Katie McCabe says she was aware of Eileen Gleeson’s concerns before former Republic of Ireland boss’ FAI legal case

KATIE McCABE has revealed she was aware of Eileen Gleeson’s concerns surrounding the Ireland team over a year ago.

Former Ireland women’s boss Gleeson is taking legal action against the FAI claiming she and her team were treated unfairly by the Association because of their gender.

The FAI has said it will mount a “robust defence”, though Gleeson’s case centres around comparisons with the men’s team regarding staffing levels including medical and security.

And Ireland captain McCabe confirmed that Gleeson had spoke to her about it while she was still in charge last year.

McCabe said: “I think as head coach and captain, there were always conversations we had about where things needed to improve in certain areas.

“We would have had those conversations. So, I would have been aware of certain things that were mentioned.

“My job has always been the football. So, she’d never burden me with any sort of responsibility to go and speak to the hierarchy of the FAI.

“She always led by example when it came to that. And she knew my most important thing was to have the girls ready for the games when she was in charge.

“But she knew she always had my support as captain as well.”

McCabe insisted that the issues are not a distraction.

She said: “There are always conversations to be had of where we can improve. What are we doing well? What can we do better?

“And I think those conversations will be had again when they need to be with the FAI. We don’t shy away from speaking to the FAI if things need to be better.

“I don’t think they’re always necessarily a negative, although it might seem like that on the outside noise point.

“But, for us, we want to flip that and make sure people are talking about the football, making sure people know we have a game tomorrow night, making sure people are turning up to it.

“Ultimately, it’s on us to make sure we’re performing and wanting people to come see us play and get behind the team.”

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