Adelaide United attacker Erin Healy has been called up to Carla Ward's Republic of Ireland squad for the upcoming UEFA Women's Nations League games against Turkey and Slovenia, with Louise Quinn also included despite announcing her retirement earlier this month.
San Diego-born Healy qualifies through her Monaghan-born grandfather. The 24-year-old has impressed in her debut season Down Under, scoring eight goals in the Ninja A-League and being named the team's player of the year.
Healy was ready to walk away from the game a couple of years ago after graduating from college with an accounting degree.
A successful stint in Portugal with Club de Albergaria sharpened her hunger to stay in football, with a move to Adelaide in September 2024 further fuelling belief she could make her way in the profession. That same month, Healy received her Irish citizenship. She's been open about her ambition to represent the Girls in Green and gets her chance in an important window.
Quinn announced her retirement earlier this month, coming off the bench in the closing stages of Birmingham City's 2-2 draw against London City Lionesses for her final club appearance.
However, she informed Ward that she wanted to make herself available for this window and the June friendlies against the USA. The defender now looks likely to add a few more caps to her tally before heading off into the sunset.
Megan Connolly returns after missing the back-to-back wins over Greece in April, while Shelbourne's Aoibheann Clancy stays in the picture having been included in the squad last time.
Heather Payne (Achilles) and Leanne Kiernan (quad) are absent, with Tara O'Hanlon, Jamie Finn, Lily Agg and Jess Ziu all still recovering from long-term injuries.
Captain Katie McCabe will link up with the squad in Turkey after Saturday's Women’s Champions League final in Lisbon between Arsenal and Barcelona. McCabe is aiming to become the fourth Irishwoman to pick up a winners’ medal for the Gunners - Emma Byrne, Yvonne Tracy and Ciara Grant lifted the trophy in 2007.
Ireland face the Turks in Istanbul on Friday, 30 May (6pm kick-off) and then host Slovenia in Páirc Uí Chaoimh on Tuesday, 3 June (6pm).
Both games will be broadcast live on RTÉ2 and on the RTÉ Player.
Republic of Ireland
Goalkeepers: Courtney Brosnan (Everton), Grace Moloney (Unattached), Sophie Whitehouse (Charlton Athletic)
Defenders: Jessie Stapleton (West Ham United), Aoife Mannion (Manchester United), Anna Patten (Aston Villa), Caitlin Hayes (Brighton & Hove Albion), Louise Quinn (Unattached), Chloe Mustaki (Bristol City), Megan Campbell (Unattached), Katie McCabe (Arsenal)
Midfielders: Denise O'Sullivan (North Carolina Courage), Ruesha Littlejohn (Shamrock Rovers), Megan Connolly (Lazio), Tyler Toland (Blackburn Rovers), Marissa Sheva (Sunderland), Aoibheann Clancy (Shelbourne)
Forwards: Kyra Carusa (San Diego Wave), Amber Barrett (Standard Liege), Abbie Larkin (Crystal Palace), Lucy Quinn (Birmingham City), Emily Murphy (Newcastle United), Saoirse Noonan (Celtic), Erin Healy (Adelaide United)
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