Séamus Coleman selection borderline as Hallgrimsson set to name Ireland squad
Ireland face Hungary on September 6 and then Armenia on September 9. Pic: Stephen McCarthy/Sportsfile
Here we go, to borrow Fabrizio Romano’s catchline.
Tuesday marks the beginning of Ireland’s World Cup journey, the first matches encompassing qualification jeopardy since June 2023.
Heimir Hallgrimsson’s 10 matches at the helm have been cued towards this campaign, kicking off on Saturday week with the visit of Hungary to Lansdowne Road.
In essence, the wait for relevance has been 21 matches.
Once Ireland lost their second successive Euro qualifier away to Greece, their chances of reaching Germany were over.
Stephen Kenny’s tenure limped along for another seven matches but he was never catching France nor Netherlands - and the Greeks for that matter.
His assistant coach John O’Shea oversaw four friendlies in the first half of 2024 while the FAI were scrambling around in a stupor seeking Kenny’s successor.
Hallgrimsson being appointed six weeks ahead of the Nations League campaign deepened the chaos around the search, offering scant lead-in time.
That the Nations League replaced friendlies in 2018 for competitive fare was welcome but the promotion/relegation concept doesn’t stir players or fans.
Direct qualification for tournaments is what matters and Ireland must find a way to secure a top-two finish in a pool containing Portugal, Hungary and Armenia to be in the mix for the 2026 World Cup.
Hallgrimsson will on Tuesday morning unveil a squad for the first of double-headers three months in a row.
Hungary will bookend the six-match blitz for Ireland, starting at a bustling Lansdowne and concluding before a 67,000-capacity crowd at the Puskás Aréna in Budapest on November 16.
Topping the pool, improbable as it seems from the margins of third seed, would book a direct ticket to the expanded 48-team extravaganza being staged across USA, Mexico and Canada. Runners-up, the realistic target, secures entry to the playoffs next March.
There’ll be no lack of ambition internally, if Hallgrimsson’s sentiments are a measure.
His rationale for excusing the likes of Josh Cullen, Finn Azaz and Mikey Johnston from the June friendlies against Senegal (1-1) and Luxembourg (0-0) was to afford a summer break the 2026 schedule wouldn’t allow for.
Habitual pre-campaign confidence is bolstered too by the scarcity of injuries and the early-season form of key players.
Robbie Brady’s calf injury renders him the only starter unavailable, of course accompanied by the caveat of a club weekend series left before Monday’s meet-up at Castleknock Hotel.
Through the spine of the team are players worthy of being trusted.
Caoimhín Kelleher’s clean sheet against Aston Villa was his first since moving to become first-choice at Brentford, while his captain in front, Nathan Collins, is a man in demand by Champions League clubs.
Josh Cullen is another top-flight captain on the up following his weekend goal for Burnley against Sunderland. Also on the scoresheet in the Championship were Azaz and Johnston.
At the top end of the pitch, Evan Ferguson’s Serie A debut for Roma, lasting until exhaustion forced his withdrawal with 16 minutes left, was encouraging.
Fellow striker Troy Parrott last week brought his season tally with AZ Alkmaar into double-figures.
Defenders Matt Doherty and Dara O’Shea have begun solidly, ditto the latter’s teammates at Ipswich Town, Chiedozie Ogbene and Sammie Szmodics. Both should return following injuries.
On the borderline of selection is captain Séamus Coleman. The 36-year-old is in line for his first minutes of the season when he leads Everton out at their new stadium in Wednesday’s Carabao Cup fixture against Mansfield yet he’s facing an abundance of competition at right-back, including his clubmate Jake O’Brien.
Who partners Cullen in central midfield to try to shackle Hungary skipper Dominik Szoboszlai will be the lingering question. Ipswich’s Jack Taylor did enough in June to justify the favourite’s tag but uncapped Bosun Lawal could be a bolter after a strong start to the season as a Stoke City mainstay.
Lawal’s adaptability as a midfielder and defender enhances his case as Hallgrimsson will be mindful of options for a double-header that brings them to Armenia three days after the Magyars visit.
Caoimhín Kelleher (Brentford), Gavin Bazunu (Southampton), Mark Travers (Everton)
Séamus Coleman (Everton), Festy Ebosele (Istanbul Başakşehir), Jake O'Brien (Everton), Matt Doherty (Wolverhampton Wanderers), Nathan Collins (Brentford), Dara O'Shea (Ipswich Town), Ryan Manning (Southampton), Liam Scales (Celtic).
Josh Cullen (Burnley), Jason Knight (Bristol City), Bosun Lawal (Stoke City), Jack Taylor (Ipswich Town), Jayson Molumby (West Bromwich Albion), Finn Azaz (Middlesbrough), Chiedozie Ogbene (Ipswich Town).
Evan Ferguson (Roma), Kasey McAteer (Ipswich Town), Sammie Szmodics (Ipswich Town), Adam Idah (Celtic), Troy Parrott (AZ Alkmaar), Mikey Johnston (West Bromwich Albion).
Saturday, Sept 6: Ireland v Hungary, Aviva Stadium (7.45pm).
Tuesday, Sept 9: Armenia v Ireland, (5pm Irish Time).
Saturday, Oct 11: Portugal v Ireland, Lisbon (7.45pm Irish Time).
Tuesday, Oct 14: Ireland v Armenia, Aviva Stadium (7.45pm).
Thursday, Nov 13: Ireland v Portugal, Aviva Stadium (7.45pm).
Sunday, Nov 16: Hungary v Ireland, Budapest (2pm, Irish Time).
CONNECT WITH US TODAY
Be the first to know the latest news and updates
