But for former international Rachel Graham, it’s essential for that new boss to treasure the domestic league even though it’s almost impossible for home-based players to make the senior side now.
Now 35, Graham’s main focus is on domestic duties as she’s signed up for another season with Shelbourne next year, with the Reds keen to bring the league title back to Tolka Park.
Capped six times at senior level, Graham was an observer as the senior women’s side lost to Wales in a play off for Euro 2025, though she had strong links to the current set-up. She played with players like Denise O’Sullivan, Niamh Fahey and Ruesha Littlejohn and, in her final appearance for Ireland against Finland in 2016, she came on as a late sub for current captain Katie McCabe.
“I don’t think we are the level where it is going to be easy to qualify for every campaign. It will probably be a play off and grinding results out. It is not going to be easy for us. Obviously, it is the goal to qualify, having qualified for the World Cup and seen how amazing that was, and the legacy it left behind,” she says.
When Graham made her senior debut 11 years ago as a sub against South Korea, the then Raheny United footballer was one of eight home-based players who featured that day. But in the current climate, only Julie-Ann Russell has been able to win Ireland caps while based in Ireland.
The talent drain across the water is unlikely to slow down in the short-term given the lack of realistic professional opportunities in the league, so home-based players will find it hard to get into the Irish squad, let alone the team.
But even if the FAI do import a big-name coach from abroad, Graham says it’s essential to look close to home.
“I don’t know who they have potentially lined up, whether it is in Ireland or abroad. I was shocked when Eileen didn’t get another contract, I thought she should have got one,” says Graham.
“There was mention of Dave Connell stepping up for the interim. I don’t know whether they get someone that knows everyone or someone from outside who doesn’t know anybody and a clean slate, I don’t know what is best.
“I think it would be a good way, having a clean slate. But they need to know the league here, the managers here, there has to be a connection. Even if they don’t know anything about the league: get to know it. There is plenty of time to do that, have meetings with the managers and players. Don’t just dismiss our league and look abroad, because sometimes that seems to be the way it is, have to play abroad or in England,” she added.
“I know there is a big jump between us and the WSL in England, I am not denying that. But sometimes, players are here and they are playing 90 minutes every week… and they go abroad and maybe they don’t get that, but they are called into the squad.”
There has been much debate about the lack of training camps for home-based players now. Graham benefited from that exposure in her time but she also seen flaws. “I think sometimes you had too many players at it, sometimes there were 30-odd players,” she says.
“So maybe just pick the best 10 or 15 and have a session. With 30, it is quite diluted, there are not 30 players in this league ready for international football, so look at 10 or 15 and get them in and play against boy’s teams. Think it was too diluted at the time.”
With the new term not beginning until March, Shels are still in their off-season but Graham says the FAI Cup holders intend to wrest the league back from Athlone Town.
“You set out every season to win the league and anything else is a bonus. We were so disappointed not to win the league, but we are not a million miles off it, there are no panic buttons we need to press, maybe tweak one or two things and we should be up there, challenging again.”
