Greencastle’s Roma McLaughlin has been named in the Republic of Ireland senior team squad for the 2017 Cyprus Cup tournament.

Roma McLaughlin

New Ireland manager Colin Bell confirmed his 20-player squad for the competition yesterday and it includes midfielder McLaughlin, who recently moved to Women’s National League champions Shelbourne.

In the Cyprus Cup, Ireland will face Czech Republic on March 1, Hungary on March 3 and Wales on March 6.

Depending on results, Ireland could advance from Group C and go all the way to the final. However, they will be in action regardless on the last day of the tournament on Wednesday, March 8 with a number of play-offs being hosted.

McLaughlin has been on the WNL Team of the Year in each of the last two seasons and was the Young Player of the Year in 2015.

She played in those campaigns for Peamount United, but has since transferred to Shelbourne and will be in line to play for the Reds in the Women’s Champions League.

In 2016, McLaughlin, who formerly played with Greencastle United, made her senior debut as a sub against Portugal in Tallaght.

The Cyprus Cup will be Bell’s first involvement with the team since being appointed as the new Head Coach.

The 55-year-old, who led FFC Frankfurt to UEFA Women’s Champions League glory in 2015, 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 Bell.

“The Cyprus Cup is from Day One the start of the road to France 2019. That is an important fact that I will be making clear throughout the tournament.”