COLLEGE STATION, Texas – Texas A&M standout Grace Wright earned her first call up to the Republic of Ireland Women's National Team, announced Thursday afternoon.
Â
Wright has made numerous appearances with Ireland's youth national teams, including a combined 20 matches with the U-17 and U-19 squads, but this is her first invitation to join the elite squad.
Â
The College Station resident will be one of 22 players to join the squad in a session that will be held in California from January 19-25. The squad will hold a training camp in Carson and play two games. The camp is being held to evaluate the roster heading into UEFA EURO 2017 qualifying.
Â
"I was extremely excited to learn of my call up with the full national team," Wright said. "I am blessed to have this opportunity and hope I can help contribute in any way."
Â
The first game will be on January 23 against the United States Women's National Team at Qualcomm Stadium in San Diego. On January 25, the team will play the Under-23 United States Women's National Team in Carson. Former Aggie teammate, Shea Groom, is a current member of the U-23 U.S. Women's National Team.
Â
"It would obviously be one of the biggest moments of my playing career to earn a full team cap," Wright said. "And it would be extra special to potentially earn the cap with some of my teammates from my time with the U-19 team."
Â
In 2014, Wright helped lead the Republic of Ireland U-19 squad to their first-ever UEFA European Women's U-19 Championship Final Tournament. She played all 360 minutes in the four matches as the squad advanced to the semifinal round.
Â
After the two games in California, the team will head to the Cyprus Cup in March for four games before resuming the EURO 2017 campaign with matches at Montenegro and Spain in April.
Â
For her career in the Maroon and White, Wright has played in 60 matches, including 32 starts. The star defender played in 22 matches for the Aggies in 2015, including 20 starts. She played 90 or more minutes in 18 matches.
Â
Â
Wright has made numerous appearances with Ireland's youth national teams, including a combined 20 matches with the U-17 and U-19 squads, but this is her first invitation to join the elite squad.
Â
The College Station resident will be one of 22 players to join the squad in a session that will be held in California from January 19-25. The squad will hold a training camp in Carson and play two games. The camp is being held to evaluate the roster heading into UEFA EURO 2017 qualifying.
Â
"I was extremely excited to learn of my call up with the full national team," Wright said. "I am blessed to have this opportunity and hope I can help contribute in any way."
Â
The first game will be on January 23 against the United States Women's National Team at Qualcomm Stadium in San Diego. On January 25, the team will play the Under-23 United States Women's National Team in Carson. Former Aggie teammate, Shea Groom, is a current member of the U-23 U.S. Women's National Team.
Â
"It would obviously be one of the biggest moments of my playing career to earn a full team cap," Wright said. "And it would be extra special to potentially earn the cap with some of my teammates from my time with the U-19 team."
Â
In 2014, Wright helped lead the Republic of Ireland U-19 squad to their first-ever UEFA European Women's U-19 Championship Final Tournament. She played all 360 minutes in the four matches as the squad advanced to the semifinal round.
Â
After the two games in California, the team will head to the Cyprus Cup in March for four games before resuming the EURO 2017 campaign with matches at Montenegro and Spain in April.
Â
For her career in the Maroon and White, Wright has played in 60 matches, including 32 starts. The star defender played in 22 matches for the Aggies in 2015, including 20 starts. She played 90 or more minutes in 18 matches.
Â