Republic of Ireland General Discussion Thread 2026

Maybe but he done so well on the peno save. Cant sly him for it, its either or.

Last night was an excellent defensive performance, so well organised and gritty. I was very pleased with it. Actually thought we passed the ball really nicely in spells without ever actually looking threatening but it really helped to take the pressure off at times. Added to this we had a ref who clearly wanted to get Ronaldo’s jersey afterwards and it makes the performance all the more commendable.

People saying we were crap because they had all the ball and the shots etc is a ridiculously harsh rhetoric. Of course they had all the ball and the shots, look at the players they have, absolutely top class players in every position and the greatest goal scorer of all time up front.

If a team at our level gets a result against a team of their level it will take a heroic defensive effort and that’s what we got last night just we couldn’t quite hold out. And to be fair outside of the penalty which was a joke their goal was about their only clear cut chance outside of Silvas miss.

Now having said that in ways those sort of games are almost easier for us than Tuesdays will be against a similar level opponent when we need to force the issue and win the game. Last night we had to defend deep and be really organised and gritty and that suits us. Nathan Collins being a perfect example. Outstanding last night in that set up but looked dreadful in Yerevan when he had to play much higher up the pitch and defend much larger spaces.

But hopefully we get the job done Tuesday and it keeps our faint hopes alive.

I actually logged off as believe it or not I'm off now to my club to bring my team out. Last year in management in the DDSL.10 years with my team. Brought from academy level. I'm looking forward to retirement 😀

Well aware an intercounty match is 35 minutes

Club matches is what I was talking about.

I'm guessing everyone who was posting last night on the Irish match never played an intercounty match in their lives

Will catch up with you on Tuesday 😆

very surprised by the performance last night. For me Ebosele was man of the match. its just a pity there was no one to cross the ball to when he tried. we really need to find strikers, ferguson isnt it, total passenger last night, for a big lad he is way too easily pushed off the ball. id rather have had callum robinson playing last night.

Looking at the ridiculous penalty decision once more, refs and VAR officials should not be permitted to take viagra when reffing a Portugal game.

I don't mind Ronaldo, but the fawning over him from officials is ridiculous.

If the penalty was the other way around, would it have been given?

Mam, what are you doing on here?

@ fullstop. Obefemi is another one who has lots of pace, something Ireland have never really had, well maybe Shane long was the last one but its a pity obafemi isnt even getting in squads anymore.

@ Oiche. You must not have seen the game last night? we lost away to a team 5th in the world rankings. And we played really well.

A very broad array of expectations with this Irish team.

Personally, I thought we did well as I was expecting a 3+ loss.

Not sure why some posters expect us to be anything more than what we actually are. Getting upset at an FAI picture is a little bit silly, labeling it 'pathetic' is nonsensical.