Rep. Ireland - At least they're going to have fun

Rep.Ireland

One of the four British teams that qualified – Scotland was the one that missed the goal – doing it for the 2^nd time in a row, for the first time in their history. Without any big starts, they’ll have the luck of the Irish and a fan base that’s one of the most celebrated and loved in the world.

 They won’t have big expectations in the tournament, but surely with their fighting spirit in a very balanced group, don’t count Ireland out.

How they qualified

Part of the most balanced group in qualifying, Rep.Ireland did a very good campaign, was superb vs. Germany (draw away, win in Dublin), only Scotland made them shake, when the game was more physical than technical.

 They reached the playoff and facing the tough Bosnia, the Irish confirmed they have a good thing going, and guaranteed their place in France.

Squad

Goalkeepers: Darren Randolph (West Ham), Shay Given (Stoke), Keiren Westwood (Sheffield Wednesday).

Defenders: Cyrus Christie (Derby), Seamus Coleman (Everton), Ciaran Clark (Aston Villa), Richard Keogh (Derby), Shane Duffy (Blackburn), John O'Shea (Sunderland), Stephen Ward (Burnley).

Midfielders: James McClean (West Brom), Glenn Whelan (Stoke), James McCarthy (Everton), Jeff Hendrick (Derby), Stephen Quinn (Reading), Wes Hoolahan (Norwich), David Meyler (Hull City), Robbie Brady (Norwich), Aiden McGeady (Everton).

Forwards: Jon Walters (Stoke), Shane Long (Southampton), Robbie Keane (LA Galaxy), Daryl Murphy (Ipswich).

Shane Long

Clube : Southampton (ENG)

Idade : 29 anos

 Arrived at Reading with 18 years old and in his first season he helped his team get promotion to the Premier.

 They ended up getting relegated but Shane Long did very well and was trying to find his place until he landed in St.Mary’s to play for Koeman’s Southampton where he’s shown he’s a great goalscorer and the perfect pair an attacking duo, due to his quickness and awareness to play I the last defender shoulder.

Seamus Coleman

Clube : Everton (Eng)

Idade : 27 anos

He’s not an unknown player, as it’s fairly usual to throttle up and down the right wing at Goodison Park for Everton. A freak of nature he never stops running thorough the line, always looking to helps his offensive teammates in the search for a goal.

 A modern right-back, has in the Euros the chance to prove he deserves to play in an even bigger level that he’s in right now.

Martin O’Neill

 One of the great british managers of recente time, did great jobs at Celtic (runner up in 2003’s Uefa Cup) and throughout the Premier League, in teams like Aston Villa or Sunderland.

 Appointed national manager in 2014, did a great job in qualification and is now dream to continue to write history.

What to expect from them?

                                                      
 Ireland is inserted in the group of death and because of that they’ll have very low expectations, mas that can be a good thing as they face no pressure to achieve results.

 In order to surprise Europe, Martin O’Neill will probably employ a 4-4-2, with the big question is to understand the real role Shane Long’s partner will have. It might be someone like Walters or Robbie Keane, that will make Shane Long more of a shadow striker, or if O’Neill goes for Walters, Long will spearhead the attack

 In defense, O’Shea will try and command his teammates to compensate for their notorious lack of speed, and a very united spirit, the Irish are allowed to dream in a completely unpredictable group

FIL's Starting XI prediction