GOALKEEPER Megan Walsh is proud after she became the latest Albion player to receive an international call-up.
Walsh has joined up with the Republic of Ireland squad for two World Cup qualifiers this month.
She qualifies to represent the nation through her grandfather William, who was born in Wexford.
Walsh did play for England at under-17, 19 and 23 level but after speaking to Megan Connolly and former team-mates Denise O’Sullivan and Rianna Jarrett last year she has now switched her allegiance.
The 27-year-old said: “It is a real honour and privilege to be called up into the Ireland squad. It was last year when my Irish heritage came up and things went from there.
“It has taken about 12 months to finally get here. I am excited at the opportunity to be part of the Irish team and to work with [coach] Vera Pauw.
“My grandparents, on my Dad's side, were from Enniscorthy, County Wexford, where we still have family. I know they would be so proud of me being part of the squad.”
Walsh and Connolly have joined the squad after Sunday’s WSL defeat to Reading, ahead of qualifiers against Slovakia and Georgia, which will be played at the Tallaght Stadium in Dublin.
“I will have to fight hard for a place in the team but that’s always the case in elite football,” added Walsh.
“The main thing is to try and quality for the World Cup. All the squad will want to make sure we get out of the group.”
Walsh and Connolly are among nine Albion players on international duty in the next fortnight.
Maya Le Tissier, Katie Robinson and Ellie Brazil have joined an England under-23 training camp at St George’s Park which includes a friendly against Estonia on November 30.
Inessa Kaagman is with the Netherlands for a World Cup qualifier in the Czech Republic and a home friendly against Japan while Kayleigh Green has linked up with Wales for qualifiers against Greece and top seeds France.
Lea Cordier, who made her full debut for Albion last week, has joined up with Belgium for Euro under-23 qualifiers against Norway and Netherlands.
Emma Koivisto has linked up with Finland for an important qualifier in Sweden tomorrow.
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