We were perhaps unlucky not to qualify for next month’s World Cup, but there is no doubt that Irish soccer is in a reasonably good place right now. Attendances continue to rise for League of Ireland games and once again we are seeing full houses at the Aviva for competitive international games.
Manager Heimir Hallgrimsson had what is reported to be a useful training camp in Murcia with a group of players from outside the EPL earlier this month, ending with a 5-0 win over Grenada, who are placed 163rd in the FIFA rankings. The Republic are currently in 59th place in the rankings.
Ireland notched up 1-0 last night at the Aviva Stadium in a friendly game against Qatar, which are slightly above us at 55th on FIFA’s chart. The goal was nodded in by Nathan Collins, from an assist by former Shelbourne star Jack Moylan, who is currently making his name with Lincoln City. Moylan had a particularly eventful debut -- he impressed overall, but got a straight red card at half-time for a tacking studs high.
Also, anti-Israel protesters stopped the game in the first half by throwing tennis balls that were imprinted with the Palestine flag. The Republic are due to play Israel in competitive games in the fall.
Irish fans were also hoping to see up and coming stars Jaden Umeh and Mason Melia get their first caps, and both did as substitutes.
Republic of Ireland: Caoimhin Kelleher; Séamus Coleman, Jake O'Brien, Nathan Collins (capt), Dara O’Shea (James Abankwah '45), Liam Scales (Corrie Ndaba ‘74); Jayson Molumby, Jamie McGrath; Chiedozie Ogbene (Jaden Umeh ‘74), Jack Moylan; Troy Parrott (Mason Melia ‘89).
