EILEEN GLEESON has declared her wish to stay on as Ireland boss but insists her full focus is on their Euro 2025 play-off final.
Gleeson has named a 24-player squad for their two-legged tie against Wales.
She is without Louise Quinn (hip), Ellen Molloy (hamstring), Lucy Quinn (ankle), Jamie Finn (knee) or Jess Ziu (knee).
But Megan Campbell and Ruesha Littlejohn are welcomed back after they missed the 9-0 aggregate semi-final win over Georgia.
Gleeson’s stint as manager is due to end once Ireland’s involvement in the European Championships and it is believed there is no provision for her to return to her previous role of Head of Women and Girls’ Football, currently occupied by Hannah Dingley.
Gleeson said: “I’m thoroughly enjoying it. I love the role, but for me, it’s full focus on the play-offs. I think about nothing else, only these games against Wales.
“I want to continue, I love being in the job, I’ve thoroughly enjoyed it and that’s the way I want it to continue. But right now the focus is on getting these two games done.
“I’m not really thinking about myself and what the games are, I’m thinking about the play-offs, I’m thinking about getting the players ready.
“Post-the games, then we’ll be able to talk about conversations around that. But I’m trying to keep all my brain power for these games!”
Asked if she had spoken to Chief Football Officer Marc Canham about a new contract, she said: “Marc and I speak all the time, we have a really positive relationship.
“There’s been no discussions around contract, I don’t have the capacity to focus on anything else, only Wales. That’s all I think about. No formal discussions, no.”
Gleeson is expecting a tough challenge from our neighbours, who won a friendly in Tallaght in February and overcame Slovakia – a tougher opponent than Georgia – in their semi-final.
She said: “It’s a very evenly matched tie. In terms of squad profile and the level that girls play at, it’s nearly identical. They’re a strong team.
“We played them in February, they beat us well, so we know they’ve got strength in depth, some really strong key players like ourselves. I think it’s going to be a very evenly-matched tie.”
Ireland squad: Brosnan (Everton), Moloney (London City Lionesses), Whitehouse (Charlton Athletic); Stapleton (Sunderland, on loan from West Ham United), Caldwell (FC Zurich), Fahey (Liverpool), Mannion (Manchester United), Hayes (Celtic), Patten (Aston Villa), Campbell (London City Lionesses); McCabe (Arsenal), O’Sullivan (North Carolina Carolina), Connolly (Lazio), Agg (Birmingham City), Toland (Blackburn Rovers), Littlejohn (London City Lionesses), Payne (Everton), Sheva (Portland Thorns), Atkinson (Crystal Palace); Carusa (San Diego Wave), Larkin (Crystal Palace), Barrett (Standard Liege), Kiernan (Liverpool), Russell (Galway United)
