Coleman 'disappointed' at not winning first Ireland cap

The Republic of Ireland’s Greg Cunningham has said that Everton’s Seamus Coleman was “disappointed” at not making an appearance on the field for his country in their defeat to Norway last night.

Giovanni Trappatoni’s men experienced a 2-1 defeat to the Norwegians thanks to a strike four minutes from time when Erik Huseklepp latched on to the perfect cross to slot home the winner.

Trapattoni, who made six changes to the side which started in Slovakia as injuries took their toll, handed a debut to Stoke striker Jon Walters as a second-half substitute, but resisted the temptation to do the same with Everton full-back Seamus Coleman.

He said: "It was important to have on the pitch a team with balance, the older players, the experienced players along with the younger ones.

"I could have played more, but Norway are a strong team and we could have lost 2-0 or 3-0."

The result came as a disappointment, but the performance of 19-year-old left-back Greg Cunningham and Keith Fahey in central midfield in particular were sources of consolation.

Cunningham did his chances of proving he is the long-term successor to Kevin Kilbane no harm with a largely assured display, although he admits he still has much to learn.

The Manchester City defender, who is currently on loan at Leicester, said: “I was happy enough, but I dived in for the second goal when they broke away on the counter-attack, which was disappointing.

“I will look at the DVD and see some bits I won’t be happy with, but I will try to cut those out.

“I am trying to do as well as I can and trying to put thoughts into the manager’s head.

“But I have just got to keep progressing now at Leicester, keep playing my football and improving as a player, and hopefully that will come.”

Asked if Coleman was disappointed that he didn’t get his first cap for Ireland last night, Cunningham said: “Everyone that didn’t play would have been disappointed and he was a bit.”

“But his time will come. No doubt.”

“Seamus did fantastic when he was at Blackpool, he got them up. He has been doing fantastic now at Everton playing at right wing, he is a brilliant player.”