Irishmen in scoring form is good news for O’Neill

MARTIN O’NEILL must love going to games at the moment. During the week he had his pick of seeing Jon Walters, Shane Long, James McClean or Harry Arter scoring in the Premier League.

Meantime, Stephen Ward got a beauty for Burnley to knock Middlesbrough out of the Cup and Matt Doherty, who should be challenging for a full-back slot, scored for Wolves.

It’s a massive year and the message seems to be getting through to the Irish players with an eye on France.

When I was at Sunderland in World Cup year, I remember speaking to Sweden’s Stefan Schwarz after we’d qualified by beating Iran in a play-off.

In the latter stages of a great pro career, he said that, from Christmas, he would be constantly in the gym, doing extra fitness work to build himself up to be in top physical shape for the summer tournament.

So I did the same and when we got to Japan, I was in probably the best physical condition I’d been in as a player. When the World Cup started, I felt the benefit.

France is a different climate of course but you can see the players know the importance of playing well to stay in Martin’s (left) plans.

And there will be chances for players like Doherty, and Alan Judge who looks set to leave Brentford this week.

Alan’s a confident, bubbly lad, and very much in keeping with the Irish lads who have gone over to England and been a success. And he takes that assurance on to the pitch.

A move to Burnley or Sheffield Wednesday would be a good one because both definitely have a chance of promotion in another fascinating Championship.

He has a chance of a Euros call-up if he takes off and one or two others will be assessed by Martin and his scouts.

It might be too soon for Chris Forrester, but by all accounts the 23-year-old from St Pat’s is one for the future. Those in the know at Peterborough reckon he’s their best signing in years.