Teenage midfielder Aoibhe Brennan has received her first senior call up to the Republic of Ireland women’s national team squad ahead of their upcoming World Cup 2027 qualifying fixtures against Poland. The 18 year old has impressed with her performances for Bohemians in the Premier Division and previously represented Ireland at under 19 level. Her inclusion reflects manager Carla Ward’s ongoing efforts to introduce emerging talent into the senior setup as the team looks to improve its standing in the qualification campaign.
Brennan’s rapid progression has drawn attention following a strong start to the domestic season, where she has demonstrated maturity and consistency beyond her years. Ward highlighted the midfielder’s ability to perform the fundamentals effectively while maintaining composure in advanced situations. The coach revealed she had been tracking Brennan’s development closely since a standout display in a development game last year, noting that her technical quality and decision making have made her a promising addition to the squad environment.
The Ireland squad also sees the return of experienced players such as Jess Ziu and Lily Agg, with the latter making her comeback after recovering from a serious knee injury. However, there are concerns over fitness within the squad, as players including Jessie Stapleton are set to undergo further medical assessments following recent knocks. The selection decisions underline a balance between integrating youth and managing the physical demands of the international schedule.
Ireland face a challenging double header against Poland, traveling for the first match before hosting the return fixture at the Aviva Stadium. Having lost their opening qualifiers against France and the Netherlands, the team is currently looking to secure its first points in the group. Ward acknowledged the strength of the opposition, pointing to Poland’s tactical progress and attacking threat, particularly through Ewa Pajor, who has been in strong form at club level.
The upcoming matches are expected to play a crucial role in shaping Ireland’s qualification hopes, with the squad aiming to respond after a difficult start. Brennan’s inclusion adds fresh energy to the midfield as the team prepares for a demanding test against an improving Polish side. With a mix of youth and experience, Ireland will look to deliver a more competitive performance and build momentum in their World Cup qualifying campaign.
