Ireland WNT head coach Carla Ward. Ryan Byrne/INPHO
Ireland WNT
'It wasn't a question for me' - Ward on departed Colin Healy and Denise O'Sullivan criticism
The Ireland head coach named her first squad this morning.
12.33pm, 11 Feb 2025
Emma Duffy
Reports from FAI HQ, Abbotstown
REPUBLIC OF IRELAND head coach Carla Ward says the prospect of adding former assistant coach Colin Healy to her backroom team “wasn’t a question for me”.
The new Ireland boss has also spoken to Denise O’Sullivan, who has repeatedly hit out at the FAI for their handling of Healy’s departure.
Healy was relieved of his duties in December as the FAI decided against offering former manager Eileen Gleeson a new contract following Ireland’s failure to qualify for Euro 2025.
He slammed the FAI over what he believes is a lack of “transparency and compassion” and claimed chief football officer Marc Canham broke a verbal agreement in relieving him of his duties. Healy, whose wife Kelly died last year, says he turned down a full-time position as the manager of Cobh Ramblers as a result, Healy said he plans on lodging a formal complaint to the Association.
Canham stated the FAI “didn’t give Colin any absolute guarantees or assurances that his contract would be renewed”.
Ward named her first Ireland squad this morning, having confirmed her staff yesterday. Alan Mahon is her assistant head coach, with Liverpool’s Amber Whiteley also coming on board as assistant coach. Goalkeeping coach Emma Byrne and performance coach Ivi Casagrande remain in their roles, having previously worked under Gleeson.
Asked whether she considered adding Healy to her backroom team, Ward said:
“It’s a situation that happened before I was here, so it wasn’t a question for me. It’s not something I can particularly comment on because, like I said, this was before I came through the door.
“What I will say is I’ve got a huge admiration for both Eileen and Colin for the work they’ve done. Two tremendous people but it’s not something that I can comment on because it was before me.”
“Yeah, look, I’m somebody that likes to face things head on,” said Ward.
“I don’t shy away from things. For those that know me, know my background, I’m very okay with difficult conversations, I’m very okay with addressing the elephant in the room. Yeah, we had conversations. They understand I’ll support them. My job is to get them focused now on moving forward, and that’s exactly what they’re gonna do.”
Healy in training with Katie McCabe, Leanne Kiernan and Denise O'Sullivan last October. Ryan Byrne / INPHO
Ryan Byrne / INPHO / INPHO
Pressed for comment on the Healy situation and whether she thought it was fair, Ward added:
“I can only go on what I see and read. I don’t know enough about it being really honest. I wouldn’t like to know the ins and outs because it’s really important that I move forward. My focus has to be this next camp, winning football matches, and that’s all I’m going to do.”
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Ireland face Türkiye and Slovenia in their Nations League, League B openers, with Ward targetting the perfect start to her tenure.
“We want six points, maximum points. What I will say is Slovenia are a very good side, they’re progressing in all the age groups as well as the first team. In qualification last time around, six out of six, didn’t concede a goal. They’re a very, very good side, we can see that from analysing them now.
“The goal is to win the Nations League, the goal is to move forward. It has to be the goal. We have to try and reach for the A League because ultimately that gives a slightly more favourable route to the World Cup. That’s got to be an aim, that’s why I’m here.”
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'It wasn't a question for me' - Ward on departed Colin Healy and Denise O'Sullivan criticism
REPUBLIC OF IRELAND head coach Carla Ward says the prospect of adding former assistant coach Colin Healy to her backroom team “wasn’t a question for me”.
The new Ireland boss has also spoken to Denise O’Sullivan, who has repeatedly hit out at the FAI for their handling of Healy’s departure.
Healy was relieved of his duties in December as the FAI decided against offering former manager Eileen Gleeson a new contract following Ireland’s failure to qualify for Euro 2025.
The Corkman issued a blistering statement offering his version of events last month — hours before Ward was unveiled at the Aviva Stadium.
He slammed the FAI over what he believes is a lack of “transparency and compassion” and claimed chief football officer Marc Canham broke a verbal agreement in relieving him of his duties. Healy, whose wife Kelly died last year, says he turned down a full-time position as the manager of Cobh Ramblers as a result, Healy said he plans on lodging a formal complaint to the Association.
Canham stated the FAI “didn’t give Colin any absolute guarantees or assurances that his contract would be renewed”.
Ward named her first Ireland squad this morning, having confirmed her staff yesterday. Alan Mahon is her assistant head coach, with Liverpool’s Amber Whiteley also coming on board as assistant coach. Goalkeeping coach Emma Byrne and performance coach Ivi Casagrande remain in their roles, having previously worked under Gleeson.
Asked whether she considered adding Healy to her backroom team, Ward said:
“It’s a situation that happened before I was here, so it wasn’t a question for me. It’s not something I can particularly comment on because, like I said, this was before I came through the door.
“What I will say is I’ve got a huge admiration for both Eileen and Colin for the work they’ve done. Two tremendous people but it’s not something that I can comment on because it was before me.”
Ward did say she spoke to O’Sullivan and Caitlin Hayes, who have both publicly aired their grievances around Healy’s exit. Cork midfielder O’Sullivan has repeatedly criticised the FAI in recent weeks, while Hayes responded to one social media post in agreement.
“Yeah, look, I’m somebody that likes to face things head on,” said Ward.
“I don’t shy away from things. For those that know me, know my background, I’m very okay with difficult conversations, I’m very okay with addressing the elephant in the room. Yeah, we had conversations. They understand I’ll support them. My job is to get them focused now on moving forward, and that’s exactly what they’re gonna do.”
Pressed for comment on the Healy situation and whether she thought it was fair, Ward added:
“I can only go on what I see and read. I don’t know enough about it being really honest. I wouldn’t like to know the ins and outs because it’s really important that I move forward. My focus has to be this next camp, winning football matches, and that’s all I’m going to do.”
Meanwhile, Ward discussed the ins and outs in her 23-player selection, after Charlton Athletic midfielder Melisa Filis received her first call-up.
Ireland face Türkiye and Slovenia in their Nations League, League B openers, with Ward targetting the perfect start to her tenure.
“We want six points, maximum points. What I will say is Slovenia are a very good side, they’re progressing in all the age groups as well as the first team. In qualification last time around, six out of six, didn’t concede a goal. They’re a very, very good side, we can see that from analysing them now.
“The goal is to win the Nations League, the goal is to move forward. It has to be the goal. We have to try and reach for the A League because ultimately that gives a slightly more favourable route to the World Cup. That’s got to be an aim, that’s why I’m here.”
Carla Ward Colin Healy Denise O'Sullivan Ireland WNT