James O'Callaghan: Home-based cohort vital for Ireland's FIFA Women's World Cup squad

There's a different feel to Irish women's top-flight soccer as the new season approaches.

On one hand, gone is the Women's National League and in its place is a rebrand, the league now known as the SSE Airtricity League of Ireland Women's Premier Division.

There is also an expansion from 10 teams to 11, with Shamrock Rovers joining the party and making big transfer moves during the off-season.

But the other factor in the background is the fact that the league will be in the spotlight to a greater extent than ever before, given that the Republic of Ireland are going to a World Cup this summer for the first time in history.

With that in mind, Peamount United's manager James O'Callaghan believes it is vital that Vera Pauw takes as many domestic-based players with her as possible in the Girls in Green squad that will go to Australia in July.

Of the squad of 28 picked for the historic play-off win over Scotland last October, just three were home-based, while the original party named for the recent China friendly contained two.

"It's great for the league, great for the country that the Irish women's team have qualified for the World Cup," he told RTÉ Sport at the recent launch of the 2023 League of Ireland at Dublin's City Hall.

"And obviously because of that, the popularity of the women's game is really coming on. But in saying all that, we would like to see some home-based players make the squad as well.

"I think that's really, really important for the development of the league."

O'Callaghan also urged the FAI and the Government to provide incentives to make it "more attractive for players to stay in the national league".

"It can be tough for players leaving the country. It doesn't always mean they develop or get better," he said.

"If