AFTER THE DISAPPOINTMENT of today, attention will now turn to the World Cup Qualifiers, when in just over two months, the road to Russia will begin.
Ireland are joined in Group D by Wales, Austria, Serbia, Moldova and Georgia, with the Boys in Green beginning their campaign in Belgrade, and here is the team we would like to start that game on 5 September.
GK: Darren Randolph (West Ham)
Nobody would have imagined that the West Ham goalkeeper, who started the European qualifiers on the periphery of the Irish squad, to come into the Irish starting line-up and to look so confident between the posts.
At 29, Randolph could be the Irish No 1 for the next decade or so, but may have to leave Upton Park to further enhance his international credentials.
RB: Seamus Coleman (Everton)
Perhaps not the attacking threat he once was when he first came into the Irish side, but the Everton right-back has significantly improved his defensive contribution to the side.
The Donegal man captained Ireland against Italy and France, and it looks like a role he has reveled in. Still only 27, Coleman is the natural choice to lead Ireland into the next campaign.
CB: Shane Duffy (Blackburn Rovers)
The Blackburn Rovers defender could be heading to the Premier League this summer, if the transfer rumours are to be believed.
Having turned 24 on New Year’s Day, Duffy’s best years are still ahead of him and has all the attributes to be an international defender; good in the air and strong in the challenge.
The Derry native will take a lot from this competition, with a promising club and international career on the horizon.
CB: Marc Wilson (Stoke City)
The Stoke City defender did everything within his power to make the final 23-man squad for the Euros, but in the end he wasn’t able to shake off the injury he picked up in the FA Cup tie against Crystal Palace.
Wilson’s place in the team is more of a result of a lack of top-class central defenders coming through the system, than his own abilities but has never look out of place in the green jersey.
But if Gillingham’s John Egan, who was named in the League One Team of the Year, can move to a club in the Championship, then he, along with Richard Keogh and Ciaran Clark, could push Wilson for a place in the side later in the campaign.
LB: Greg Cunningham (Preston)
Like many players in the Ireland squad, Cunningham has had to drop down the divisions in order to get first-team football.
Having started with Manchester City, the Galway man now plays with Preston North End in the Championship, after leaving Bristol City in 2015.
The 25-ear-old left-back was named as the Lilywhites’ Player of the Year last season, and is a ready-made alternative to Stephen Ward, with four caps already to his name.
CM: Jack Byrne (Manchester City)
The St Kevin’s Boys youth product faces an intriguing close season at Manchester City, after returning from a loan spell with SC Cambuur in Holland’s top flight.
Technically gifted, the 20-year-old has all the attributes needed to make it to the top of the game and it should be interesting to see if new Manchester City boss, Pep Guardiola, takes a liking to the enthusiastic Dubliner.
Martin O’Neill did invite Byrne to come to train with the senior squad ahead of the Euro 2016 warm-up friendlies, and was taken back by Byrne’s confidence. Being self-assured and fearless is never a bad thing, once it’s backed up with ability – and Byrne has bags of potential.
CM: James McCarthy (Everton)
Lambasted by many commentators and fans after his performances against Sweden and Belgium, the Glasgow-born midfielder silenced his critics with a fine performance against Italy, while he put in another committed display against the French in Lyon.
McCarthy will turn 26 later this year but with 39 caps, he should be one of the leaders for the next generation of Irish players – let’s hope O’Neill and Keane can drag it out of him.
CM: Jeff Hendrick (Derby County)
It’s hard to believe that Hendrick will still be a Championship come the start of next season.
The 24-year-old was Ireland’s outstanding player during the Championship, with no reason to believe that he can’t get even better.
Physically strong, robust in the tackle and good on the ball, Hendrick is destined for greater things, and will now be considered one of Ireland’s most important players once the World Cup qualifiers start.
RM: Alan Judge (Brentford)
The 27-year-old has only a single cap to his name, but only for a double lower-leg fracture that ruled him out of the tournament, Judge may well have been named in the 23-man squad for France.
Having scored 14 goals in 38 appearances in the Championship last season, the Brentford man would add much-needed goals to this Irish side, not mention his creativity on the ball.
CF: Shane Long (Southampton)
The performances of the Tipperary man may not have been headline-grabbing, but the Southampton striker was more than willing to put the team ahead of any individual acclaim in France.
Continuously making selfless runs, and worked just as hard going backwards, as he was in his attacking role. Not as young as his exuberance may suggest, Long will turn 30 in January of next year, but he may need to contribute more goals if Ireland are to qualify for Russia.
LM: Robbie Brady (Norwich City)
Along with Hendrick, Brady was another of Ireland’s standout player’s during Euro 2016, and gave us a memory to last a lifetime with his header against Italy.
Far too good to be playing in the Championship next season, the 24-year-old will be looking for a new club after just one year at Norwich.
Having already won 27 caps for his country, Brady will be another player that the team for the next campaign that will be built around.
Subs from: Keiren Westwood (Sheffield Wednesday), Rob Elliot (Newcastle United), Danny Rogers (Aberdeen), Cyrus Christie (Derby County), Matt Doherty (Wolves), Ciaran Clark (Aston Villa), Richard Keogh (Derby County), John Egan (Gillingham), Stephen Ward (Burnley), Glenn Whelan (Stoke), Darron Gibson (Everton), Stephen Gleeson (Birmingham City), Eunan O’Kane (Bournemouth), Harry Arter (Bournemouth), Alan Browne (Preston), Stephen Quinn (Reading), Conor Hourihane (Barnsley), Chris Forrester (Peterborough United), Richie Towell (Brighton), Wes Hoolahan (Norwich City), Aiden McGeady (Everton), James McClean (West Brom), Callum O’Dowda (Oxford United), Jonny Hayes (Aberdeen), Anthony Pilkington (Cardiff City), Jon Walters (Stoke), Adam Rooney (Aberdeen), Cillian Sheridan (Omonia), Joe Mason (Wolves).
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