THE EARLY MESSAGE from Ireland’s new managerial era: the beatings will continue until morale improves.
Irish football has evidently not yet paid its debts to the baleful Gods. This sun-dappled afternoon against England quickly became a show trial, where the suffering was precisely calibrated for maximum pain. An absurdly dominant England performance in which the goals were scored by Declan Rice and Jack Grealish. Seriously.
Ireland improved in the second half so the scoreboard did not carry the humiliation the first half augured, but that was at least partly down to England’s waning interest. Heimir Hallgrimsson will be judged against opponents of much lesser standing than England, but his task with this group of earnest players is enormous.
Republic of Ireland: Caoimhín Kelleher; Matt Doherty (Jason Knight, 56′), Seamus Coleman (captain) (Jake O’Brien, 56′) Nathan Collins, Dara O’Shea, Robbie Brady (Evan Ferguson, 82′); Jayson Molumby, Will Smallbone (Alan Browne, 75′); Chiedozie Ogbene, Adam Idah (Kasey McAteer, 75′), Sammie Szmodics
England: Jordan Pickford; Trent Alexander-Arnold, Harry Maguire, Marc Guehi, Levi Colwill; Declan Rice, Kobbie Mainoo (Angel Gomes, 77′); Bukayo Saka, Jack Grealish (Morgan Gibbs-White, 77′); Anthony Gordon (Ebreche Eze, 77′); Harry Kane
Referee: José María Sánchez (Spain)
To embed this post, copy the code below on your site
have your say