Martin O’Neill already has one eye on the next qualification campaign.
The Republic of Ireland manager has been reflecting on the team’s Euro 2016 campaign, which came to a conclusion against France in Lyon on Sunday.
Ireland took a first minute lead against the hosts through Robbie Brady’s penalty, but came undone in the second half following a brace from Antoine Griezmann. The combination of fatigue following the Italy victory on Wednesday, the sweltering conditions in the stadium and a re-jigging of a talented French side in the second-half would prove too much for O’Neill’s side.
However, there are plenty of reasons for optimism for the next qualification campaign, which begins on September 5 in Belgrade against Serbia, most notably the stellar performances of Robbie Brady and Jeff Hendrick.
WATCH: "The performances of Brady and Hendrick will give a lift to all who want to see young Irish players progress" https://t.co/CbeuZuDAAx
— SportsJOE (@SportsJOEdotie) June 27, 2016
O’Neill also saw grounds for optimism outside of the team’s 23-man tournament squad, name checking Harry Arter, the Bournemouth midfielder who got injured on the eve of the tournament, and Callum O’Dowda, the Oxford United winger who made his Ireland debut against Belarus before the team departed for France.
The Ireland manager feels both are capable of complimenting the talents already at his disposal and making an impact.
“Young O’Dowda came down and joined us for training, and did not look out of place, so that augured well. Then the next step down is the next stage,” O’Neill said.
“I think that those players you have mentioned, Hendrick and Brady, coming through, I think that will give a lift to everyone who wants to see the young players progress through and become really decent players.”
