Republic of Ireland General Discussion Thread 2026

johnnyryan89 · 15-05-2026 11:11AM

Offered a non playing role. Was hoping they'd offer him a coach/playing role you see some clubs do with the U21s just to keep him training.

It's a pity if this is the end of his playing career. I couldn't see him dropping down the leagues to play. He's lucky to even play two full back to back games so can't see going anywhere else. He will be greatly missed because you can't replace what he brings to this Irish team.

keeponhurling · 15-05-2026 12:32PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/124469870#Comment_124469870

If he does move into coaching (and end his club playing career), does that exclude him from future Ireland squads as player? Hence effectively ending his Ireland playing career.

I assume he'll be in the squad for the Canada and Qatar games.

glenjamin · 15-05-2026 12:44PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/124470233#Comment_124470233

It has to. As great as Coleman has been for Ireland you can't select a retired club player for future squads and expect him to be in any way match fit. I've never heard of a player retiring from club football to concentrate on playing for his international side.

HH mentioned he'd hope to select him for the Qatar/Canada games. Be nice for him to get a proper send off against Qatar.

johnnyryan89 · 15-05-2026 12:49PM

Has Coleman ever really been match fit. He's been fit to play a match but his club minutes have been minimal. I'd put money on him playing more minutes for Ireland this season than he did for Everton.

But you could never select someone whose effectively not got a club. I doubt he'd be doing professional training day in day out if he decides to retire. It why I was hoping he'd get a player/coach role. Just to keep himself fit.

keeponhurling · 15-05-2026 01:05PM

Interview from 3 years ago

Coleman admits his post-retirement plans may not mean an instant return home - Donegal Live

He was leaning towards staying in England coaching, rather than a move back to play GAA or even League of Ireland

johnnyryan89 · 15-05-2026 01:31PM

I think he'd be a natural as a manager. As the article says he's a natural born leader. Would love if we got him involved in the Irish set up even at senior or U21 level.

Did you smash it · 15-05-2026 02:19PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/124470378#Comment_124470378

management is more about decision making than anything else. Being a vocal leader of men as a player is not hugely significant to being a good manager.

kowloonkev · 15-05-2026 02:58PM

The fawning over him is getting a bit tiresome now at this stage - he hasn't really been a high level player since he broke his leg, and has been all but retired for two years already.

Stewball · 15-05-2026 03:22PM

Where does he rank among our greats?

I'd have him right up there. Probably our best RB in the modern era.

Finnan, Carr & Gary Kelly were good players too, but they didn't have the leadership qualities Seamus brought.

DellyBelly · 15-05-2026 03:27PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/124470718#Comment_124470718

Definetly one of our best ever. Great servant and never let the team down. Be great if he came back to play in the LOI. It would be great for the league

pjohnson · 15-05-2026 03:50PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/124470272#Comment_124470272

Zidane was technically already retired from Real Madrid and club football but stayed playing for France for the 2010 World Cup.

JorgeL · 15-05-2026 03:55PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/124470654#Comment_124470654

exactly, hoping he just trains with the reserves so we can still call him up to the Ireland squad is a bit pathetic. Let him retire, he’s been a great servant and had an unbelievable career.

Having said that, would love to see him retire in Ireland, play out a season or two at Sligo or Finn Harps. His experience would be invaluable and maybe get into coaching then but very unlikely unfortunately as it would mean uprooting his family.

Did you smash it · 15-05-2026 04:07PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/124470827#Comment_124470827

Hes obviously not going to play for Ireland if he’s not training at a club.

artanevilla · 15-05-2026 04:11PM

Just because he's not registered at a club or under contract doesn't mean he's not training. I'd guess Everton will allow him to train there as long as he needs, it's quite common.

Did you smash it · 15-05-2026 04:14PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/124470865#Comment_124470865

it’s common as a temporary arrangement for players to do it while they try and get a contract elsewhere but as a 2 year arrangement while we wait for euro 2028 it’s unheard of.

glenjamin · 15-05-2026 04:43PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/124470813#Comment_124470813

Zidane's last game for Madrid was May of 2006, his next game for France was in June. Hardly the same thing.

~Rebel~ · 15-05-2026 04:57PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/124470947#Comment_124470947

Yeah, that's more the way it will actually be for Coleman - finished up with Everton come end of season, and will be in the squad for the friendlies in Dublin and Canada.

Continuing beyond that if not playing club ball anymore is definitely not a go'er.

glenjamin · 15-05-2026 05:11PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/124470993#Comment_124470993

Yep, and that's the way it is for any player. He deserves a proper farewell from Irish fans so he should get that against Qatar at home. I don't see the point in him travelling with the team to Canada thereafter. If he happened to join a LOI team like Finn Harps I'd be all for him continuing his international career.

Did you smash it · 15-05-2026 05:33PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/124471024#Comment_124471024

Hes not going to go to the LOI, he could go to a Bolton or Wigan I suppose. Going to someone like Hibs would be fun but pure speculation.

Hed play on for sure if his body was up to it. I wouldn’t be retiring him yet but it’s a big if

JorgeL · 15-05-2026 05:54PM

If he’s not going to he LOI, which he isn’t, he’s definitely not going to Hibernian

The_Kew_Tour · 15-05-2026 06:43PM

Melia called up for Qatar and Canada

~Rebel~ · 15-05-2026 06:47PM

I see Corrie Ndaba looks to be getting drafted in as well - delighted with that one. Maybe a year and a bit later than was warranted (and he's gone off the boil a bit since that great season with Kilmarnock), but still good to have him in the reckoning.

He's not been first choice left back for Lecce, but the lad who is is heavily linked with a move to the PL (or Celtic actually), so there's a decent chance he'll be promoted next year - be great if he could get playing regularly in Serie A.

johnnyryan89 · 15-05-2026 08:29PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/124471256#Comment_124471256

Hopefully Jacob Devaney gets a call up if we're looking at other U21 players. U21s have friendlies and Finneran is dropping down to them for those games it was mentioned.

pgj2015 · 16-05-2026 12:58AM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/124470993#Comment_124470993

If he plays 5 a side in Donegal or a bit of over 35s, id say HH will still call him up. 😛

secman · 16-05-2026 06:24AM

A great servant for Everton and Ireland but his body cannot take anymore, far too injury prone now, so much so he would struggle to put a run of games in LOI, a much tougher league now than when he last played in it. His head is obviously struggling with retirement as a player but his body will eventually make the call. A great person too .

Did you smash it · 16-05-2026 07:17AM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/124472421#Comment_124472421

Moyes has confirmed in his press conference that they tried everything to keep him but he’s determined to play on. Heimar doesn’t want him to retire.

Hes being written off for 5 or more years by plenty of Irish fans. Hopefully he can prove us all wrong again this time and get to 2028 in good order.

sonofenoch · 16-05-2026 02:52PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/124470743#Comment_124470743

Stalwart does not equal great player, he was above average in a decidedly average period for the Irish team ….actually always thought he played better for Everton than he ever did for Ireland, plus Kelly and Finnan were genuinely better players in my opinion

HalloweenJack · 16-05-2026 02:57PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/124472430#Comment_124472430

???

Not many 39/40 year olds playing senior football, let alone ones who've had the luck he's had with injuries over the years.

Did you smash it · 16-05-2026 03:15PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/124473268#Comment_124473268

He’s 37 and it seems he wants to give ago so we’ll see

johnnyryan89 · 16-05-2026 03:45PM

HH supposedly told reporters last night this would be the starting XI. Cashin was meant to start but has a fitness issue but will still be named on the bench supposedly. Came from that Republic of Ireland tracker page.

I don't think anywhere else has reported on this and the 3421 seems to be his idea of how they'll line up. Could be 433 but if 3421 is your go too formation might as well stick with that.

Republic of Ireland General Discussion Thread 2026

Comments