All work and now play for Republic of Ireland new recruits Alannah McEvoy and Tara O'Hanlon

Two of the Republic of Ireland's latest recruits have been sharing their joy at being called into Vera Pauw’s squad for the upcoming friendly double-header against the USA.

Ireland will face the world’s number one side in Texas on Saturday (7.30pm Irish time) and Missouri on Tuesday (00.30 Wednesday). Both games will be live on RTÉ2 and RTÉ Player.

Shamrock Rovers striker and full-time student Alannah McEvoy said that she had been working in her local Centra when she learned of her promotion to the senior squad.

"I only found out on Friday, just before it came out," she said. "I was in work and I got a text

"I actually happened to be on my 15-minute break in work and I was just sitting down and that’s when the message popped up.

"I was just over the moon. I couldn’t believe it and I couldn’t stop crying. I was shaking and I just felt sick, it was just excitement.

"I had to go back to work and I couldn’t concentrate. So I ran out and called my family and then I was telling a few people in work. My 15-minute break turned into a 40-minute break because I couldn’t stop crying.

"Then I had to explain to my manager 'Look, I’m not going to be here for the next two or three weeks’.

"It was the longest shift of my life. I just couldn’t wait to go home."

The 22-year-old said "it has been a while" since her appearances for the U19 international side but said she hadn’t lost hope of a senior call.

"I believed in myself," she insisted. "The last couple of camps I have been on standby so I’ve been waiting for it to happen and luckily it happened this camp. I’m just delighted."

Eighteen-year-old Tara O’Hanlon also had her first day in training camp at the weekend and admitted winning a place in Vera Pauw's squad for the World Cup in the summer