John Egan: Ireland's veterans not letting younger players take foot off the pedal

Egan said Ireland's defeat to Portugal in World Cup qualifying was a "turning point" for the team

John Egan: "It’s about setting day-to-day standards in training, not allowing anyone to take their foot off the pedal. Us older lads are hammering home to give your all every day." Pic: Stephen McCarthy/Sportsfile

He was being dubbed a teacher among the Ireland squad but John Egan soon found himself feeling like the pupil after returning from a two-year absence.

A month later the drama he experienced in Budapest was tantamount to being transported onto a Hollywood set.

“It probably felt like you were in a bit of a movie at times but an incredible feeling,” the Corkman said of bearing witness to Troy Parrott’s late winner which clinched Thursday’s World Cup playoff spot.

Egan has been credited by the manager and teammates with helping Ireland’s rescue job.

He ended an injury nightmare by earning his 37th cap off the bench in Portugal last October but it was the 33-year-old’s influence, and that of fellow returnee Séamus Coleman, that lifted morale off the pitch.

Something changed to engineer a turnaround few envisaged.

Bottom of the table at the midway point of the campaign with one point from nine, a comeback for the ages saw Ireland complete a clean sweep of three wins to nudge Hungary out for runner-up.

Hallgrímsson pinpoints the occasion of Egan’s restoration, the late defeat in Lisbon, as the lightbulb moment. The son of the late, great Kerry multi All-Ireland winner of the same name recalls the resilience of mind within the dressing-room once they took stock.

“I don’t remember what was said but the belief was definitely there,” says the Hull City defender.

“It was a really solid performance against one of the best teams in the world. Even though it was a loss, I think lads came away feeling we were a minute or two away from getting a point. That gives you confidence too.

“We then dug out the win at home against Armenia a few days later before that magical week in the last camp.

“Every game since we’ve built up, so Portugal was a bit of a turning point.” 

Two factors explained why he was out in the cold for so long.

A serious foot injury not only sidelined him but altered his employment status to risky. Short-term deals were part of the new reality once Sheffield United felt their former captain’s time at Bramall Lane was done. Burnley’s offers came with that condition and so did his initial phase at the Tigers.

His sequence of games rekindled the defensive nous his reputation was chiselled out of, prompting Hull to extend his deal earlier this season. There was even chatter of a return to the Blades but current form indicates he’s as much chance of promotion where he is now.

Simultaneously, a new breed of central defender emerged in the Ireland ranks. Jake O’Brien, Nathan Collins and Dara O’Shea are all under the age of 27. No longer were there arguments for Shane Duffy, Ciarán Clark and Egan.

“There were a few new faces from the last time I was in the squad," he outlined about his second coming.

“It was a long time out of the fold, having been in the squad regularly.

“I got a big injury and had to work hard to get back on the pitch at club level and then try and perform to a standard where I'd be called upon with Ireland.

“I felt it was pretty normal after the first hour or two. It was just kind of like a kid going back to school again.

“I've had goals in my career and obviously after the injury one of the biggest ones was to get back into the Ireland squad.

“I think everyone knows how much playing for Ireland means to me. For me to get back in the squad was pleasing.

“Whether we’re playing or not playing, we’ve got to be ready.” 

Even, as seems likely, Egan will be relying on making an impact as a substitute, his value to the squad is immeasurable.

That cup final, big-game experience, particularly in playoffs, is a trait Collins cited as imperative during this week.

“Maybe a bit of experience settled everyone down when I came back,” he said about the influence of Coleman and himself.

“It’s about setting day-to-day standards in training, not allowing anyone to take their foot off the pedal.

“Us older lads are hammering home to give your all every day. We’ve obviously been in the position before and qualifications don’t come around. The stakes are high but they must embrace it.

“Hearing Nathan say that was nice because it was good to come in and have a positive impact on the group.”