Denise O'Sullivan: I stand in solidarity with those women

HOME SWEET HOME: Republic of Ireland's Denise O'Sullivan on the team's arrival at Cork Airport ahead of their 2025 UEFA Women's European Championship Qualifier match against France at Páirc Uí Chaoimh. Photo by Stephen McCarthy/Sportsfile

Denise O’Sullivan insists the FAI have work to do for safeguarding around the women’s game to be robust.

The Ireland centurion watched last Sunday night from her North Carolina base with horror at the revelations contained within the RTÉ Investigates programme around allegations of abuse on female players by male coaches in the late 1990s.

Since the probe began, the FAI have introduced a confidential hotline for players to report any mistreatment but the association’s reputation has meant doubt has been cast on their ability to govern.

O’Sullivan, part of the Ireland team beaten 2-1 by England ahead of Tuesday’s final Euro group qualifier against France in Pairc Uí Chaoímh, stressed the issues warrants an ongoing conversation.

Asked whether the environment was safe for players nowadays, the Corkwoman said: "There has been a lot of improvement but there is a lot more growth as well within the FAI and we have to keep pushing that as players.

“I saw the documentary in America, a very hard watch. There were players in there like Olivia O’Toole that I really looked up to.

“It is just dreadful to see that they went through that. We had to focus on these games but in the back of my mind it was sitting there. It was hard to take and I stand in solidarity with those women.

“What’s important is what’s for the next generation going forward. We need to be pushing the standard as players.

“This needs to be kept talking about because it can’t happen again.”