Soccer:The Republic of Ireland women's senior side begin the road to the 2011 World Cup with two qualifiers against Switzerland in Wohlen and Kazakhstan at Turner's Cross, the first time the Cork venue will host such a qualifier.
Noel King’s side are also joined in Group Six by Russia and Israel with the winners of each group set to progress to the play-offs in September next year where four qualifiers for the finals will join the hosts and holders Germany.
The defeated sides will then compete in further play-offs for a chance to meet a team from the CONCACAF region for a further finals berth in June 2011.
Ireland came within 90 minutes of qualifying for the Euro 2009 finals in Finland before they were defeated 3-0 by Iceland in freezing conditions in Reykjavik following a 1-1 draw in the first leg at Richmond Park.
The squad recently returned to Ireland following a marathon 10-week training camp in Indiana, US which included four wins and just the one defeat in their final game against Notre Dame University.
“I am extremely excited about the prospects of this qualifying campaign,” said King. “We were bitterly disappointed at losing out on a final place at Euro 2009 – that shows how far we have come as a team when we can realistically challenge some of the top teams in Europe for qualification to finals.
“We desperately want to improve on that finish and I believe that the hard work and effort given by all of the players in the training camp in Indiana has gone some way in ensuring that we are fully prepared for the qualifiers.”
“Our first opponents Switzerland will be a very tough task to kick-start the campaign. I have no doubt that they have spent a lot of time together in camp.
“They are a professional and organised side, we have met in the previous World Cup qualifying campaign so I am expecting a huge battle in Wohlen on September 19th,” he added.
King is looking forward to bringing his side to Turner’s Cross on September 24th: “I am very excited about bringing the squad to Turner’s Cross for what I believe is the very first World Cup qualifier to be played in Cork.”
“Kazakhstan is somewhat of an unknown quantity but they have played Northern Ireland in the Euro 2009 qualifiers and I have been speaking to my counterpart in the IFA, Alfie Wylie, about the threats that they pose.”
Republic of Ireland squad (v Switzerland/Kazakhstan):
Emma Byrne (Arsenal), Niamh Fahey (Arsenal), Mary T McDonnell (Chicago Red Stars), Ciara Grant (Arsenal), Stefanie Curtis (Bristol Rovers), Yvonne Treacy (Arsenal), Jemma Connor (Birmingham), Fiona O'Sullivan (San Francisco Storm), Aine O'Gorman (Stella Maris), Meabh de Burca (Salthill Devon), Shannon McDonnell (Chicago), Sonya Hughes (Tolka Rovers), Michele O'Brien (Jersey Sky Blue), Alisha Moran (New York Athletic), Marie Curtin (Lifford), Lynn Bradley (Raheny United), Diane Caldwell (Dundalk), Stephanie Roche (Raheny United)
