The Interim Head Coach of the Ireland Women’s National Team, Eileen Gleeson, has claimed that the vibes and spirit in the current Ireland camp are at a very high level.
Before Gleeson was given the interim role, the mood around Ireland camps looked to be off from the outside looking in. Disputes over player substitutions, allegations of misconduct, and other factors added to this during former Ireland manager Vera Pauw's time in charge of the national team.
Pauw has now gone, and since then, Ireland has won back-to-back games against Northern Ireland [3-0] and Hungary [4-0]. The Girls in Green will now play Albania in a Nations League double-header.
Ireland v Albania will take place in Dublin at 5:45. They will then head to Shkodër in Albania days later.
Results are positive, and players seem to be enjoying themselves. Gleeson was asked if she'd consider taking the role full-time. She also emphasised that it is not an easy choice to make but is also enjoying her time in the role.
"It's never about not wanting this job," Gleeson said this week.
"It’s about the importance of the head of women’s football role. It’s a super, super difficult decision to make or choice to have. But when we’re training, we talk about concepts like supporting closely and supporting away… I’ll still be with the girls and taking care of Irish women's and girls' football.
"It has gone well. It’s a real pleasure for me to be working with the girls. They’re a great bunch, really positive, lots of energy, and willingness to learn and be open. So I’m having the time of my life."
Eileen Gleeson has sights set on Euro 2025 (Photo By Stephen McCarthy/Sportsfile via Getty Images)Ireland, in reality, should come out of the Nations League B Group 1 by beating everyone around them, including Albania today and in a couple of days. However, Gleeson knows that Ireland should not underestimate Albania because of their other results in the group.
"They'll be well-organised," added Gleeson. "They appear to have a very clear playing philosophy; they like to play out from the back and try to build up.
"They have some really good players, specifically the ten and the wide right-winger. So they’ve got a lot of opportunities to exploit us if we are not 100%. We’re not expecting anyone to roll over for us.
"The expectation is that we pick up six points, but I keep saying that we have to make that happen. They’ll come out and have a go at us, and we need to be ready for that."
The Dublin native now wants as many people to come and support the team in the sell-out clash in the Tallaght Stadium.
"It is absolutely brilliant that it is sold out, but we need people to come out and sit in those seats because I can't describe what that support means when you are on the sideline," Gleeson said.
"The conversation now is about Aviva, so we need people to come in here, to prove that there is that fan base here, that it is tangible, and we can take action it. So, come out supporters, we promise to give you a good performance and come out of these games with six points."
IRELAND WNT SQUAD
Goalkeepers: Courtney Brosnan (Everton), Grace Moloney (London City Lionesses), Sophie Whitehouse (Lewes)
Defenders: Louise Quinn (Birmingham City), Diane Caldwell (FC Zurich), Caitlin Hayes (Celtic), Claire O’Riordan (Standard Liege), Hayley Nolan (Crystal Palace), Chloe Mustaki (Bristol City), Megan Campbell (Everton)
Midfielders: Katie McCabe (Arsenal), Denise O’Sullivan (North Carolina Courage), Tyler Toland (Blackburn Rovers), Jamie Finn (Birmingham City), Megan Connolly (Bristol City), Lily Agg (Birmingham City), Sinead Farrelly (NY/NJ Gotham), Heather Payne (Everton), Lucy Quinn (Birmingham City), Izzy Atkinson (West Ham United), Erin McLaughlin (Peamount United)
Forwards: Kyra Carusa (San Diego Wave), Abbie Larkin (Glasgow City), Amber Barrett (Standard Liege), Saoirse Noonan (Durham WFC), Emily Whelan (Glasgow City)
MATCH DETAILSUEFA Nations LeagueIreland v AlbaniaFriday, October 27Tallaght StadiumKO 17:45LIVE on RTÉ2 MATCH OFFICIALSReferee | Lizzy van der Helm (Netherlands)Assistant Referee 1 | Gerda Eidinzonaitė (Lithuania)Assistant Referee 2 | Ashley de Haan (Netherlands)Fourth Official | Sterre Bijlsma (Netherlands)
