Ireland's first game of 2024 and the start of new beginnings under the stewardship of Eileen Gleeson.
Gleeson presided over a wholly successful period as interim manager following the departure of Vera Pauw - six wins out of six, 20 goals scored and just two conceded as Ireland earned promotion to League A in the Nations League – but there was a feeling that it was a period of transition, keeping the seat warm for whoever was tasked with taking the Girls in Green to the next level.
The run of results catapulted Gleeson to the top of the queue and two months after getting the gig on a permanent basis, Italy are first up for Ireland in Friday’s friendly in Florence.
After that it is the visit of Wales on Tuesday before attention turns to the 5 March draw to find out Ireland’s opposition for the Euro 2025 qualifiers.
First however will be a stern test of what Ireland are about in Florence as they take on an Italian side ranked 14th in the world (a dozen placed above Ireland) and who operated comfortably in the top tier of the Nations League last year, including a 3-2 win over the World Cup holders in Spain.
Injury has robbed them of key Roma pair Manuela Giugliano and Valentina Giacinti, but the presence of Barbara Bonansea and Arianna Caruso is likely to keep the Irish defence honest.
Like Ireland, the Azzurri also bowed out of the 2023 World Cup at the group stage, but their exit was somewhat unfortunate.
Drawing 2-2 with South Africa in their final game as the clock went red and heading towards the knockout stages, the concession of an injury-time goal ensured they were on the next plane home.
Gleeson will be looking to the strength of her squad, with Denise O'Sullivan and Tyler Toland already ruled out but the big setback this week was the news that Jamie Finn suffered an anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) tear in training.
Two players looking to make their mark are among the most experienced at Gleeson’s disposal.
Niamh Fahey – looking to earn her 112th international cap – hasn't kicked a ball for her country since last summer's World Cup in Australia, with Cailtin Hayes taking her opportunity after Fahey’s calf injury.
At 35, Diane Caldwell is just a year younger than Fahey, but she too won’t be short of motivation. A peripheral figure under Vera Pauw, her frank interview five months ago lifted the lid on the true level of discontent among the squad with elements of Pauw's managerial style.
Having forced her way back into the starting 11, the Balbriggan native is proving her capabilities in Gleeson's more expansive approach.
Aoife Mannion, midfielder Jess Ziu and forward Leanne Kiernan all return following long-term injuries while Wake Forest University forward Emily Murphy, who qualifies through her Dublin-born father, could make her bow in the first international game to be played in Viola Park since the state-of-the-art training complex – which is the home base for ACF Fiorentina – opened in October 2023.
Gleeson was in bullish form earlier this week when asked about her previous FAI role as head of women's and girls' football.
With the association yet to find a replacement, some reports have suggested the FAI had changed it from being a permanent role to one with a fixed term, inevitably leading to speculation Gleeson might return to her old job once her managerial contract expires after the 2025 Euros.
Those questions were given short shrift as Gleeson looks to concentrate on matters on the pitch, starting with one of the more difficult assignments, on paper at least, her side will face this year.
Watch Italy v Republic of Ireland in an international friendly on Friday from 5.10pm live on the RTÉ News Channel and RTÉ Player, follow a live blog on rte.ie/sport and the RTÉ News app
