The girls in green won’t be part of the European Championship in Switzerland next month but there will be plenty of eyes from the Ireland camp on the tournament in Switzerland.
Ireland assistant manager Amber Whiteley outlined that herself and Carla Ward have a plan for scouting future opponents including their UEFA Nations League play-off opponents Belgium who are in a group with world champions Spain at the Euros.
With her role as interim Liverpool head coach, Whiteley will also be keeping an eye on international players from her club squad.
The Ireland number two has her name in the ring to take up the position permanently on Merseyside and did speak in the build up to Friday morning’s USA v Ireland game about her plans at club level while stressing how much she has loved being part of Carla Ward’s coaching ticket at Ireland.
“There is a plan in place for us to split the games between the group of staff that we've got,” said Whiteley via a video call from Colorado when asked by extratime.com about scouting arrangements for the tournament.
“Between all of us we will be getting out there to watch some of the games that are happening over there. I'm keen to see all the players at club level and hopefully they have a good campaign and do well.
“The process is still ongoing so no real update there,” said the 35-year-old when asked about her position at Liverpool. “It’s getting to the latter stages now so hopefully there’s news soon. I’ve loved my time at Liverpool. I’ve been at the club a long time and absolutely love the people there.
“You can bring all that across and transfer it into what we're trying to do here (with Ireland). I feel really connected to the staff, to the players, and the girls have been super receptive. It is a real privilege to come away with this group.
“Carla has been fantastic. I’m really grateful that she brought me in and gave me this opportunity. It's been a fantastic experience for me. I’m really enjoying my time here, feeling privileged and honoured to be in this position. For as long as I can continue to do both, I certainly hope to do that.”
Reflecting on this camp and the two games to come against the world number one, Whiteley said “I think it's been a really good opportunity to come back together, review the last camp against Slovenia and Turkey and get some more good work into the girls ahead of the games in October against Belgium (in the UEFA Nations League promotion play-off).
“We've made really good progress since that first camp back in February. We don't have a lot of time together, but it's so important that we maximise the time that we have. It’s really good that we've got this opportunity to come together again in this camp, and we're playing two really good competitive (friendly) fixtures against the US.
"So a really good opportunity for us to learn and develop ahead of October.”
US boss Emma Hayes has brought together a squad almost exclusively drawn from the NWSL, while Ireland, Whiteley explains, will look to use their squad to the fullest with the conditions of high temperatures and, in Denver this week, the altitude (at 1,600m+).
“I think regardless of who Emma brings in, they've got a really talented group, talented players, so it is important that we prepare really well, that we're organised and disciplined in the two games.
“It's something that we have discussed and prepared for these difficult conditions - the climate and altitude. We've got a plan in place to try and mitigate some of those factors, but it is important that we use the full squad and give everyone an opportunity to play and to come into the game.
“I think it's a good opportunity for everyone to show what they can do, show what they're about. It's all about learning and developing and getting the work in ahead of those important games in October.”
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— extratime.com (@extratime.com) 24 June 2025 at 21:57
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About Macdara Ferris
Macdara Ferris is a contributor since 2007 to Hoops Scene (Shamrock Rovers' match day programme) and is the co-author of two books on Shamrock Rovers - 'Tallaght Time: Shamrock Rovers 2009 to 2012' (with Karl … View Full Profile