WE ARE CAPABLE OF MORE
Ireland have quality to make major finals, says Doherty
MATT Doherty deserves to play in the finals of a major championship; so too does John Egan, but the odds are lengthening against it happening. That’s a crying shame as both have been outstanding servants for the Republic of Ireland.
Shane Duffy, Robbie Brady and Jeff Hendrick were all involved at Euro 2016, a tournament which fell a little too early in the international careers of Doherty and Egan, both of whom — like the above trio — were born in 1992.
Doherty’s first cap came in March 2018, a year after Egan made his debut.
Entering the penultimate international window of 2023, Doherty is on 37 appearances, one more than Egan, currently injured.
Both have been regulars under Stephen Kenny all the way through, from the Euro 2020 playoff in Slovakia, the 2020 Nations League, 2022 World Cup, to the 2024 Euros.
That’s four shots at a rewarding target — all of which were missed, albeit there is a slim mathematical chance of a play-off for Ireland in March.
Doherty is a straight-up, no-nonsense guy and many would agree with his overview of the time under Kenny.
‘I guess we have not always shown what we are capable of but I know the squad that is here now is capable of a lot more,’ he said.
There is undoubtedly talent available to Ireland and there is a desperate need from supporters and the players themselves to showcase their abilities when they take on Greece tomorrow.
As regards the longer future, no doubt the loyal duo of Doherty and Egan will be on board for the Nations League next year and the 2026 World Cup campaign, where Ireland will require something special to reach the finals, as only 16 European nations will be part of the 48-team north America jamboree.
Realistically, Ireland’s next involvement in a major final will be at Euro 2028, by which time Doherty will be 36, Egan 35. Fair to say, it’s unlikely the current stalwarts will enjoy the status in the green ranks that they currently do. Yet Doherty, and Egan too, have never grumbled at their lot. They clock in, train as if their lives depend on it, and cross the white line as worthy warriors in the most noble of sporting causes. For all the green shoots seen over the 36 games of ‘Kenny’s Kids’, I’d argue Doherty and Egan have been the most consistent performers, indispensable on the big nights. I felt for Doherty on Tuesday when he was asked about Euro 2028 coming to his home town. No doubt, he would prefer to have been asked about the 2024 finals potentially involving Ireland instead. ‘It is very good to know it is coming here and when the time comes around the buzz around the country will be great,’ he said. ‘You see it in other host countries when they get tournaments, it is something for everyone to look forward to.’ For the moment, Ireland have a doubleheader on their minds, at home to Greece and away to Gibraltar in
“Doherty is a straight-up, no-nonsense type of guy”
neutral Faro. At the outset of the draw, this would have been regarded as a six-point banker but it’s not so certain now. Even so, Doherty is upbeat. ‘We are playing well. Greece away was the only game where we let ourselves down. And it is difficult to put your finger on it.
‘Against France at home we were an amazing save away from getting a point out of that game. France away we were definitely beaten by the better team on the night.
‘Then Holland at home we were a couple of personal mistakes away from winning that game also. We went 1-0 up. Had huge chances to make it 2-0.
‘I know it has not worked out so far for us but we are not far off really from getting the type of results we really deserve.
‘France, Netherlands at home, we deserved a lot more but I guess it is easy to say that when you have not got the result.
‘We just have to put the ball in the net a little bit more and keep it out of our net a little bit more.’
For the former, all eyes will focus on Evan Ferguson, not yet 19, who is set to lead the Irish line tonight.
Doherty has been impressed by what he’s seen of Ferguson.
‘Someone with his kind of ability and potential you want to feed him as much as possible,’ he said.
‘It is everyone’s job to feed the forward players and put them in the positions to go and win the game for us.
‘We all know the start he has had to his club career and international career.
‘It is up to us as a squad to put him in the positions where he can go and win games for us.
‘He (Ferguson) plays in a different way for Brighton, and is probably not playing the same way here.’ As for Doherty, he offers Kenny versatility, at either wingback role, wide right, or part of a central defensive three. Whatever he’s asked to do, he’ll do it.’
Doherty admitted he did not expect centurion James McClean to be left out of the squad. ‘When you are in camp with someone who has been in pretty much every camp you have been involved in, I was a little surprised. But I guess that is the manager’s decision and he gets to pick the squad.’
Doherty has his own reasons to put one over Greece after the events in Athens in June where he was sent off and handed a harsh two-match ban, which hurt as much as the play-acting by the Greeks.
Don’t rule out an overdue second Ireland goal from ‘Doc’ tomorrow and a fitting celebration to follow.
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Defender Matt Doherty has scored one goal for Ireland in 37 appearances