Biggest storyline? Ireland's chances? Our writers preview the Euro 2024 qualifiers | gcooney93 paulfennessy21 enda_coll
1. What is the biggest storyline surrounding Ireland in the Euro 2024 qualifiers? Gavin Cooney: It is obviously whether Ireland can qualify. This is the campaign Stephen Kenny targeted from the off, so it’s perhaps typical of his luck that he ended up in a group with France and the Netherlands.
Enda Coll: I’d love to say the biggest storyline is Ireland’s young and exciting squad embarking on their first real qualifying campaign, but unfortunately, like every campaign since he got the job, the storyline is Stephen Kenny. Paul: I suspect Ireland’s second qualifier, away to Greece in June in what are likely to be very humid conditions, could have a big impact on how the campaign pans out. Gus Poyet’s men were one of the toughest fourth seeds Ireland could have drawn — they drew with Spain and beat Sweden in the 2022 World Cup qualifiers.
Paul: It’s very hard not to get excited about Evan Ferguson. The usual caveats apply — he needs to avoid injury – but the early signs are highly promising. The 18-year-old seems relatively unfazed by all the attention he is receiving and had the perfect start to his Ireland career, scoring at home on his full debut against Latvia.
Not qualifying from this group would not automatically represent a failure given the calibre of opponent, but he may need wins against Greece and Gibraltar and real signs of an ability to compete in a couple of the games with the heavyweights to be on firm ground in the future. But my kingdom for a campaign where the automatic talk at the end of every game isn’t on the manager’s suitability for his job.
Ireland Latest News, Ireland Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
Kevin Zefi penalty keeps Ireland's U19 Euro qualification hopes aliveTom Mohan’s side beat Estonia 1-0 at Ferrycarrig Park today.
Read more »
'New Ireland generation ready to write their own history' - Dara O'SheaIreland take on a star-studded France side at Aviva Stadium on Monday
Read more »
Poll: Should Ireland have a mobile emergency alert system?UK residents will receive a test emergency alert on their mobile phones next month.
Read more »
‘As far as corporation tax goes, Ireland is, historically, 100 per cent a tax haven’The Rebel Accountant tells Ben Haugh why he broke ranks to pen an anonymous exposé on his industry after discovering how a murky system makes the tax burdens of the super-rich disappear while the little people take the hit
Read more »
World Cup-bound Ireland move to new all-time high in world rankingsVera Pauw's side are now 22nd.
Read more »