A HORROR KO FOR SEAMUS Wales’ Taylor sees red for leg-breaker
IRELAND settled for a point against 10-man Wales but the game was overshadowed by captain Seamus Coleman suffering a horrific leg break.
The Everton star’s season looks to be over after he was stretchered off in their World Cup qualifier following a reckless shin-high tackle by Neil Taylor, who was sent off.
The point leaves Ireland second in Group D and level on points with leaders Serbia but it came at a heavy price with the shocking right leg break to Coleman and injury to James McCarthy in the warm-up.
Ireland boss Martin O’Neill said: “It’s a major blow for Coleman, his club and us. Apparently it wasn’t the best challenge in the world but I haven’t seen it.
“He has gone to hospital and I think it’s broken. I saw his reaction immediately – he was holding his leg up.
“James had trained and was feeling fine. What’s interesting is you can train and feel fine.
“But then he didn’t think it was worth taking a chance and we were able to make a substitution before game started.
“Serbia and Austria won tonight, so it’s still very tight.”
Ireland seemed content to play for a draw as their deep-lying and stubborn defence shackled Wales who lacked creativity at the Aviva Stadium.
Gareth Bale and Aaron Ramsey, usually their most potent attacking weapons, looked off the pace having both returned from injury relatively recently.
Bale sprung into action early in the second half with a dipping free-kick straight at keeper Darren Randolph and a swerving shot that went narrowly wide.
Wales’ task became a daunting one on 69 minutes when Bale was shown a yellow card for a late challenge on John O’Shea.
It’s another big blow to Wales’ hopes of qualifying as the Real Madrid superstar now misses their next clash with Serbia in June.
And seconds later Taylor was shown a straight red card for his lunge on Coleman, who was carried off on a stretcher.
Ireland defender O’Shea said: “Fingers crossed for Seamus. We just have to wait and see. Our thoughts are with him. We know the type of boy he is, and he will come back bigger and stronger. Coleman has a fantastic attitude.”
That incident lit the fuse for a fiery atmosphere but despite Ireland pushing for a late winner, they had to settle for a point.
They lost top spot after Serbia’s victory in Georgia but they remain four points ahead of Wales.
Chris Coleman will be satisfied with a point after his side played for more than 20 minutes with 10 men but a fourth draw is another setback in their Russia 2018 bid.