MARTIN O’NEILL WAS in a sombre mood as he addressed the media for the final time on this Euro 2016 odyssey but he couldn’t not be optimistic about what lies ahead.
The heartache of yesterday’s agonising defeat to France was written all over the manager’s face this morning as the team prepared to leave their Versailles base for home.
But there are so many positives to take from Ireland’s campaign, which ended in Lyon yesterday afternoon as Antonine Griezmann shattered Irish dreams.
The performances of Robbie Brady and Jeff Hendrick, in particular, both of whom came of age on this stage, gives cause for great optimism ahead of the 2018 World Cup qualifiers.
Which players O’Neill has at his disposal for the first assignment against Serbia remains to be seen with Robbie Keane, Shay Given and John O’Shea all reaching the end of their international careers.
It could be a case of out with the old, in with the new in September.
“That decision will be up to the players but the likes of Robbie Keane, Shay Given, John O’Shea and I’d include Glenn Whelan in that too, have been really terrific around the team,” O’Neill said.
“I wouldn’t have been without them in that sense, it’s only when you are in the tournament that you realise how influential those players can be.
“I think they took the disappointment of the third game on the chin and never let it show at all. They were the first ones up to support the team. It’s entirely up to them.”
While several players deliberate over their future, O’Neill’s task now will be to look ahead to the campaign opener against Serbia.
There are just 70 days, and one match (friendly v Oman), between now and that trip to Belgrade but O’Neill and his players go into the summer break brimming with confidence after a memorable tournament.
For the first time in a long time, there’s a feel good factor surrounding the national team.
“I’m still a bit disappointed about yesterday, disappointed we couldn’t carry it through,” O’Neill continued. “We were in a great position at half-time, the goals we conceded were not brilliant from our viewpoint.
“But to take it all into consideration, I’m very proud of team and the support we received. The combination of both made it really possible for something great to happen. It could have happened.
“But it’s an ongoing process. I think that is what we are trying to do. Harry Arter immediately comes to mind; Alan Judge, who tried so hard to get into the squad but broke his leg, as well, so we have things to look at.”
So, all things considered was the tournament a successful one for Ireland?
“I think that the players have performed fantastically well. We were in a tough qualifying group to begin with.
“I see Poland and Germany are still here. I see Belgium and Italy are still here and of course France, who we definitely scared for a good portion of the game, are too so I’ll let you decide that.”
The42 is on Snapchat! Tap the button below on your phone to add!
