Latest news with #EllenMolloy
Irish Times
23-06-2025
- Sport
- Irish Times
Ellen Molloy keen to make the most of opportunity after Ireland recall for United States trip
It's just over a month since Ellen Molloy downplayed her chances of a recall to the Republic of Ireland squad when she chatted with this paper, despite her sparkling form for Wexford since she rejoined them in January. 'I've a lot do before I'm even in the conversation,' she said . Well, she's in the conversation now after Carla Ward called up the 21-year-old midfielder for the first time since she succeeded Eileen Gleeson as manager for this week's friendlies against the United States in Denver and Cincinnati. The Kilkenny native has, then, a chance to add to the seven caps she's won so far, the first given to her by Vera Pauw when she was just 16, the last when Gleeson brought on her as a late substitute against Georgia in October's Euro 2025 playoffs. 'I honestly wasn't expecting this,' she says. 'I was just focusing on club. But I was absolutely delighted when I got the call from Carla. I'm really looking forward to the next two weeks, it's a good opportunity.' READ MORE It's a welcome boon for Molloy, who's been through the mill the last few years, starting with the anterior cruciate ligament injury she suffered in September of 2022. Then there was what proved to a short-lived move to Sheffield United last September, her first taste of professional football. But while there, her grandmother's illness and subsequent death had a deep impact on her, Molloy admitting she lost her love for football during that time. After four months, she returned home and re-signed for Wexford. Has she got the love back? Ellen Molloy scoring for Sheffield United during the Championship game against Birmingham City at Bramall Lane in October, 2024. Photograph:'Yeah, in the last few months I've started to really enjoy football again and I think you can see that in the way I've been playing. I just stripped it all back, took the pressure off and went back to my roots. We've such a family atmosphere at Wexford and Seán Byrne coming in has been really good for the team and myself as well. I'm feeling like I'm back to myself.' She hasn't ruled out moving away again, although for now she's focused on playing part-time and completing her PE and geography degree in the University of Limerick. But she acknowledges that her chances of staying in Ward's plans could depend on her returning to professional football. 'I know I need to be playing at a higher standard, obviously there is a huge step up from the League of Ireland to international football, and there's no question there is a difference in the standard between here and in England. We're a few years behind – but it definitely is going in the right direction. But, right now, I'm not really focusing on that too much, I'm just focusing on the next few weeks and I'll see how it goes.' Ward addressed the same issue when she was asked about Molloy on Sunday. 'I think I've been pretty clear, the League of Ireland is an evolving league, but it's still got a long way to go. It's a part-time league. So let's not be too naive, international football is a massive step up. Ellen has done tremendously well, she's been involved before, so this is about us having a look at how she can cope in an international environment. 'I never really want to get involved in what league the players play. That's a decision that only Ellen can make. But of course, you want players playing full-time. That's a reality. The sooner we can get the League of Ireland full-time, the better for the future of the game.' But much as Molloy initially enjoyed being a full-time player in Sheffield, she ended up finding it a challenge. 'You train, you're home at 1 and that was your day nearly done. It's not like you can go to the gym then because you've got all that done too. There probably should be more awareness about that side of it, it's not spoken about enough. I suppose different things work for different people. I like to be busy, it's just about finding that balance and what works for me.' 'This camp with Ireland is like a condensed version of professional football, so I'm just looking forward to getting back in to that, working under Carla, and seeing how I feel in that environment again.'
RTÉ News
23-06-2025
- Sport
- RTÉ News
Timing is everything for resurgent Wexford star Ellen Molloy
There's a flip side to life in full-time professional football that's probably not spoken about enough. Time. Too much of it. Your day is often done by lunchtime; then it's a case of putting the feet up, recovering, and waiting for the next session. To many, that's the dream, but there's context to these things and Ellen Molloy is a good example of a fine young player who looked destined to kick on in England only to be scuppered by time. Or, rather, timing. Molloy was linked with a move from Wexford to Sheffield United last September. Around that time, her grandmother Breda Roche was diagnosed with stage four lung cancer. They were extremely close. Then aged 21 (she turned 22 earlier this month), an emotionally torn Molloy took the plunge and went to England, travelling home as regularly as possible to see her gran. In October, Breda passed away. In an interview with the Irish Times in May, Molloy opened about the grief that blanketed her in the weeks following her gran's death. After just four months in Sheffield, she rejoined Wexford. It was the right call at the right time, with the gifted playmaker subsequently rediscovering her form and love of the game. Included in Carla Ward's Republic of Ireland squad for this week's friendly double-header against the USA, Molloy is now desperate to show she's still got the potential to carve out a strong career in green. "I suppose this is like a condensed version of professional football, these next two weeks." "I don't regret going over and as I've said previously, I can't fault Sheffield at all," she reflected. "It was a great club, the support they gave me was unbelievable. It was just more so the timing of everything, it just didn't feel right for me. It was probably a bold move to come home and maybe an unpopular move to some people, but looking back, I think it was the right move at the time. "I suppose I kind of put the enjoyment side of football first the last few months and to be honest I wasn't expecting this call-up, I was just focusing on club. But I was absolutely delighted when I got the call from Carla. I'm really looking forward to the next two weeks. It's a really good opportunity." Molloy, born and raised in Kilkenny, is no stranger to adversity. Three years ago, she was the brightest young talent in the SSE Airtricity Women's Premier Division and looked nailed on to force her way into Vera Pauw's long-term plans. A nightmare ACL injury scuppered those dreams, sidelining Molloy for a year. She missed the World Cup, rehabbing at Roche Injury Clinic around the same time as fellow Thomastown native Colm Whelan, now at Bohs, then at UCD where he sustained an ACL injury just before he looked set to move to Lincoln City. She's had to bide her time to try and rebuild momentum on the international front. The games in Denver (Friday, 2am) and Cincinnati (Sunday, 8pm) are an opportunity for this creative force to remind people just how good she is. "I got a taster of what professional football is like and there's a lot more to it than just playing football every day," Molloy added. "Like, it's the time that you're not playing football that you have to fill. And I kind of got a taste of that and have a better idea I suppose. "But that wasn't the sole reason for me coming home. I had a fair idea about how to fill my time and stuff, but I had family reasons as well for coming home. "I'd be educated and would know what to expect if an opportunity (to move abroad) did come up again. I'm just looking forward to this camp and getting to work under Carla. "I suppose this is like a condensed version of professional football, these next two weeks, so I'm just looking forward to getting back into that and seeing how I feel in that environment again." Molloy is one year into a four-year teaching degree at UL, specialising in PE and geography. She likes to be busy, managing her time rather than trying to fill it. Time. It's something Molloy references frequently, but she also speaks about the joy and freedom of playing in the here and now. There's no point in looking too far ahead when things are going so smoothly. "I need to be playing at a higher standard," she admits, "but right now I'm not really focusing on that too much. I do think the league is a bit away and there is quite a huge step up from the League of Ireland to international football.
The 42
11-06-2025
- Sport
- The 42
Recalls and absentees as Ireland squad named for US friendlies
IRELAND BOSS CARLA Ward has named a 23-player squad for an international friendly double-header against the United States later this month. Katie McCabe is among a number of players unavailable for selection, while Ellen Molloy and Hayley Nolan receive their first call-ups under Ward. Izzy Atkinson also returns to the squad. Aoife Mannion, Heather Payne, Tara O'Hanlon, Jamie Finn, Lily Agg, Jess Ziu and Leanne Kiernan are the other unavailable players, while Aoibheann Clancy is being given time and support following the recent passing of her mother, Siobhan. Wexford star Molloy is recalled after impressing in the SSE Women's Premier Division, and is one of two home-based players in the squad alongside Ruesha Littlejohn. Ellen Molloy (file photo). Ryan Byrne / INPHO Ryan Byrne / INPHO / INPHO Crystal Palace defender Nolan, meanwhile, last featured for Ireland on their most recent US Tour in April 2023. Atkinson departed Palace yesterday, but now gets a fresh opportunity on the international stage. McCabe confirmed her unavailability last week after a hectic season, which she finished as a Champions League winner with Arsenal. Ward later explained: 'She's on the verge of burnout, as are some others. It won't just be Katie that won't be travelling. There's probably going to be a number.' The first game against the world number one will take place on Thursday, 26 June in Denver, Colorado, with the teams meeting again on Sunday, 29 June in Cincinnati. 'The two games against 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,' Ward said in an FAI press release. Advertisement '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.' US manager Emma Hayes. Alamy Stock Photo Alamy Stock Photo The US will also be down bodies for the double-header, with Emma Hayes resting their European-based players and the squad set to be made up of mostly domestic talent. Chelsea defender Naomi Girma will be the one exception, the manager told ESPN, with captain Lindsey Heaps (Horan) of Lyon and Arsenal Champions League winner Emily Fox among the expected absentees. 'This is the first opportunity, and the only one, for them to take a break between now and the World Cup in two years,' said Hayes on Futbol W. 'And player welfare and rest and recovery are also important.' Ireland WNT squad 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). International Friendlies USA v Ireland Thursday, 26 June Dick's Sporting Goods Park, Commerce City, Colorado KO 19:00 (Local Time), 02:00am (Irish Time) Live on RTÉ Player USA v Ireland Sunday, 29 June TQL Stadium, Cincinnati, Ohio KO 15:00 (Local Time), 20:00 (Irish Time) Live on RTÉ2 & RTÉ Player.
Irish Times
11-06-2025
- Sport
- Irish Times
Katie McCabe left out of Irish squad for United States friendlies
As she hinted she would last week, Carla Ward has left captain Katie McCabe out of her Ireland squad for two friendlies against the United States in Denver and Cincinnati later this month. Aoife Mannion will also miss the trip, but there are recalls for Wexford's Ellen Molloy and Crystal Palace's Hayley Nolan, neither having featured in a Ward squad before. Heather Payne, Leanne Kiernan, Tara O'Hanlon, Jamie Finn, Lily Agg and Jess Ziu are all still recovering from varying degrees of injury, so were not considered, while Shelbourne's Aoibheann Clancy is absent due to a family bereavement. Ward had described McCabe as being 'on the verge of burnout' after a gruelling season with Arsenal, which ran all the way to the end of May with their Champions League victory over Barcelona. She is, then, excused from duty this time around, as is Manchester United's Mannion whose injury record means her workload has to be carefully managed. Nolan won all three of her caps during Vera Pauw's time in charge but after being included in Eileen Gleeson's first three squads she has been overlooked since . She missed the first half of Palace's season, which ended in relegation from the WSL, with a shoulder injury she picked up in pre-season, but was an ever-present for them in defence on her return. READ MORE Molloy also made her senior debut under Pauw, as a 16-year-old back in 2020, but an ACL injury interrupted her progress. She had a brief spell with Sheffield United in the English Championship before returning to Wexford in January, her form since outstanding. Ellen Molloy scoring for Sheffield United against Birmingham City back in October. Photograph:Izzy Atkinson has also been included, a day after she was released by Palace. She is one of three 'unattached' players in the squad, along with goalkeeper Grace Moloney and defender Megan Campbell. Even with a full squad, these games would have been formidable enough prospects, the States top of the world rankings. The nations last met in an April 2023 double-header in Austin and St Louis, when Pauw was Irish manager, Ireland losing 2-0 and 1-0. US head coach Emma Hayes is a close friend of Ward who likened the former Chelsea manager to 'a big sister' who has offered her support and guidance throughout her coaching career. After Ward left the Aston Villa job a year ago, Hayes added her to the States' backroom team for the Olympic Games, where they won gold, Ward working for her as a scout analysing opponents. 'These games are an opportunity for us to work together on a number of things – both on and off the pitch – as we build towards the 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.' These are Ireland's last scheduled fixtures before they take on Belgium in September, Ward's side having finished runners-up to Slovenia in their group. Ireland squad : Courtney Brosnan (Everton), Grace Moloney (unattached), Sophie Whitehouse (Charlton Athletic); Jessie Stapleton (West Ham), Anna Patten (Aston Villa), Caitlin Hayes (Brighton), Hayley Nolan (Crystal Palace), Chloe Mustaki (Bristol City), Megan Campbell (unattached); Denise O'Sullivan (North Carolina Courage), Megan Connolly (Lazio), Tyler Toland (Blackburn Rovers), Ruesha Littlejohn (Shamrock Rovers), Marissa Sheva (Sunderland), Ellen Molloy (Wexford); 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). Ireland fixtures Thursday, June 26th USA v Ireland Commerce City, Colorado, 2am Irish time (RTÉ Player) Sunday, June 29th USA v Ireland, Cincinnati, 8pm Irish time (RTÉ2/RTÉ Player)
Irish Examiner
11-06-2025
- Sport
- Irish Examiner
Several players unavailable as Ireland name squad for USA friendlies
Ireland head coach Carla Ward has named a 23-player squad for the two upcoming friendlies against the United States. A number of players, including Aoife Mannion, Heather Payne, Tara O'Hanlon, Katie McCabe, Jamie Finn, Lily Agg, Jess Ziu and Leanne Kiernan, were unavailable for selection. The FAI said that following the death of her mother, Siobhan, midfielder Aoibheann Clancy "is being given the time to deal with this difficult period and has the full support of the WNT squad". Defender Hayley Nolan and midfielder Ellen Molloy have been handed their first call-ups since Ward was appointed. 'The two games against 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.' Ireland face the USA in Colorado at 2am Irish time on June 27th and then in Cincinnati at 8pm Irish time on June 29th. Both games will be shown live on the RTÉ Player with the second one also being broadcast on RTÉ2. IRELAND WNT SQUAD 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)
