The Ireland Girls’ Under-16s will travel to northern Portugal for two International Friendlies against the host nation to kickstart their year.

Head Coach Tom Elmes is able to welcome back a number of players who featured for the Women’s Under-17s in 2025, while Arsenal's Kate Harkins is included for the first time.

Elmes has also selected three players who lined out for the Girls’ Under-15s in their first UEFA Development Tournament last year with Fiadh Woods, Maisy Healy and Mia Whelan called up.

The Ireland squad will come up against Portugal in the Estádio Municipal da Póvoa de Varzim on Tuesday, January 13th before facing off again two days later in the same venue.

Ireland GU16 Squad
Goalkeepers: Lucy Doyle Farrington (Wexford), Sarah Doyle (Shamrock Rovers)
Defenders: Lara Dallaghan (Shamrock Rovers), Leah O’Leary Callendar (Cork City), Emily Staunton (Manchester United), Hailey Twomey (Shamrock Rovers), Ruby Boland (Shamrock Rovers), Keela Donnelly (Athlone Town), Ava Hallinan (Sligo Rovers)
Midfielders: Kate Harkins (Arsenal), Abbie Duffy (Athlone Town), Fiadh Woods (Bohemians), Maisy Healy (Bohemians), Ruby Norris (Shamrock Rovers)
Forwards: Ciara Milton (Shamrock Rovers), Halle Harcourt (Shelbourne), Ellen Goggin (Treaty United), Mia Whelan (Wexford)

International Friendlies
Tuesday, January 13th | Portugal GU16 v Ireland GU16 | Estádio Municipal da Póvoa de Varzim | KO 13:00
Thursday, January 15th | Portugal GU16 v Ireland GU16 | Estádio Municipal da Póvoa de Varzim | KO 12:00