Euro 2024 Qualifiers Preview - Ireland

Qualifiers preview: Ireland

By Nikolas Fil

In this mini blog-series, we will analyze our opponents in this year’s qualifiers for a place in Euros 2024 in Germany. 

Our first stop? The Republic of Ireland let’s go.

The Republic of Ireland or more commonly known as Ireland, is located near the United Kingdom and despite their modest footballing history, Ireland has given the football world some great players, Roy Keane, Robbie Keane, Shay Given and of course Matt Doherty just to name a few. They have also participated in 3 World Cups in 1990, 1994 and 2002 reaching the Quarter finals in 1990 and the Round of 16, in 1994 and 2002. They participated in 3 Euros (1988, 2012 and 2016) reaching the Round of 16 in 2016, losing to France 2-1.

Greece and Ireland have faced each other 3 times with Greece winning 2 games with the exact same score, 1-0, and drawing the other 0-0. This will be the first time they will face each other in a competitive game.

Ireland’s coach| Stephen Kenny

Kenny began his managerial career in 1997, managing St Patrick’s Athletic U21s team. Before moving to Longford Town where he stayed for 4 years before joining Bohemians, after changing several clubs with his longest stay being as Dundlak’s coach for 6 seasons. He joined the ROI set up firstly as an U17s coach till 2020, when he took charge of the first team. His favorite formation is 3-4-3 which helps him get the best out of his fullbacks, something we saw against France with Doherty, Coleman and later in the game with McClean. In his managerial career Kenny has won 5 Irish Championships, 4 of them with Dundlak and 1 with Bohemian, 3 Irish Cups and 6 Irish League Cups.

Ireland’s top players and weaknesses 

In the games against Latvia and France, we saw different players used by Kenny but we also saw something commonly happening with the Irish NT. They conceded from outside the box again, in fact 28% of the goals Ireland has conceded since 2021 have come, from outside of the box. Maybe we just need to tell Bakasetas to try and recreate some of the goals, he scored in the Nations League campaign. 

Despite Ireland dominating the second half against the World Cup finalist, they couldn’t find the back of the net but that’s pretty much on Maignan and his heroics, but we will talk about him in another blog.

Now let’s take a look at some of Ireland’s best players and what we can expect from them.

1.Gavin Bazunu (Goalkeeper)

Southampton’s Gavin Bazunu is first on the list. Signed in the summer of 2022 from Manchester City, Bazunu is one of the only bright things in Southampton this season, with the Saints stuck in 20th place and facing a relegation battle. Gavin made his ROI debut in 2021, in a 1-0 defeat against Luxembourg. Since then he has made 13 more appearances for the Boys in Green keeping 4 clean sheets. Despite being one of the best shot stoppers and sweeper-keepers in the Premier League, Bazunu

can often lose concentration and misjudge shots from a distance, which Greece can definitely benefit from.

 

2. Seamus Coleman (Right-Back)

Everton’s and Ireland’s captain, Seamus debuted for the Irish team in 2011, in a 3-0 win over Wales. Since Jagielka’s departure in 2019 he has become Everton’s club captain. He started his career at Sligo Rovers in 2006, before moving to Everton in 2009. He loves dribbling and he’s not afraid to try to play a long ball. Overall a hardworking player with no significant weaknesses despite his age. Definitely one for Greece to look out for.

3. Matt Doherty (Right Back- Left Wing Back)

Ireland’s number 7 and former Tottenham Defender, Matt Doherty made his international debut in 2018, in a 1-0 defeat to Turkey. Since then he has made 34 more appearances for ROI scoring 1 goal against Denmark in a one all draw. Starting his career at Bohemians before moving to Wolves in 2012, 260 appearances, 1 Championship title and a UEL quarter final appearance later, Doherty moved to Tottenham for 16M euros. In 2023 he moved to Atletico Madrid on a free.

Doherty can be very good on the ball with his attacking proers outnumbering his not so good defensive traits. Someone like Limnios or Tzolis would be the perfect winger to play against him.

 

4. Nathan Collins (Center Back)

From a former Wolves player to a current one. Collins moved to Wolves in the summer of 2022 following Burnley’s relegation from the Premier League. The 6’4” CB made his debut in 2021, coming on as a sub in a 4-0 win against Qatar. Collins scored his first and currently his only goal for the Boys in Green against Ukraine in a one all draw on June 14th 2022. Strong in the air, Collins’ only weakness is his passing, with him unable to clear the ball properly when he’s pressed.Quality CB and definitely one to look out for when we face the Irish in June.

5. Evan Ferguson (Striker)

Last but definitely not least, Evan Ferguson, Ireland’s biggest gem. Despite him making his first team debut against Latvia, he also scored his first goal 17 minutes into the game. Irish have high hopes for him mostly because of his incredible Brighton form with the young Striker scoring 3 goals and giving out 2 assists in 10 games for the Seagulls. De Zerbi described him as “a special player” with “potential to become one of the greatest strikers in the world” .Incredible on the ball, Ferguson can keep the ball on his feet easily without defenders being able to mark him, considering his great passing ability, a lot of football fans around the world describing him as the next Harry Kane. Hopefully He will have a bright future ahead of him except on June 16th :) Good Luck Evan.

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