King names squad for Israel game
Wednesday, 10 March 2010 16:41The Republic of Ireland senior women's side resume their FIFA World Cup qualifying campaign with a testing trip to Tel Aviv where they will face Israel on Sunday, 21 March.
Noel King's side currently sit in third place after four games of the Group 6 FIFA World Cup qualifiers behind Switzerland and Russia.
The trip to Israel marks the last away tie of the campaign with three of the remaining matches against Switzerland, Russia and Israel to be played at home.
The Irish boss has not made any surprising changes to the squad that narrowly lost 2-1 to France in Richmond Park last month with Raheny's in-form striker, Stephanie Roche keeping her place following her three goals in the last four games.
Also in the squad is San Francisco Storm attacker, Fiona O'Sullivan who returns from a controversial one-match suspension that she served for the game in Kazakhstan last October.
Ireland manager King said: 'From our point of view, this has to be classed as a must-win game if we are to continue to develop as a side.
'The Israelis are somewhat of an unknown quantity for us but I have watched some of their recent games on dvd and we can be assured of a typically dogged encounter from the home team.
'Switzerland travelled to Israel last October and they really struggled to break them down and only claimed the three points courtesy of an injury-time goal.
Republic of Ireland squad to face Israel in Ness Ziona on Sunday, 21 March, kick-off 5.00pm (local time):
Emma Byrne (Arsenal), Niamh Fahey (Arsenal), Mary T McDonnell (Chicago Red Stars), Ciara Grant (Arsenal), Ciara McCormack (Kolbotn FC), Yvonne Tracy (Arsenal), Jemma Connor (Birmingham), Fiona o Sullivan (San Francisco Storm), Aine O Gorman (Stella Maris), Meabh de Burca (Salthill Devon), Shannon McDonnell (Chicago), Sonya Hughes (Tolka Rovers), Michele O'Brien (Chicago), Lynn Bradley (Raheny United), Julie Ann Russell (Salthill Devon), Stephanie Roche (Raheny United).
