Ireland boss Eileen Gleeson blasts back at Ciaran Kilduff's criticism in strong response

Athlone Town manager Ciaran Kilduff complained that Eileen Gleeson had not been in contact with him over any of his title-winning players. The Ireland boss gave her reply at her squad announcement for the Georgia play-off double header

Eileen Gleeson has hit back at Athlone boss Ciaran Kilduff's criticism that Ireland's management had lost a vital connection with the domestic game.

Speaking ahead of the Women's FAI Cup final on Sunday, Kilduff highlighted the decision not to continue with home-based sessions conducted by the Ireland coaches.

He also complained that Ireland boss Gleeson had not picked up the phone to him about any of his players - even after Athlone secured their first-ever Women's Premier Division title success.

READ MORE: Ciaran Kilduff tells FAI: Don't make same mistake with women's game as you did with the men's

READ MORE:In-form Celtic striker left out but call-ups for rising stars for Ireland's Euro qualifier play-off

After naming Athlone's teenage goalkeeper Katie Keane in her squad this morning, Gleeson said she was hurt by the criticism.

"I’ve been here 30 years, I’ve committed my whole career to League of Ireland and to the national league here, so statements that say I don’t advocate on behalf of League of Ireland players are completely misrepresentative," she stated.

The 52-year-old told Kilduff that the Ireland coaching staff are monitoring the League - and that he should pick up the phone to her if he feels her players deserve an international promotion.

“What am I calling him about? I’m not selecting his players," blasted Gleeson. "There’s hundreds of managers, I’m speaking to players that we need to.

"We’re watching the players. If I need to ask Ciaran about a player I’ll pick up the phone and ring him.

"If he wants to ring, ring. There’s nothing stopping (him). If he wants this dialogue then pick up the phone and call me.”

Gleeson was asked if she wouldn't contact Kilduff to ask how Keane was doing, for example.

"My assistant Emma Byrne attended the training sessions, so I’m not sure how much more…we attended a training session to look at the player," she responded.

"We have her in the camp so, I think the broader message here is, we're watching League of Ireland games.

"I’m attending League of Ireland games. My technical staff are attending League of Ireland games. We’re watching games online.

"We’re linking with whoever we need to if we want to ask questions about the players. Managers are free to call me if they want to promote a player, the same way professional managers do, the line is open.

"So to say that we’re not looking at League of Ireland players is completely misrepresentative.”

Gleeson pointed to the difference in level between the Women's Premier Division and the WSL in England, describing the WPD as still essentially an amateur league.

But he listed off a number of players, including Eva Mangan of Cork City who is in the squad, Erin McLaughlin who has missed out this time and Ellen Molloy - who has just left for Sheffield United - as examples of WPD recruits to the Ireland squad.

"We have to pick 23 players." Gleeson stressed. "It’s survival of the fittest, so you can be an excellent League of Ireland player but not a senior international player.”

Kilduff highlighted the return of Galway's Julie-Ann Russell to the Ireland set-up - and her outstanding performances against England and France - as an example of the potential in the WPD.

But Gleeson countered: “She’s exceptional. You know Julie had 70 caps before she came in to me.

"So is that not reinforcing the point that we take players, that we’re happy to have players that are the level and that can sustain the demands of the game at international level in the squad? That's what we want.”

Asked if she thought Kilduff's comments were naive, Gleeson replied: “I don’t want to get caught up in Ciaran’s comments here today. We’re here today for the squad announcement for the play-offs.

"We’re in a good position, it’s the second play-off for the Euros I think in the history of the women’s team. That’s what my focus is.

"The overarching message is that we're watching League of Ireland players and players that we deem capable of coming in or potentially adapting to the environment.

"That’s really the core message of what I’m saying here today.”

IRELAND WNT SQUAD

Goalkeepers: Courtney Brosnan (Everton), Grace Moloney (London City Lionesses), Sophie Whitehouse (Charlton Athletic), Katie Keane (Athlone Town)

Defenders: Jessie Stapleton (Sunderland, on loan from West Ham United), Diane Caldwell (FC Zurich), Louise Quinn (Birmingham City), Niamh Fahey (Liverpool), Aoife Mannion (Manchester United), Caitlin Hayes (Celtic), Anna Patten (Aston Villa)

Midfielders: Katie McCabe (Arsenal), Denise O'Sullivan (North Carolina Courage), Megan Connolly (Lazio), Tyler Toland (Blackburn Rovers), Lily Agg (Birmingham City), Ellen Molloy (Sheffield United), Heather Payne (Everton), Izzy Atkinson (Crystal Palace), Eva Mangan (Cork City)

Forwards: Kyra Carusa (San Diego Wave), Amber Barrett (Standard Liege), Leanne Kiernan (Liverpool), Abbie Larkin (Crystal Palace), Julie-Ann Russell (Galway United), Marissa Sheva (Portland Thorns).

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