When Martin O’Neill spoke in the Stade de France after Ireland’s opening game on Monday night, it was hard not to think Ireland had been here before during his time as manager.
Once the memory of Wes Hoolahan’s goal has begun to fade – although that might take some time – it might feel as if an opportunity has been lost, an opportunity Ireland might not get again in this competition.
Since the draw had been made this was the game highlighted as the one Ireland had most chance of winning. Of course, people pointed out it was also the game Sweden had most chance of winning, but it turned out that they were much worse than Ireland.
Ireland played well enough to win the match here at the Stade de France, and while O’Neill made the valid point afterwards that his players should be “absolutely thrilled” at how they had played, he also had to acknowledge that Ireland should have picked up three points instead of one.
That wouldn’t be as much of a concern if it other problems weren’t building, problems that may be exacerbated by the decisions O’Neill made when he selected his squad in Cork.
O’Neill didn’t sound hopeful when he talked about Jon Walters who has an achilles injury. If he is forced from the squad, Ireland will be down to 22 players and will have to face the reality of the lack of options O’Neill has on the bench.
James McClean will come into the side, robbing Ireland of the one energetic option from the bench and if they are chasing a game, they will need to call on Daryl Murphy, Aiden McGeady or Robbie Keane.
None of these players would inspire much hope. McClean has done well recently but when he came on here he was frustrating, desperately trying to recover the ball after a poor first touch.
He wasn’t helped by a lopsided Ireland formation, although the right side of the midfield suffered most when Walters left the field.
Keane’s introduction was more of a surprise and, as he contributed so little, it was tempting to wonder if he was a bit startled too. He had three touches after he was sent on in the 77th minute, but, more importantly, Ireland lost any sense that there was an imaginative element to the team when Wes disappeared.
David McGoldrick might have been worth the gamble as a squad selection, given that he offers something in that regard. If Walters is out, the Ireland bench will become a barren place if the unpredictability of McClean is on the field from the start.
Walters felt his injury after one minute of the game and nobody was making encouraging noises about his predicament.
O’Neill praised his side’s spirit and never-say-die attitude, but he also pointed out the quality they had shown.
MON – 'I am immensely proud of the team'
— Dion Fanning (@dionfanning) June 13, 2016
Wes Hoolahan’s gifts had been central to most of that quality, but others like Jeff Hendrick and Robbie Brady played their part as well, especially during the first half.
This was Ireland’s best performance in a European Championship since they drew 1-1 with the USSR in 1988, although as they have lost every game since this may be the definition of faint praise. As in 1988, Ireland took the lead in the Stade de France through a moment of brilliance from a gifted player, but the draw felt like a defeat because of the opportunities Ireland had.
Before the game, O’Neill said it wasn’t a must-win match, but it was hard not to feel this was a match Ireland will regret not winning.
Ireland could take encouragement from many aspects of the night, as well as the sight of Belgium and Italy offering a reminder that there are no outstanding sides in this group. Italy’s victory means they may have qualification wrapped up by the time they play Ireland, although the other way of looking at it is that Belgium now need to beat Ireland in Bordeaux on Saturday.
O’Neill might look back as well as forward and remember where Ireland were a year ago this month when dropped points at home to Scotland led many to feel Ireland would not qualify.
At that time, Roy Keane became an important consigliere, insisting to his manager that all was not lost. In the more intense atmosphere of tournament football, Keane could do the same this week, spreading the positive message among the players.
Ireland didn’t lose on Monday evening and the manager was right to say the players should be pleased with much of what they’d done. They also have the memory of what they did when Germany came to Dublin last October. If they have forgotten, O’Neill will certainly be reminding them that anything is still possible.
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