Tag: Football

Martin O’Neill Praises Robbie Keane After International Retirement

Republic of Ireland manager Martin O’Neill has branded striker Robbie Keane as one of the greatest finishers the game has seen.


The striker recently announced his international retirement in a career that saw him make close to 150 appearances for the national team. Since making his debut in 1988,Keane has gone on to feature in 145 appearances. A return of 67 goals from these matches speaks volumes about the striker’s capability in front of goal.Keane has been a successful Premier League forward who represented the likes of Tottenham, Liverpool, and Aston Villa. He is currently with LA Galaxy in the MLS.

As Ireland qualified for the Euro 2016 in surprising circumstances, it was thought thatKeane would make the most out of it by featuring in a major international tournament. This has long been a dream for many Irish players. Prior to Euro 2012, Ireland had qualified for only one European championships in their history. Euro 2016 was seen as a distant attempt, but they qualified with flying colours. It was also seemingly the best place forKeane to call time on his international career and it proved to be the same.Keane will make one final appearance for the international team when they take on Oman in the first week of September.
Continue reading Martin O’Neill Praises Robbie Keane After International Retirement

IRELAND PLAY NETHERLANDS NEXT

Republic of Ireland will face Netherland next in another friendly before the regional tournament in France this summer. The Irish team played a 2 – 2 draw with Repre of Slovakia at the Aviva stadium of March 29th 2016.

Head Coach of the Irish team, Martin O’Neill played with just a striker in the Tuesday friendly as the squad had multiple injuries at the same time. Martin had ruled out the team’s skipper Robbie Keane due to a knee injury. Kevin Doyle, another attacking option for The Wolfhounds, was on the sidelines after he recently went through surgery to repair his shin.

Aside Kelvin Doyle, other key players for The Wolfhounds, Jonathan Walters and Daryl Murphy also missed the match. Before the match, the spokesman for the Irish FA commented on the injuries.

The spokesman said: “Jonathan Walters, Daryl Murphy, and Kevin Doyle will be unavailable for the second of two March games following on from last Friday’s 1-0 win over Switzerland. Murphy and Doyle both picked up injuries in that game, while Walters was not risked. Murphy and Walters have now returned to their clubs for assessment and management of injuries. Doyle will remain with the Ireland squad for ongoing medical management following surgery on a shin injury sustained in the first half of the Switzerland game.” Continue reading IRELAND PLAY NETHERLANDS NEXT

Martin O’Neill wants to have his contract with Ireland extended

Republic of Ireland ensured their spot for the 2016 Euro’s after having secured triumphs over: Georgia, Gibraltar, Germany and Bosnia-Herzegovina. The team of Martin O’Neill collected 5 wins and 3 draws in the qualification phases and it was enough for Republic of Ireland to book their place in the next rounds of the European competition.

The current contract of Martin O’Neill as the head coach of Republic of Ireland runs through the 2016 Euro’s but and the Irish manager has voiced his desire to continue being in charge of the national side beyond what his contract has written.

He said: “Absolutely, I am open to it. We had a conversation after Scotland and John was very supportive, felt as if this is the way we want to go forward and that was very pleasing to hear. “I saw John Delaney on Friday and he said that we would sit down over the next couple of weeks which we intend to do.”

John Delaney is the Chief Executive of the Football Association of Ireland and Martin O’Neill stated that he has already held discussions with him regarding the possibility of having his own contract with the national team and considering how well things have been going for Ireland, there is a realistic possibility of Martin O’Neill staying in charge of Republic of Ireland beyond the 2016 Euro’s.

Republic of Ireland was pitted in group E along with Belgium, Sweden and Italy. The Italian outfit are the favorites on finishing at the top spot but the 2nd spot is expected to be tightly contested between the remaining teams. Continue reading Martin O’Neill wants to have his contract with Ireland extended