During the FAI Cup final last Sunday, Eileen Gleeson, the Republic of Ireland’s football manager, was undoubtedly checking her phone intermittently to keep up with the health statuses of the 26 players she had selected for the forthcoming Euro 2025 knockout games against Georgia.
The responses she received were mixed. Megan Connolly was missing from Lazio’s team for the third consecutive game, but the football club has not yet updated on her physical condition. Likewise, no explanation was provided for Heather Payne’s removal during the halftime of Everton’s loss to Leicester City. It could potentially have been a strategic choice, as Everton’s manager Brian Sorensen was visibly disappointed with another subpar performance from his team that still hasn’t managed to secure a win after five WSL matches.
In the meantime, Ellen Molloy exited Sheffield United’s Championship victory over Blackburn Rovers with a limp, introducing uncertainty over her prospects of playing for Ireland for the first time in two years.
Furthermore, several other members of the squad are still battling for playing opportunities with their clubs. Niamh Fahey and Izzy Atkinson remained unused substitutes in the Liverpool and Crystal Palace 1-1 tie, with Abbie Larkin only entering the game in overtime for Palace. Similarly, Marissa Sheva found herself benched again by Portland Thorns in the US, with Kyra Carusa only allowed nine minutes of play for San Diego Wave.
However, two members of Gleeson’s provisional squad, Emily Whelan and Lucy Quinn, enhanced their chances of selection, with Whelan scoring three goals in Glasgow City’s 13-0 demolition of Dundee United, tallying up eight goals in five matches for the player from Dublin.
Quinn, who was titled the Championship player of the month for September, netted her third for the season for Birmingham City. Her international teammate Lily Agg secured the second goal in their 2-0 victory over Southampton, which sees them retain their position at the top of the chart. However, she was replaced just before halftime due to an injury.
Nevertheless, Amber Barrett is enjoying herself, having scored her second goal in consecutive games for Standard Liege, her latest score clinching a victory over Waregem in the Belgian Super League.
The highlight of the weekend was undeniably the much-anticipated comeback of Chloe Mustaki playing for Bristol City, following a taxing nine-month hiatus due to a hip injury. Evidently elated, she described her return as “amazing”, after participating in the final 20 minutes of their successful 1-0 match against Portsmouth.