Coleman: It’s a case of what if..

SEAMUS COLEMAN has admitted his frustration at watching the Republic of Ireland’s World Cup dream slip away as he sat helplessly by.

The 29-year-old Ireland captain returned to the international stage in Friday night’s 1-0 friendly defeat in Turkey (above) a day short of a year since he last pulled on the green jersey in what was to prove a fateful qualifier against Wales.

That night, Coleman’s leg was shattered in a challenge by Neil Taylor which ended his participation in a qualifying campaign which ultimately drew to a heartbreaking conclusion against Denmark in the play-offs.

Speaking after playing for more than an hour in Antalya, Coleman said: “That was the hardest part of the whole injury, to not be able to play a part and help get the lads over the line.

“If I was fit, you never know what could have happened, but it wasn’t to be. But that’s gone now and we started tonight to build for the next campaign.

“It was brilliant, a brilliant feeling to get the shirt back on. Obviously it was disappointing not to get a result, but I was delighted to get the shirt back on.

“We’re disappointed with the goal we conceded, especially from a set-piece. Some of us, we could have been a bit more comfortable on the ball and we weren’t.”