27 May 2026; Mason Melia during a Republic of Ireland training session at the FAI National Training Centre in Abbotstown, Dublin. Photo by Stephen McCarthy/Sportsfile
Heimir will call on experience against Qatar but opportunity to again build for the future cannot be overlooked
Ben Dorgan, Guest Columnist
The Prague heartbreak still cuts deep but upcoming friendlies have a chance to show there is still momentum with this Irish team despite the circumstances of their World Cup exit.
We were all hoping that when Ireland announced the game against Qatar on Thursday night it would be the final preparation match at home before heading Stateside for the World Cup finals.
Unfortunately, a missed opportunity on March 26th will remain one of the most heartbreaking and regretful nights for football in this country.
You got a sense that the overriding feeling after being knocked out on penalties at the hands of Czechia, who then went on to qualify for the tournament also by means of spot kicks over Denmark, was that that was our moment and we won’t get a better chance again.
That could still well be true - and it’ll never be aided by remembering that for a brief but jubilant period in the game we were 2-0 up and seemingly with one foot in the play-off final.
But for now, we must make do with the fact that Thursday night’s game against the Gulf nation in the Aviva Stadium is just a regular international friendly.
Truthfully, getting up for this game is definitely a challenge, particularly when you’re reminded of what could’ve been and the excitement that should have been building around this time for a trip to the States in a couple of weeks.
But one thing I did notice in the build-up to the game against Czechia was a sheer level of excitement surrounding the national football team for the first time in God knows how long.
Many, like myself, weren’t around for the likes of the World Cup campaigns of the 90’s that have had an abundance of stories passed down to us, so to have that feeling of ‘I might see my country in the World Cup’ gave you a buzz like no other.
It felt like there was a real connection to the national side again, after years and years of disappointment and flat performances that were too many to name.
That night in Budapest back in November, when Troy Parrott wrote himself into Irish sporting folklore, ignited a fire that had been lost for the better part of the decade and for once it seemed like the sporting public were confident about getting a result when the time came to play the Czechs.
The deflation after that game is something you could write an article about in itself, but Ireland now have a chance to finish out their 2025/26 season on a high and continue the momentum that was forged in the World Cup qualifiers, regardless of the opposition on Thursday night.
Sure, a friendly against Qatar isn’t the most glamorous of ties. But this fixture, and next Saturday’s test away to Canada, present an opportunity to sign off on this campaign on a good note and ensure that there is still a growing belief that this squad can go far and that the March night in Prague was not the bitter end of any chance to taste success in the near future.
Heimer Hallgrimsson noted in his media press conference on Wednesday that he is opting to go for a more ‘experienced’ side on Thursday, so you may expect the likes of Seamus Coleman, Caoimhin Kelleher, Nathan Collins etc to get the nod.
But who wouldn’t love to see a few of the perhaps unfamiliar faces get a run out, like the Grenada fixture two weeks ago?
It certainly paid dividends then for the like of Jack Moylan, who netted a hat-trick on his international debut at any level.
If there is a time to cement the status of this squad as young and exciting, one that the fans can be optimistic about for another competitive campaign, it’s now.
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Two names who stand out and should see the pitch on Thursday night are Joe Hodge and Alex Murphy. Still just 23 and 21 respectively, it feels like we’ve heard about the talent these lads have had for years with both being a consistent part of Ireland underage squads. Now they have a chance to really show what they are about.
Young bucks such as Mason Melia, Adam Brennan and Jaden Umeh are also worth a shout in a game where the pressure won’t be intense, offering them the opportunity to cement themselves into the Ireland boss’s future plans.
This Ireland squad has a young core with plenty of uncapped potential but showing it against Qatar will be the real test.
Some will view playing Qatar now as meaningless and many will only be reminded of what might have been. But It’s well worth showcasing that this Irish squad still possesses a mix of experience and talented youth with the ability to drive the country forward in the years to come.
Here’s hoping that Heimir can use his squad effectively on Thursday and that they can maintain an air of positivity going forward that mirrors that of the attitude pre-Prague, ensuring a slump such as 2018-2025 is put well behind us.
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Heimir Hallgrimsson has called on Irish fans to give his players some slack around the Israel match fixture debate as the FAI prepare for a backlash from supporters on the same subject at Thursday night’s Aviva Stadium friendly against Qatar.
Hallgrimsson again voiced his own opposition to the Israeli war effort in Gaza at his pre-match press conference on Wednesday as the controversy continues over the National League games against Israel, scheduled for September away and October at home.
“Obviously focusing on the football side of things, I’ve already expressed my opinion on this matter, you don’t need to repeat that one,” he told RTÉ Sport at Wednesday’s press conference.
“But from a footballing perspective, it’s an obstacle I don’t like, and it’s unfair for the players to be in this position and us to be in this position. I don’t like us to be the bad guys. We are not the bad guys here. We just want to perform, we want to play, and the players would like to perform for the country and do well.
“I think the best answer for us is just to win this game, to win this war against them. That would be a perfect answer from my end. Other decisions are not made by us, but all the players would like to represent the country and do well for them, no matter who is the opponent.”
Hallgrimsson also voiced concerns over any bid to move the home match against Israel to a neutral venue.
He added: “It would obviously be a disadvantage from footballing reasons not to play at home. We’ve done really well at home. Hopefully, we’ll continue that against Qatar. So it’s building to be a strong fortress for us, the Aviva. And to move it, obviously, will lower our chances.
“So I hope people can rally around the players and us playing. So instead of protesting or doing something that’s damaging.”
Seamus Coleman intends to enjoy the next two Ireland fixtures, against Qatar on Thursday night and Canada next weekend, and then take a holiday before deciding on his club future. But it looks like he intends to play on for his country.
“I have always said in my career, family first, football second, they are the only two things going for me, family and football,” he told RTÉ Sport ahead of the Qatar game.
“So family will absolutely come into it, but I honestly haven’t thought too much about a club or what is next. I am looking forward to these two Ireland games and am looking forward to going on holiday, but in football, you never know what will happen. Just see what is next, if it feels right or if it doesn’t.”
Ireland looks to be a part of that decision with Coleman looking to stay around long enough to feature at the Euro 28 finals.
He added: “I think it was just a conversation with the manager on the bus, just after training one day that got me thinking again. I wasn’t necessarily thinking about it, but I also know I have a responsibility to stay fit and stay active and to be performing, because it is not a given, of course.
“The carrot of the Euros and the manager at the moment wanting me to be around is definitely very tempting.”
Campaigners have circulated a letter to General Assembly members asking them to back a proposal to force the FAI to hold an EGM on Ireland’s scheduled Nations League game at home to Israel in October.
The Irish Sun’s Owen Cowzer reports that FAI members are seeking an EGM to put forward a motion calling on Ireland to refuse to play Israel.
The backers of the proposal include the Professional Footballers Association, the Irish Football Supporters Partnership, CK United, Cork City and Bohemians.
The FAI have insisted the games against Israel must go ahead home and away while Sports Ministers Patrick O’Donovan and Charlie McConalogue told the Oireachtas on Thursday that they will be staying away from the fixtures.
Kasper Schmeichel’s Celtic career is over and his playing days have come to an end after the Danish goalkeeper accepted the full repercussions of a shoulder injury that will take at least a year to recover.
Sky Sports reports that the 39-year-old has announced his retirement less than a week after Celtic completed the double in Celtic but without him, due to that injury.
“When my contract with Celtic expires in June, I will stop my active football career,” Schmeichel announced. “It is a decision that has been made for me.
“I have consulted various surgeons and experts in relation to my shoulder, and they have told me that I should not expect to return to playing top football. I have given the decision a lot of thought, but I believe that now is the right time.”
Michael O’Neill has extended his Northern Ireland contract by another four years and will now manage his country until 2032 after turning down an offer to manage Blackburn Rovers full-time after a successful spell as interim boss at Ewood Park when he kept them in the Championship.
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