Despite his best intentions, there is every chance that John O’Shea may not be able to get the best out of this Ireland squad as they face Hungary at the Aviva Stadium tonight.
O’Shea and his coaching staff, no doubt, have been fully focused on getting the team ready for the first of two games in this summer window, however, recent history dictates that Ireland struggle at this time of year.
Two years ago, Ireland could not get going in the heat of Yerevan, resulting in a shock defeat to Armenia, while last year’s attempts to right that particular wrong also went awry in Athens.
With a large contingent of the squad idle for over a month before the trip to Greece to face Gus Poyet’s side in the Euro 2024 qualifier, two separate training camps were arranged to get the players in shape.
The first one, for the Championship players, which was held in Bristol, before the entire squad jetted off to Turkey for a nine-day warm-weather training camp to prepare for the Greek game.
As it happened, the temperature in Athens was not the expected early summer heat, and the performance proved equally tepid as Stephen Kenny’s side failed to fire in a game that proved to be the beginning of the end of the squad’s chances of qualifying for this summer’s tournament.
As a result, Ireland find themselves aiding the preparations of two teams that have qualified, as Hungary, and Portugal next week, will hope for a competitive game against O’Shea’s side.
The Ireland squad met up last Thursday in Dublin and again, many have long since finished their 2023-24 season at club level.
Others were in action for a bit longer with play-off campaigns and cup finals, while Troy Parrott only arrived into camp having played his final game for Dutch side Excelsior on Sunday.
The manager, however, is confident that his side will be ready to go by kick-off tonight and is not concerned with the lack of competitive football for his charges.
O’Shea said the squad have been working with the strength and conditioning team since arriving and players have been getting the requisite training programmes to get them back match ready.
The manager looks set to reward players who have enjoyed success at club level this season, while he also appears to be using training sessions as a good barometer as to who is at the level required for the first of the two games – the squad will have a full week to boost levels ahead of the Portugal game.
“There are good lads who have had good seasons,” said O’Shea, speaking at Monday’s press conference.
“Anyone who plays tomorrow or gets on the pitch will have really deserved it. I have spoken about anyone who starts in that 11. We have seen the training. My eyes have been on it, Paddy’s, Rene’s, Glenn’s, Pete Shuttleworth – our analyst/coach – their eyes have been on it.
“Somebody will be in the team if we think it is going to help us win the match, irrespective of their age or the profile they have.”
The manager selected four goalkeepers for this window, however, he confirmed that Mark Travers would not be available for the Hungary game.
So Caoimhin Kelleher will almost certainly start in goal tonight, and if the two March games are an indication of how he will set the team up, O’Shea will surely employ three at the back.
Nathan Collins is missing through injury, while Andrew Omobamidele has also been ruled out, which means that there will be a new-look defensive trio tonight with the manager set to choose three from Dara O’Shea, Shane Duffy, Liam Scales and the yet-to-be-capped Jake O’Brien, who has had an excellent season at Lyon, reaching last month’s French Cup final.
Seamus Coleman should edge out Matt Doherty for that right wing-back slot, while it is a toss-up between two very experienced men out on the left with Enda Stevens and Robbie Brady vying for that position.
Bosun Lawal has been added to the senior squad for this game before returning to the Under-21s, and O’Shea hinted that the Celtic defender – who can also play in midfield – could make his debut.
Josh Cullen and Will Smallbone linked up very well in midfield against Belgium, and that combination was noticeably missed for the Switzerland game, and should O’Shea revert to that particular duo, it will leave him the option to employ an attacking front three.
Sammie Szmodics was a revelation in March, impressing in both games and O’Shea will be looking to get the best out of him tonight, whether coming in off the flank or setting up in a number 10 position.
Adam Idah is one of the squad players who has enjoyed a very successful season at club level, winning the league and cup double with Celtic and scoring the winner against Rangers at Hampden Park to wrap up the campaign.
“Scoring goals would be the big one,” said O’Shea, when asked about where he would like to see the side improve from the two March games where they failed to find the back of the net in both fixtures.
“The key to winning matches is to take your chances when they come because we had chances in both games,” he added.
Troy Parrott has scored two hat-tricks inside the last two weeks, however, having played on Sunday, he is unlikely to be ready to start the game tonight – no doubt he will be sprung from the bench if goals are required in the latter stages.
It leaves the manager the option to throw new recruit Tom Cannon straight into the firing line in what would be his international debut.
And coming off the back of a successful promotion-winning season with Leicester, there is no better time to be introduced on the international stage.
“Firstly, character, a really good lad,” said captain Seamus Coleman, when asked about Cannon, who came through at Everton.
“He is a player that I thought would stay around Everton, but it wasn’t meant to be, very good finisher, very fast, wants to do well and have a career in the game.
“One of his strongest attributes would be his finishing.”
Hungary, of course, will be a tough test for O’Shea’s men, and while they will be fine-tuned for the start of Euro 2024 next week, there is always a chance that they will not play at full tilt with players cautious of picking up injuries ahead of the trip to Germany.
On paper, there is little to split these two teams, however, the visitors have the benefit of arriving off the back of a 14-match unbeaten streak.
Hungary’s current situation is exactly where Ireland want to be, and this fixture, albeit of a friendly nature, should offer more insight into where this Republic of Ireland selection are at.
The manager’s decision to dig the FAI out of a hole of their own making and pick up the reins for another international window has been criticised, however, O’Shea is starting to look very comfortable in these surroundings and must believe that a couple of good results to end the year could kick-start his own future.
Watch Sweden v Republic of Ireland in Euro 2025 qualifying on Tuesday from 5pm on RTÉ2 and RTÉ Player, follow a live blog on rte.ie/sport and the RTÉ News app and listen to commentary on an extended Game On with 2fm.
Watch Republic of Ireland v Hungary (7.45pm) on RTÉ2 and RTÉ Player, follow a live blog on rte.ie/sport and the RTÉ News app and listen to commentary on RTÉ Radio 1 Extra from 7.40pm.
