Sue Ronan returns to international coaching set-up with Ireland women's under 16 team

After a two year hiatus from the international managerial scene, former Republic of Ireland Women’s National Team Head Coach Sue Ronan has taken charge of the Ireland Women’s Under 16 side. 

Having had a six-year spell in charge of the Women’s national side, Ronan stepped down as Head Coach in September 2016.

Whilst in charge of the Women’s National Team, Ronan oversaw a developmental spell for Women’s football in Ireland prior to Colin Bell taking up the managerial duties in 2017. 

Now in the role of the FAI’s Head of Women’s Football, the 22-time Irish women’s international has decided to double up her Head of Football role to take up managerial duties with the Under 16 Women’s National team. 

Commenting on her new appointment, Ronan revealed her excitement upon taking up this new and exciting role with the Football Association of Ireland. 

"It was always my ambition to return to coaching,” said Ronan. “I'm really looking forward to being back on the pitch again working with our best young players, setting them on a pathway that leads them to the Women’s National Team. 

“Coaching the Women's Under 16 squad is a great challenge and one very much linked to the development side of the game, which is my current remit. 

"Sharon (Boyle) did brilliantly with this age group over the last five years and I intend to pick up where she left off and continue to help our players develop technically and tactically. 

“Paul Martyn joins me once again as assistant coach. His experience from his time with both the Women's National Team and other underage squads is vital. 

“It’s an exciting time all round for women's football in Ireland and I believe that we are making tremendous progress in every area and will continue to achieve even more. 

“A particular area of focus for the Association right now is upskilling female coaches. Seeing more of them work at the elite end of the game is something I’m very passionate about.

"Ultimately all coaches need experience and I plan to use my involvement with this age group as an opportunity to give them that experience by regularly inviting them into training camps to expose them to international football. This will help and encourage more of them to want to coach at the highest level in women’s football in the coming years.”

FAI High Performance Director Ruud Dokter added "I would like to welcome Sue into this new role and wish her the very best of luck with it. As we prepare for the next international calendar of games, it is important to have someone leading the Women's Under 16s who knows how to bring players to the next level."

"Sue takes over from Sharon Boyle, who did an excellent job and helped many girls progress further in their careers. I'm confident that Sue can do the same and instil the high-performance culture that we are integrating into each of our international squads."