Tommy Martin: Heimir Hallgrimsson is on a hot streak of off the pitch victories

To paraphrase JFK, we choose to finish second in our World Cup qualifying group and scrape through the playoffs not because it is easy, but because it is hard.

The Ireland manager's 'Coffee With Heimir' series has been highly successful. Pic; Ramsey Cardy/Sportsfile

“ANOTHER factor as well is we expect to have no holiday next summer,” said Republic of Ireland manager Heimir Hallgrimsson, explaining his decision to rest most of Ireland’s English Championship-based players for the upcoming friendlies against Senegal and Luxembourg.

“We expect to go straight from the season into the World Cup in the US," he added.