Carla Ward has said she has ‘plenty of options’ despite confirming a ‘big loss’ that Denise O’Sullivan won’t be available to face the Netherlands.
Carla Ward spoke to the media at Stadion Galgenwaard on Friday ahead of a huge match against Netherlands on Saturday night. The Halfway Line was present to hear from the Ireland head coach.
McCabe is ‘ready to go’ but O’Sullivan is not available confirms Carla Ward
After the France match, there were two big question marks in the minds of Irish fans. One, the fitness of Katie McCabe, the other, the fitness of Denise O’Sullivan. Ward faced questions on their fitness right off the bat,
“Yeah, Kate’s fine. She’s good, ready to go” Ward confirmed.
“Denise [O’Sullivan] has returned home to Liverpool with that knock on her knee, so won’t be available tomorrow night.”
Ward was asked about the extent of the injury and if O’Sullivan would also miss the April international break,
“I don’t believe so. No, I think April, April won’t be a worry. I couldn’t tell you about timeframes, etc, right now, she Liverpool, and I think we’ll know more soon, but April is not a worry now.
When asked about whether the approach to the match tomorrow would change without O’Sullivan, Ward explained,
“Look, we have a squad that are well equipped on how we want to play, so our approach won’t change” Ward said.
“But when you lose someone of Denise’s quality, I say it all the time, she’s world class. She really is, and she makes a huge difference to what we do. So naturally, that’s a big loss, but the approach will stay the same because, you know, the players, the group, everybody knows what we want to do, so they’ll all be prepared for that.”
Carla Ward ‘nearly there’ on O’Sullivan replacement
When asked about whether Ward has decided who will replace O’Sullivan in the starting line up on Saturday, after a long pause she replied,
“Nearly there” Ward coyly admitted.
“It’s difficult to replace Denise in any team. I would put Denise in any team anywhere around the world, and I think she’s difficult to replace. That’s how highly I think of her.
“But you know, we have a tight knit squad, a prepared squad, a squad that everybody understands their roles, they look after each other, and whoever goes in there will know exactly what’s expected.”
Ward was asked specifically if Anna Patten could be considered, Patten had come on to play in the six against Belgium in November,
“Look, there’s plenty of thoughts we’ll consider plenty of different options. Patsy [Anna Patten] did tremendously well the other night for the back five were excellent.
“You know, I don’t think France. I think France had very, very minimal box entries. And says a lot about the way that, you know, from front to back defended. So there’s plenty of options, plenty to consider.”
Arjan Veurink ‘a top guy’ and ‘a very, very good coach’ lauds Ward
In 2024 Carla Ward came on board with Emma Hayes’ coaching staff for the Olympics where the USA won gold. Of course her opposite number, Arjan Veurink has helped Sarina Wiegman to back to back UEFA Women’s European Championship titles.
The Halfway Line asked Ward if they were on similar paths,
“I know Arjan well, I think he’s a top guy and a very, very good coach. There was, you know, when he took the job immediately, I’ll be honest, I said I think this might change things for the Netherlands, because probably fallen short over the years.
“But actually, I believe he’s got the calibre to go and put them well and truly back on the map. So, yeah, look, I think everybody has their own paths, and you have to find your own journey. And we’re both having, you know, our own [journey] in different ways. But, yeah, I wish him well, but not tomorrow.”
Carla Ward bemoans ‘illusion’ around Katie McCabe’s discipline
If Ireland captain Katie McCabe is booked tomorrow night she will be suspended to face Poland in Gdańsk this April. That possibility was put to Carla Ward,
“Yeah, listen, it for me, it wasn’t a booking, she slipped over. The fourths there the lineswomans there, it’s a poor decision, but yes, it’s one that we have to get on with now.
“But Katie, you know, there’s this illusion around Katie’s discipline that’s not a reality. And I think she’s a top pro, and she knows what the game’s all about.”
Ireland face Netherlands at Stadion Galgenwaard in Utrecht on Saturday night with kick off at 7:45pm, the match will be shown live on RTÉ 2 and RTÉ Player.
