Seamus Coleman loves pulling on the Ireland shirt.
Since Giovanni Trapattoni handed the Killybegs native his international debut in a 3-0 Nations Cup win over Wales in February 2011, Coleman has represented his country with the utmost pride.
So, when he suffered a double leg-break against the Welsh six years later, the real pain wasn’t the injury itself. Instead, it was knowing that he would be a helpless spectator for the remainder of Ireland’s bid to reach the World Cup.
The Everton full-back was there that night in the Aviva Stadium, watching from the stands with intense grief as his teammates fell to a 5-1 defeat to Denmark. For Coleman, the captain and heartbeat of this Ireland team, it was almost unbearable.
“That was the hardest part of the whole injury, to not be able to play a part and help get the lads over the line,” the 29-year-old said via RTE following Ireland’s 1-0 defeat to Turkey on Friday night.
“If I was fit, you never know what could have happened, but it wasn’t to be. But that’s gone now and we started tonight to build for the next campaign.
“It was brilliant, a brilliant feeling to get the shirt back on. Obviously, it was disappointing not to get a result, but I was delighted to get the shirt back on.”
“We’re disappointed with the goal we conceded, especially from a set-piece. Some of us, we could have been a bit more comfortable on the ball and we weren’t.”
While Coleman wasn’t thrilled with the outcome, he showered praise on Declan Rice, who was outstanding on his international debut.
“He was fantastic. He’s a great lad first and foremost, all week in training, he really stood out and I was delighted to see him play so well there tonight.
“I thought he was very comfortable on the ball and for a 19-year-old, he drove us on a lot of the time, so long may that continue as well.”
