AOIFE MANNION has admitted that she was stunned by the decision to sack Eileen Gleeson and Colin Healy.
But she is looking forward to working with Ireland’s new boss Carla Ward, particularly having an idea of what to expect from her no 2 Alan Mahon.
Gleeson and her assistant Healy were ditched by the FAI following their Euro 2025 play-off defeat to Wales, something Mannion did not see coming.
The Manchester United defender – who missed those games through injury – said: “I really liked Eilo and I really enjoyed camp, so it was a surprise for me when she wasn’t kept on.
“It wasn’t something that was on my radar.
“Colin was a really, really lovely person to have in camp. He was a really liked member of the squad, as was Eilo of course. It was really sad for him and Eilo not to be involved anymore
“As players these decisions are made above us and not something we have a say in.
“As a player, we always have to turn up and appreciate the honour it is to play for the Ireland team regardless of who the management staff is, and it’s for Carla now to put her stamp on it, it’s her fresh start, and to continue that good feeling and the excitement it is for the players to be involved.”
Despite the pair being injured, Mannion and Louise Quinn were at the Aviva Stadium when Ireland were beaten by Wales to miss out on this summer’s tournament.
Mannion – who also missed out on the World Cup through injury – said: “It’s nerve-racking enough to be a player, it’s harder to watch it.
“It’s something that my parents always tell me, it’s like heart-attack central to actually watch me play. You don’t really understand that until you’re watching a team from the sideline.
“You’d much rather be involved because you feel like you can contribute and help in some way to a scoreline or a performance. In some ways you feel helpless.”
But she is looking forward to a fresh start under Ward, whom she met after a club game.
And she said: “She seems to be wanting to hit the ground running. She seems fresh with ideas and ambitions for us a team.”
The 29-year-old has experience of former Ireland midfielder Mahon who, along with Amber Whiteley, has been brought in by Ward.
She said: “So I worked with Alan – it’s weird calling him that because I know him as Mahony – for two years when he was the assistant at Manchester City to Nick Cushing.
“Playing under a City model is very technical and possession-based and at that time that was really cutting edge in the league actually.
“So it was a real challenge and growth point for me, trying to get onboard and up to speed with that, having come from Birmingham before which was much more traditional in terms of one v one tackling and duels, putting your body on the line.
“It felt like playing under coaches like Alan and Nick Cushing took it to the next level in terms of technical detail and what you do on the ball.
“So I can only hope that he will bring some of that experience to our camps and that will obviously be also complimented by the other coaching staff in Amber and obviously Carla as the head coach.”
