Republic of Ireland international Denise O'Sullivan has again hit out at the FAI over their handling of Colin Healy’s departure from the women’s managerial set-up.
Healy served as Eileen Gleeson's assistant during her 15-month reign at the helm, but when the association parted company with the manager following Ireland's disappointing Euro 2025 play-off final defeat to Wales, it was announced on the same day that her assistant would also be departing from his role.
While FAI Director of Football Marc Canham claimed the circumstances were made clear to Healy at every stage and that there were consistent lines of communication, Healy strongly disputed this version of events.
The 44-year-old criticised the process in which he was removed from his role, claiming he had been informed just weeks before the decision that there would be a recommendation that his contract be extended.
Healy claims he turned down an offer to take a role as manager of Cobh Ramblers on the strength of a discussion with Canham and is expected to make a formal complaint over his handling of his departure.
O'Sullivan described Healy as a "major loss" at the time and questioned the FAI's decision to cut ties with the coach. Speaking on Irish Football Fan TV, the North Carolina Courage midfielder again expressed her anger over Healy’s exit.
"Coaches being let go, that’s normal, it’s part of the game, but I think it was the manner it was done in, I think it was disrespectful, I think it lacked class, I think it lacked compassion," she said.
"Working with Colin, I don’t have one bad thing to say about him. He’s an incredible man, a really excellent coach, but I don’t even want to get into the coaching side because everyone who knows Colin knows how good a coach he is.
"There’s a way to do things and there’s a way to treat people and it wasn’t the right thing to do. I’m really disappointed it happened the way it did."
The saga overshadowed Carla Ward’s appointment as Republic of Ireland manager, with Gleeson’s successor refusing to be drawn over the controversy.
Ward will be more focused on this month’s Nations League games against Turkey and Slovenia, but O’Sullivan says she felt compelled to voice her opinion on the matter again.
"I love playing for Ireland but I think this is a step backwards," the 31-year-old said. "It left a bad taste in my mouth, the way that happened.
"It’s not about them letting a coach go, that happens in football, but there is a manner in the way you treat people and I think it could have been done very, very differently.
I can't just stay quiet and that’s why I have voiced my opinion on that
"He’s a great man. He was dedicated in the whole of last year to the national team, with the challenges he faced as a person in his life, it’s a person’s welfare. It affects their family and when that happens I need to speak about it.
"I can’t just stay quiet and that’s why I have voiced my opinion on that. I would be disappointed in myself if I didn’t speak up. It was handled really poorly in my opinion."
