Uruguay win has us sharp, insists Ward
STEPHEN WARD has not had the type of career where he has ever been able to enjoy the luxury of certainty.
It’s now 10 years since Mick McCarthy plucked the Dubliner from Bohemians and brought him to Wolverhampton Wanderers. Promotion, survival, relegation and isolation all followed at Molineux. But Ward persevered.
Brighton and Hove Albion offered a brief respite from rejection with a loan spell until Sean Dyche brought the left-back to Burnley on a permanent basis three years ago.
The story has been a familiar one: relegation, promotion and Premier League survival. So, the break in the sun, which Republic of Ireland manager Martin O’Neill afforded him, was badly needed.
‘It was nice to get away and switch off for a bit. Mentally, it was a tough season, trying to stay in the league. We’re pleased we did. It was nice to have a bit of down time with the family but in the back of your mind, you’re always thinking of coming in [for Ireland duty]. It [Austria] is obviously a big one.
‘Mentally, you’re on edge, trying to get results to stay in the league and, obviously, you know you’ve some massive games coming up with Ireland. It’s nice to get away to switch off for a few days and the focus turns to coming back in here.
‘You can’t really do that when you’re away, you work hard, keep ticking over in the gym but there is nothing like playing a game like that [against Uruguay]. It’s important we came in, got two days’ training and got the game under our belt.’
Ward played the full 90 minutes last weekend and finished the game as captain, an honour he savoured once before during the ill-fated Carling Nations Cup in 2011. ‘The big Northern Ireland game when no one was here,’ Ward laughed.
Aviva Stadium will be packed to the rafters for the visit of Austria and victory will ensure Ireland remain challenging at the top of Group D. Regardless of the result, Ward reckons Ireland’s fate will be decided away to Wales.
‘Listen, they’ll have quality coming in. They’re a good side. You know, I don’t think you can underestimate anyone in this group, it is so tight. There are five teams, Moldova are the team you would expect to beat but everyone has got a chance,’ Ward believes.
‘You know we can’t take anything for granted. The onus is on us in front of the home fans so we need to be mentally prepared for the best Austria can bring.
‘I think it’s going to the wire anyway. There is that much quality in the group, it’s so tight. People are going to take points off each other. But we just need to concentrate on ourselves. We’ve had a good start to the campaign and if we can get a good result Sunday, we’ll be in a great position.’
James McClean has proved to be the difference for Ireland so far, evolving from a reliable workhorse into a match-winning thoroughbred. His goal on Sunday bore a striking resemblance to the one in Vienna last November, which Ward watched at home nursing a hamstring injury.
‘He’s got that in his locker,’ the Portmarnock native beamed. ‘I think he’s the only one who could get on the end of that [pass], he’s a real outlet for us. He is energetic, he works, he chases things down, he gets forward. It’s always been there, you know what he’s going to give you when he puts on that shirt; 120 per cent.’
Burnley team-mate Kevin Long also played a starring role at the weekend and Ward has watched up close the perseverance shown by the former Cork City defender to make the breakthrough at Turf Moor.
He was rewarded in the final month of the Premier League season just gone and there is more to come from the 26-year-old.
‘A steady guy, a nice guy, he works hard and he’s a bit unlucky not to get a chance really. It’s been tough for him. The two centre halves [at Burnley] were playing well and I’m sure the last month will give him confidence and he’ll want to come back next season and challenge and get more game-time.
‘He’s as good as anybody out there. As I say, the lads who have the shirts have been playing so well, it’s difficult to get a chance. Sometimes that’s football. I’m sure that this has given him the big boost that he’s needed.’
And victory for Ireland against Austria will be just the fillip required before signing off for the summer and possibly taking a giant step towards World Cup qualification. ‘It’s what we all want, it’s the be all and end all,’ Ward enthused.
‘It’s the biggest competition in the world. You know, we’re all pulling in the same direction. It’s a great group now, there is a good mix of youth and experience. It would probably be the biggest achievement of everyone’s career if we can qualify.’