Tara O'Hanlon is back in the Republic of Ireland squad for the first time in over two and a half years, while Kelly Brady has received her first full call-up for the friendly against Hungary in Spain later this month.
O'Hanlon has endured a dreadful run of injuries. She featured for the Girls in Green against the USA in April 2023 but has not been a part of the squad since due to knee and hamstring setbacks.
On loan at WSL2 side Sunderland from Manchester City, the ex-Peamount United player is getting badly needed time, and has received a major boost today after being included in the 23-player squad for the trip to Marbella.
Former Ireland Under-19 striker Brady trained with the squad before the Nations League promotion/relegation play-off against Belgium.
The 23-year-old forward picked up the SSE Airtricity Women's Premier Division Player of the Year award last Friday following an outstanding season with Athlone Town. She's listed as a free agent in the squad, with a winter move away from the midlands looking likely.
Goalkeeper Courtney Brosnan and forward Leanne Kiernan are also back in the fold having missed the victory over Belgium.
Heather Payne (achilles) and Megan Connolly (foot) are out along with midfielder Lily Agg (knee), while Jess Ziu and Amber Barrett are being afforded extra time to recover from knocks.
The squad will gather at their training base in Spain on Monday 24 November and then face Hungary for the 10th time at women’s senior level the following Saturday.
The game will not be open to the general public.
Ireland are making a habit of heading to Marbella for end of/early year camps.
In November 2022, under Vera Pauw, they went there for a game against Morocco, which they won 4-0. Pauw brought the side back there in February 2023 to play out a scoreless draw with China.
Optimism is high heading towards 2026 after the impressive defeat of Belgium.
That victory lifted Ireland into League A and ensured they'd be going up against the big guns in World Cup qualification, which starts in March with a home clash against France.
Ireland then travel to the Netherlands, before an April double-header against Poland, and June meetings with the Dutch and French.
Their Nations League promotion means Ireland are guaranteed a place in the play-offs even if they finish fourth in the group.
Republic of Ireland squad
Goalkeepers: Courtney Brosnan (Everton), Grace Moloney (Sunderland), Sophie Whitehouse (Charlton Athletic)
Defenders: Aoife Mannion (Newcastle United), Jessie Stapleton (Nottingham Forest – on loan), Anna Patten (Aston Villa), Caitlin Hayes (Brighton & Hove Albion), Hayley Nolan (Crystal Palace), Chloe Mustaki (Nottingham Forest), Tara O'Hanlon (Sunderland – on loan), Katie McCabe (Arsenal)
Midfielders: Denise O'Sullivan (North Carolina Courage), Ruesha Littlejohn (Crystal Palace), Jamie Finn (Sunderland), Tyler Toland (Durham), Marissa Sheva (Sunderland), Lucy Quinn (Birmingham City)
Forwards: Kyra Carusa (San Diego Wave), Abbie Larkin (Crystal Palace), Emily Murphy (Newcastle United), Saoirse Noonan (Celtic), Leanne Kiernan (Liverpool), Kelly Brady (free agent)
