One generation giving way to another? You’d imagine so

There was just over an hour gone when Coleman’s number came up and he trotted briskly down the line. There was no fuss as the stadium rose to its feet. Typical of the man.

LEGENDARY STATUS: Seamus Coleman of Republic of Ireland waves to supporters. Pic: Stephen McCarthy/Sportsfile

Hats off to the stall sellers for the half-and-half scarves. That they turned them around in such a short time between Prague on Thursday night and this most aggravating of friendlies was a feat of manufacturing and habit all in itself.

It was, if nothing else, an act of blind hope on a night when all had already been lost.