New Republic of Ireland head coach Carla Ward has been shorn of more experience after Galway United's *Julie-Ann Russell* announced her retirement. Russell was one of the bright spots of Ireland's ultimately doomed Euro 2025 campaign, coming back into the fold under Eileen Gleeson last summer and making an immediate impression. She scored off the bench in the 2-1 Euros qualifier loss to England at Carrow Road, and then hit the net against France in a memorable 3-1 victory at Páirc Uí Chaoimh. *Read Russell's retirement statement: https://www.rte.ie/sport/soccer/2025/0131/1494050-blow-for-girls-in-green-as-russell-announces-retirement/*