Cavan native to play for Northern Ireland

Galway United defender Lucy-Jayne Grant has received her first call-up to the Northern Ireland senior squad as Michael McArdle’s side prepare for a crucial World Cup play-off against Portugal.

The Cavan native from Ballyhaise qualifies through her father and will hope to earn her first international cap when Northern Ireland face Portugal over two legs on October 9 and 13.

Lucy has established herself as a key player for Galway United since joining from Athlone Town in 2024. She made 19 appearances in her first season and featured 26 times in 2025, missing just two games.

The defender has already made another 26 appearances this season and scored her first league goal for United in last month’s 3-2 victory over Cork.

Now 22 years old, Lucy began her senior career with Athlone Town after progressing from their under-17 side, making her debut in July 2021. She was also part of Athlone’s FAI Women’s Cup squads, including their 2022 final defeat to Shelbourne and 2023 penalty-shootout victory over the Dublin club.

Northern Ireland face a difficult task against Portugal, who are ranked 28 places higher at 22nd in the FIFA rankings. However, Grant and her teammates will be hoping to make history by securing a place at next year’s World Cup in Brazil.