Republic of Ireland defender Savannah McCarthy hopes to see a number of domestic clubs provide the option of semi-professional football in the near future to prevent players moving to Europe and the United States.
Of the 27 players in Vera Pauw's Irish squad for this week’s Pinatar Cup in Spain, 13 ply their trade in England, four in Scotland, two in America and two in Germany.
In January, Glentoran player Jessica Foy made history by becoming the first female player in Ireland to sign a paid professional contract, and Galway’s McCarthy is hoping to see the Women’s National League follow that lead.
"I do think that Ireland needs to go to semi-pro, pro if you want to call it that, because our best players in Ireland are leaving," McCarthy said ahead of Wednesday’s clash with Poland.
"Obviously that’s something we have to look at because we want to make the league in Ireland as competitive as we possibly can."
The Kerry player experienced that semi-pro environment whilst playing for Glasgow City and knows just how beneficial it can be.
"I was in Glasgow for three and a half years and it’s nice when you come outside your door and five minutes away you have your training ground.
"Obviously it makes a lot of difference, training every day. You don’t have that in Ireland at the minute, unfortunately.
"It’s just baby steps but we have to try and do something in the league."
McCarthy will be hoping to see action on Wednesday as the side begin their Pinatar Cup campaign against Poland in La Manga.
Who they play from there depends on results, but they are guaranteed three games although Slovakia will not be one of them as the nations will be kept apart on account of being in the same World Cup qualifying group.
Ireland currently sit in second place in Group A and this camp should be the perfect preparation for April's clash with heavyweights Sweden.
McCarthy has started three of the four games as Pauw’s side attempt to reach the 2023 finals, but she didn’t feature last time out in the 11-0 win over Georgia.
The player said that she had a good conversation with her manager over that decision, while she also welcomed the return of fellow defender Megan Campbell – back in the squad for the first time since November 2020 for the Pinatar Cup – even if it makes competition for places that bit tougher.
"I’ll always give it 100%, that the type of player I am," she said.
"There’s 27 fantastic players in the group so anybody could play.
"Having Megan back in, Megan’s great, everyone knows what Megan is capable of and what she has. It’s good for us as a team."
