Republic of Ireland manager Carla Ward has confirmed that captain Katie McCabe and vice-captain Denise O’Sullivan will feature in the second leg of the Women’s World Cup play-off against Kazakhstan at Pairc Ui Chaoimh. Ireland carry an 8-0 advantage from the first leg in Astana, but Ward is clear that the experienced pair will be involved.
McCabe missed the first leg through suspension, while O’Sullivan did not travel because the game was played on an artificial surface. Marissa Sheva was also suspended for the trip. Despite those absences, Ireland produced a dominant 8-0 win. Kyra Carusa scored twice, with Chloe Mustaki, Emily Murphy, Abbie Larkin, Jamie Finn, Shanade Hopcroft and Jessie Stapleton also on the scoresheet. Kazakhstan captain Yulia Myasnikova was sent off on 33 minutes.
Ward said: “Katie and Denise will play, let me be very clear.” She added that Ireland want to step up again: “We’re going to try and step up again, we want to be front-footed, we want to be better and them two are arguably two of Ireland’s greatest ever players so why wouldn’t they go back in? They could go into any team in the world, so if they are fit and available why wouldn’t they play?”
The first-leg result has left Ireland all but assured of a place in the play-off final against Belgium or Poland as they look to reach back-to-back World Cups. Ward was pleased that players such as Finn and Larkin impressed in the absence of key figures, and believes the increased competition can help the squad.
“I was saying to the group this morning it’s really good we have strong competition everywhere now. Jamie came in and did tremendously well and we have a really good group,” Ward said. “I talk a lot about the culture and the tight-knit of them and now they want to drive each other and push each other and raise each other all the time. We’re in a really good position because we’re not just a team built on culture anymore, we’re a bloody good football team. Jamie will be knocking on Denise’s door, everyone will be knocking on each other’s door and that’s only positive for what we want to try and achieve.”
For Cork native O’Sullivan, the second leg is a return home. Ireland have won all three games they have played at Pairc Ui Chaoimh, including a late 3-2 victory over the Netherlands earlier this year, a match O’Sullivan missed through suspension. She is set to win her 133rd cap on Tuesday, moving within one of Emma Byrne’s record.
“I absolutely love playing here. It’s really special, my family being here, a lot of people I have grown up with who have obviously supported me, the whole of Cork has supported me throughout my career,” O’Sullivan said. “It’s great to be back here and the team, Carla, everyone loves playing in Cork. There’s a really good atmosphere, everyone comes out and doesn’t stop from minute one to 90.”
Ward revealed that O’Sullivan “wasn’t happy” about being left at home for the long trip to Kazakhstan, but the Gotham FC player understands the need to manage persistent knee problems. The 32-year-old said: “I want to put the Ireland shirt on every opportunity I can but I also look at it as I appreciate Carla and the staff for putting their foot down and not allowing me to do it because I have been, over the past year and a half having some injuries with my knees. I appreciate them stepping in and saying, ‘Look, it’s not good for you to do that’. I had to take it in the end, and look, we have a really fantastic team who went out there and put on a very professional performance. They got the job done. At the end of the day, when the team wins and puts in a good performance, I’m happy.”