Republic of Ireland General Discussion Thread 2026

Enjoyed going to the game last night and getting behind the team after Thursday. Crowd was good I thought and nearly 40k for a friendly against NM is really good going.

Glaring issue is that our midfield just isn’t really at the level. Molumby and Knight try their best but they’re very limited. We don’t seem to have anyone technically gifted or even really athletic that can drive a game on from the middle. Why aren’t we producing these players?

Overall, I think we’ve definitely turned a corner since the previous regime. Definitely a bit more confidence about the team and you can see the fans are behind them. Hopefully we can be competitive in our nations league group and be within a shout of winning it heading into the last matchweek.

The road to Euro 2028 began last night hopefully.

I'm happy to see them win. People were writing them off and it's not long ago that Danes were making snide remarks about us so it's always nice to see them get knocked down a peg or two.

He's 38 in October. He's on his last legs.

I'm assuming he's retiring at the end of the season and is moving into coaching at Everton.

Hopefully HH asks him to coach Ireland also.

I couldn't see him playing anywhere but Everton.

I like Joe, don’t always agree with him. His podcast with Dion Fanning is good. Interesting that a few here don’t seem to like him might be an anti leftist political thing with some perhaps?

He’s an All Ireland winner and has always been a controversial and outspoken pundit. That’s why I referenced the free state podcast this week. He and Dion Fanning a very experienced sports journalist that specialises in football are a good listen and know what they’re talking about. They weren’t just talking about the penalty shootout either by the way. Ireland had a 2 nil lead v Czechia and we blew it.

Miss the days of the old RTE panel. Bill, Dunphy, Giles and Brady. They used to split opinion with the viewers and the soccer supporters as well. Brolly and Fanning are just a podcast not on the old mainstream RTE panel but I like the way they seem to get under the skin of some people. I think that’s a good sign. Love the little bitchy comments against Joe in particular, doing a good job Joe 👍

It’s really down to whether he quits for Everton or not isn’t it? I mean if he continues as a player at club level then yes he should continue to be available for us. He didn’t look out of place at all. He hasn’t been playing for Everton at all though recently has he?

He might have to maybe play for a French club or a Dutch club or something for a couple of years if he wants to play in the Euros?

Unless Coleman decides he wants to head to Finn Harps then he aint leaving Everton. Hes basically already retired from them as an actual player.

Parrott was outstanding last night. Just need Ferguson fully fit and a midfielder to be unearthed from somewhere and we look decent. Real pity we dont have a proper game for so long

I am not into the cabaret studio pantomime stuff. Brolly was a piss poor analyst on the GAA. How is he going to be better at soccer? It’s the Gaiety theatre that fella should be in. Thankfully times have moved on.

he’s not pretending to be a soccer analyst. He’s “piss poor” Gaelic Football analyst? That’s your opinion. Dion Fanning the other guy on the podcast has been a football journalist for years and an analyst on Second Captains. They were making a point about why they think Ireland came up short v Czechia and that from a very promising position in the game and also later in the subsequent penalty shootout that we blew it. I agree with them.

Thankfully things have moved on from what exactly? Are you saying the old RTE panel was a studio pantomime?

From Brolly’s sort of analysis which was just “look at me” noise. Very little actual analysis. That was why he was correctly dumped from RTE he was shouting over/talking over other pundits constantly the game was secondary. It was the “Joe show”.it got extremely tiresome and ruined the show.

Even at his worst Dunphy would allow other pundits to speak. I wouldn’t listen to Brolly now if you paid me. No matter what the sport. Dunphy by the way for an “expert” was comically poor at predictions.

Giles although he is now considered a “national treasure” never really did any research was poor on tactical analysis. They used to laugh about not knowing anything about certain international teams. Even in an era where research was made easier.

And Liam Brady was supposed to be the common sense gruff voice placed beside them? To me of the Brady / Dunphy / Giles panel. The real star was Bill.
Why? He would gently direct the panelist’s along keeping the flow going. He knew how to ask a question to draw them out.

He doesn't get under my skin at all, I just don't care for his opinion! I listened to a couple of episodes of Free State and was like "who listens to this crap in a world drowning in podcast alternatives"?

Yes he just wants that "Did you hear what Brolly said" narrative. Times have moved on, but I thought the RTE panel were really poor last night at the same time from the clips I saw.

Ogbene has great pace but I think his end product still needs to improve a lot. But he's definitely the main one who has the pace for the ball over the top.

I think the panel last night was disinterested going through the motions. Sadlier basically said it by the describing the odd/lack of atmosphere. And how will have to wait ages for a proper match.

Although Cunningham tried his best to sound excited he was fooling no one!

muppet