Cruelty Rooted in History, End of the World for Ireland
For Fionn O’Dea, Ireland’s World Cup play-off heartache will take a long time to heal just like his previous scars playing and following the not always beautiful game.
Serbian View: No Lead is Safe Against the Irish
Underage world champions and top of their World Cup group, Serbian football is on a high right now. Provided they don’t make a familiar mistake and slip up against Moldova, they will roll into Dublin expecting a fight to the finish, writes Milos Dusanovic.
Magic Walters, Our Only Wizard of Aus…10 Talking Points
A terrible start and a rip-roaring finish, Ireland’s clash with Austria ended with substance thanks to Jon Walters’ equaliser but was worryingly devoid of style. We are still in a brilliant position to qualify for next summer’s World Cup, so why does it feel so precarious? Here are ten talking points after a huge week for Ireland’s qualification hopes.
Battered and Bruised: Ten Talking Points
It’s been a bruising few days for the Irish football team. A disastrous tackle has left us shorn of our captain Seamus Coleman while the goalless draw with Wales has seen us slip off the World Cup qualifying group summit. Here are ten talking points.
Photo Blog: Capturing the World Cup, Ireland vs Wales
Photographer Denis Vahey brilliantly captures the matchday atmosphere at Ireland’s World Cup qualifier against Wales in Dublin.
Welsh View: Dragons Must Not Lose in Dublin
Football reporter Mark Pitman has the visitors’ view ahead of the massive Ireland-Wales World Cup qualifier at the Aviva Stadium.
Photo Blog: Capturing the World Cup
Photographer Denis Vahey brilliantly captures the matchday atmosphere at Ireland’s World Cup qualifier against Georgia in Dublin.
Georgia View: Keen to End Poor Run Against ‘Fortuitous’ Ireland
Georgia made life difficult for Austria in their opening World Cup qualifying game and are showing signs of improvement under a new coach. Alastair Watt gives us the inside view from Thursday’s visitors to Dublin.
Netherlands View: Dark Days for the Dutch
Keen to close this dark chapter in their football history, the Netherlands will be in no mood to allow Ireland fine tune their Euro preparations, writes Martijn Hilhorst.
Slovak View: “We’re at Our Peak”
Slovakia are in Dublin for a depleted Ireland’s second Euro 2016 warm-up game. Slovak football journalist Lukáš Vráblik gives us the low-down on the Boys in Green’s fellow qualifiers heading to France this summer.