Jessie Stapleton is full of energy and eager for the chance to make an impact in the Ireland squad, as she embraces yet another fresh start in her promising career. Having recently moved to Sunderland, the versatile West Ham player is hoping to catch the eye in her green shirt during this crucial week. Last season, she was on loan at Reading, a club plagued by financial issues that led to their withdrawal from the Championship and relegation to the fifth tier of English football. Despite the setback, Stapleton bounced back and secured another loan move, this time to Sunderland. Now 19, the Dubliner is reaping the benefits of regular game time in a positive, supportive environment. She arrived at the Irish camp buoyed by Sunderland’s victory in a north-east derby against Durham.
Stapleton, clearly enjoying her time at Sunderland, expressed her enthusiasm ahead of Ireland’s Euro 2025 play-off semi-final first leg against Georgia. “I’m absolutely loving it,” she said, praising the coaching, lifestyle, and overall environment at the club. She emphasized how much she’s improving and gaining valuable match experience, all of which has set her up for a solid performance with the national team. Although she has been selected as a defender by Ireland’s manager, Eileen Gleeson, Stapleton is capable of playing in midfield, as she did against Sweden last May in a tough encounter at Aviva Stadium. Reflecting on Ireland’s Euro qualifiers, she acknowledged the challenges posed by high-quality opposition but expressed confidence that the team had learned and improved from those experiences.
Despite Ireland’s difficult Euro qualifier campaign, where they secured only one win from six matches, Stapleton remains optimistic. The lone victory, a morale-boosting result against France in their final game, has given the team momentum going into this critical period. Facing Georgia, ranked 118th in the world, seems like a manageable task over two legs, especially considering Ireland’s dominant wins against them in the 2023 World Cup qualifiers. If they succeed, the next step will be a tougher test against either Wales or Slovakia in the play-off final, where the stakes will be incredibly high.
Stapleton is excited by the challenge ahead and speaks positively about the unity and spirit within the Ireland squad. “We all love being in camp,” she said, noting the strong camaraderie among the players and staff. Her focus, like the rest of the team’s, is on overcoming Georgia first. Stapleton trusts Gleeson’s judgment when it comes to team selection and believes in the togetherness off the pitch that has been cultivated within the squad. As Ireland pushes toward qualification for their first-ever women’s European Championships, Stapleton’s enthusiasm and confidence will be crucial in these pivotal matches.