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David Donnelly

16-year-old Shelbourne winger Abbie Larkin gets first Ireland call-up as Megan Campbell returns

Shelbourne winger Abbie Larkin has received her first international call-up for the Pinatar Cup in Spain later this month.

The 16-year-old has been summoned as part of a 27-strong squad for the tournament, which kicks off on Wednesday as Ireland face Poland in the quarter-finals.

Ringsend flyer Larkin made her debut at the tail end of the 2021 season, scoring and bagging an assist on her maiden start against Galway at Tolka Park in October.

Liverpool’s Megan Campbell is in line to feature for the first time in more than two years following a series of horror injuries.

The 28-year-old full back made her return to action for the Championship leaders last month after undergoing ankle surgery in pre-season.

DLR Waves goalkeeper has also been recalled to the squad as Pauw names four goalkeepers for the week-long tournament.

Larkin and Badana are two of six Women’s National League players named in the squad ahead of the new season starting in March.

Shelbourne’s Jess Ziu, Wexford Youths’ Ellen Molloy, Galway’s Savannah McCarthy and Peamount United’s Áine O’Gorman have also received the call.

Niamh Fahey is currently on 99 caps and will become the fourth Ireland player to join the century club should she feature.

Emma Byrne (134), O’Gorman (111) and former Arsenal player Ciara Grant (not to be confused with the Rangers midfielder) with 105 are the previous recipients.

Ireland's Megan Campbell celebrates after the Euro 2022 qualifying win over Ukraine (©INPHO/Laszlo Geczo)

The squad will meet in Murcia on Sunday and train at the La Manga facility ahead of the opening game with Poland.

Ireland will meet the winner of the tie between Hungary and Russia in the semis next Saturday, February 19, while the losers of the same tie will also face off.

The final ranking games will then take place on Tuesday, February 22, though Ireland and Slovakia will not face one another due to being in the same World Cup qualifying group.

Republic of Ireland squad:

Goalkeepers: Courtney Brosnan (Everton), Grace Moloney (Reading), Megan Walsh (Brighton & Hove Albion), Eve Badana (DLR Waves)

Defenders: Louise Quinn (Birmingham City), Niamh Fahey (Liverpool), Diane Caldwell (Manchester United), Claire Walsh (Glasgow City), Savannah McCarthy (Galway WFC), Áine O’Gorman (Peamount United), Megan Campbell (Liverpool)

Midfielders: Denise O’Sullivan (North Carolina Courage), Megan Connolly (Brighton & Hove Albion), Katie McCabe (Arsenal), Ruesha Littlejohn (Aston Villa), Jamie Finn (Birmingham City), Niamh Farrelly (Glasgow City), Ciara Grant (Rangers), Jess Ziu (Shelbourne), Ellen Molloy (Wexford Youths), Isibeal Atkinson (Celtic)

Forwards: Heather Payne (Florida State University), Kyra Carusa (HB Hoge), Amber Barrett (FC Koln), Leanne Kiernan (Liverpool), Abbie Larkin (Shelbourne), Lucy Quinn (Birmingham City)

Schedule:

16 February

Match A1 | Wales v Scotland, Pinatar Arena, KO 15:30 (16:30 Irish Time)

Match A2 | Slovakia v Belgium, Pinatar Arena, KO 20:30 (19:30 Irish Time)

Match B1 | Republic of Ireland v Poland, La Manga, KO 15:30 (14:30 Irish Time)

Match B2 | Hungary v Russia, La Manga, KO 20:30 (19:30 Irish Time)

19 February

A3 | Winner A1 v Winner A2, Pinatar Arena, KO 20:30 (19:30 Irish Time)

A4 | Runner-up A2 v Runner-up A1, Pinatar Arena, KO 15:30 (14:30 Irish Time)

B3 | Winner B2 v Winner B1, La Manga, KO 20:30 (19:30 Irish Time)

B4 | Runner-up B2 v Runner-up B1, La Manga, KO 15:30 (14:30 Irish Time)

22 February

Final | Winner A3 v Winner B3, Pinatar Arena, KO 20:30 (19:30 Irish Time)

3rd Place | Runner-up A3 v Runner-up B3, La Manga, KO 20:30 (19:30 Irish Time)

5th Place | Winner A4 v Winner B4, Pinatar Arena, KO 15:30 (14:30 Irish Time)

7th Place | Runner-up A4 v Runner-up B4, La Manga, KO 15:30 (14:30 Irish Time)

*Republic of Ireland and Slovakia will not play each other due to being in the same FIFA Women’s World Cup Qualifying Group

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