Joey O’Brien: I may have to move to play part at Euro 2016
Without an appearance for Ireland since 2012, the defender is a long shot to increase his tally of five caps in the run-up to the France finals in June but escaping the wilderness of Upton Park would be a start.
“The Euros are in the summer and they are a big deal as Ireland haven’t qualified for many championships,” said the 29-year-old, who hasn’t featured for the Hammers since their Europa League campaign ended in July.
“I need to be playing games to try and get into the next squad for the friendlies. Then we can see what happens from there but I need to be playing. If the manager wants me to go on loan, I will look at that.”
The arrival of Sam Byram intensifies competition for O’Brien, yet an injury lay-off for Carl Jenkinson could convince manager Slaven Bilic to keep the Irishman for defensive cover.
“Sam has come in with a big reputation,” O’Brien told London24.com. “It’s real hard luck for Carl getting the injury because I know from my own knee injuries that getting a serious one is hard to take.”
Elsewhere, John Delaney wasn’t the only legislator to leave Uefa’s headquarters at the weekend boasting an extra Euros ticket allocation, as it has emerged Sweden secured more seats for the June 13 clash against Ireland.
According to the Swedish FA, 3,116 additional tickets have been assigned, bulging their total allocation to 18,116 for the Group E fixture at the Stade de France.
As things stand, Swedish fans will outnumber Irish supporters, though the Boys in Green are renowned for procuring tickets through channels beyond the FAI.
Delaney, meanwhile, has endorsed plans by the Mayo League to establish a first-ever League of Ireland club by 2020 under their five-year strategic vision.
“I look forward to working with the Mayo League to ensure all these objectives are reached between now and 2020,” Delaney told the Mayo News.
