Up there with his Ireland debut as the proudest night of his life.
David Meyler captained Ireland, in a competitive match, for the very first time last Friday against Moldova. Last night, against Wales, he had the honour again and looked as if he had been doing it these last six years.
Meyler harried, scurried, charged, passed, cleared, headed, lumped, squared, encouraged and did it all over again at Cardiff City Stadium. He made six clearances, four interceptions, won three headers and two of his three tackles – the one he got wrong was the foul on Wales goalkeeper Wayne Hennessy at the death.
On a night where Irish players didn’t exactly retain possession with ease, and straight out hoofed it in the last half hour, Meyler [80%] was second only to Ciarán Clark in pass success rate [82%]. He showed immense courage by constantly showing for the ball – hungry for possession and living for responsibility.
All the while, as Meyler and Ireland battled for their World Cup lives, Seamus Coleman sat in a team tracksuit behind the ‘Away’ team bench. Shane Long and Jon Walters kept him company and all three were beyond ecstatic when the final whistle confirmed a playoff spot was confirmed.
We'll get you there yet, Seamy pic.twitter.com/caiwcVcrMD
— SportsJOE (@SportsJOEdotie) October 9, 2017
Meyler will miss the first leg of the playoff after his late, rash challenge on Hennessy.
You could see what was going through his mind as he hared towards a clearance that the Welsh goalkeeper always looked likely to win – If I can win this, we’re there. Meyler didn’t and he will now sit out the first leg against whatever team are unfortunate enough to draw Martin O’Neill’s men.
Ireland assistant manager Roy Keane, Meyler’s fellow Corkman, would have appreciated the sentiment and sacrifice. Taking a yellow card so the team can progress.
Keane found Meyler soon after the 1-0 win and shared a few words with him. It was a nice moment but a warmer one was to follow.
https://www.instagram.com/p/BaC7K8ZHq7g/?hl=en&taken-by=davidmeyler
Following the game, Meyler spoke of the massive honour he had in leading his country to the next stage of a topsy-turvy qualifying campaign.
Asked about his newly acquired position as a leader within the squad, Meyler’s response was pure class. He told RTE:
“I’m proud to be leading the lads out. For the whole of Ireland it’s a massive win but we’ve got the play-offs next and we’ve got to win.”
It was an honour for Meyler but the true honour was all ours.
Further glory awaits and Meyler would love nothing better than handing that captain’s armband back to Coleman and asking him to don it at World Cup 2018.
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