Denise O'Sullivan fit for World Cup qualifiers: 'She's a world-class individual, a huge loss to any team'
Injury ruled Cork's Denise O'Sullivan out of Ireland's defeat in the Netherlands. Picture: INPHO/Ryan Byrne
Midfield maestro Denise O'Sullivan will be available after being included in Carla Ward's 24-player squad for the upcoming World Cup qualifiers double-header against Poland.
Ireland will first travel to Gdansk to face Poland at the Gdansk Stadium on Tuesday, April 14 (5pm Irish time). The two nations will then meet again in the return fixture at the Aviva Stadium on Saturday, April 18 (3pm).
Ward has kept faith with the majority of the squad from the narrow defeats to France and the Netherlands in the last window, with Corkonians O'Sullivan, Megan Connolly and Saoirse Noonan all in line to feature.
The return of O'Sullivan, Ireland's creative force who is now playing for Liverpool after a lengthy stint Stateside, is a major boost.
"We know how important Denise is because she’s a world-class individual," said Ward. "I often say that I knew she was good but working with her you realise just how good she is and the quality she brings. So, naturally, she’s a huge loss to any team.
“But the players that played against the Dutch were outstanding and deserve an awful lot of credit. We competed in both games, as well as the two against Belgium, showing we can compete against the best.
The squad announcement sees Bohemians' teenager Aoibhe Brennan receive her first senior call-up. The midfielder has enjoyed an impressive start to the season, with Ward in attendance for her standout performance in the recent 3-0 victory over Cork City at Dalymount Park.
There are also returns for two key players who have recovered from long-term injuries. Lily Agg is included in the squad for the first time since 2024 after successfully recovering from a serious knee injury, while West Ham United's Jess Ziu is recalled for the first time since the play-offs against Georgia in October 2025.
The two matches against Poland are seen as key to the campaign, with securing a minimum of third spot in the group being a primary objective. A third-place finish would guarantee a more favourable route in the play-offs as the team continues its quest to qualify for the FIFA Women's World Cup in 2027.
Courtney Brosnan (Everton FC), Sophie Whitehouse (Charlton Athletic), Grace Moloney (Sunderland).
Katie McCabe (Arsenal FC), Anna Patten (Aston Villa FC), Caitlin Hayes (Brighton & Hove Albion), Aoife Mannion (Newcastle United), Jessie Stapleton (Nottingham Forest - loan), Chloe Mustaki (Nottingham Forest).
Denise O'Sullivan (Liverpool), Tyler Toland (Durham), Megan Connolly (Lazio), Marissa Sheva (Sunderland), Lucy Quinn (Birmingham City), Ruesha Littlejohn (Crystal Palace), Jess Ziu (West Ham United), Lily Agg (Durham), Aoibhe Brennan (Bohemians).
Saoirse Noonan (Celtic FC), Abbie Larkin (Crystal Palace), Leanne Kiernan (Nottingham Forest - loan), Emily Murphy (Newcastle United), Kyra Carusa (Kansas City Current - loan), Amber Barrett (Strasbourg)
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