REPUBLIC OF IRELAND' WOMEN'S FOOTBALLER LILLY AGG HAS given praise to Ireland's uncapped players ahead of Ireland's debut World Cup this summer.
Ireland will face Nigeria, Australia, and Canada in their group this July and Ireland's manager Vera Pauw uncapped recruits can make Ireland 'better' claims Agg.
Ireland have called up Manchester United's Aofe Mannion, and Marissa Sheva for this month's February camp in Marbella
Pauw's side will face China tomorrow in a friendly that should give the Ireland manager a better idea of what the new recruits will bring.
Speaking at the Ireland training base this week, Agg said new faces in the Ireland camp can only be a positive thing for the side.
“The girls that have come in have been brilliant. Everyone that Vera has brought in so far has done well and I think all the girls have made everyone feel welcome, like they did with me when I first came into the panel.
The Ireland squad for the training camp in Spain has been announced. The big news is that Aoife Mannion who has played all her underage football with England has been included. The 27-year-old defender plays with Man Utd. Ireland face China in a friendly on Feb 22. 🇮🇪 #coygig pic.twitter.com/k6v1lV6rIf
— Éire Guide (@eireguide) February 10, 2023
“It’s been a really positive few days of training and leading into Wednesday (when Ireland play China in a friendly), we’re all looking forward to getting going.”
Agg said: “Vera is only going to bring them in if they’re going to make this Ireland team better. I think she’s made that clear and apparent.
“Ultimately lots of people want to play for Ireland but you (also have) to show the desire and commitment once you’re in camp. Those coming in are doing exactly that. Vera is the one who makes the decisions and it’s a good competitive environment.”
Ireland's adversaries China finished as runners-up at the World Cup in 1999, and they won the AFC Women's Asian Cup for the seventh time in 2017. They qualified for the competition this summer thanks to this win.
The match against China will kick off 1pm Irish time.
