there will be a familiar core, but perhaps some freshness. Denise O'Sullivan (left) and Katie McCabe. Ryan Byrne / INPHO Ryan Byrne / INPHO / INPHO Ward has also not shied away from her plans to draft in dual eligible players, like her predecessors Eileen Gleeson and Vera Pauw. FAI Head of Talent ID and Recruitment, Aidan Price, is operating in that realm, while 'one or two (players) made themselves available for the last camp and again this one'. 'It's got to be right for squad balance and for us. If we believe they can add value, they'll be selected,' Ward added. The 42 previously highlighted rising A-League star and American-born forward Erin Healy as one potential candidate, while Kelly Brady — the New Yorker who plays for Ireland U19s — has been in superb form for Athlone Town. In terms of long-term injury absentees, Jamie Finn is back playing minutes after a lengthy ACL recovery, while Jess Ziu (ACL) and Tara O'Hanlon (MCL) are on the comeback trail. Lily Agg is a little further behind. Izzy Atkinson, Ward clarified, is fit and available but has not been selected recently. Megan Campbell joins Grace Moloney as a free agent, having also departed Championship winners London City Lionesses. There will be no shortage of talking points when Ward faces the media tomorrow morning — including Hannah Dingley's departure as FAI Head of Women and Girls' Football — but all eyes will be on what should be an interesting squad.
