The Courier & Advertiser (Fife Edition)
Serious injury mars Wales’ World Cup qualifier in Dublin
Seamus Coleman suffered a horrific leg fracture as the Republic battled out a World Cup qualifying draw with 10-man Wales.
The Ireland captain and Everton defender was carried from the pitch at the Aviva Stadium on a stretcher and taken straight to hospital after a challenge which earned Neil Taylor a straight red card.
Gareth Bale, who might himself have been dismissed seconds earlier after catching defender John O’Shea, might have snatched victory for the visitors with an 85th-minute strike which shaved the post, but Chris Coleman’s men had to make do with a point despite having the better of the game for long periods.
In the end, a 0-0 draw meant that the spoils were shared as Ireland maintained their record of not losing a home qualifier since September 2013 and Wales were able to console themselves by extending their run to just one defeat in 17 qualification matches.
Serbia edged ahead of the Republic at the top of Group D on goal difference as a result of their 3-1 win in Georgia, with Wales four points adrift alongside Austria at the halfway stage having won just one of their five games to date.
Real Madrid star Bale, who will now miss the next game against Serbia, said: “They made it very difficult for us to get on the ball.
“First half they definitely did that, second half I thought we controlled the game very well.
“We created some good chances and were unlucky not to get a goal, but I suppose if you look at the last 20 minutes playing with 10 men, and it’s 0-0, a point is the not the worst result.”
Bale passed on his best wishes to Coleman, adding: “We all wish him a speedy recovery.”
Republic boss Martin O’Neill knew something was wrong immediately after the challenge, saying: “I saw Seamus’ reaction, he was holding his leg up and it didn’t look good.”