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The Irish Sun
12-06-2025
- Sport
- The Irish Sun
Heimir Hallgrimsson promises not to ‘hang or execute anyone' for ‘boring' performance against Luxembourg
HEIMIR Hallgrimsson insists he is a lover not a slater as he spared his players an ear-bashing. The Ireland boss was hugely disappointed with his side's performance in Advertisement 2 The 58 year-old's side failed to score against Luxembourg 2 Robbie Brady was forced off due to injury in the first half But 'Whatever I would shout now would probably be gone by the next time we meet up.' He also said: 'I cannot lie, we are obviously 'It felt like steps were taken and, yeah, I think we took maybe not a step backwards but we didn't take the next step. Advertisement Read more on Irish football 'But I'm not going to hang or execute anyone for this performance. 'We were really disappointed with the first half. 'It was actually just boring, there was nothing happening in the first half.' Although Ireland hit the woodwork in both halves, they struggled to break their lowly opponents down and gave up chances at the other end. Advertisement Most read in Football Live Blog Exclusive The draw extended Ireland's unbeaten run to four games — but it was a poor way for most of the players to sign off before their summer break. Yet Hallgrimsson reckoned there was no point in reading the riot act to them at half-time or full-time because they know themselves better will be required in the World Cup qualifying campaign in the autumn. Heimir Hallgrimsson surprised with birthday gift from Ireland fans during warm-ups for Luxembourg friendly He added: 'We talked at half-time. It's not about tactics. It's not about formations. 'It was more about attitude — are you willing to do the work that's necessary? The basics that are necessary in a football game. Advertisement 'No matter who you play, no matter whether it's a competitive or a friendly game, you need to do the basics. 'You need to deliver all the work that's necessary. That was just missing, the basics. 'Credit to the players, that changed in the second half, there was more momentum, more power, more energy — still we were not happy but we didn't lose at least. 'I'm not a shouter and we didn't because everybody — and after the game as well — knew that this was not a good performance.' Advertisement Hallgrimsson should have more options to choose from in September, when the qualifiers begin with a home match against Hungary on September 6 followed by an away fixture in Armenia three days later. Veteran Séamus Coleman and Ipswich Town pair Sammie Szmodics and Chiedozie Ogbene will hope to have recovered from injuries by then. And he will also be able to call upon regulars such as Josh Cullen, Finn Azaz and Mikey Johnston who were rested on this occasion because of the long gap since the end of the Championship season. Robbie Brady was the only player from the English second tier not involved in the play-offs in the squad before Bosun Lawal's addition. Advertisement The 33-year-old limped off in Tuesday's first half but his calf injury is not thought to be serious.
The Irish Sun
09-06-2025
- Sport
- The Irish Sun
‘Look at new faces' – Heimir Hallgrimsson confirms changes will be made to the Ireland team to face Luxembourg
HEIMIR Hallgrímsson believes that going back to basics has Ireland ready for the World Cup campaign. The Boys in Green face Luxembourg tomorrow in the final warm-up game ahead of the start of the World Cup qualification campaign in September. Advertisement And Hallgrímsson wants to see Ireland build on a decent 2025 to date that has seen them He said: 'Basics first before details. I think we are getting the basics pretty good at this stage and the excitement comes with that. 'We feel that we are growing, we can play good teams like Senegal and look comfortable. 'That's now one step taken and hopefully we can have the same performance against Luxembourg so it shouldn't be up and down performances. Advertisement Read more on Irish football 'We should be consistent in what we are doing, that's the main thing if you want to qualify. "You need to get performances every game and play a similar way in every game and develop a style of play. 'This World Cup campaign comes and goes really quickly so we have to have everything spot on once it comes to September. I think it's good preparation for us. 'It's always important to win. For every team, it's always important to win. Advertisement Most read in Football Live Blog Exclusive "Just to get that winning feeling and make it a habit to do everything correct - to win the matches. 'It is important to win the game even though we would say in a friendly, I would pick performance above winning. ITV commentator stunned by Cristiano Ronaldo banner at Nations League final 'If we have a good performance, continue to improve in what we are doing, even though we are unlucky and lose the game, I would probably take that more than a win… 'It was the wrong way of saying that, don't make that a headline!' Advertisement While Hallgrímsson looks for consistency, he confirmed that he will make changes to his starting XI. Stoke City's 1 A number of players in the squad are still awaiting debuts But both took part in training this morning in the Stade de Luxembourg. Advertisement Hallgrímsson continued: 'The purpose of this camp was to look at new faces and we will make some changes even though we were really happy with the performance. 'Hopefully everyone will have their time to shine, but we'd like to keep some consistency too and build on what we've been doing well. 'I think we probably played one of our best games as a team and we don't want to miss that in the game against Luxembourg.'
The Irish Sun
05-06-2025
- Sport
- The Irish Sun
Denise O'Sullivan ‘excited' by unique benefit she'll have over Ireland teammates when USA friendlies arrive
DENISE O'Sullivan is available for Ireland's back-to-back friendlies against the USA later this month. But captain Katie McCabe will, as expected, sit out the Stateside tour to prevent burnout. Advertisement 2 Katie McCabe earns a well needed rest 2 Huge boost for Ireland to have Denise O'Sullivan for US tour And manager Carla Ward revealed that 'a number' of players O'Sullivan, 31, is in the middle of a busy season with North Carolina Courage. But the Cork native pledged: 'I'll be in the US. It's my one week in the whole year I get off from Courage, but that's OK. "I'm happy to play because any chance I get to play for my country, I want to be there. Advertisement Read more on Irish football 'I'm excited. For once, I don't have to travel 20 hours. I won't have jet lag, but the rest will. "USA are a top, top team and we can go out to challenge ourselves. It will be a brilliant experience.' O'Sullivan's trip home ended with mixed emotions after Ireland secured a That fell well short of the four-goal win required for promotion to League A of the Nations League. Advertisement Most read in Football Live Blog Exclusive The star midfielder admitted: 'I'm definitely disappointed. We wanted to get the 4-0 win, but the team played really well, especially in the first half. "We created a lot of chances and we had to put those away. Watch Robbie Brady aim hilarious dig at Ireland teammates after winning Player of the Year award 'In the second half, we moved away from the game plan. We could have played a bit more. "The space was there to do it, to keep building, and that's how we created chances in the first half. Advertisement 'Definitely mixed emotions, but we gave it our all.' PLAY-OFF PROSPECTS The Girls in Green will get a second chance against one of Austria, Iceland, Belgium, or Denmark in a two-legged promotion/relegation play-off next October. The winners will also be guaranteed a play-off spot for the 2027 World Cup. Ireland's opponents will be revealed in a draw at midday tomorrow. O'Sullivan insisted: 'At least having another chance is a positive. We want to be at that World Cup in Brazil. Advertisement "That 'It still hurts a lot because the pain hasn't gone from that game.' The agony of missing out on Euro 2025 will only increase when the tournament kicks off next month in Switzerland. O'Sullivan said: 'I think I'll be switching the TV off, doing everything I can not to watch it. But I have team-mates from Courage playing in it. Advertisement Since 'I know I'm saying I'll be switching the TV off, but I'll watch to cheer them on. It's still devastating not to be there, for sure.' O'Sullivan believes the switch remains a work in progress, adding: 'It took a long time to find our feet. We're still trying to get used to the way Carla and the staff want us to play, but five wins out of six is positive. 'It will definitely take time. The way Carla and the staff are implementing her style of play, it doesn't happen overnight. Advertisement 'You can see even in the first half how we created a number of chances. As a team, we want to keep doing that and get better.'
