... and FIVE lows he’ll want to forget
QUEERS COMMENT
At an even in Cork city before the squad departed for Euro 2016, O’Neill reacted to a question on stage about going to the Superbowl with assistant Roy Keane and other members of the backroom staff by insisting they were not ‘queers’. He quickly apologised, having also been admonished by his wife and daughter, but it was an inappropriate and extremely disappointing mistake to make.
NO REST FOR THE WICKED
There was no shame in exiting Euro 2016 at the last 16 stage following the 2-1 defeat by France, especially as the hosts reached the final, but O’Neill was correct to point out the unfairness of the French having three days’ extra rest to prepare for their tie. Ireland took the lead in Lyon but were unable to keep the French at bay in the second half and eventually dumped out.
GEORGIA DISMAY
It’s hard to argue against the performance in Tbilisi towards the end of the Group D campaign being the worst of the O’Neill era. At such a crucial point, Ireland hit all the wrong notes. An early goal through Shane Duffy was quickly cancelled out and although there was a minor improvement in the second half, the abject nature of the overall display was especially jarring.
NO HOME RULE
One of the main discussion points of the entire qualifying campaign was the fact players like Jeff Hendrick and Robbie Brady did not build on their experiences at Euro 2016, as well as development in the Premier League, and bring them into the World Cup campaign. Regardless, Ireland were unbeaten until Serbia won 1-0 in Dublin and it was the failure to take maximum points against all their main rivals — Austria and Wales earned draws — at Aviva Stadium which cost Ireland dear.
Failure to beat Wales, Austria and Serbia at home — only one goal scored — meant Ireland’s place at the top of Group D was never going to be permanent.
DENMARK THRASHING
This was the nadir, a sorry end to a rollercoaster ride of a campaign. Ireland crashed and burned in the second leg of the play-off and, yet again, they failed to capitalise on going ahead early. Once the Danes were able to establish a foothold, Christian Eriksen cut through the soft centre. O’Neill then removed what little protection there was — David Meyler and Harry Arter — at half time in a clumsy attempt at salvation. But there was none. Maybe he’ll find it in Stoke.