'We want to create history for our country' - Dara O'Shea targets World Cup qualification

After drawing with Hungary, the Boys in Green know they must win in Armenia on Tuesday if they are to reach the World Cup.

Dara O'Shea after the FIFA World Cup 2026 Group F qualifying match between Republic of Ireland and Hungary. Pic: David Fitzgerald/Sportsfile

In the lead-up to the Republic of Ireland’s World Cup qualification opener against Hungary, the current squad were shown a video containing Irish legends.

Included in the video were the likes of Shay Given, Alan Kelly, Packie Bonner, Robbie Keane and Damien Duff as a way of motivating the current crop to lead Ireland to their first World Cup finals since 2002, and their first major tournament since 2016.

“It was a great video,” admitted Dara O’Shea.

“We weren't expecting it before we left to go to the stadium. Some of the ex-pros who played at the World Cup finals had a message for us. Yeah, it was really nice to hear.

“We want to create history for our country, and they've done that. They've shared their experiences and how they felt about it.

“A lot of us have memories of looking back at them, and lots of us haven't seen them, but we've seen clips, and we know what getting to a major tournament can do for this country.

“I experienced it in 2016 as a fan, I was there, and it's amazing because it you take the whole nation, and obviously, hearing their stories and what they said about it is definitely great motivation for us.”

But it seemed like that idea had backfired on Saturday night as just 15 minutes into their opening game of Group F, it seemed like their hopes of reaching next summer’s tournament in America, Canada and Mexico were over.

After just 15 minutes, Ireland were 2-0 down against Hungary at the Aviva Stadium in a game they could not afford to lose. And it easily could’ve been 3-0.

“We obviously shot ourselves in the foot with the two goals we conceded at the start of the game,” continued O’Shea.

“I didn't think we were terrible in the first half, but the two goals gave them what they needed.

“Look, it's not easy and it's not what you prepare for but it's one of them. There is so many minutes left to play in the game and it's about sticking to the game plan and not going away from it too much and not go chasing it at that stage as there's still a lot of football to be played.

“We knew that and coming in at half-time it gave us a chance to reset and I think we did that.

“That was the message at half-time, the gaffer was very adamant that we had a chance of winning it still and everyone believes that.”

Heimir Hallgrímsson’s words almost came to fruition as Ireland battled back from two goals down to hold 10-man Hungary thanks to goals from Evan Ferguson and Adam Idah.

It could prove to be a vital point come the end of the campaign but before then the Boys in Green know they must secure a victory in Armenia on Tuesday night.

“You see how we are at the end, we're throwing everything at it. In a way people will say that a point is a fair result but I thought we were unlucky not to get a winner at the end,” added O’Shea.

“The second half, I thought we were excellent and we showed the character and determination that we need to have in this campaign.

“I thought we were pushing for a winner at the end and you could see they just wanted the game to be over and we were pushing for more.

“Disappointing as we'd like to win at home but a point to start off the campaign is good and taking two points off them as well. A lot to learn from today, but a lot to be proud of and take positives from.

“We came in wanting six points (from these two games) and four is the maximum we can get now, so that has to be our aim.

“It's a different game with different challenges and the travel is a thing but every team that goes there it's the same challenge, so there are no excuses.

“They are going to have to come to us at some stage. Maybe the pitch isn't going to be as good as our pitch but these are all things that we have been used to.

“As a group, we've been together for quite a while now and these are the challenges we face when we go to these countries, but it's a World Cup qualifier and you don't need any motivation for that.

“It's important that we have the same mindset that we had today and just learn from the mistakes we made and improve on the positives.”