+34
Ireland captain Dara O'Shea is a doubt for the UEFA Nations League game against Israel as his partner gives birth. Head coach Heimir Hallgrímsson confirms O'Shea is not with the squad.
Ireland captain Dara O'Shea is a doubt for tomorrow's UEFA Nations League game with Israel as his partner is giving birth. The Irish squad have gathered in Backa Topola, Serbia, for the second fixture against Israel, but head coach Heimir Hallgrímsson confirmed their captain is not among the squad.
O'Shea's Absence and Coach's Comments
Hallgrímsson has not definitively ruled O'Shea out of contention for tomorrow's game, as the captain has expressed a desire to link up with the squad after the baby arrives. The coach said that O'Shea told him he would have the baby and come back, but acknowledged that family takes highest priority.
Hallgrímsson added that it is a new life coming and hoped the baby would be a good centre-back for Ireland in 16 years, whether for the women's or the men's team. He stated that the situation is being taken hour by hour, but O'Shea's intention is to come and be with the team for the game.
Suspension and Team News
Ireland are also without right wing-back James Abankwah for the game through suspension. Abankwah has, however, chosen to travel with the squad, and he took part in the prematch training session at the TSC Arena.
The game will conclude a turbulent international window for Ireland, with Hallgrímsson's prematch press conference shut down prematurely by the FAI press officer after an Israeli journalist made an allegation against the Irish players while questioning Hallgrímsson.
Hallgrímsson's Reflections on Unity
Asked to reflect on the window as a whole, Hallgrímsson said the ultimate ambition is to emerge with a sense of unity and team spirit unscathed. He said that surviving this camp and coming out of it together as one would be a massive win for him.
Hallgrímsson stated that this comes from his heart, and that all the challenges the team has gone through, all the criticism, just surviving as a group after this game would be a big win for him, for the group, and for the association. He added that it would be a big, big win if they go through this undamaged.
He also noted that as a coach judged on winning or losing games, another three points, seven points, would be more than he could probably have asked for before the camp, knowing what was to come.
Hallgrímsson said that you never know when you go into an environment like this how players will react, but that the most pleasing thing for him has been to see their togetherness and how they stand up for each other. He said that after this, the bond of brothers will be stronger than ever, and all the obstacles that this group will face in the future will be lesser than they actually are.
He recalled that it was funny mentioning O'Shea, their captain, coming to him just before a game and saying that his wife was going into labour, and it just did not seem like a problem. He said that O'Shea would fly straight after the game, and it was solved in five minutes.
Hallgrímsson explained that normally you would have been stressed and anxious, but for them it was just a simple problem. They dealt with it that way and moved on. He believes that when they look back, this was the moment that they grew the most, stepped up as persons and leaders, supporting each other, and the main thing was that they stuck together, and the power of togetherness is something that is stronger than an individual.
Dara O'shea Ireland Israel UEFA Nations League Heimir Hallgrímsson Backa Topola James Abankwah
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.
Eamon O’Shea’s Ireland panel coming together for ‘throwback’ hurling-shinty internationalGalway All Star nominee Darragh Neary among early call-ups for October 24th double-header at Páirc Uí Chaoimh
Read more »
Ireland to face Israel in Bačka Topola as Hallgrímsson prepares team amid protests and protocolsIreland manager Heimir Hallgrímsson is preparing his team for a Nations League match against Israel in Bačka Topola, Serbia, following a 2-2 draw with Austria, with the game behind closed doors and surrounded by controversy.
Read more »
Ken Early: Israel’s war in Gaza brings Ireland to remote cornfields in SerbiaIn a country with its own tortured history, small town of Backa Topola hosts divisive Nations League fixture
Read more »
Republic of Ireland Face Israel in Serbia for Tense Nations League MatchThe Republic of Ireland travels to the neutral venue of Bačka Topola in Serbia to face Israel in a crucial Nations League match. The game follows a turbulent period for the team that included a defeat in Kosovo and a controversial 2-2 draw with Austria in Dublin. Manager Heimir Hallgrímsson emphasized the competitive nature of the fixture, noting the challenge of playing in an empty stadium after the high-attendance match at the Aviva Stadium. The squad aims to maintain momentum from their 3-0 victory over Israel in their previous meeting.
Read more »