MARTIN O’NEILL knows Ireland will need to beat some quality competition this year to keep their European Championships campaign on track.
But the Boys in Green chief says Irish football fans can play their part as the likes of Poland and Germany come to Dublin for crucial qualifiers in 2015.
“I think that you would be a better judge than me because we’ve only played the one competitive game here and – obviously we’ve had some very, very good crowds here at the Aviva for what you would consider non-competitive games. The atmosphere can be very good,” the former Aston Villa boss said yesterday at the D4 stadium.
“The players assure me the atmosphere is excellent for competitive games and I think because we’ve really got something to play for, I think it can be an intimidating place. That’s what I’d like it to be naturally.
“There’s no reason why the crowd couldn’t play a big part in it and I think that’s possible, that’s what we’d like but I also think that we have to do something to encourage that and not just put it down to spectators who pay hard earned money to come. We have to do something to enthuse them, that’s part of our job.”
Ireland are currently fourth in Group D but are level on points with Scotland and Germany while Poland are three points ahead of the chasing pack. O’Neill remains optimistic after a campaign that started with two wins, an unlikely away draw against the world champions and that disappointing defeat in Glasgow.
“I had time to reflect on it over the Christmas period and I’m really pleased with [the qualifying campaign] at this minute,” he said on Sunday afternoon.
“The points that we have on the board means that we’ve won an away game, we drew against Germany and, obviously it was disappointing to concede late on against Scotland, but we’ve left ourselves in the position where everything depends on what we do in the Aviva.
“We’ve a big game against Poland coming up and I’m looking forward to it immensely but we’ve put ourselves in a position where we can, hopefully, feed off big crowds, get players up for the game and go and try to win.”
How are you feeling about Ireland’s chances?
Zeebs; the flick up against Wales was no fluke.
Yes. And over running his position was no mistake either. Hang on a second.
I believe he is good at making a mess on Conor Murray.
Larry. Being a perverse creep suits you.
Wasn’t too skillful at making the Lions Test team last summer. Had more joy with his scrum half mate a few weeks later back in Dublin.
He who trolleth too obviously gets ignordedeth.
Any naught players make the lions lately?? EVER!
The little green man at work in Leinster mr keano.
For the Love of God Robson you’re just boring at this stage.
Sources tell me that he’s crap at pitch and toss ;-)
Me hole!
I heard he’s crap at not thinking alot of himself.
Jeeeze Eugene you really dislike the guy don’t you?
Paddy he is just a Leinster boy
Get picked in November Zeebs!
Zeebs!!!!!
All that skill but can’t defend and poor work rate.. Pity
Bit like Robnoxious Kearney so!
Flash is it quite possible you are obsessed with Kearney?
Get a grip lad! He is Ireland’s best 15 by a mile!
Personality wise I can think of other players for notable mention!
Should have been at Toulon game in H.Cup semi unreal try saving tackle from Zebo! The lad can tackle!
He can’t tackle – simples – j Payne will give him a good run for no 15 !
Joe Schmidt doesn’t rate Zebo and that’s good enough for me.
At my club last week joe Schmidt made it very clear that Zeebs is a player who is in strong contention for November…wouldn see joe as a guy to include some lad he doesn rate!
He is more than boring I’d say he wouldn’t know a rugby ball from a Hurley , probally drinks in an all Leinster pub.
Still can’t tackle
Ending up playing football for ireland must be about 50 times harder to do than end up playing rugby for ireland .. And for countries where rugby is barely played it must be 1000s of times easier .. And yet, the media rarely gives stick about any irish rugby player but gives out about the irish footballers all the time .. What gives? The Irish rugby players can’t *all* be great all the time? Also, a lot of lads who end up playing for ireland knew each other in secondary school .. This isn’t the case for the soccer team and gives an indication of what a small circle of the population are ever likely to contribute players to the rugby team …
So yeah .. Better comment on the video now … It was a good video
How can playing roundy ball be harder than rugby? Is there one Irish player playing at champions league level?
Where are Ireland ranked at falling over sorry I ment soccer?
Go back to your mammy and try not hurt yourself
Only one. Plays for Nicosia.