Jake O'Brien predicts bright future for Ireland's talented young players

'It’s crazy seeing players that young in the squad. They are young players but very good players'

Fri, 05 Jun, 2026 - 06:00

Joe Callaghan

Jake O’Brien hasn’t been of huge assistance in the challenges Jaden Umeh faced at Ireland’s team hotel this week.

His fellow Corkman has had to balance a first ever road trip as a senior international with sitting his Leaving Certificate. On Thursday, the Benfica winger made a cross-town dash after English Paper II to join his teammates at their eve-of-battle training session at Stade Saputo.

“I got predicted grades, so I’m not the best person to ask,” said O’Brien. “That was during Covid. It feels like a lifetime ago. It’s crazy seeing players that young in the squad. They are young players but very good players.”

Head coach Heimir Hallgrímsson and Jake O'Brien. Picture: INPHO/Ryan Byrne

O’Brien will form part of a seasoned defensive corps which will back-stop a team wildly short on experience against World Cup co-hosts Canada on Friday night.

Seamus Coleman and Nathan Collins will be nearby him with Mark Travers likely to be behind them all. In midfield Heimir Hallgrimsson has only novel options, Conor Coventry perhaps partnered by Joe Hodge. The frontline will be spearheaded by Troy Parrott with Chiedozie Ogbene one side and perhaps Jamie McGrath also involved, although he could also be deployed a little deeper.

Ireland teammates familiar and new have all felt the World Cup build-up here all week. As someone who was in the middle of the pain of Prague, O’Brien wants everyone to soak up the hurt and go again when the next cycle begins.

Ireland star Evan Ferguson ruled out until autumn but Jaden Umeh set for second cap

'There's been a lot' but James Abankwah wants to continue growing on Ireland duty

“[Prague] was very tough and still is very tough because it’s all going on around us and we think we should be here but we can use this as motivation going forward,” said O’Brien.

EXCITING

“As I said it’s a very young squad with a lot of potential and I think we’re going in the right direction. As a team you can see our record recently has been very good.

We need to make winning a habit going into the Nations League and the Euros and bring that exciting factor back to Ireland.

“For a few years that wasn’t there. I do think we brought that back. It’s exciting for Ireland, there’s a new generation coming and the people of Ireland are very excited going forward.

"They’ve been very supportive even though we didn’t get there. You could see when they come up to us that they’re appreciative of what we’ve done and we appreciate the support they gave us. We want to give back and I’m sure we will.”