The Republic of Ireland Women’s team get their World Cup qualification bid under way this evening against Northern Ireland in Lurgan.

Coverage of the game in advance in this morning’s media has been better than in previous campaigns but it will still be a challenge to watch the game for fans, with the BBC’s red button service the only way to get to see the action.

“It’s a huge occasion and there is a real buzz in the squad ahead of the game,” said new captain, 21-year-old Katie McCabe (pictured at training above) who stepped into the role after the retirement of Emma Byrne in the summer.

“We’ve had an excellent camp and trained really well. Everyone is fresh and raring to go.”

“It’s always exciting at the start of a new campaign and you can tell everyone is really up for it, and obviously, it’s a great way to start a new campaign.”

“The new players have come into the squad and slotted in really well. The standard has been really high out there so we really just want to get going now.”

There are ten players in the squad who play with teams in the Continental Tyres Women’s National League, a testament to how that has developed in the three years since it was first established. Players from Shelbourne Ladies, Cork City,

Players from Shelbourne Ladies, Cork City, Peamount, UCD Waves and Wexford Youths are joined by players from Arsenal, Man City and Sunderland in England as well as from Scotland where McCabe is on loan with Glasgow City, across Europe and the US.

Northern Ireland lost their opening game 4-1 away to Norway. The Republic of Ireland are ranked 33rd in the World, 27 places above Northern Ireland and will be hopeful of getting a result with games to come in the group against Norway and the Netherlands, both ranked in the World Top 20, and Slovakia.

Join us later in the week when we look ahead to the first FAI Women’s Annual Convention taking place this weekend.

Join us on Facebook Live on Saturday night when Sport for Business and TG4 will be hosting a new live programme on Women in Sport on the eve of the TG4 All Ireland Ladies Football Final.

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 Image Credits Inpho Ryan Byrne