Has any international fixture involving an Irish team filled the nation with as much scared-witless-dread as this one? Granted, we’ll be more petrified again come Tuesday when Armenia drop in to town, but when you’re up against sort-of-the Harlem Globetrotters of football on their home turf, there’s a lot to make you fret. Especially when you lost to a country ranked just above Tajikistan, Comoros and Kyrgyz Republic last time out.

Even Heimir Hallgrímsson, who is usually exceedingly smiley, looked a little grim-faced when he chatted with Tony O’Donoghue prematch, like he was in the waiting room ahead of being sent to the gallows.

📰

Continue Reading on The Irish Times

This preview shows approximately 15% of the article. Read the full story on the publisher's website to support quality journalism.

Read Full Article →