FRIENDLY FIRE FOR IRELAND

LADIES FOOTBALL THE Irish women’s team have lined up two friendlies against Portugal as preparation for their crunch World Cup qualifiers in April.

But Colin Bell’s side will break from the norm and give the Cyprus Cup competition the swerve.

Ireland are on a high after their recent, historic draw away to European Champions Holland - and they remain unbeaten in World Cup qualifying.

An all-important home double-header against Slovakia and Holland both games are at

Tallaght Stadium - will go a long way to shaping the group.

With that in mind, two friendlies away to

Portugal have been arranged for January 18 and 21.

And Amy Boyle Carr, Eabha O’mahony and Zara Foley have all been called up to the senior squad for the first time after impressing for the under17s. But Stephanie Roche, Aine O’gorman, Ruesha Littlejohn and Claire Walsh are injured..

“We’re delighted to arrange these two friendlies against highquality opposition,” said Bell yesterday.

“They qualified for the European Championships last summer and beat Ireland to a qualification spot in the last campaign so it’ll be a great test.”

But Ireland won’t compete in the Cyprus Cup and will instead hold a training camp at Fota Island in late February.

“Playing four games in such a short amount of time wouldn’t be very beneficial

- we would benefit more from a intensive training camp,” added

Bell (above).