Three Players Rejoin Republic of Ireland Squad for Wales Play-off

Megan Connolly, Megan Campbell, and Ruesha Littlejohn have been recalled to the Republic of Ireland squad in preparation for next week’s Euro 2025 play-off fixture against Wales. Littlejohn and Connolly’s last appearance was in the July qualifier win over France, while Campbell, a London City Lionesses team-mate of Littlejohn, has been absent for the previous three matches. Nevertheless, Republic of Ireland manager Eileen Gleeson faces the absence of multiple players due to injuries, including Louise Quinn (hip), Ellen Molloy (hamstring), Lucy Quinn (ankle), Jamie Finn (knee), and Jess Ziu (knee), who are all ruled out. The Irish team advanced past Georgia in the initial play-off round with a dominant 9-0 aggregate victory, but they anticipate a significantly tougher challenge when they face Wales in their quest to qualify for the Euros for the first time. The opening leg of the tie is scheduled for Friday, 29 November, in Cardiff, with the decisive return leg set for Tuesday, 3 December, at Aviva Stadium in Dublin. Wales, having defeated Slovakia in their first-round match, announced the inclusion of midfielder Jess Fishlock in their squad on Wednesday. The full Republic of Ireland squad is as follows: Goalkeepers: Courtney Brosnan (Everton), Grace Moloney (London City Lionesses), Sophie Whitehouse (Charlton Athletic) Defenders: Jessie Stapleton (Sunderland, on loan from West Ham United), Diane Caldwell (FC Zurich), Niamh Fahey (Liverpool), Aoife Mannion (Manchester United), Caitlin Hayes (Celtic), Anna Patten (Aston Villa), Megan Campbell (London City Lionesses) Midfielders: Katie McCabe (Arsenal, capt), Denise O’Sullivan (North Carolina), Megan Connolly (Lazio), Lily Agg (Birmingham City), Tyler Toland (Blackburn Rovers), Ruesha Littlejohn (London City Lionesses), Heather Payne (Everton), Marissa Sheva (Portland Thorns), Izzy Atkinson (Crystal Palace) Forwards: Kyra Carusa (San Diego Wave), Abbie Larkin (Crystal Palace), Amber Barrett (Standard Liege), Leanne Kiernan (Liverpool), Julie-Ann Russell (Galway United)