13-05-2025
Carla Ward demands a new era of leadership in her Ireland squad
Even though it was early on a Monday morning, Carla Ward had plenty on her mind in Abbotstown.
From weighing in on the skorts controversy in camogie, calling it 'ludicrous', to waxing lyrical about Katie McCabe, from pointing out that the Women's League of Ireland is in need of some love and attention, to detailing the sleepless nights she's suffered since the 4-0 defeat in Slovenia, it was an illuminating half-hour in the company of the Ireland manager.
She was in Tallaght Stadium on Saturday to watch Shamrock Rovers and Sligo Rovers play out a goalless draw, as part of the effort to build bridges between the league and the national team. Carla Ward had plenty on her mind in Abbotstown. Pic: Stephen McCarthy/Sportsfile
Former Athlone Town boss Ciarán Kilduff had suggested there was a disconnect between the two entities during the previous regime, but Ward has reached out to club coaches.
'We have a WhatsApp group. Some of them have contacted me, there has been four or five managers who have been in contact in the past week about various things, just around players or support and whether we can help them with a couple of things and I am very open to that, because if we can help them in any way, I will.
'They know my door is open,' the former Aston Villa boss said. Former Athlone Town boss Ciarán Kilduff. Pic: Stephen McCarthy/Sportsfile
Veteran midfelder Ruesha Littlejohn has been typically fortright about the strides that the league needs to make.
Ward did note Littlejohn's comments, but also pointed out that as a product, it is still in the developmental stage.
'I've loved having eyes across the league. Across the staff, we've had somebody at games most weekends. It's a very young league that needs a lot of work, more care and attention as well as a little bit of love,' she said. 'I've seen Ruesha's comments. It's not quite there yet but that's okay because it's still very early.
'The English Championship took 10, 15 years to where it has got to now. The League of Ireland won't happen overnight so we've to help it continue to grow but equally don't think it's at a level that it's not. That's how it sometimes falls down. We must celebrate where it is now and celebrate how we move it forward. It's got some wonderful high potential players there. Ruesha Littlejohn. Pic: Stephen McCarthy/Sportsfile
'I think the league needs guidance. Each club's department needs guidance. We talked about it a lot but won't go into much detail because it's something we've still to present at board level. We have a good idea on how we can help each club and each coach, try to maybe guide them on what's elite. There will probably be some clubs that don't know that or the level but that's okay because they have to start somewhere.'
So, perhaps expect a couple of players from the league in the squad for the upcoming Nations League double-header against Turkey and Slovenia.
The heavy defeat in Koper means Ireland are chasing them in this group and are depending on Greece to do them a favour in the next window. If Ireland get promotion to League A, it makes the route to the 2027 World Cup in Brazil slightly easier, as teams competing in League A are guaranteed at least a play-off.
However, to get there, Ward concedes there needs to be greater leadership within the squad. 'I said it before the last camp that we're trying to develop leaders because there's leaders in some of those players, it's probably just that they've never had to come to the surface or because they've had that in abundance.
'One thing I think we've all agreed on as a group of staff and players is we have lacked leaders. We need people to step up now and be counted and heard. We're starting to get that.'
Ward highlighted Jessie Stapleton and Anna Patten as two players who can develop leadership skills. 'Jessie is somebody that leads at club level and we probably haven't seen her lead as much here. It's a challenge that we've set her that we want to hear you. Jessie Stapleton and Anna Patten. Pic: Stephen McCarthy/Sportsfile
'Patsy [Patten] is another, I've worked with her for a long time, she's got some leadership skills and people value her and respect her. We need her to start using her voice. I think there's various people, I mean Amber [Barrett] is a leader, a really strong leader. Can we hear more from Amber and give her the platform? Kyra [Carusa] the same, Courtney [Brosnan], I think there's a few of them that, now we want to hear them.'
Ward will have to do without another strong leader after Louise Quinn announced her retirement, though the veteran may be around for this double-header. Once again, the manager insists that the Slovenia humbling could turn out to be a good thing in the long run.
'I said Slovenia was a horrible night but it taught us a lot, and I think that was probably needed for the reality of where we're at and what we need to do.
'I have had a lot of sleepless nights because I always want more. But the sooner you get hit the sooner you get up and you go again. That was a big hit and allowed us to deep dive into where we were at.'
The final two Nations League games should offer a better gauge of where Carla Ward's Irish side are.
