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Team news: Carla Ward goes with experience for Tallaght bow

(L to R): Ruesha Littlejohn, Amber Barrett, Denis O'Sullivan, Katie McCabe and Anna Patten
(L to R): Ruesha Littlejohn, Amber Barrett, Denis O'Sullivan, Katie McCabe and Anna Patten

Carla Ward has leaned into experience for her first game in charge of the Republic of Ireland.

The Girls in Green host Turkey at Tallaght Stadium tonight in the Nations League, with new head coach Ward bringing some familiar faces back into the fray.

Lucy Quinn returns having missed the play-off matches against Georgia and Wales, while Marissa Sheva and Ruesha Littlejohn - both currently without a club - are trusted from the start. Aoife Mannion slots in the back line in place of Brighton and Hove Albion's Caitlin Hayes.

Elswehere Kyra Carusa leads the line with Denise O'Sullivan a possible foil in behind her. Earlier this week Ward hinted at a more offensive role for the Cork woman. A 4-4-1-1 shape would allow her to roam between the lines as Ireland look to start a new era on a high.

New call-up Melisa Filip is on the bench and could make her debut at some point.

It's a night of landmarks in Tallaght. Heather Payne wins her 50th cap, and Katie McCabe skippers her country for the 65th time. The Turks are the 55th different team that Ireland will have faced for the first time at women’s senior level, while Ward becomes the 15th boss (and fifth woman) to lead the side.

Thirty-five place separate the countries in the world rankings. Ireland are 25th, Turkey are 60th.

Republic of Ireland: Courtney Brosnan; Heather Payne, Aoife Mannion, Anna Patten, Megan Campbell; Marissa Sheva, Ruesha Littlejohn, Lucy Quinn, Katie McCabe (capt); Denise O'Sullivan; Kyra Carusa

Turkey: Selda Akgoz (capt); Fatma Sakar, Gulbin Hiz, Sejde Abrahamson, Ilayda Civelek; Ebru Topcu, Meryem Cal; Elif Keskin, Ece Turkoglu, Busem Seker; Melike Pekel

Referee: Réka Molnar (Hungary)


Watch Republic of Ireland v Turkey in the UEFA Women's Nations League tonight from 7pm on RTÉ2 and RTÉ Player. Follow a live blog on rte.ie/sport and the RTÉ News app. Listen to live commentary with 2fm’s Game On

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