In two months, Ireland play Wales in a game that can set them up for a realistic run at topping Group D. We wish the game was tomorrow.
After Austria and that superb 1-0 victory, anything is possible.
That away victory, inspired by James McClean, David Meyler and Wes Hoolahan, opened up the group and put Ireland in the ascendancy. In March, it is time to ram that point home.
The loaded praise bestowed upon Ireland as they set off for Euro 2016, last summer, was that they had a starting XI that could shock some of the big nations. The implication was that if we lost any of those senior players, we would struggle.
It was hard to argue with the assertion. It is why we fretted over Hoolahan’s fitness, ran Shane Long’s legs to stumps and why James McCarthy was given the chance to redeem himself [he did]. The back-up was thin on the ground.
Ireland are still in need of a goalscorer to replace the retired Robbie Keane but, even after the Euros, the situation got so bad that Martin O’Neill often stuck two goalkeepers on the bench [you had to feel for Aberdeen’s Adam Rooney after that stunt].
Now, all of a sudden, we have Irish players hitting peak form. Just look at some of the matchwinners, movers, shakers and influencers in England’s top two divisions. We’ll start with the captain, Seamus Coleman.
The right-back snatched all three points for Everton in their away fixture against Crystal Palace. With the game on a knife-edge, Coleman glid into the Palace box to rifle home his fourth goal of the season. He is The Toffees second top goalscorer, behind Romelu Lukaku.
Not a bother to him. This man has thrived ever since Martin O’Neill handed him the Irish armband.
This weekend saw Jeff Hendrick and Stephen Ward acquit themselves well against Arsenal, Glenn Whelan hound Manchester United, Darren Randolph perform solidly against Middlesbrough and James McClean help West Brom to a win over Sunderland.
Elsewhere, in the Championship, two O’Neill reliables – Robbie Brady and Daryl Murphy – found the net in Norwic and Newcastle’s respective victories. Brady cooly slammed home a penalty to win the Canaries all three points against Wolves after Wes Hoolahan, somewhat controversially, won the spot-kick.
Murphy’s season has been hit by niggling injuries but is back and scoring goals.
Credit: Rotherham United (YouTube)And then we had the two midfield talents that are lighting up the league and screaming out for senior call-ups by O’Neill and Roy Keane – Ryan Manning and Conor Hourihane.
QPR’s Manning has enjoyed a fearless start to life in England. The 20-year-old, who was signed from Galway United, has quickly won over R’s fans with his bravery, determination and attacking glint. His opportunistic goal against Fulham was his first for the club but more will surely follow.
As for Hourihane, the man simply must get a call-up for the World Cup qualifier against the Welsh and the friendly against Iceland four days later.
The Barnsley captain has been a revelation for the club this season as they make a genuine fist of promotion to the Premier League. He is Barnsley’s driving force, their sense of calm and their main creator all rolled into one. He can certainly curl in outrageous free-kicks too.
Unbelievable from the skipper for Barnsley! Sky Sports 1 now. Brought to you by @Screwfix https://t.co/mhnnNZZmvS
— Sky Sports Football (@SkyFootball) January 21, 2017
O’Neill and Keane have both lamented the lack of depth to the Irish playing pool but what we are seeing this season has been massively encouraging.
The next generation stepped up to shock Italy and scare France at Euro 2016 but more are coming.
If we are brave enough and reward these confident, committed young Irish players with call-ups, we all of a sudden have a squad brimming with potential instead of 11 guys we pray don’t get hurt.
March 24 can’t come soon enough.
