Denise O’Sullivan has expressed disappointment that Colin Healy, a former assistant coach of the Irish women’s team, was recently allowed to leave the Irish setup following Eileen Gleeson’s departure.
The former Celtic, Sunderland, and Cork City player was appointed alongside Emma Byrne on a permanent basis 15 months ago and was well-liked by the players.
Healy was also a contender to become the next head coach of the women’s national team but was relieved of his duties alongside Gleeson.
The Cork native’s departure has been questioned by players, and O’Sullivan believes it would have been common sense to retain Healy. She considers his departure a major loss for the Irish team.
“When a coach of Colin Healy’s calibre wants to stay involved, I think it’s common sense to do whatever you can to keep him on. Major loss for the team. I’m disappointed, to say the least,” the Cork native said on X.
O’Sullivan’s comments follow a statement released by Healy’s representatives, Integrity Sport, which described Healy as an “exceptional” coach who had shown unbelievable resolve and commitment to Ireland despite personal challenges.
“Colin is an exceptional coach and one of the most honourable people I’ve met in the game. After the heartbreaking loss of his beautiful wife Kelly this year, Colin has shown unbelievable resolve and commitment to continue his work with the Women’s National Team under such difficult family circumstances,” said the group via an Irish Examiner article this month
“Over the past few weeks, he has also displayed a kind of loyalty rarely seen in football, declining to pursue two different management offers due to his complete dedication to his work with the FAI, Eileen, her staff, and players.”
The statement continued, stressing the importance of supporting Irish coaches with potential:
“For all the talk of the need for growth in Irish football, the importance of funding, and for training hours for young players to increase, one vividly bright spot within the game here is unquestionable—that we have never been in a better place in relation to the volume of excellent coaches we have available with huge potential.
“We are producing plenty of men and women who can absolutely operate at an elite level if given the opportunity and time to prove themselves.”