REPUBLIC OF IRELAND BOSS VERA PAUW has claimed that she and the Ireland team are aiming to make fans back home 'proud' when they start their inaugural World Cup adventure in Australia and New Zealand next month.
The 60-year-old announced her panel of 23 players this week and left out the likes of Aoife Mannion, Megan Campbell, Jamie Finn, and Leanne Kiernan.
Despite calling the selection process 'the worst day of her career', the Ireland coach is now keen to impress Irish fans watching the Girls in Green.
"I'm so sure that we are going to make everybody proud," said the Dutch woman.
"If we can make it out of the group, we go into every game to win – but we also know that we play Australia, Canada, and Nigeria.
"We know we have to be realistic, but we do everything in that.'
Vera Pauw, Ireland's manager. (Photo By Stephen McCarthy/Sportsfile via Getty Images)Pauw also believes that Ireland has the components to trouble teams at the World Cup.
"With the players we have now, it will not be just keeping them (the opposition) away, because we have too much quality on the pitch," she added.
"What balance is, is that the players that need freedom can get freedom because they're backed up, and that is so strong in our team now."
Up next for Ireland is a friendly against France in the Tallaght Stadium. That game will kick-off at 8pm tonight, and a day after that, Ireland will travel to Australia on Friday, July 7.
Ireland's opening game will be against co-hosts Australia in Sydney on July 20. They will then play against Nigeria and Canada in the following weeks.
Ireland WNT Squad
Goalkeepers: Courtney Brosnan (Everton), Grace Moloney (Reading), Megan Walsh (Brighton & Hove Albion)
Defenders: Heather Payne (Florida State University), Áine O'Gorman (Shamrock Rovers), Niamh Fahey (Liverpool), Louise Quinn (Birmingham City), Diane Caldwell (Reading), Claire O'Riordan (Celtic), Megan Connolly (Brighton & Hove Albion), Chloe Mustaki (Bristol City), Izzy Atkinson (West Ham United)
Midfielders: Katie McCabe (Arsenal), Denise O'Sullivan (North Carolina Courage), Lily Agg (London City Lionesses), Ruesha Littlejohn (Aston Villa), Ciara Grant (Hearts), Sinead Farrelly (NJ/NY Gotham), Lucy Quinn (Birmingham City)
Forwards: Kyra Carusa (London City Lionesses), Amber Barrett (Standard Liege), Marissa Sheva (Washington Spirit), Abbie Larkin (Shamrock Rovers)Training Players: Sophie Whitehouse, Harriet Scott, Jamie Finn
FIFA Women's World Cup 2023 - Group BJuly 20 | Australia v Ireland, Stadium Australia, Sydney, KO 11:00 (Irish Time)July 26 | Canada v Ireland, Rectangular Stadium, Perth, KO 13:00 (Irish Time)July 31 | Ireland v Nigeria, Lang Park, Brisbane, KO 11:00 (Irish Time)
