Sinead Farrelly says there's been "a change in energy" within the Republic of Ireland squad since Eileen Gleeson took the reins following Vera Pauw's departure.
Pauw called USA-based Farrelly into the panel for the first time last April. She immediately impressed, going on to start all three of Ireland's games at the World Cup in Australia.
Farrelly was unwittingly embroiled in a fallout between Pauw and Katie McCabe, who urged the manager to make changes towards the end of the final group game against Nigeria, which ended scoreless. Pauw would afterwards imply that McCabe wanted Farrelly to be withdrawn to get more energy onto the pitch.
Midfielder Farrelly laughed off any suggestion there was any lingering tension between her and McCabe, and stressed that the team is in a positive place.
Sinead Farrelly reflected on the vibe in the Ireland camp under Eileen Gleeson since Vera Pauw's departure when talking to @DAVEKELLY4 ahead of tomorrow's clash with Albania #RTEsoccer pic.twitter.com/n6poM4NInw
— RTÉ Soccer (@RTEsoccer) October 30, 2023
"No we're cool," she told RTÉ Sport ahead of Tuesday's UEFA Nations League clash in Albania.
"It wasn't a thing. It became a thing from people who didn't know what they were talking about. We're fine.
"She's amazing. You love to have her on your team, she's going to fight for you and she's obviously an incredible player. I love playing with her and gettting to combine because I feel we see the game similarly."
Reflecting more generally on Pauw's exit, Farrelly added: "I think things get blown out of proportion from the outside, but I think that chapter, it was time for that to close.
"We're in a new chapter and I think there's positives and negatives from the past. We're trying to be better and move forward and I think we're all really excited about the new chapters coming up for the team.
"I think there's a change in energy [in the camp] for sure. I think the environment is maybe more positive among the girls and there's more confidence and desire to be more aggressive and really have more confidence on the field. I think that just helps us. It's been great."
Farrelly missed the September games against Northern Ireland and Hungary due to a back issue. She did line out for her club Gotham FC during that period but insisted the long flight was the main source of concerns as she had been suffering with spasms.
The 33-year-old is keen to stick around and get as many caps under her belt as possible.
"I want to be here as long as my body is feeling good and I can make it work," she said.
"I think the travel does take a toll on you but it's part oft the game in what we do but yeah, I'm excited to be here.
"[The World Cup] was a once in a lifetime opportunity. I'm so grateful I got the opportunity to be there. I think we all look back and wish we could've done better but we're still proud of what we accomplished and know this team is going to keep excelling and keep up-levelling. But overall I'm just really grateful I had the opportunity to do that with this team."
Watch Albania v Republic of Ireland in UEFA Nations League on Tuesday from 4.50pm on RTÉ2 and RTÉ Player, follow a live blog on RTÉ.ie/Sport and the RTÉ News app and listen to live radio commentary on 2fm's Game On
