Eileen Gleeson: 'Playing at the top level will benefit Denise and Ireland'

Denise O'Sullivan will be playing her football for Manchester United in the WSL next season.

Denise O’Sullivan joining Manchester United would, in some ways, benefit Ireland in the eyes of Eileen Gleeson.

United, who recently lifted the FA Cup at Wembley, are planning to break the grip three-in-row champions Chelsea have taken of the WSL and see the Corkwoman as a key component.

O’Sullivan has been in America since 2016, joining North Carolina Courage a year later, for whom she’s captain but the looming expiration of her contract in November has raised speculation about her future.

The midfielder turned 30 in February and has spoken previously about moving closer to home.

In a year that Ireland is attempting to qualify for their first Euros, probably through the playoffs from October and November, her Ireland boss can foresee some benefit accruing from having one of her maestros within nearer proximity.

“There will be rumours all over the place,” said Gleeson ahead, while naming the centurion on her squad for the double-header of Euro qualifiers against Sweden, at Lansdowne Road on Friday week and Stockholm’s Friends Arena four days later.

“Denise plays for one of the top leagues in the world and that is brilliant for us. Would it be better if she was across the water, maybe in some ways.

“Ultimately, it is up to Denise where she goes. I guess if Denise is making any decisions, she will factor everything in.

"For us, it is more about the level that she is playing at. She’s at a top club, top level and is producing top performances.” 

O’Sullivan will report into camp over the weekend carrying an injury, one Gleeson feels won’t affect her participation. Ireland are seeking their first goals and points of the 2025 campaign following losses to France (0-1) and England (0-2) in April’s opening series.

“When injuries happen, it’s very concerning but it’s a lot more minor than initially thought - at most a Grade 1 MCL knee injury,” she explained.

“Denise is in good form. She’s looking forward to coming in and we’re feeling very positive that she will be available for us.” Ireland’s other recognised world-class player, Katie McCabe, will also have been handled with care in the run-up to the meeting with the Olympic silver medallists, now sixth in the Fifa rankings.

Trekking to Australia with Arsenal for an end-of-season exhibition match in Melbourne was raised by Gleeson as “not ideal” when first broached. Contingencies were agreed with the Gooners hierarchy should this case unravel whereby McCabe will land in London off a long-haul flight five days out from only the second qualifier to be played at the national stadium.

“We’ve a very detailed recovery and sleep strategy,” the Irish boss explained about combatting jetlag.

“We’ve brought in sleep experts and worked with Arsenal on that. We’ve been planning for it for a long time by priortising sleep and rest off the flight.

“Arsenal play Friday in Australia and Katie flies into London on Sunday so she won’t join up with us until Tuesday – that bit later than the rest.” Another big name who is out and not returning is Sinéad Farrelly. The American-born midfielder quit international just eight caps and a year after switching allegiance in time for the World Cup.

“It was disappointing because we would’ve loved Sinéad to continue as she was a great girl in the camp,” she said of the abrupt statement three weeks ago that offered no reason for walking away.

“Sinéad felt that she didn’t have the level of or capacity in terms of the loading, travel and where she was at in life.

“You must stay respectful and not try and force someone to do something they feel that they can’t do.” Meanwhile, Gleeson has welcomed the imminent confirmation of Cork’s SuperValu Páirc Uí Chaoimh hosting the final qualifier between Ireland and France on Tuesday, July 16.

With Lansdowne Road and Tallaght Stadium unavailable, the FAI’s search for an alternative brought them to Leeside.

With GAA congress last week granting approval for the venue to be used for football, all that’s left for it to be rubberstamped is Uefa approval.

All-seater stadia are a prerequisite for competitive football matches, meaning the capacity will be restricted to the 21,000 places in the main stands.

The last time a women’s international was played in Cork was 12 years ago at Turner’s Cross. This fixture will represent a homecoming for O’Sullivan, Megan Connolly, Saoirse Noonan, as well as Gleeson’s assistant coach Colin Healy.

“Pairc Uí Chaoímh is one of the strong contenders,” Gleeson said.

“For the moment we’re focusing on this camp. We’ll wait for confirmation on it but it’s a great stadium, we’ll be happy to engage all the Munster fans and get everybody out there supporting us.

“For us, we know we have a strong following from the Munster area. If it’s confirmed that we are in Pairc Uí Chaoímh, we’ll be delighted to be there.”