O'Brien insists Ireland's long throw-ins can cause Portugal bother 

Jake O'Brien of the Republic of Ireland takes a throw-in during the FIFA World Cup 2026 Group F qualifying match between against Armenia at Vazgen Sargsyan Republican Stadium in Yerevan. Pic: Stephen McCarthy/Sportsfile

Footage from the midweek documentary on Tony Cascarino recalled many soundbites from that golden era, among them a declaration by Jack Charlton of possessing two of the best headers in the world.

Cascarino was one of those, alongside Niall Quinn, and rarely did the twin peaks function as a partnership.

Heirs to Quinn acting as the foil to Robbie Keane were fleeting, ranging from Gary Doherty to Clinton Morrison, Kevin Doyle and even Caleb Folan.

It wasn’t always the little and large combo of the Charlton era but Ireland’s reliance on aerial threats remained undimmed.

Think of David McGoldrick rescuing a draw against Switzerland and Shane Duffy roaming into attack to plunder a late leveller just as Azerbaijan were about to place Stephen Kenny on the brink.

Jake O’Brien fits that mould of the current squad.

At 6’6”, his man-mountain attributes, combined with being one of the few English Premier League regulars, make him a certainty to start for Heimir Hallgrímsson.

Ordinarily, he’d be the target-man. That’s the case for corners and free-kicks but throw-ins prompt a different approach.

The Corkman was a relatively late developer, not earning international recognition until U21 level with Ireland, and his prowess in hurtling the ball from his arms into the box wasn’t utilised until David Moyes returned to the Toffees as boss in January.

O’Brien was by then 23 and never been relied upon, either at Crystal Palace or Lyon, to deliver catapults into the box in a rehearsed fashion.

Ireland have piggybacked on the strength.

Jake O'Brien during a Republic of Ireland media conference at the FAI Headquarters in Abbotstown, Dublin. Pic: Stephen McCarthy/Sportsfile

Amid the wreckage of defeat to Armenia last month, O’Brien’s throws were identified as wasted, failing to rattle defences in the fashion it does at club level.

Hallgrímsson last week, and his assistant John O’Shea this week, have echoed in their persistence with the ploy.

Whenever Ireland get a throw inside the Portugal half on Saturday, O’Brien will gently walk towards the sideline while his teammates line up in a choreographed manner awaiting receipt of his scud.

Another Irishman, Rory Delap, carved out his reputation as a specialist in the area. Over four years, Stoke City scored 25 goals from his sideline assists.

Whereas Delap’s carried venomous pace, the skillset behind O’Brien's is height and spin.

For Ireland to bring anything back from Lisbon, the effectiveness of his throws promises to be integral.

“I won't sit there and say I have a Rory Delap throw-in because I don't,” said the Youghal man, with a giggle.

“But you can definitely get something from throw-ins. We’re seeing it in the Premier League now that if you win the first flick-on, then it could bobble in the box and you can get something from it.

“Against teams like Portugal it's important that we use this to our advantage and set up right and hopefully something comes from it.

“You've got to pick your moments. If we're high up the pitch, that means getting our big players in the box and trying to use something to our advantage.

“Look, it's Portugal. We know they're a top, top team so we're not expecting to get on the ball and have 60-70% possession.

“We know that's their game but I think we've got to dig in and stay defensively compact.

“We'll have our moments during the game to break through too. That's what we're looking at.” 

Although the 24-year-old was raised in a multi-sport environment, including the field of boxing he flourished in, there’s no specific code he attributes the trait to.

“I think it could be a lot of things, I suppose,” he mused, revealing a chunk of time on the training pitch with Everton and Ireland is devoted to practicing routines.

“Just my flexibility and strength - hoping I can serve a ridiculously long throw. It’s something we’ve added to our game. I know from defending them how dangerous throw-ins are.

“Yet it's not even just the person throwing the ball. It's about what's going on in front of you in the movements. If you can get that first flick on then, you're halfway there.” 

That’s the least Ireland will require to avoid being stuck on one point at the midway point of the campaign.

Armenia is to come at home on Tuesday but still O’Brien and his teammates are talking up curbing the gallop of Cristiano Ronaldo and his crew.

It was in Aveiro down south 16 months ago that the Leesider was exposed to his first 90-minute outing at international level, limited in preventing Ronaldo bagging a brace in a 3-0 friendly stroll.

“First and foremost, we must defend properly and not give away anything silly,” O’Brien stressed, conscious of how easily Ireland were dissected in Yerevan.

“It's more so about being a team and performing as a team. That wasn’t there against Armenia and we’re looking to put it behind us.” 

His defence could be solidified by the inclusion of Séamus Coleman, the Everton teammate he’s keeping out of the right-back slot, or fellow Corkonian John Egan.

Leadership qualities will be called upon when the inevitable siege is mounted by the group’s top seeds.

“They've been in these positions, good and bad, and I think it's about using their experience,” noted O’Brien about the recalled pair.

“Our squad is fairly young and some of the things that happened in Armenia were uncharacteristic. Those experienced players set the standard for us to follow.”