Mick McCarthy has admitted his Republic of Ireland side avoided their ‘worst result in a long, long time’ as they scraped past Gibraltar in his first game back as manager on Saturday.
Jeff Hendrick’s first-half strike ensured the Republic started their Euro 2020 qualifying campaign in the best possible fashion, but it was a laboured display from the Irish on the Iberian Peninsula.
And McCarthy, who previously captained the nation during his playing days, says he was just happy to come away from a ‘horrible’ game with all three points.
3
McCarthy’s second debut as Ireland manager was not a match for the neutrals
Speaking exclusively to talkSPORT, he said: “It was great to be back, but the game was horrible.
“We were playing on a plastic pitch to start with.
LATEST FOOTBALL NEWS
“I don’t like them whatsoever, and I’m sure that’s the same with my players.
“We’re then stuck between a rock and a runway, not a rock and a hard place.
“The conditions were just awful, the wind was all over the place.
“These type of games are just not enjoyable.
3
Ireland’s match winner Jeff Hendrick celebrates with the travelling fans at the final whistle after the win against Gibraltar
“A win is a win at the end of the day.
“In all honesty, we could’ve had our worst result in a long, long time, so it was very much job done from our point of view.”
McCarthy likened his side’s task in Spain to that of a non-league outfit eyeing a giant killing against one of England’s big sides in the Cup.
He added: “You ask any Premier League side who goes to a non-league side in the FA Cup if they really, hand on heart, enjoy it?
LIVE on talkSPORT
There are six live commentaries across the talkSPORT network this week. Find out what they are and where to hear them, below...
- Montenegro vs England (Monday) – talkSPORT
- France vs Iceland (Monday) – talkSPORT 2
- Czech Republic vs Brazil (Tuesday) – talkSPORT 2
- West Brom vs Birmingham (Friday) – talkSPORT 2
- West Ham vs Everton (Saturday) – talkSPORT
- Portsmouth vs Sunderland (Sunday) – talkSPORT 2
“It’s an even worse feeling when they get knocked out – but luckily we got the job done.
“They [Gibraltar] contributed to the game, they’re an athletic side who battled hard for each other.
“I’d have taken 1-0 before going on the plane to Gibraltar though all day long.”
Next up for McCarthy and co. is the visit of Georgia at the Aviva Stadium on Tuesday night, with a bumper crowd expected for the 60-year-old’s homecoming in Dublin.
3
McCarthy agreed to become Ireland manager until after Euro 2020, when he will be replaced by Stephen Kenny
“It’s going to be a big crowd, so we’re hoping to get another three points on the board,” he said.
“I’m loving being back in the manager’s hot seat, working with lads on the coaching field and managing them.
“It is of course extra special to be back with the FAI.”
Since Sheikh Mansour bought the club back in 2008, Manchester City have been blessed with exceptional talent in the shape of Sergio Aguero, David Silva and countless others. 1.3 billion pounds and nearly 70 signings later, only a few have remained as influential as Fernando Luiz Roza, better known to the footballing world as Fernandinho.
Manchester City: Predicting Pep Guardiola's Starting XI for
Ole Gunnar Solskjaer expects Paul Pogba to stay at Manchester United despite reports linking him with a move to Real Madrid this summer. Pogba, the France midfielder, has been one of United's best players since Solskjaer replaced Jose Mourinho in the dugout, though his form has faltered over the past couple of weeks.
Sports News, 4 Aug 2015 | 15 Minute News - Know the News
Jurgen Klopp believes Vincent Kompany should have been sent off for a late tackle on Mohamed Salah during Manchester City's dramatic 2-1 win over Liverpool. With half hour played and the game at
Everyone saw how Mohamed Salah avoided a red card vs Porto
Eden Hazard puffs on huge cigar after Europa League triumph as Maurizio Sarri and staff smoke the night away. May 30, 2019 by admin 0 Comments
Eden Hazard puffs on huge cigar after Europa League triumph
sedsports.com/eden-hazard-puffs-on-huge-cigar-after-europa-league-triumph-as-maurizio-sarri-and-staff-smoke-the-night-away/
Eden Hazard puffs on huge cigar after Europa League triumph as Maurizio Sarri and staff smoke the night away The Chelsea manager arrived in England with a reputation for chain smoking Chelsea players and staff celebrated their Europa League triumph just as their manager would've wanted - with tobacco.
Eden Hazard puffs on huge cigar after Europa League triumph
newsleak24.com/eden-hazard-puffs-on-huge-cigar-after-europa-league-triumph-as-maurizio-sarri-and-staff-smoke-the-night-away/
Kenya's High Court Upholds a Ban on Gay Sex; Navy SEAL Pleads Guilty in Case of Strangled Green Beret; Wreck of Migrant Ship That Killed Hundreds Will Be Displayed at Venice Biennale
Eden Hazard puffs on huge cigar after Europa League triumph
After 11 years at Manchester City, Vincent Kompany will leave Manchester City when his contract expires in the summer. He will leave to become player-manager of RSC Anderlecht, his first professional club. The Belgian's time at Manchester City could not have ended better. He captained his side to his second FA Cup triumph as they beat Watford
Captain, Leader, Legend - Vincent Kompany To Leave Manchester
England 1 Netherlands 2 LIVE updates: Dutch edge Nations League semi-final after defensive horror appearance The couple split in 2016 but almost three years on
Holland vs England LIVE REACTION: Dutch win to reach Nations
Callum Wilson has scored 15 goals for Bournemouth this season. However, they could be forced to sell Idrissa Gueye, the midfielder, in order to fund another big summer spending spree. Marco Silva is convinced Wilson, 27, is the man to spearhead Everton's charge towards Europa League football.
Everton transfer news: Marco Silva eyes £35m de
Virgil van Dijk is only going to get better, with Jurgen Klopp claiming there is 'still a lot to come' from the Liverpool star. Van Dijk, the centre-back, is already regarded as the best defender in the Premier League and perhaps in the world.
Fixture top scorers in the Premier League - dofaq.co
Here is the early team news ahead of this evening's Champions League final between Tottenham Hotspur and Liverpool Tottenham team news Star striker Harry Kane insists he is ready to go, but it remains to be seen whether he will be risked from the start having been sidelined since sustaining ankle ligament damage in the […]
Three of Manchester United's Spanish stars believe they have been treated unfairly during recent contract negotiations and feel their English counterparts have been given preferential treatment.
Swiss Philanthropist Pledges $1 Billion To Help Save The
Liverpool star Virgil van Dijk beats Eden Hazard and Raheem Sterling to be crowned PFA Players' Player of the Year - reports Wednesday, 24 April 2019 Virgil van Dijk will be crowned as the PFA Player's Player of the Year, according to reports.
Liverpool's Van Dijk beats Hazard, Sterling to PFA Player of
No comments:
Post a Comment