Amanda McQuillan in Republic senior panel
Amanda McQuillan has been selected on the Republic of Ireland Women's Senior Team squad for the 2017 Cyprus Cup tournament by new manager Colin Bell who announced his first panel this morning.
The tournament, which kicks off on Wednesday 1st March, will be Bell's first involvement with the team since being appointed as the new Head Coach.
He previously guided FFC Frankfurt to UEFA Women's Champions League glory in 2015 and is excited to get started.
'The Cyprus Cup is the ideal start for me. Through its intensity I will have the opportunity to see how the squad react, on and off the pitch, in a difficult situation. Four competitive matches in a week is tough for any team,' said the new boss.
Bell's squad is made up of familiar faces, including Ireland's most capped women's senior international in goalkeeper Emma Byrne, who recently left Arsenal Ladies after 17 years to join Brighton & Hove Women.
Also making the cut are three representatives from Continental Tyres Women's National League champions Shelbourne Ladies - talented goalkeeper Amanda McQuillan, Roma McLaughlin and striker Leanne Kiernan from Bailieboro.
Amanda McQuillan was a nominee for the Meath young sportsperson of the year at the 10th Meath Sports Awards last month.
Her colleague Leanne Kiernan scooped the Anglo Celt-promoted Cavan young sportsperson of the year award a fortnight ago.
The tournament will act as the perfect warm-up to the 2019 FIFA Women's World Cup qualifiers which kick-off in September. The draw for that qualification campaign will be made in Nyon on Tuesday 25th April.
Ireland are also lining up a number of friendly games, including the visit of Slovakia to Tallaght Stadium on Monday 10th April 10.
PANEL
Goalkeepers
Emma Byrne (Brighton & Hove Albion), Amanda McQuillan (Shelbourne)
Defenders
Sophie Perry (Brighton & Hove Albion), Jetta Berrill (UCD Waves), Diane Caldwell (SC Sand), Louise Quinn (Unattached), Megan Campbell (Manchester City Women), Savannah McCarthy (Glasgow City)
Midfielders
Julie-Ann Russell, Karen Duggan (UCD Waves), Katie McCabe (Arsenal Ladies), Denise O'Sullivan (Houston Dash), Roma McLaughlin (Shelbourne), Ruesha Littlejohn (Celtic FC Women), Megan Connolly (Florida State University)
Forwards
Stephanie Roche (Sunderland Ladies), Aine O'Gorman (UCD Waves), Noelle Murray, Clare Shine (Glasgow City), Leanne Kiernan (Shelbourne).
FIXTURES
Wednesday 1st March - Republic of Ireland v Czech Republic,12:30pm (Irish time)
Friday 3rd March - Republic of Ireland v Hungary, 3:30pm (Irish time)
Monday 6th March - Republic of Ireland v Wales, 12:30pm (Irish time)