Republic of Ireland Women's Football Team

Lauren McCann
BBC Sport NI Journalist

Image source, Getty Images

Defender Megan Campbell and midfielder Denise O'Sullivan have been ruled out of the Republic of Ireland's first friendly against the USA on Friday through injury.

Campbell picked up a knock in training and O'Sullivan sustained a knee injury while playing for her club North Carolina Courage against Houston Dash in an NWSL game on Sunday.

"They're both out for this first game definitely, we'll see where we are at for the second game. Denise picked up a knock on the knee on Saturday and Megan picked up a knock in training yesterday," Ward told RTE.

They join a long list of Irish players who are unavailable for the game against the number one ranked side in the world, who the Republic have failed to beat in their previous 15 meetings.

Captain Katie McCabe has been rested and did not make the trip to America with Aoife Mannion, Heather Payne and Leanne Kiernan also absent.

Jamie Finn, Lily Agg and Jess Ziu are long-term absentees, while Aoibheann Clancy did not travel after the passing of her mother, Siobhan.

The Irish will take on Emma Hayes' side in Denver on Friday and three days later in Cincinnati.

"The size of the task is huge and when you leave people like Katie, Aoife, Heather and Leanne Kiernan at home and then you lose another couple of big players that usually start, I think that puts us in a really in a difficult spot," Ward added.

"If we can go away from the result part of it and look at, trying to implement some pieces of the puzzle that we're trying to put together, then that's got to be the focus."

Image source, Inpho

Republic of Ireland manager Carla Ward has revealed she turned down an offer to manage a Women's Super League club "a few weeks ago" and has reiterated her full commitment to her present role.

Ward succeeded Eileen Gleeson as Republic manager in January and has been at the helm for four Nations League matches to date, three wins and a heavy 4-0 defeat by Slovenia.

The primary focus for the 41-year-old however is qualifying for the 2027 World Cup, which begins in February.

Ward formerly managed Sheffield United, Birmingham City and Aston Villa in her native country, but stepped down as Villa boss a year ago.

"I'll tell you one thing. I was offered a WSL job a few weeks ago and I turned it down because I am loving what I am doing," said Ward after naming her squad for the forthcoming Nations League games against Turkey and Slovenia.

"Listen, I really wanted the Ireland job. I turned down two other countries that offered me the job whilst I was in the interview process for Ireland because I wholeheartedly wanted to manage this country. So when I say I am in, I am in.

"I am talking long term to the board, not just around the next two games, but how we develop the League of Ireland - we've spoken a lot about that - so there is a bigger picture here. I have loved being here. There have been some challenges of course, but I love being here. I am proud to represent this country."

Image source, Inpho

Republic of Ireland manager Carla Ward says her team's first-half display in their 4-0 defeat by Slovenia was "completely unacceptable".

Ward enjoyed a 1-0 win over Turkey in her first game in charge but endured a difficult 90 minutes in Koper on Tuesday evening as Slovenia strolled to a Nations League victory.

Slovenia held a 3-0 lead at the break and added a late fourth in a clinical performance.

"The first half was horrible - that's on me. I've tried something different, I've tried to get us in positions to create more, and it's not paid off," Ward told RTE Sport.

"We have to own it, we have to take responsibility, we have to look at it, we have to make sure that that half of football never happens again because it's completely unacceptable.

"At half-time we had to readjust and in the second half I thought we were much, much better but you can't have a half of football like that and expect to win the game."

The defeat leaves Republic of Ireland second in the League B Group 2 standings and three points behind leaders Slovenia.

Despite the disappointing result, Ward has no intention of changing her footballing philosophy.

"I think you could see across both games what we're trying to do," she said.

"My philosophy has been the same, and it's served me well at all three clubs [Sheffield United, Birmingham and Aston Villa] with very little resources.

"It's about adapting. It's a new era for this group. There are some leaders that have gone too. When you lose leaders that takes its toll on other players as well."