Republic of Ireland WNT manager Vera Pauw has named her 28-player squad for the 2023 FIFA Women's World Cup qualifiers against Finland and Slovakia.
While Sweden have already automatically qualified from Group A, Ireland are in a great position to reach the play-offs as they currently sit in second place.
They will host Finland, who they defeated away from home, in Tallaght Stadium on 1 September in what is expected to be a record crowd after tickets for the game sold out in just 30 minutes.
A flight to Bratislava will then follow a few days later as Ireland take on Slovakia on 6 September in their final qualifying game in Group A for next summer's tournament in Australia and New Zealand.
Both games will be broadcast live on RTÉ2 and on the RTÉ Player.
It's the first game against Finland that is vital for the side's qualification hopes and Pauw has urged caution against a side that competed in the recent European Championships in England over the summer.
"It's not an easy job to do," she said.
"Many are already thinking ahead of it but Finland were the better team away, we stole the points over there.
"The thing is this is their last chance; they will not underestimate us and we have to know where we stand.
"They just played the Euros, that can be a pro or a negative....we will be ready as always and then we need to see if it’s enough."
The manager also added that the fact that the Irish public have rowed in behind them so emphatically should prove a boon to their ambitions of progressing.
"The biggest crowd we ever had was just over 5,000 so now in 30 minutes to have the whole stadium packed is amazing and fantastic.
"There are probably two sides, of course. We have earned that but also during the Euros with all the hype."
"What's amazing is what the FAI has done, and we’re so happy with, is that 2,000 of the tickets are solely reserved for children," she added.
Goalkeeper Eve Badana, defenders Harriet Scott and Megan Campbell, midfielder Ellen Molloy and forward Leanne Kiernan return after missing the 9-0 victory away to Georgia in June.
There is also a recall for Kildare native Hayley Nolan – who has converted from midfield to defence with London City Lionesses – and she is selected for the first time since making her debut away to Belgium in April 2021.
Injuries rule out the quartet of Savannah McCarthy, Aoife Colvill, Rianna Jarrett and Kyra Carusa.
The Republic of Ireland manager explained her decision to recall Nolan back in for the games.
"She a got nasty injury after [the Belgium game], an ankle injury.
"She has come back slowly. Before the summer she just wasn't ready in her rhythm.
"Now she is dominant, she is playing at left centre-back at her club [London City Lionesses] and she is strong. Her style of the build-up has improved dramatically and she has made the squad because of her qualities."
The squad will report into camp on Sunday to begin preparations for the two Group A games at the FAI National Training Centre.
Pauw admitted that watching the coverage of the European Champions was a tough pill to swallow with Ireland just missing out on a play-off spot.
"Should have been there, still hurts," she said.
"I think the team has grown a lot but we have to stay realistic in where we stand and where wwe are.
"It would be massive if we could surprise the world but we need to be realistic that it's a very, very hard task – but not something that is undoable."
Republic of Ireland WNT Squad
Goalkeepers: Courtney Brosnan (Everton), Grace Moloney (Reading), Megan Walsh (Brighton & Hove Albion), Eve Badana (DLR Waves)
Defenders: Harriet Scott (Birmingham City), Claire O'Riordan (Celtic), Diane Caldwell (Reading), Louise Quinn (Birmingham City), Niamh Fahey (Liverpool), Hayley Nolan (London City Lionesses), Chloe Mustaki (Bristol City), Megan Campbell (Liverpool), Áine O’Gorman (Peamount United)
Midfielders: Katie McCabe (Arsenal), Denise O’Sullivan (North Carolina Courage), Megan Connolly (Brighton & Hove Albion), Ruesha Littlejohn (Aston Villa), Jamie Finn (Birmingham City), Ciara Grant (Hearts), Lily Agg (London City Lionesses), Ellen Molloy (Wexford Youths), Jess Ziu (West Ham United), Lucy Quinn (Birmingham City)
Forwards: Heather Payne (Florida State University), Amber Barrett (FFC Turbine Potsdam), Leanne Kiernan (Liverpool), Abbie Larkin (Shelbourne), Saoirse Noonan (Durham WFC)
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