FAI confirm appointment of Gary Cronin as Ireland WNT's assistant coach

WELCOME ABOARD: Gary Cronin has been appointed as the assistant coach to the Republic of Ireland Women’s National Team, the FAI have confirmed. Pic: FAI.

Gary Cronin has been appointed as the assistant coach to the Republic of Ireland Women’s National Team, the FAI have confirmed.

As reported by the Irish Examiner recently, Cronin will join Carla Ward's coaching staff and replace ex-Ireland international Alan Mahon, who stepped down from the role in December.

A UEFA Pro Licence holder, Cronin brings experience of managing Longford Town and Bray Wanderers in the League of Ireland, while also serving as assistant coach with Bohemians.

The Dubliner has also worked with the FAI Coach Development team, including delivering sessions on the most recent UEFA Pro Licence course and will now take up the key role in supporting the WNT Head Coach.

“I’m excited to join the Ireland Women’s National Team squad at such a crucial time, going into the FIFA Women’s World Cup qualifiers," said Cronin.

"It is an honour to represent my country at the highest level and to have the opportunity of working with such quality players and experienced staff.

“This is a challenge that I’m ready to embrace and to do everything that I can to help the team qualify for the 2027 FIFA Women’s World Cup. The team have been unbelievable over the last few years, even recently clinching promotion to League A in the UEFA Nations League, so I just want to contribute to that and hopefully help the team achieve even more success.”

Ireland WNT Head Coach Carla Ward added: “It is brilliant to welcome Gary to the Ireland Women’s National Team ahead of our FIFA Women’s World Cup qualifiers as he will bring a new energy, fresh ideas and a proven skillset of coaching elite players.

“There were a lot of excellent candidates who we spoke with to fill the position of Assistant Coach but Gary stood out because of his attention to detail, the positive aura that he emits and his ability to get the most out of players. He is a fantastic addition to our squad.”

Cronin will be part of with the WNT squad for their 2027 FIFA Women’s World Cup Qualifiers, where they will compete in Group A2 alongside France, Netherlands and Poland – kicking off at home to France on Tuesday, March 3rd before travelling to Netherlands on Saturday, March 7th.