CRYING SEAM
Coleman suffers horror leg break
SEAMUS COLEMAN suffered a horrific leg break as the Republic of Ireland surrendered top spot in Group D last night.
Captain Coleman was taken to hospital after a sickening tackle from Swansea City’s Neil Taylor who was sent off by Italian referee Nicola Rizzoli. And Real Madrid star Gareth Bale was lucky not to walk just before that after burying John O’shea with a reckless challenge in the Ireland penalty area. Ireland boss Martin O’neill (left) said: “Seamus has gone to hospital and it has been confirmed by the doctor that he broke his leg. “It’s a real blow as he was having the season of a lifetime. He is a big player for us, a great captain and a great character. It’s a big loss to Everton and to us but he will fight back I hope. It puts things into perspective.” Wales boss Chris Coleman said: “It won’t make Seamus feel any better but Neil is devastated himself as he’s not that type of player. Neil went into the Ireland dressing room but I’m not sure if Seamus was there. “Seamus is one of the best fullbacks in the Premier League and I hope he’s not out for long.”
BOTH sides spoke of their determination to summon the spirit of Euro 2016 to enhance their World Cup qualification push.
But for 75 minutes, it was about as far removed from that as possible. Dull, drab and disjointed with an horrific leg break for Seamus Coleman later copper-fastening the misery. For some light relief, you momentarily hoped Roy Keane might lose the plot and race down the touchline just to shove one of those blasted trumpets where the sun don’t shine. But then, with Wales down to 10-men after Neil Taylor’s dismissal for that disgraceful challenge on the Irish captain, the game suddenly exploded into life. No longer was there a reliance on the new pitch-side band to generate a faux atmosphere as Aviva Stadium was busy rocking away to the tune of James Mcclean. After the week he has had, he appeared to be on a oneman mission to score the winning goal for the third qualifier running and was catalyst for that barnstorming finish. Shane Long, Jon Walters and Aiden Mcgeady duly supported him in his late, late endeavour, the trio always willing to put their head in where it hurts. But try as they might, Martin O’neill’s men could not force the Robbie Brady-esque winner they craved to reclaim top spot in Group D. Ireland last lost a qualifier in March back in 1981 – against Belgium – but until those dying stages they never looked like winning this one. Shorn of a creative spark with Wes Hoolahan and Robbie Brady missing, they struggled to deal with a Welsh side playing below the standards they expect these days. Dogged by a hamstring injury for the last fortnight, James Mccarthy was named in the starting team only to suffer a setback in the warm-up. David Meyler replaced him, making his first competitive
start since the 1-1 draw away to Germany in 2014. Glenn Whelan flashed a wild shot wide after 12 seconds but it was not a sign of things to come for an Irish side scrambling. When the home fans are cheering balls that have been leathered into orbit, you get an idea what the night has in store. Yet for all Wales’ early possession, they struggled to test Darren Randolph and John O’shea and Richard Keogh mopped up the crosses. Mcclean has been through the most trying of weeks after his pals Ryan Mcbride and Martin Mcguinness died and he donned Mcbride’s No 5 shirt in tribute. Any suggestion he would not be in the right frame of mind were quickly scotched as he floored Bale with a meaty challenge in the middle of the park. But Ireland struggled to retain possession for any meaningful length of time and their play was laced with panic. With Hoolahan injured and Brady suspended, the hosts lacked a creative spark on the rare breaks behind enemy lines. Wales, on the other hand, played to Joe Allen’s tune as the Stoke City man bossed midfield and led the Dragons’s charge. Arsenal’s Aaron Ramsey was anonymous while Bale - blessed not to see red late on – was getting little change from the Irish defence. Twice Stephen Ward thwarted him in promising positions, then Coleman. These tackles on the Real Madrid star stirred the home crowd more than anything. They had little else to cheer. The Euro semi-finalists shaded a dire game but they were no great shakes themselves, particularly at the back. Hoolahan and Brady could have had a field day. By no means was Bale ripping it up, but therein lies the danger. You cannot lose sight of him for a second and he proved as much soon after the break. Randolph dealt with his freekick but was at full stretch a minute later to ensure a low, fizzing shot stayed wide of his far post. Try as they might, Wales couldn’t make a breakthrough and their frustration started to bubble to the top. First, Bale was lucky not to walk for a crunching tackle on O’shea and then Taylor lost the plot with a terrible challenge on Coleman that has finished his season. Yet Ireland were buoyed and with 15 minutes to go they camped in the Welsh box. Corner after corner sparked pandemonium in visiting ranks. And twice Mcclean, the talisman of this campaign, went close to nabbing a winner only for Welsh limbs to deflect his shots. By now, Aviva Stadium was raucous as Ireland powered on but Bale almost reduced it to a whisper when shaving the post with a spectacular late drive. Ultimately the point is not to be sniffed at but Coleman’s sickening injury casts a long shadow over the night.