Roll on Russia 2018.
The Republic of Ireland’s Euro 2016 campaign came to an end on Sunday afternoon in Lyon against France. Martin O’Neill’s side led the hosts for the majority of the game, thanks to Robbie Brady’s first minute penalty, but wilted under testing circumstances in the second-half, losing 2-1 but acquitting themselves admirably.
Attention will soon turn to Ireland’s qualification campaign for the next World Cup. Ireland are in a group with Wales, Austria, Serbia, Georgia and Moldova, and begin the road to Russia on September 5 in Belgrade.
Ireland proved at Euro 2016 that they have enough quality to qualify for the World Cup, and the performances of Robbie Brady and Jeff Hendrick will offer Irish fans great hope.
However, while fans can be optimistic about the team’s chances of progression through a tough group, the underlying problems with Irish football remain and there remains a lack of players coming through.
They’re issues that won’t be solved in two years though, and we’ve looked at the starting XI Martin O’Neill could play in their opening game of the World Cup in 2018:
Darren Randolph
Randolph has hardly put a foot wrong since becoming the team’s first-choice ‘keeper. Randolph displayed his shot stopping ability against France and his distribution was sound, a calm presence at the back. The West Ham ‘keeper will be only 31 by the time of the 2018 World Cup, and will hopefully have two seasons of first-time football under his belt by then.
Seamus Coleman
Coleman will be 29 by the time of the next World Cup and undoubtedly the team’s captain.
Shane Duffy
Duffy’s international career is still in it’s infancy, and after his showings against Italy and France the jury remains out on whether he can thrive at this level. But the Blackburn Rovers defender is the current holder of the jersey and will, injuries permitting, most likely start the qualification campaign opener against Serbia. He’ll be 26 when the tournament begins.
Keogh has never let Ireland down on the big occasions and could easily be first choice in either central defensive positions.
Mark Wilson
Mark Wilson missed Euro 2016 through injury, but Ciaran Clark’s performances, and the retirement of John O’Shea, means the Stoke defender will most likely get another chance to prove his worth during the qualification campaign. Wilson will be 30 when the World Cup begins and, if he has two full seasons under his belt, could be a good option on the left side of Ireland’s central defence.
Cyrus Christie
If Ireland are to play Robbie Brady in a more effective midfield position, than we’ll need someone to fill in at left-back. Stephen Ward played admirably during Euro 2016, and has improved in the past few years, but may return to a back-up role should Ireland qualify.
Both Cyrus Christie and Matt Doherty are right-backs, but it may be worth trying them on the opposite flank giving the lack of options available. Christie has played well for Ireland when Coleman has been absent and hopefully Doherty can continue his progress with Wolves.
Kevin Toner is another worth keeping an eye on. The Aston Villa youngster can play in central defence or at left-back. However, unless someone emerges in the 24 months before the tournament, this could be a problem position for Ireland.
James McCarthy
McCarthy will be 27-years-old at the World Cup and in the peak years of his career. By which time he’ll hopefully have made the holding midfielder’s role his own with Ireland. He’s produced his best performances for Ireland in the absence of Glenn Whelan and could start the qualification campaign in his preferred position.
Jeff Hendrick
Euro 2016 could be the launching pad for his club career which appears to have stalled at Derby. Hendrick proved at the tournament that he’s too good for the Championship and will be a key part of Ireland’s midfield for the next couple of campaigns.
Jack Byrne
A talented, technically gifted, aggressive midfielder, Byrne is on the verge of joining Blackburn Rovers from Manchester City on-loan and has already trained with the senior Irish team.
Wes Hoolahan will be 36-years-old when the World Cup begins, and although no Irish fan wants to see the Norwich playmaker retire from international football, a starting role in Russia could be asking too much.
Hopefully Byrne can fill the creative void, should Hoolahan depart.
Chris Forrester is just 23-years-old and is very talented, showing signs of great promise at Peterborough United
Callum O’Dowda
O’Dowda impressed so much during his time with the squad ahead of Euro 2016, O’Neill asked him to stay behind and train after the official squad had been named.
The 21-year-old winger is currently playing for Oxford United in League Two, but is destined for bigger things. O’Dowda was linked with a move to Derby County last January and impressed for Ireland in a brief cameo against Belarus. An exciting prospect.
Robbie Brady
Brady will be only 26 when the World Cup begins.
The left-back/winger/midfielder/all-round excellent footballer was brilliant during Euro 2016, scoring the winning goal against Italy and keeping his cool to slot home a penalty against France.
Brady has the potential to have a fantastic career, and has already become a key player for Ireland.
Shane Long
He’ll be 31, and had a difficult task as a lone striker role at times during Euro 2016, but Long could be our main striker in two years. Jon Walters will be 34, Daryl Murphy will be 35 and Robbie Keane will be retired.
Reece Grego-Cox has shown signs of promise at QPR. The 19-year-old made appearances in the Premier League in 2015, but didn’t feature in the Championship last season. First-team football is a must. Scott Hogan at Brentford is also eligible for Ireland.
