Sue Ronan kicks through football’s glass ceiling

From being banned from playing in the street leagues as a kid to captaining and managing her country, Sue Ronan has seen the landscape of the women’s game in Ireland change dramatically in her lifetime, but the FAI’s Head of Women’s Football tells Liam Mackey there are big challenges ahead.

It’s become a familiar post-match ritual for the Irish women’s senior team: Win, lose, or draw, the girls in green take as long as is necessary pitchside to satisfy the demands of excited young supporters eager to get a selfie with Puskas Award nominee Stephanie Roche, an autograph from rising star Leanne Kiernan, or the chance to take home one of veteran goalkeeper Emma Byrne’s gloves as a prized souvenir.

Sue Ronan, who recently stepped down as manager after six years in the hot seat to concentrate on her role as the FAI’s Head of Women’s Football, confesses that there were plenty of times when she’d be tearing her hair out in the dressing room after the final whistle waiting for her players to come in so they could hear her immediate thoughts on the game.