NO PLAYER HAS benefited more from Martin O’Neill’s switch to a diamond midfield than Wes Hoolahan.
The system utilises Hoolahan in his best position, the number 10 role, and after last night’s performance it’s fair to say we persevered without his services for far too long. Everything good Ireland produced had his fingerprints all over them. There’s a very good argument to be made that Hoolahan has become O’Neill’s most important lieutenant.
The initial exchanges after half-time epitomised everything good about his game. After a first-half spent tirelessly knitting the play together, the diminutive Norwich City midfielder started and finished a move that resulted in Ireland’s first goal of the tournament.
Showing the sort of urgency required to spook the Swedish defence, Hoolahan instinctively hammered a quick throw-in down the line towards Jon Walters and Shane Long, who had outnumbered Erik Johansson on the left flank. The ball made its way back to Hoolahan, who curled a cross towards the back post.
Seamus Coleman collected a pass from his Everton teammate James McCarthy and dinked a delightful ball into the pocket of space in front of Hoolahan. The 34-year-old rippled the net with a controlled half-volley on his weaker right foot. 1-0 Ireland.
Ireland wilted after the goal and sat back, content with their lead. There were a couple of bright spots from Hoolahan when he produced a nutmeg and a stylish drag-back in the same play, but the Swedish onslaught continued to gather steam until they equalized on 71 minutes.
Hoolahan, suffering from cramp in his calves, was replaced six minutes later by Robbie Keane, who touched the ball just three times after his introduction. Hoolahan made 13 passes, more than any other Irish player between his 48th minute goal and his substitution.
In fact, the former Shelbourne man was enjoying his most productive period of the game, in terms of passing, right before his departure. It’s legitimate to wonder if Ireland might have sneaked a winner had he been fit to stay on the field. Ireland’s passing success dropped from 66 percent to 55 percent after he was withdrawn.
Long considered a luxury player by Ireland managers, it’s unfortunate that Hoolahan’s talents are only being truly appreciated as Father Time lurks in the distance. Ireland’s oldest starter, Hoolahan’s lack of athleticism was held against him for far too long. Now Ireland are relying on his nous and eye for a pass.
Hoolahan completed 39 passes, third highest in the Ireland team, but significantly he contributed most of those in Sweden’s third of the field. He was dispossessed just once in the entire game.
It’s not unusual that he suffered from fatigue late in the came when you consider his age. Eleven years ago he was plying his trade in the League of Ireland and only a move to Norwich accelerated his development into an international footballer. He’s had to deal with growing pains to make it at the biggest stage of the sport, but it’s almost laughable to consider he has only 31 international caps, when a player like Aiden McGeady boasts 83.
Ignored by Giovanni Trapattoni for the majority of his reign, Hoolahan was cast aside for the same competition four years ago. There may not be a more highly-motivated player in the tournament. In the most highly pressurized situation of his career and with Europe watching, Wes Hoolahan is prospering. Long may it continue.
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