FAI ditch home-based sessions in favour of developing U23 team, confirms Eileen Gleeson

HOME-BASED SESSIONS DITCHED: Republic of Ireland head coach Eileen Gleeson during a training session. Photo credit: Damien Eagers/PA Wire.

Ireland manager Eileen Gleeson has revealed that the FAI have ditched their home-based sessions in favour of a planned programme towards developing an U23 team.

Colin Bell launched regular midweek sessions for women’s national league players after he took charge in 2017, an initiative his successor Vera Pauw maintained to a lesser extent but they haven’t featured during Gleeson’s 10-month reign.

According to her former player, Peamount United’s title-winning captain Karen Duggan, this outlet for domestic players to both intensify their training schedule and showcase for international exposure has “disappeared”.

Ciarán Kilduff, manager of FAI Cup holders Athlone Town, last week bemoaned on the Other Three Amigos Podcast the withdrawal of a feature which he insisted had acted as motivation for his players.

Just two members of the league pool – Cork City’s uncapped midfielder Eva Mangan and the returning Julie Ann Russell of Galway United – have been chosen in the 26-player squad for the upcoming concluding Euro qualifiers.

Ireland have accrued no points nor goals from their opening four qualifiers heading into the double-header against holders England at Carrow Road on Friday week (8pm) and table-toppers France at Pairc Uí Chaoímh on Tuesday, July 16 (6pm).

Their sole route to a first Euros in Switzerland next summer is navigating two sets of a playoffs later in the year but the broader debate, much like the men’s team malaise, centres on producing a conveyor belt of gems from the domestic scene.

Gleeson was circumspect when asked about her preference for reviving the home-based series, admitting this alternative scheme for U23s is some time from coming to fruition.

In effect, the former Peamount and UCD Waves boss spoke of bridging the chasm between the U19s and seniors as an overall FAI task.

“When I came in, they were already up for discussion,” noted Gleeson, appointed initially as caretaker boss when Pauw was ousted in the immediate aftermath of last summer’s World Cup.

“The home-based sessions started out with one purpose but evolved.

“It was to facilitate a pathway for players to the senior national team. So, a redesign is happening that’s a talent development scheme. That is all being developed in the background, but it will look something different to the home-based sessions.

“The discussion is around the development of the U23s and a mechanism for developing those home-based players.

“It’s not about what I want - it’s a streamlined pathway for players. That’s what the development pathway looks like and is being developed right now.”

Head coach Eileen Gleeson during a Republic of Ireland women squad announcement at FAI Headquarters in Abbotstown, Dublin. Photo by Ben McShane/Sportsfile

Timelines were not forthcoming, other than confirmation nothing is budgeted for the rest of 2024.

Once this regulation campaign finishes, the draw for the playoffs on July 19 will map out Ireland’s guaranteed two, hopefully four, matches between October and December that’s aimed at delivering a Euros spot.

“I don’t have a definitive date for you, just giving you insights that’s the way it’s going. That’s the conversation we are having right now and what we are working towards.

“Hopefully, that’s soon because there’s a gap. We’ve got some young, U19 players and some LOI players but there is no facility for them to have exposure to international football.

“They are not ready for senior level and that’s a big conversation I’m in. I am a strong advocate for having that pathway and we’re working in the background.”

Ireland – who have Denise O’Sullivan back from injury ahead of her homecoming to Leeside – are realistically in damage limitation mode up against nations hellbent on grabbing the two direct tickets to Switzerland by edging out Sweden in the pool.

“A point from these two matches would be huge, because we all know we’re in a direct race with Poland for the final seeded place in the playoff draw,” highlighted Gleeson.

“It will be down to goal difference and of course, points first of all.

“We’re both on zero points; Poland have a -10 goal difference and we have -7. We’re aware of our position and it has to be a factor in how we approach the games. We can’t be overly cavalier but will be pragmatic.”

Republic of Ireland squad

Goalkeepers: Courtney Brosnan (Everton), Grace Moloney (London City Lionesses), Sophie Whitehouse (Lewes).

Defenders: Jessie Stapleton (West Ham United), Diane Caldwell (FC Zurich), Louise Quinn (Birmingham City), Niamh Fahey (Liverpool), Caitlin Hayes (Celtic), Aoife Mannion (Manchester United), Anna Patten (Aston Villa), Megan Campbell (London City Lionesses).

Midfielders: Katie McCabe (Arsenal), Denise O'Sullivan (North Carolina Courage), Megan Connolly (Bristol City), Lily Agg (Birmingham City), Ruesha Littlejohn (London City Lionesses), Tyler Toland (Blackburn Rovers), Jess Ziu (West Ham United), Izzy Atkinson (Crystal Palace), Eva Mangan (Cork City), Julie-Ann Russell (Galway United).

Forwards: Amber Barrett (Standard Liege), Leanne Kiernan (Liverpool), Abbie Larkin (Crystal Palace), Emily Murphy (Wake Forest University), Marissa Sheva (Portland Thorns).