Sinead Farrelly could make a sensational late charge to feature at this summer's World Cup after being added to the Republic of Ireland squad ahead of Saturday night's friendly against the USA [live on RTÉ2 from 7pm].
Farrelly, who was invited to train with Ireland during the week, played with the USA up to the Under-23s but was never capped at senior level. Born in Havertown, Pennsylvania, the midfielder qualifies for Ireland through her Cavan-born father Sean.
Farrelly recently signed a one-year contract with NJ/NY Gotham FC after an eight-year absence from the game. Her 2021 allegations against former Portland Thorns coach Paul Riley led to investigations that found widespread sexual abuse and misconduct in the NWSL.
She required an international transfer having represented another country at underage level, but her clearance has come through in time for her to potentially make a remarkable debut in Austin this weekend.
"I feel really proud," Farrelly told FAI TV. "I spent some years of my childhood living in Ireland, my dad's from there. Ireland's always been really interwoven into our life and my family life, so it feels a little surreal but I feel really honoured and proud to be wearing this badge.
"I've had my dual citizenship for almost ten years now, I think it's always been an option for me if it was there and vice versa, obviously if they wanted me to be here.
"The only thing I've learned on this journey back to soccer for is me is one day at a time, one session at a time. I can get really overwhelmed and I have a pattern of [being] negative and criticial with myself. The most important thing for me is to show up and try my best and keep a positive attitude.
"Yeah, I'm freaking out a little bit about it! What an opportunity. It's an honour and I don't want to take it for granted."
It's a big weekend for Vera Pauw and the Republic of Ireland in the USA. @Corktod has the latest from Austin #RTEsoccer pic.twitter.com/h0Apq9rhvB
— RTÉ Soccer (@RTEsoccer) April 7, 2023
Speaking to RTÉ Sport's Tony O'Donoghue on Thursday, Pauw said: "I've been in contact from the moment she was thinking of starting to train again.
"It's not just something out of the blue. But of course, step by step. She's been out for a long time, she needed to start getting confidence in her body again. It looks like she's there."
Republic of Ireland squad
Goalkeepers: Courtney Brosnan (Everton), Grace Moloney (Reading), Megan Walsh (Brighton & Hove Albion), Sophie Whitehouse (Lewes)Defenders: Harriet Scott (Birmingham City), Jessie Stapleton (Shelbourne), Louise Quinn (Birmingham City), Aoife Mannion (Manchester United), Diane Caldwell (Reading), Claire O'Riordan (Celtic), Hayley Nolan (London City Lionesses), Tara O’Hanlon (Peamount United), Áine O’Gorman (Shamrock Rovers)
Midfielders: Katie McCabe (Arsenal), Denise O’Sullivan (North Carolina Courage), Megan Connolly (Brighton & Hove Albion), Jamie Finn (Birmingham City), Ruesha Littlejohn (Aston Villa), Lucy Quinn (Birmingham City), Ciara Grant (Hearts), Roma McLaughlin (Fortuna Hjorring), Sinead Farrelly (NJ/NY Gotham)
Forwards: Heather Payne (Florida State University), Abbie Larkin (Shamrock Rovers), Amber Barrett (Potsdam Turbine), Kyra Carusa (London City Lionesses), Marissa Sheva (Washington Spirit), Alannah McEvoy (Shamrock Rovers)
Watch USA v Republic of Ireland on Saturday from 7pm live on RTÉ2 and RTÉ Player and follow a live blog on RTÉ.ie/Sport and the RTÉ News app.
