Niamh Fahey: Liverpool defender out of Republic of Ireland squad with calf injury

Image source, Inpho

Image caption, Fahey started all three of the Republic of Ireland's Women's World Cup matches last year

Liverpool defender Niamh Fahey has been ruled out of the Republic of Ireland's opening Euro 2025 qualifiers with a calf injury.

Fahey linked up with the Irish squad in Dublin despite missing Liverpool's Women's Super League defeat by Manchester City on Saturday.

However, the 36-year-old will play no part in the Republic of Ireland's games against France and England.

With no replacement called up, Eileen Gleeson's squad is down to 25 players.

The Irish face France in Metz in their opening Group A3 qualifier before hosting reigning European champions England four days later in Dublin in what will be the first official meeting of the teams in 37 years.

Republic of Ireland squad:

Goalkeepers: Courtney Brosnan (Everton), Grace Moloney (London City Lionesses), Sophie Whitehouse (Lewes).

Defenders: Jessie Stapleton (Reading - on loan from West Ham United), Diane Caldwell (FC Zurich), Louise Quinn (Birmingham City), Aoife Mannion (Manchester United), Caitlin Hayes (Celtic), Anna Patten (Aston Villa), Megan Campbell (London City Lionesses).

Midfielders: Katie McCabe (Arsenal), Denise O'Sullivan (North Carolina Courage), Megan Connolly (Bristol City), Ruesha Littlejohn (London City Lionesses), Tyler Toland (Blackburn Rovers), Lily Agg (Birmingham City), Heather Payne (Everton), Jess Ziu (West Ham United), Lucy Quinn (Birmingham City), Izzy Atkinson (Crystal Palace).

Forwards: Kyra Carusa (San Diego Wave), Abbie Larkin (Crystal Palace), Amber Barrett (Standard Liege), Leanne Kiernan (Liverpool), Emily Murphy (Wake Forest University).