Rachel Graham spotlights development group as Carla Ward's first Ireland squad selection looms

As new Republic of Ireland women's manager Carla Ward prepares to name the first squad of her tenure on Tuesday, the advent of a development group to bridge the gap from the Under-19s is a good step according to former international Rachel Graham.

A squad of 17 mostly home-based players was revealed by the FAI last week and they will take on their Ireland U-19 counterparts in a behind-closed-doors friendly during the upcoming international window.

Wexford's Ellen Molloy, who recently returned after a spell at Sheffield United, Cork City's Eva Mangan and Shelbourne's Aoibheann Clancy are among the League of Ireland-based players called-up for the training camp.

The need for a squad to bridge the gap between the senior and youth international ranks was something reiterated by former Ireland international Méabh De Búrca on the RTÉ Soccer Podcast last year.

Speaking on the podcast this Monday as it returned for 2025, Shelbourne stalwart Graham highlighted the significance of the development group.

"They've set up a development squad in the last couple of weeks. We've always kind of had this issue where we go 19s to seniors and it's a huge step," said Graham, who was capped for the Girls in Green at both Under-19 and senior level.

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"We lose a lot of players when they finish playing 19s. But they're just not ready to step up to senior level and there are a good few players in that bracket, and