Republic of Ireland captain Katie McCabe paid tribute to Eileen Gleeson and Colin Healy before setting her sights on a Nations League victory against Turkey tomorrow night as the Carla Ward era begins at Tallaght Stadium.
The Girls in Green spent the winter licking their wounds after the Euro 2025 play-off final loss to Wales. That result ultimately brought the curtain down on Gleeson's reign, with controversy continuing to rumble around the departure of assistant boss Healy, who claims he was given assurances by the FAI that he'd be kept on regardless of how the Welsh clash went.
"From our point of view, given the news that obviously Eileen and Colin weren't going to continue on, it was a shock," said McCabe at FAI HQ on Thursday.
"A lot of the girls were surprised by it, more so from the point of how well we got on and the spirit they had for us, the connection and the good environment they created. I want to say a big thanks to Eileen and Colin for everything they’ve done.
"We’ve had some really amazing moments. Unfortunately for us we didn’t qualify for the Euros and the FAI made a decision off the back of that so for us as players now we need to look forward and, as I said, we need to start looking towards how we’re going to qualify for World Cup in 2027. That starts tomorrow night with our new manager in place."
"I'd like to think we've been very clear in what we want from everybody."
Liverpool attacker Leanne Kiernan is sidelined with a calf injury, but hasn't yet been ruled out of Tuesday's trip to face Slovenia. Bar that, Ward has a fit and healthy squad to choose from, including McCabe, who will captain the Girls in Green for the 65th time.
"I'd like to think we’ve been very clear in what we want from everybody," Ward said.
"Me and Alan (Mahon, assistant head coach), you’ve probably seen already, we like energy, we like personality. I think we want to see that in players, give them a little bit of freedom to go express themselves, I think you’ll see that. We’ll see after the game but I’d like to think you will see that."
The Turks are ranked 60th in the world (Ireland are 25th). They'll be resolute and committed, but this is a chance for Ireland to ease some of the pain that lingers from the pre-Christmas play-off disappointment.
"Some of the best feelings I have had in my life have been on a football pitch, both good and bad," McCabe added. "That day in the Aviva was definitely one of the worst for sure. It was so disappointing. Just given the stadium, the fans, the energy that they gave us. You feel like you have the responsibility of young girls' futures on your shoulders.
"You feel that responsibility having had the connection with the fans for so long. What we do on the pitch matters for women’s football in Ireland and the future of grassroots football and development squads, and this and that. It was devastating. I was in a really low place afterwards. It goes to show you the highs and lows of high performance environment."
Ward's job now is to lift the group and show them the way forward. It's a big night for the Englishwoman, her first compettive match in charge of a team since she left Aston Villa last May to spend more time with her family.
"My daughter does want to come but she's been skiing all week so she may be a bit tired," said Ward.
"I really wanted to get this full focus just with myself, with this group of players.
"The moment the balls were rolling the other day, I couldn't wait to get out with the players and that’s what you do, it’s your bread and butter and I’m very passionate about what I do. There’ll be no rustiness I’m sure. You’ll hear me."
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
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