Carla Ward to appoint former Bray boss Gary Cronin as Ireland women's team assistant manager
NEW ROLE: Former Bray Wanderers manager Gary Cronin is to become Carla Ward’s assistant for Ireland’s upcoming Women’s World Cup qualification campaign. Pic: Ben McShane/Sportsfile
Former Bray Wanderers manager Gary Cronin is to become Carla Ward’s assistant for Ireland’s upcoming Women’s World Cup qualification campaign.
Ex-Ireland international Alan Mahon stepped down from the role in December having been part of Ward’s staff since her appointment last January.
Dubliner Cronin, 46, was an apprentice at Middlesborough before having a distinguished League of Ireland playing career at Drogheda United, Longford Town and Bray.
The Uefa Pro License holder was handed his first managerial role by the Seagulls in the summer of 2018, then moving to Longford Town before spending 16 months as Bohemians assistant boss during Declan Devine’s time at the helm.
Finishing second in last year’s Nations League B campaign pitted Ireland into a November playoff against Belgium, from which they emerged victorious 5-4 on aggregate.
That not only guaranteed Ireland entry into the playoffs for the 2027 World Cup in Brazil but also sharing company with Europe's elite nations.
Ireland will open their four-nation pool against France on Tuesday, March 3, followed by a trip to face 2017 champions Netherlands in Utrecht four days later.
They have back-to-back meetings with Poland in April before concluding in June at home to the Dutch and away to France.
It remains to be seen if either Páirc Uí Chaoimh in Cork or the national stadium at Lansdowne Road is used to host the games against Poland or Netherlands.
Ireland v France, Tallaght Stadium.
Netherlands v Ireland, Stadion Galgenwaard, Utrecht.
Poland v Ireland, Polsat Plus Arena, Gdańsk.
Ireland v Poland, Venue TBC.
Ireland v Netherlands, Venue TBC.
France v Ireland, Stade des Alpes, Grenoble.
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