We’ve been waiting nearly a month for this.
When Ireland slumped to a 2-1 loss to Poland last month to confirm our spot in the play-offs, the finger of blame was pointed at Martin O’Neill for not starting Wes Hoolahan.
Irish fans were bemused that before the game as O’Neill explained to RTE that the Norwich man had told him he wouldn’t be able to start the game as he wasn’t fit due to a heel injury.
Irish fans were distraught at the thought of Eamon Dunphy’s lovechild (his words not ours) not being on the pitch to try and guide us to the Euros via the front door.
O’Neill was criticised massively after the game by Irish fans who were unsure of his explanation for the Dubliner’s omission from the starting XI.
@EmlynBegley current #ncfc boss picks the games for Wes. O'Neill says wasn't fit. Dunphy says boll****he played for 17 yrs #fai #COYBIG
— theblarneyinfo (@theblarneyinfo) October 12, 2015
@whitesfan next tweet. Wes told MON he wasn't fit. Dunphy essentially accusing O'Neill of lying regarding Wes. Christ.
— Chósta (@chostaa) October 11, 2015
But now thankfully we’ve gotten the truth from the man himself, who spoke to journalists ahead of tonight’s first-leg play-off against Bosnia.
According to the Irish Examiner, Hoolahan has confirmed that he did have a conversation with the Ireland manger before the game discussing his fitness
“I was struggling with a heel injury, so I didn’t train going into the Germany game and I didn’t train after the Germany game.
Me and Martin had a discussion before the game.Obviously, I didn’t train all week and I’d been taking painkillers. I spoke to Martin and Martin was fine. If you’re not fully fit then you don’t want to go into a massive game.
“You want 11 players wanting to do well and all being fit. You don’t want to let your team-mates down. I’m sure Martin appreciated it. He was happy that I spoke to him.”
Hoolahan was introduced as a 73rd minute substitute and despite his best efforts in Warsaw Ireland slumped to a crushing loss.
However the former Shelboune player has confirmed he’s fully fit this week and is hopeful of helping Ireland to just out third ever European Championships next summer,
“Hopefully, we’ll see how the games pan out and see how it is.”
“I have no concerns. I’ve come back here and have trained all week. The last time I didn’t train at all. Hopefully I’ll be alright.”
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