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Irish fans at the Friends Arena on Friday night. INPHO/Donall Farmer

Analysis: New approach brings new hope for Ireland on rocky road to Rio

More of the same against Austria, Trap.

FOR A GAME that had somewhat justifiably been seen as the potential end to the Giovanni Trapattoni era, Ireland’s impressive 0-0 draw may go a long way to ushering in a new beginning for both the team and the manager.

Because, although it may have ended in that most quintessentially Irish of away results – the proud draw – it was achieved through a very different method than usual.

A visible signal of the new departure came as the fourth official put his board up on 77 minutes.

At such stages in the past, Trapattoni has often made somewhat surprising substitutions in seeking to hold ground and consolidate the result. Generally, it has combined with a massive retreat back that has run a greater risk of giving up goals rather than just possession.

This time, though, the Italian made what must be considered one of the most proactive moves of his tenure. He brought the intriguing — and popular — Wes Hoolahan on for Robbie Keane and changed the dynamic of the game as well as the team.

Moreover, rather than try and keep steady at the edge of their box, Ireland were actively looking to keep the ball. It further illustrated a transformation that seems to have taken place right across the team.

When Trapattoni first took over the side, after all, it made sense to implement a defence-based side given that most of the squad’s most forceful players, such as Richard Dunne, played at the back. The humiliations of Euro 2012 and Germany, in fact, coincided with a core that was no longer so capable of such rearguard resilience.

Given Trapattoni’s reluctance to bring through newer players that looked more and more ready, there were then rightful questions over whether he was the right man to oversee the introduction of a new generation. In Sweden, however, Trapattoni deserved credit for the manner in which so many young players demanded responsibility and also made use.

Forward thinking

From the front, Shane Long very quickly put Sweden on the back foot with a barging run. Indeed, the only criticism you could really have of Ireland’s performance beyond the odd loose pass was with the finishing.

Because, behind the front two, the team also took an impressively proactive approach to causing Sweden problems. In the first 20 minutes, in particular, Ireland produced some of their most pleasing football for some time. Although James McCarthy did play two poor balls early on, they were at odds with a performance that was assured and authoritative. Paul Green, meanwhile, hassled and harried as well as Seamus Coleman introduced the energy many expected.

James McClean offered a shift that was in stark contrast to his stuttering club form and Marc Wilson was a model of composure. Indeed, in contrast to the long passes of the past under Trapattoni, many of the side’s best moves began with the Stoke defender’s easy control.

Pic: Inpho/ Donall Farmer

Behind them all, then, David Forde pulled off the kind of important saves that will ensure people won’t so readily talk about the old Shay Given or the fact the new number-one is at a Championship club. Most importantly, all of that came together to ensure the single most talented individual on the pitch was kept unusually quiet. To be frank, Zlatan Ibrahimovic was only ever on the periphery of the game.

The result, though, has ensured that Ireland are most certainly not on the periphery of the group. And the hope, now, is not just that they keep it in terms of results against Austria on Tuesday – but that they do the same as regards this more rousing approach.

VIDEO: Liam Brady and Eamon Dunphy clashed again after the game tonight

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36 Comments
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    Mute Michael O'Farrell
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    Mar 23rd 2013, 12:48 AM

    The best Irish performance in two years. Good young players wanting the ball and looking for someone to pass it to. Good signs for the future.

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    Mute graham galvin
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    Mar 23rd 2013, 1:56 AM

    i agree.played with a lot more energy & attacking spirit.i thought forde was impressive in goals as well.

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    Mute Begrudgy
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    Mar 23rd 2013, 12:47 AM

    Will hold judgement on this performance until after the Austrian game. Just hope Trap still has the confidence to let the team attack next week and not revert to his usual bull.

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    Mute Sean Byrne
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    Mar 23rd 2013, 1:39 AM

    When we get rid of Delaney I will go back to following our team,340,000 euro what planet are the FAI on.

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    Mute Darren Callaghan
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    Mar 23rd 2013, 2:53 AM

    Why should the chief executive of the FAI being paid a ridiculous sum of money stop you supporting your country , that is just a cop out support the players and the sacrifice they make or will you just jump on the bandwagon if we qualify for RIO ?

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    Mute John Mc Dermott
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    Mar 23rd 2013, 12:56 AM

    Once again the media use their machine and mechanics to create poisonous vile against Trapattoni, based on anything they can use or find. Team selection nonsense. The man picked the right team, got his tactics spot on – and he’s 74 years old. Journalists who couldn’t tell their arse from their elbow as per usual only can resort to mediocrity and criticism to gain interest and popularity.

    Ireland have a limited assortment of players to choose from. Trapattoni has brought through a lot of young players, but crucially disciplined them to play cautiously and responsibly. We’re not Brazil. We’re not Spain. We’re not Germany. We are Ireland and we play to our strengths, and we try to avoid our weaknesses. Trapattoni has provided us with many good memories.

    Tonight we didn’t lack determination or organisation. Everybody worked hard for the full ninety minutes, and individuals rose above their abilities to make themselves heroes and leaders.

    We did however lack creativity. This is because we are Ireland. We are a football nation who are limited due to the mentality of the nation as a whole. We work hard, but we aren’t creative. Why? Because we pander to the common denominator, often spun by the media. Think about it.

    We’ll go and draw against Austria on Tuesday and the eagles will circle Trapattoni once again. But tonight we can feel proud – and that’s what matters.

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    Mute Leopold McKenna James
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    Mar 23rd 2013, 1:52 AM

    Very nice. But given the game that was, we should have won. No amount of talking ourselves down can change the fact that we missed an opportunity tonight.

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    Mute John Cash
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    Mar 23rd 2013, 1:57 AM

    jesus john i was watching a different game i thought we had more creativity tonight than we have had for a long time

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    Mute Dermot Fennelly
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    Mar 23rd 2013, 12:36 AM

    Trap 1. people who think the know something about football 0

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    Mute Theo Fox
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    Mar 23rd 2013, 12:46 AM

    More like: Trap wasn’t able to choose his starting 11 due to injuries, and the changes he was forced to make actually made a great performance. Robbie Keane is still over the hill, and Irish fans still see a 0-0 away from home as a tremendous achievement.

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    Mute Leslie Alan Rock
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    Mar 23rd 2013, 12:54 AM

    Trap = got lucky.

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    Mute Tom Sheerin
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    Mar 23rd 2013, 12:59 AM

    Far from lucky and its not viewed as a tremendous achievement. In general, it exceeds expectations that we had going into the game. However, there is a mild opportunity missed tonight to get all three points – that was obvious from the players reaction afterwards that a draw was their goal.

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    Mute Dermot Fennelly
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    Mar 23rd 2013, 1:01 AM

    Traps been lucky all his life ????

    17
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    Mute Michael O'Farrell
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    Mar 23rd 2013, 1:04 AM

    It’s all about playing for your country. You should be proud to pull on the Irish jersey. Robby might be getting on a bit but no one can question his commitment to Ireland. I think he has a lot to offer to the young players as captain.

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    Mute Graham Carrick
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    Mar 23rd 2013, 1:12 AM

    Theo = toss face

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    Mute Pat O Neill
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    Mar 23rd 2013, 1:24 AM

    I’d rather fight with a luck general than a good one.

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    Mute Pat O Neill
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    Mar 23rd 2013, 1:25 AM

    lucky

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    Mute Richard III
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    Mar 23rd 2013, 1:39 AM

    Trap and Delaney are mugs! Total change in the FAI please! One is an ageing Italian with no national pride but his pay cheque and the other is the highest paid association boss in the world (i think) and dosen’t want to change to save his ass. FACT: Sligo rovers won the league last year and recieved 100k, Delaney gets 400k a year, for what????????

    29
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    Mute Dermot Fennelly
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    Mar 23rd 2013, 1:40 AM

    I suppose ,that’s how he’s became to be one of the most successful football managers of all time !!

    9
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    Mute John Cash
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    Mar 23rd 2013, 1:41 AM

    @dermot
    he is, as rafa would say, a poxbottle, but there were some young players with good technical ability out there tonight and they could have nicked it, i will be well pissed off though if he doesn’t continue in the same vein
    italian legend or not

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    Mute John Cash
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    Mar 23rd 2013, 1:42 AM

    and he is a legend there is no doubting that

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    Mute Dermot Fennelly
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    Mar 23rd 2013, 1:46 AM

    LEGEND …. Come on JUVE

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    Mute Colm Byrne
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    Mar 23rd 2013, 7:54 AM

    Well he was lucky Whelan was injured, otherwise the man of the match wouldn’t be on the pitch.
    If you really believe his first choice would have done as well, I think you need to take those tinted glasses off

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    Mute ciaran clarke
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    Mar 23rd 2013, 9:15 AM

    Yea he got it spot in against Germany and in the euros.
    Fool

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    Mute Jack Kavanagh
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    Mar 23rd 2013, 2:21 AM

    Great game McLean,forde,McCarthy,Wilson and Coleman were all brill then houlhan came on and was brill! Best Irish game since France 09! Still think trap is nuts with his selections tho and dropping Doyle but great draw!

    37
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    Mute Dermot Fennelly
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    Mar 23rd 2013, 12:57 AM

    Trap 1 he guys 0

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    Mute Conor Stagg
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    Mar 23rd 2013, 3:14 AM

    @Michael O’Farrell, u took the words out my mouth, were a tiny nation, that can’t be expected to do big things! everybody needs to get behind the boys in green and stop moaning like little bitches! @ John McDermott no need to write a bloody essay!

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    Mute Thomas Curtis
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    Mar 23rd 2013, 7:27 AM

    Hardly tiny. Same population as Croatia and a huge pool of players who qualify under the granny rule. Stop being happy with scraps and aim big.

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    Mute Kinder Damo
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    Mar 23rd 2013, 3:11 AM

    We should of won tonight it was big opportunity missed Sweden were awful tonight and I think any other team similar to the Irish team would have beat them

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    Mute Ryan
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    Mar 23rd 2013, 12:55 AM

    We will struggle to beat Austria, draw.

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    Mute n49martin
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    Mar 23rd 2013, 1:06 AM

    Robbie Keane has been one of the best footballers to play on the Irish team, but i feel that his best days are behind him as a player . He has intimated that he would like to take on the role as the Ireland manager at some future date.

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    Mute Michael O'Farrell
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    Mar 23rd 2013, 1:25 AM

    I hope we win on Tuesday but if we don’t I want us to play like tonight with passion and pride. Like John said we are not Brazil or Spain but we are Ireland and we are a proud nation and we need our fans behind us. If the players can give there all then we should all get behind them and wish them the best on Tuesday.

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    Mute Richard III
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    Mar 23rd 2013, 1:27 AM

    Some good youngsters around, mccarthy, coleman and pilkington would make the england team too! Don’t be fooled by result, expect negative tactics against Austria this week. Trap out as soon as possible!

    14
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    Mute Ronan McManus
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    Mar 23rd 2013, 5:10 AM

    They are good solid prem league players but wouldnt be near they English team no disrespect to them. You cant compare james McCarthy to some like Jack Wilshere.

    12
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    Mute Powerabbey
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    Mar 23rd 2013, 7:53 AM

    One of the great managers in the world works in a country with the most negative journalists. Unfortunately most “fans” follow the journalists.

    13
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    Mute Mervyn Queally
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    Mar 23rd 2013, 5:34 AM

    John Delaney + trap + keane = muppet show

    13
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