Springtime is coming; a time for freshness, growth, rebirth. The Republic of Ireland start a new Nations League campaign on Friday against Turkey, and they need a little light.
The Girls in Green endured a miserable winter after Wales gatecrashed Dublin to prevail in the Euro 2025 play-off final. That proved to be the end of the Eileen Gleeson era.
The FAI opted against renewing her contract as head coach, while the messy departure of Gleeson's assistant Colin Healy continues to hang over the association. The Corkman claimed he'd previously been informed there would be a recommendation that his contract be extended. Denise O'Sullivan would later say the handling of his exit "lacked class... lacked compassion".
Aoife Mannion faced the media at FAI HQ on Monday morning in reflective mood. She missed the Wales games due to injury, but is getting minutes again at Manchester United and is excited for the Ward era. Still, seeing the previous regime's reign unravel as it did wasn't pleasant.
"I really liked Eilo and I really enjoyed camp, so it was a surprise for me when she wasn't kept on," said the 29-year-old defender.
"It wasn't something that was on my radar. As players these decisions are made above us and not something we have a say in. I like Eilo, I liked the feel of the camps and so it was, one, really disappointing that we didn’t get through, that we didn’t qualify; and then obviously for her on a personal level that’s really disappointing as well.
"We always have to turn up and appreciate the honour it is to play for the Ireland team regardless of who the management staff is, and it’s for (new head coach) Carla Ward now to put her stamp on it, it’s her fresh start, and to continue that good feeling and the excitement it is for the players to be involved."
The Healy situation appears to have upset a few of Ireland's senior players. O'Sullivan and Caitlin Hayes both praised him publicly after news of his leaving broke; Mannion is the latest to pay tribute to his impact.
"Colin was a really, really lovely person to have in camp. He was a really liked member of the squad, as was Eilo of course.
"I can only speak of my experience of Colin's character and who he was as a person, and it was really sad for him and Eilo not to be involved anymore because I, on a personal level, got on really well with them."
Into Healy's shoes steps Alan Mahon, who worked with Mannion when they were both at Manchester City around five years ago. Mahon is part of a backroom team that possesses lots of high-level club experience, with Liverpool assistant manager Amber Whiteley, performance coach Ivi Casagrande and newly appointed Southampton No 2 Emma Byrne all on the ticket.
"He's a really good guy and I’m looking forward to being on the pitch and being coached by him," Mannion said of Mahon, who became interim boss at City in 2020 when Nick Cushing left to take on the assistant manager's job at New York City alongside ex-Celtic gaffer Ronny Deila.
"Playing under a City model is very technical and possession-based and at that time that was really cutting edge in the league actually.
"It felt like playing under coaches like Alan and Nick Cushing took it to the next level in terms of technical detail and what you do on the ball. So I can only hope that he will bring some of that experience to our camps and that will obviously be also complimented by the other coaching staff in Amber and obviously Carla as the head coach."
Mannion is a thoughtful and articulate speaker. She's suffered several injury setbacks in her career but does not indulge in cynicism or self pity. The Solihull-born centre-half always believes better days are coming.
"Have I had more (injuries) than most? Maybe," she said. "Have I done a lot of really good things in terms of teams that I've been involved with? Yes. That’s such a joy for me. Just because you have disappointments doesn’t necessarily mean you can’t go on and be able to be involved.
"The surprising part for me was, during the low moments, things have a way of swinging around if there's something you really want.
"Laid on top of that is that you’re getting older in your football career. You appreciate the gravity of each experience because at 20 you think everything’s a given, you miss one thing and get to do another thing.
"Then you realise things can be one-offs, things you won’t get to experience again. In some ways missing things, getting older... it makes everything taste sweeter."
Watch Republic of Ireland v Turkey in the UEFA Women's Nations League on Friday from 7pm on RTÉ2 and RTÉ Player. Follow a live blog on rte.ie/sport and the RTÉ News app. Listen to live commentary with 2fm’s Game On
Listen to the RTÉ Soccer podcast on Apple Podcasts, Spotify or wherever you get your podcasts.
