Ward hands Filis first Republic of Ireland call-up
New Republic of Ireland manager Carla Ward has included Melisa Filis in her squad for this month's Nations League B double-header.Charlton Athletic midfielder Filis qualifies through her Mayo-born mother and has been called up for the first time after receiving international clearance from Fifa.Ward is without a host of experienced players for her first panel with the quintet of Lily Agg, Jamie Finn, Jess Ziu, Louise Quinn and Tara O'Hanlon all unavailable, while Niamh Fahey, Diane Caldwell and Julie-Ann Russell have retired from international football since the side's last outing.Former Aston Villa manager Ward, 41, replaced Eileen Gleeson last month and has signed a contract through to the 2027 World Cup.Gleeson's contract was not renewed by the Football Association of Ireland (FAI) following the team's defeat by Wales in December's Euro 2025 play-off that saw them miss out on place at this year's finals in Switzerland.Ward's first game in charge will be at home against Turkey on 21 February before they travel to Slovenia four days later.
Ward also finalised her coaching team this week with Amber Whiteley coming in as an assistant coach to add to a group that already includes assistant head coach Alan Mahon and goalkeeping coach Emma Byrne. "I'm delighted to bring this group of talented professionals and brilliant people together to work with our players for what will be an exciting Uefa Nations League campaign that then leads us into the qualifiers for the 2027 Fifa Women's World Cup," Ward told the FAI's website."We will only succeed if we work together as a team, on and off the pitch, and everyone is already playing their part in preparing us for the opening games."
Republic of Ireland squad
Goalkeepers: Courtney Brosnan (Everton), Sophie Whitehouse (Charlton Athletic), Grace Moloney (Unattached)Defenders: Heather Payne (Everton), Jessie Stapleton (Sunderland – on loan from West Ham United), Anna Patten (Aston Villa), Aoife Mannion (Manchester United), Caitlin Hayes (Brighton & Hove Albion), Megan Campbell (London City Lionesses), Katie McCabe (Arsenal) Midfielders: Denise O'Sullivan (North Carolina Courage), Megan Connolly (Lazio), Tyler Toland (Blackburn Rovers), Ruesha Littlejohn (Unattached), Marissa Sheva (Unattached), Melisa Filis (Charlton Athletic)Forwards: Leanne Kiernan (Liverpool), Kyra Carusa (San Diego Wave), Abbie Larkin (Crystal Palace), Amber Barrett (Standard Liege), Izzy Atkinson (Crystal Palace), Lucy Quinn (Birmingham City), Emily Murphy (Newcastle United)
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
North Wales Chronicle
2 hours ago
- North Wales Chronicle
England goalkeeper Hannah Hampton hopes to ‘live up to the legacy' of Mary Earps
Earps was instrumental in inspiring the Lionesses to their first major trophy on home turf in 2022, but had been slipping in boss Sarina Wiegman's favour behind 24-year-old Chelsea shot-stopper Hampton before announcing she would be stepping away from international football last month. Hampton felt her predecessor did not deserve the 'scrutiny' she experienced in the aftermath, but conceded she was 'not expecting' a reply to a congratulatory text she sent Earps, 32, after she made her shock decision public. living out the dream of a little girl from the Midlands who never stopped believing. proud to be representing my country at another major tournament🏴 — Hannah Hampton (@hannahhampton_) June 5, 2025 'We're going to miss her as a person here,' Hampton said. 'She's a big personality in this team and she glued us all together at times when we needed (her) to. 'So, I think it's been difficult for everyone to come to terms with what her decision is, but we have to respect that. And now I've got to just go and live up to her legacy. I'll give it my best shot for sure.' In April, Wiegman confirmed the younger keeper was 'a little bit ahead' of two-time FIFA Best winner Earps. 'First of all we have to obviously respect what (Earps') decision is,' said Hampton. 'I think there's been quite a bit of scrutiny that she probably doesn't deserve with everything that she's achieved in the game and obviously (she's) put women's goalkeeping on the map for the younger generation, aspiring to now be a goalkeeper. 'It was never really a thing and Mary's changed that. There's so many more young boys and girls taking part in goalkeeping, which was never the case when I was growing up. 'I think I've done everything I need to do. I've sent her a text and I congratulated her on a very successful international career and I think that's all I really can do. 'I don't think there's anything else and I'm not expecting anything back. She's been an unbelievable player.' Hampton has steadily risen up the ranks for both club and country since joining Chelsea from Aston Villa in 2023. And ahead of England's Euros defence – which begins against France on July 5, she added: 'I think of it as just playing another game of football. 'There's not really much pressure that you can put on yourself. We're here as a big team. Mary Earps has today announced her decision to retire from international football with immediate effect. The decision marks the end of a memorable eight-year international career. ❤️ 🏴 — Lionesses (@Lionesses) May 27, 2025 'You'll get through the games as a big team, whether that was me starting or me on the sidelines supporting – you knew what your role was going to be for the whole of the summer. 'Just getting that bit of clarity already helps you prepare for whatever your role is. My role is different this time around compared to the last tournaments, but it's not going to change my mindset. 'I'm there to enjoy myself, do the nation proud with all the girls and get memories. I remember all the memories from the last World Cup and Euros and I cherish every single one of them, I just want to keep repeating that.'
BBC News
4 hours ago
- BBC News
Afghan-born Nadim back in Denmark squad for Euros
Denmark forward Nadia Nadim will return to the national team following an 18-month absence after she was named in their 23-player squad for next month's Euro 37, represented Denmark in the 2022 edition in England but has not played for the country since a Nation's League defeat by Germany in December Afghan-born player spent last season on loan at Swedish side Hammarby and has also played for Manchester City, Paris St-Germain and AC has won more than 100 caps for Denmark and guided them to a runner-up finish in Euro 2017 - scoring in a 4-2 defeat by the Netherlands in the final."We see Nadia as a player capable of making a difference for us," Denmark head coach Andree Jeglertz told public television network DR."She also has experience in major tournaments, which I believe could be valuable for the squad."A medical graduate, Nadim fled Afghanistan with her mother and four sisters when she was 11 after her father was executed by the Denmark squad is headlined by captain and former Chelsea forward Pernille Harder while Crystal Palace defender Katrine Veje and identical twins Sara and Karen Holmgaard, both playing for Everton, are also called up. The Danes are pooled with Germany, Poland and Sweden in Group C of Euro 2025, which will be held in Switzerland from July 2 to 27. Denmark squad Goalkeepers: Alberte Vingum (HB Koge), Kathrine Larsen (Sampdoria), Maja Bay Ostergaard (Vaxjo).Defenders: Emma Faerge (Fiorentina), Frederikke Thogersen (Roma), Isabella Obaze (Portland Thorns), Katrine Veje (Crystal Palace), Sanne Troelsgaard (Roma), Sara Holmgaard (Everton), Sara Thrige (PSV Eindhoven), Stine Ballisager (Fiorentina).Midfielders: Emma Snerle (Fiorentina), Janni Thomsen (Utah Royals), Josefine Hasbo (Gotham FC), Karen Holmgaard (Everton), Kathrine Kuhl (Roma), Rikke Madsen (Everton).Forwards: Amalie Vangsgaard (Juventus), Cornelia Kramer (Bayer Leverkusen), Nadia Nadim (Hammarby), Pernille Harder (Bayern Munich), Signe Bruun (Real Madrid), Sofie Bredgaard (Fiorentina).
Wales Online
5 hours ago
- Wales Online
Lions v Argentina referee James Doleman was caught up in 'throat-slitting' incident
Lions v Argentina referee James Doleman was caught up in 'throat-slitting' incident The British & Irish Lions kick off their summer schedule with a match against Argentina in Dublin on Friday night Referee James Doleman (L) sends the Hurricanes' captain Ardie Savea to the sin-bin (Image: WILLIAM WEST/AFP via Getty Images ) The British & Irish Lions get their summer under way tonight with a date against Argentina in Dublin. The 1888 Cup is on the line in the Irish capital and will be the first opportunity for players from the four unions to lay down a marker for starting spots in Australia next week. The Lions are playing three Tests against the Wallabies in a series which is really beginning to raise excitement levels. In charge of the game tonight is referee James Doleman, who made his Six Nations debut in 2023. Here's all you need to know about the New Zealand-born official. Who is James Doleman? Hailing from Tauranga, New Zealand, Doleman spent a significant part of his youth in the Philippines and China, starting his refereeing career while still a student. His first game was in 2007 at the age of 16, overseeing an under-nines match at a school tournament in Hong Kong, although he humbly confessed that his initial outing was "rubbish". After officiating the World Rugby Under-20 Championship final in 2019, he ascended to handling his first Super Rugby game in the subsequent year and made his international refereeing debut the year before he was selected for the Australia versus England Test series opener in 2022. Article continues below Doleman embraced his Six Nations refereeing debut at just 31 years old during England's second-round fight against Italy in 2023. Upon receiving the appointment, he shared with South China Morning Post: "It's one of those goals as a referee. Aside from the World Cup, the Six Nations is the pinnacle." He added: "Being involved in a tournament like that, with the history, coming from New Zealand, the fans up north make the Six Nations very special. At the end of the day, referees get into refereeing because we're fans of rugby. The reason I do it is to be involved in those occasions." Jones criticism However, Doleman faced criticism from England's former coach Eddie Jones after overseeing a match where England lost 30-28 to an Australian side that was one man down for more than 45 minutes. In a turn of events during the game, Australia's Darcy Swain was sent off for headbutting Jonny Hill, but despite this, the Wallabies managed to secure a significant lead and subsequently resisted England's late surge to claim their first victory over the Red Roses after eight previous defeats. Jones' team suffered their fourth consecutive defeat, leaving the coach visibly annoyed after the match. He suggested referee Doleman was "evening things up" for Australia following Swain's sending off, stating he had observed similar responses to red cards in the past. "That always happens," he proclaimed. "You look at the history of the game, whenever you get a red card the referee evens it up. That's normal and we've got to be good enough to handle it. "When you play against 14 men the referee has a significant impact on the game and you've got to be good enough to understand what that is and we weren't good enough to understand what that is. And therefore we paid the price." 'Throat-slitting' incident Doleman was at the heart of a shocking episode that sent ripples across rugby in 2023 when New Zealand's Ardie Savea made a chilling gesture at an opponent during a game. It occurred just prior to the interval in the Super Rugby tie between Melbourne Rebels and Savea's Hurricanes, when a massive scuffle erupted. It featured Dane Coles and Rebels second-rower Josh Canham going head-to-head, with both sides jumping in to calm the commotion. In the midst of the fracas, Savea forcefully knocked Rebels fly-half Carter Gordon to the ground, leading to a heated verbal exchange after which Gordon chose to walk away. Doleman, after conferring with his assistant referees Paul Williams and Graham Cooper, determined that while the initial tussle between Canham and Coles was nothing more than "push and shove", it was Savea who had indeed intensified the confrontation. Savea, who had already been penalised for another infringement, received a yellow card for his actions. He attracted ironic applause from Rebels scrum-half Ryan Louwrens as he left the field, triggering an incensed reaction from the back-rower, who gestured towards Louwrens with a throat-slitting motion. The commentary team was visibly shocked by Savea's gesture, and Doleman's microphone caught someone exclaiming: "He's threatening to f*****g kill him, he's threatening to kill him." Savea offered an apology post-match, conceding that his behaviour was not befitting for younger spectators. "I can understand the fans are furious with the gesture that I made," Savea explained to Sky Sports. "It's just a heat of the moment kind of thing, you know. It's footy, but I understand kids are watching us. Article continues below "We're in the heat of the moment and that's out of character for me, so I put my hand up first and apologise for that. I've got to be better, we're trying to clean up the game. I understand... there's no excuse for me, I've got to be better." Lions v Argentina officials Referee: James Doleman (NZ) Assistant referees: Nika Amashukeli (Geo) & Andrea Piardi (Ita) TMO: Eric Gauzins (Fra) FPRO: Matteo Liperini (Ita)
