TALLAHASSEE, Fla. – Senior Heather Payne and Former Florida State soccer player Megan Connolly will head to Australia/New Zealand to represent the Republic of Ireland at the 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup. The 23-woman roster was announced on June 28. The Republic of Ireland qualified for their first-ever FIFA Women’s World Cup along with their first-ever appearance in a global or European women’s competition. Connolly has amassed 39 appearances and four goals as a midfielder for her nation while Payne has 34 appearances and kept four clean sheets as one the premier defenders in the qualification stages. Ireland will face Australia, Canada, and Nigeria in Group B. The Girls in Green will start their campaign on Thursday, July 20 at 6 a.m., against the co-hosts in Sydney, Australia. This will mark Ireland’s first appearance at a Men’s or Women’s World Cup since the men’s national team reached the round of 16 in the Korea/Japan 2002 edition. Entering her final season, Pay