Carla Ward says it is "critical" that Republic of Ireland fans pack out Aviva Stadium for next month's World Cup qualifier against Poland.
The game on 18 April is part of a double-header of crucial fixtures against the Poles, with the away trip coming four days earlier in Gdansk.
Ireland are bottom of the group after narrow defeats to France and the Netherlands earlier this month. Poland are just a point ahead in third after they earned a home draw against the Dutch.
While a play-off would still be guaranteed even by finishing fourth, third place would in theory offer an easier pathway, making the two games against the Poles all the more crucial.
Carla Ward says it is "critical" that Republic of Ireland fans pack out Aviva Stadium for next month's World Cup qualifier against Poland #RTESport pic.twitter.com/ZdV3IHe5LB
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Ward named her 24-player squad on Monday and speaking at FAI headquarters, the Ireland head coach said: "It's going to be really, really critical that we get everybody packing out the Aviva. It’s a Saturday three o’clock, everybody loves a Saturday three o’clock game," she said.
"We had massive numbers for Belgium and we’re going to need that again and more. It will be critical we get bums on seats and bodies in the ground and get some noise lifting the players, because we’ll be ready. If we can get that fanbase hopefully together, we can get the results we need."
The way supporters turned up in droves for the men's play-off semi-final defeat to Czechia in Prague last week served as an example for the way the senior national teams can connect with the public, she added.
"First of all, I was absolutely gutted the other night, as I'm sure everybody was," Ward said.
"But look, I think what Heimir’s done in terms of turning things around and the way he’s reconnected the nation with the men’s national team is something that I think should be celebrated.
"He’s done a lot of work behind the scenes, I see it every single day. I work very closely with him. I think if anyone had deserved it after the last few years, it would have been him."
Ward confirmed that Celtic loanee Tara O'Hanlon had been close to a call-up and is firmly on her radar. But with the focus on midfield depth rather than the defence, the 21-year-old missed out.
Thus midfielder Lily Agg is among those recalled for the first time since 2024 after recovering from a long-term injury.
However, the 32-year-old and Nottingham Forest loanee Jessie Stapleton have picked up knocks despite making the squad.
"(They're) both having scans today. We've got a few questions today to be answered. We will definitely be waiting for those answers, because there might be then some changes naturally," Ward said.
The new face in the squad is Bohemians' Aoibhe Brennan, who is the only domestic-based player among the 24.
Ward had gone to watch her during a recent league clash between Bohs and Cork City and had already been impressed by what she saw from the 18-year-old.
"The development game back in February last year, she really impressed me. I remember walking away and saying to the staff that she was someone I really liked," she said of a player capped at under-19 level.
"I’ve watched her a lot since. She does the basics very, very well, and she plays well beyond the years. I’d be really interested to see how she would do in this environment."
Ward had previously compared the midfielder to England and Manchester United midfielder Ella Toone and admires the simplicity and efficiency in her play.
"It's the way she moves, actually," Ward added.
"She plays in a way - and it’s funny, I said to a couple of staff when we watched her last week at Bohs, 'Just watch the basics'.
"She finds little pockets of space, she makes the basic decisions very, very well. Usually, if you know someone’s coming to watch, you try to do a little bit more, (but) that’s not her style. You could see that.
"I think she didn’t give the ball away once in the first half. She plays in a way that I like, very different to what we’ve got. Listen, we’re under no illusions, she’s very young, she’s learning. She’s got great potential. So, this is around having a look at her in a different environment."
Ward also name-checked Treaty United midfielder Madison McGuane and defender Keelin Comiskey as young players she is keeping tabs on from the SSE Airtricity Women's Premier Division.
"There's a lot of young players that I really like, so yeah I think it’s exciting. (But) we have to be really clear, the gap between U19s and first-team is massive," she said.
Initially, an under-23 team was seen as the best means to bridge the gap between the Irish under-19 and senior grades.
But earlier this month, an FAI briefing had signposted that the under-21s was being earmarked by UEFA.
Ward added that conversations were afoot behind the scenes to make that necessity a reality.
"Everybody's on the same page that we have some work to do."
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