The Republic of Ireland will play Wales at Tallaght Stadium on February 27th. This follows an away friendly, which has not yet been announced, but new manager Eileen Gleeson is expected to announce her backroom before the squad gathers next month.
Emma Byrne and Colin Healy were Gleeson’s assistant coaches during the 2023 Nations League campaign, when Ireland won all six games, scoring 20 goals and conceding only two. Goalkeeping coach Richie Fitzgibbon and performance coach Yvie Casagrande made up the 18-member interim staff.
The draw for Euro 2025, a 16-team tournament including hosts Switzerland, will take place on March 5 ahead of three international competitions between April and July.
Ms Gleeson’s previous role within the FAI – head of women’s football – will also need to be fulfilled.
“This is absolutely key to the progress of the wider game,” FAI Director of Football Mark Canham said in December. “Eileen has the privilege and great opportunity to lead the national team, but there is absolutely work to do to capitalize on the momentum in women’s soccer and women’s soccer.”
Mr Canham is currently in London meeting candidates to replace Stephen Kenny as senior men’s manager, alongside FAI chief executive Jonathan Hill and director Packie Bonner.
Following that process, he will publish a white paper on the future path of Ireland’s talented players.
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