Athlone Town trio selected for Belgium clashes
Three Athlone Town players have been selected on the Ireland U-19 women's squad for two international friendlies against Belgium.
In addition to goalkeeper Katie Keane, defender Mary Phillips and midfielder Isabel Ryan have also been picked on the 20-player squad selected by head coach Dave Connell.
All three were part of the Athlone Town squad which secured the Women's Premier Division title with a 2-0 win over Bohemians last Saturday night, with Keane starting and Offaly native Ryan coming on as as a substitute late on. Phillips from Laois made two appearances during Athlone's league campaign.
Keane from Meath has plenty of international experience and she was first choice keeper for the UEFA U19 European Championships earlier this year. Phillips also played for Ireland during the European Championships in Lithuania.
Overall, ten members of the squad featured in the European Championship in the summer and are still eligible for this forthcoming campaign.
The friendlies against Belgium will be the final warm-up games for Ireland to prepare for their 2024-25 UEFA WU19 European Championship Round 1 qualifiers in November, where they will face Bulgaria, Finland and Norway.
Both games will take place in the Belgian city of Tubize, with the first one on Saturday, October 26 (kick-off 4pm), and the second encounter on Tuesday, October 29 (2pm).
There are first call-ups for Amber Hardy, Nicole Nix, Lucy O'Rourke, Grace Fitzpatrick Ryan, Kiera Sena, Aoibhe Brennan, Eve O'Carroll, Katie Lawlee and Katie O'Reilly.
Ireland Under-19 women's squad
Goalkeepers: Katie Keane (Athlone Town), Amber Hardy (Sligo Rovers), Nicole Nix (Wexford). Defenders: Lucy O'Rourke (Shelbourne), Aoife Kelly (Shamrock Rovers), Mary Phillips (Athlone Town), Grace Fitzpatrick Ryan (Wexford), Kiera Sena (Cork City), Lia O'Leary (Shamrock Rovers). Midfielders: Jess Fitzgerald (Peamount United), Hannah Healy (Shelbourne), Eve O'Carroll (Manchester City), Ellen Dolan (Peamount United), Aoibhe Brennan (Bohemians), Isabel Ryan (Athlone Town), Freya Healy (Peamount United). Forwards: Joy Ralph (Shamrock Rovers), Ceola Bergin (Wexford), Katie Lawlee (Treaty United), Katie O'Reilly (Shamrock Rovers).