Seamus Coleman is back for Ireland.
Almost a year to the day after suffering a horrific double leg-break at the hands of Wales defender Neil Taylor, the Killybegs native is set to return in green against Turkey.
It may only be a friendly but, for Coleman, it represents the light at the end of what has been a long road to recovery. The right-back returned for Everton back in January but, having missed the latter stages of Ireland’s World Cup qualifying campaign, it feels as though the 29-year-old has unfinished business in representing his country.
Coleman’s injury was serious. It’s the kind of injury from which many footballers never fully recover. But Coleman isn’t many footballers. His resilience and mental fortitude cannot be underestimated. Although Coleman does not hold a grudge against Taylor, there is no doubting that there’s a fire in those Irish eyes as he looks to get back that lost year.
“That never crossed my mind, not from day one,” Coleman responded when asked if he feared he would not recapture his best form.
“I knew that if I did everything I was told and did all the work I needed to do in the gym that I’d be back on the football pitch.
“I’ve been back for the last five or six games with Everton and felt good, and I hope to do the same in an Irish shirt.”
Seamus Coleman: It never crossed my mind from day 1 that I wouldn't be back. I knew if I did everything I was told that I'd be back on the pitch. I've been back for 5 or 6 Everton games & haven't had a problem and hopefully it will be the same in the Ireland shirt. 🇮🇪 #COYBIG pic.twitter.com/O6gKyOEDJU
— Ireland Football ⚽️🇮🇪 (@IrelandFootball) March 22, 2018
Not only is it great to see Coleman back in the mix with Ireland, it’s particularly pleasing to see that his determination, vigour and appetite for the game remains entirely intact. Not that it was ever going to be dimmed by one reckless challenge, mind.
Republic of Ireland manager Martin O’Neill expressed his own delight at Coleman’s return, admitting that his loss had been sorely felt.
“Naturally I’m delighted to see him back,” he said.
“I sometimes think he doesn’t know himself how influential he is, not only in the dressing room but obviously on the field of play, that’s the main part. It almost goes without saying that we missed him. Had he been fit, I think we may have made it, who knows? He would have given us a much better opportunity.”
With Coleman back, you feel as though Ireland is getting its heartbeat back. The friendly against Turkey represents a benign reintegration back into the international scene before another friendly against France on May 28. If O’Neill plans to undergo a programme of rebuilding with this current crop, it is vitally important to have his most trusted personnel – and they don’t come much more important than the Everton full-back.
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