Colin Healy escalates grievance with FAI over exit

Controversy has erupted over the chain of events before and after Healy's axing from his role with the women's national team.

Sun, 16 Feb, 2025 - 00:00

John Fallon

Colin Healy has escalated his grievance with the FAI over their handling of his exit to President Paul Cooke and the association’s board.

Ireland’s December Women’s Euro playoff defeat to Wales prompted the FAI not to renew the contracts of manager Eileen Gleeson and her assistant Healy but controversy has since erupted over the chain of events before and after the axing eight days on from the second leg.

Former Ireland midfielder Healy claimed he only rejected the Cobh Ramblers vacancy prior to the playoff – an opportunity of returning to club football – on account of being assured of his continuity in the FAI post.

Any suggestion of broken promises was denied by the organisation’s chief football Marc Canham, who insisted there was no “absolute guarantee given to Colin” of his contract being extended.

Although Canham was adamant his recommendation to the board for a change of manager occurred after a thorough review with staff and players, the extent of Healy’s interaction with him was a phonecall.

There was further confusion when Healy received a text message from FAI chief executive David Courell giving the impression the coach left of his own volition to accept another offer.

This was tabled at the time by another League of Ireland club, Kerry FC.

Although Courell indicated the FAI would have welcomed the chance of working with Healy again, Gleeson’s successor Carla Ward confirmed this week she was precluded from enlisting him.

She had named Alan Mahon as her assistant and added a second last week, Liverpool coach Amber Whiteley, ahead of the Uefa Nations League campaign kicking off on Friday against Turkey at Tallaght Stadium.

Ward said: “I didn't make that decision myself. I came in and it was all taken care of.

"It wasn't an option to consider him because he was gone from the organisation before I came in."

“If he (Healy) was in the building would he be considered? Yes. But he wasn't in the building."

Healy was employed on a fixed-term contract, a form of employment covered by legislation. He wasn’t offered to apply for a post on Ward’s backroom team nor were there places publicly advertised.

The Cork native is renowned for his aversion to the spotlight but felt compelled to set the record straight. The day after being released, his agency Integrity Sports issued a statement on his behalf before a longer, detailed account from himself emerged two hours before Ward’s unveiling last month.

In it, he accused the FAI of lacking ‘transparency and compassion’, detailing how 2024 was the “toughest of his life” due to the impact his wife Kelly’s passing had on himself and their two children.

Healy also highlighted how the FAI’s public campaign to treat people with “welfare and dignity” was at odds with their treatment of him and urged an investigation to prevent others similarly suffering.

The statement also contained an intention to lodge a complaint with the FAI’s HR director. It’s understood Healy accepted an invitation to meet with Aoife Raffety, the FAI’s people and culture director, but his camp hold no confidence about this route and so have elevated their concerns to the next level.

It’s understood correspondence to the FAI board, which now number 14 including independent directors, was sent a week ago but no reply has been forthcoming.

Significantly, Healy has received support for the squad, a few publicly and several privately.

Denise O’Sullivan, an Ireland centurion and vice-captain, has been the most vociferous, branding her fellow Leesider “as the most honest, genuine person in football - not to mention a great coach.” She later added: "I love playing for Ireland but I think this is a step backwards. It left a bad taste in my mouth, the way that happened.

“It’s a person’s welfare. It affects their family and, when that happens, I need to speak about it.

"I can’t just stay quiet and that’s why I have voiced my opinion on that. I would be disappointed in myself if I didn’t speak up. It was handled really poorly in my opinion."