Carla Ward says that her Ireland squad are ‘so hungry’ for success and to qualify for the FIFA Women’s World Cup in Brazil in 2027.
Ireland kick off their FIFA Women’s World Cup qualifying campaign in earnest on Tuesday night. Carla Ward’s charges welcome France to Tallaght Stadium looking for a result that would get them off to the perfect start.
Carla Ward faced the media ahead of the match against France and The Halfway Line was there to hear from her.
‘We are calling in Tara O’Hanlon’ Ward provides team news update
The French camp has suffered a number of withdrawals due to injury in the lead up to these games, including both Selma Bacha and Naomi Feller. As for Irish team news, the Girls in Green have not escaped unscathed, Ward was clear and concise in explaining,
“Just the one [bit of team news] just Hayley Nolan, [she] picked up a knock which will be assessed today” Ward confirmed.
“And if she’s out, then we’ll be we’ll be calling in, well, we are calling in Tara O’Hanlon. So we’ll assess and see what happens with Hayley today, whether she remains in camp or not, but yeah it didn’t look too good on her ankle/calf.”
As for the incoming Tara O’Hanlon, Carla Ward spoke on her qualities,
“Look, she’s a young player who’s very, very keen to learn” Ward said.
“And when I brought her into Spain, I almost said, you had to spend a little bit more time around Katie [McCabe] and understand what it takes to play in that position to get to the very top.
“And fair play to her, she did. She absorbs every bit of information. And she’s somebody that you know, for the future, I think will be key.”
France are ‘one of the very best in world football’ says Carla Ward
France are ranked 20 places above Ireland in the FIFA World rankings. That fact that is not lost on Irish head coach Carla Ward,
“I think France, they’re, let’s be really brutally honest, they’re one of the best in the world” Ward said.
“They’re deadly in transition, they’re aggressive, they’re front footed. They’ve got world class talent in every single position. Their strength in depth is something that not many, many nations have.
“So look, we know what we’re up against, and let’s be really clear, we’re up against one of the very best in world football.”
Ward was asked about whether Ireland will see a full strength French starting eleven to face Ireland,
“If I’m being honest, I think they will go fully experienced. Yeah, I don’t think they’ll take us lightly. I think that they understand an Irish mentality and the way that this team and this nation has done things over the years.
“I think that they’ll go strong. I think you’ll probably see some of the top players. It doesn’t matter, you know, [that] [Selma] Bacha is out, but Baltimore will come in.
“Melvine Malard is playing very, very well for Manchester United, so you’d probably expect her to come in as well.
“Listen, no matter who they change, they’ve got world class players in every department and on the bench, so I expect a very strong, experienced team.”
‘This group are so hungry’ lauds Carla Ward
Carla Ward was quick to praise the atmosphere and desire in the Ireland camp. Ward has been in charge of Ireland for over a year now and doesn’t mince her words,
“I always say to you all the time, this group are so hungry” Ward lauded.
“I’ve never worked with a group that actually represent, want to represent the badge more than this group of players, and they’re so hungry.
“And, you know, proud to be here, and the way they’ve trained this week has been different level it really has.
“Everybody knows what we’re up against. I think everybody knows the size of the job in hand. There’s nobody underestimating what we’re up against. And you know, it’s about now taking in everything we can and getting prepared as best we possibly can.”
Ward also confirmed that the pitch at Tallaght Stadium had been narrowed in line with FIFA guidelines to the smallest it can be.
Ireland face France at Tallaght Stadium on Tuesday night with kick off at 7:30pm, the match will be shown live on RTÉ 2 and RTÉ Player.
