GLEESON: FORMER ROLE NOT ON AGENDA

EILEEN Gleeson has refused to discuss the controversy surrounding her former role as Head of Women’s and Girls’ Football — and whether she would return to that job after her spell as senior Ireland manager.

It was reported last week in the Irish Independent that candidates had been put off applying for the position because it had been changed from a permanent to a fixed-term contract.

One candidate was quoted as saying they were not applying as they would “only be keeping the seat warm for Eileen”.

Gleeson in December signed an 18-month contract to take over from Vera Pauw, after an impressive run as interim boss when she led the Girls in Green to six Nations League wins.

Yesterday morning, ahead of Ireland’s friendly on Friday against Italy, she insisted that she was only willing to deal with questions on the upcoming games.

“I think if you want to ask about that (who is filling her old role at the moment), ask Marc (Canham). I am fully focussed here now and not focusing on the Head of Women’s and Girls football,” said Gleeson (right).

Busy

“I am here, it’s — I can assure you — busy enough trying to take care of this stuff. So I am not going to discuss any other roles.”

Asked if she would return to that position after the Irish manager’s job, Gleeson replied: “I just said I’m not talking about any roles. I’m here to talk about this camp and the preparation for the qualifiers.

“That’s as far as I’m going with that conversation.”

Looking ahead to the friendlies against Italy and Wales, Gleeson admitted that the losses through injury of “central players” Denise O’Sullivan and Tyler Toland were blows.

“This is football unfortunately and you have to be ready to adapt. It’s one of the values we promote here.

“It is an opportunity for others to fill those roles and take their opportunities. While big losses, we still have to move forward and use the full squad that we do have available to us.”

Gleeson reckons the strength of this month’s opponents will prepare her side for the Euro 2025 qualifiers, in which the Girls in Green will take their place among Europe’s elite nations.

“Wales have been in League A, so they have that experience, and Italy, we have seen a lot of progression post their World Cup campaign,” she said. “They finished second in League A, so it’s a really good test for us.

“Two good games, one game away, one at home, so two good levels in terms of benchmarking ourselves. Good tests.”

Peamount United duo Erin McLaughlin and Jess Fitzgerald have been called up.