Republic of Ireland manager Carla Ward confirmed that Katie McCabe and Denise O'Sullivan will feature in the second leg of their Women's World Cup play-off against Kazakhstan, despite the Irish holding an 8-0 advantage from the first leg. Captain McCabe was suspended for the big victory in Astana while vice-captain O'Sullivan did not travel as the game was played on an artificial surface. Despite their place in the play-off final against Belgium or Poland being all but assured, Ward said that the experienced duo will be involved at Pairc Ui Chaoimh as the Irish aim to maintain their winning record at the Cork venue.
"Katie and Denise will play, let me be very clear," she said. "We're going to try and step up again, we want to be front-footed, we want to be better and them two are arguably two of Ireland's greatest ever players so why wouldn't they go back in? They could go into any team in the world, so if they are fit and available why wouldn't they play?" Depth on show as Irish all but assure play-off final Republic of Ireland put eight past Kazakhstan in play-off Ward's side secured a dominant victory in the first leg in the absence of O'Sullivan and McCabe as well as the influential Marissa Sheva, who was also suspended.
Kyra Carusa (2), Chloe Mustaki, Emily Murphy, Abbie Larkin, Jamie Finn, Shanade Hopcroft and Jessie Stapleton were all on the scoresheet against the hosts, who had captain Yulia Myasnikova sent off on 33 minutes. Ward was delighted that, with key players missing, others in the squad like Finn and Larkin came in and impressed. She believes competition for places is strong, which can only aid the Irish with a much tougher test to come in the play-off final as they look to reach back-to-back World Cups.
"I was saying to the group this morning it's really good we have strong competition everywhere now. Jamie came in and did tremendously well and we have a really good group," she added. "I talk a lot about the culture and the tight-knit of them and now they want to drive each other and push each other and raise each other all the time.
"We're in a really good position because we're not just a team built on culture anymore, we're a bloody good football team. "Jamie will be knocking on Denise's door, everyone will be knocking on each other's door and that's only positive for what we want to try and achieve." The Republic of Ireland have won all three of the games they have played at Pairc Ui Chaoimh, including their late 3-2 victory against Netherlands earlier this year. Cork native O'Sullivan missed that game through suspension but is relishing a return home.
"I absolutely love playing here. It's really special, my family being here, a lot of people I have grown up with who have obviously supported me, the whole of Cork has supported me throughout my career," said O'Sullivan, who is set to win her 133rd cap on Tuesday, which puts her just one behind Emma Byrne's record. "It's great to be back here and the team, Carla, everyone loves playing in Cork.
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