For extended periods during last night’s first leg, Ireland were embarrassed by both Estonia’s elegance of touch and control of the midfield. And, overall, Giovanni Trapattoni’s side were probably lucky to, first of all, draw the Estonians and, secondly, to see them self-destruct.
But, in truth, that’s all colour. Just more arguable points in the ongoing debate about Trapattoni’s exact style of play.
And, ultimately, only one aspect of it all is truly undeniable: Ireland are on the verge of only a fifth international tournament in their history.
And, when you break all of that down to the bare bones, it is an undeniable achievement.
For a start, it ends a decade-long wait for qualification. Secondly, it only happened after Ireland came out of a group which featured a well-populated Euro 2008 semi-finalist and a team that reached the last 16 of the 2010 World Cup. After that, they then went and all but eliminated a side that had come out of a group with three World Cup qualifiers themselves. And they didn’t just beat Estonia. They battered them.
It should, of course, be acknowledged here that we’ve argued on these pages before that international football has never been more open. As a result of sides like Slovenia knocking out Russia in 2010 and teams like Greece actually winning championships, we still believe that qualification should now be the least of every mid-tier team’s aims.
There also remain justifiable concerns about the exact style of play. Completely ceding midfield – as Ireland again did tonight – could have embarrassing consequences against sides who really know how to use the ball. And there is a chance Ireland could end up in a group with Spain, Germany and Croatia.
But, first of all, Ireland have now met that first target. Trapattoni has achieved the objective he was hired for. That represents a basic success. Even if there are many caveats about his manner.
Secondly, the exact nature of the 4-0 win over Estonia did illustrate some semblance of progress.
On a series of previous occasions when Ireland have been in control of a game, the manager has been reluctant to press home the advantage – preferring to protect what he has. And that has invited an unnecessary amount of danger and doubt in a lot of games.
Against Estonia, at last, they impressively and clinically went for the jugular.
Afterwards, Trapattoni was keen to emphasise that situation was the inevitable high point of a long evolution for his team – that the team was always eventually going to produce that kind of proactive football.
It’s highly possible, of course, that he was retrospectively applying that analysis; that he saw his team look clinical and then opportunistically claiming credit.
It’s also even more probable that Ireland only looked so emphatic because they were fortunate that Estonia self-destructed with the two red cards.
But, in saying that, the chances still had to be created and taken. And that’s what they did. How often have other, stronger sides been congratulated for only performing moderately for the majority of a game before then killing it off in a flurry of late goals?
Ireland did step forward. They did make the most of the opportunity.
And that is progress, no matter how qualified.
Because, ultimately, that’s the key word: “qualified”.
Ireland have two feet in Euro 2012. They’re just waiting for the door to close behind them.
RIP niall,brilliant young hurler gone too soon
Awful news… RIP.
Sad sad news… Rest in peace
I never seen a player like Henry sheflin getting so well marked like Niall did in 2012. So sad Rip.
That is awful news. My prayers go out to him and his family.
Something so wrong about a person that young dying. Thoughts go out to his family at this the most horrible time in their lives.
Shocking sad news put everything in to second place. No answer to news like this RIP
Does it matter how this young man lost his life? He is gone. It is a huge loss to his family. God bless them in this darkest of times. Press the red thumb if you like. I for one couldn’t care less. I’m sure what is written here whether narrow minded or supportive, will not dent that family’s grief by one iota. So sad to hear of this.
I agree it doesn’t matter how he died. If it was suicide, if his death helps one person seek help. If it’s from a heart condition or due to S.A.D.S is there enough tests being done?? Either way it’s a young life gone way to early. My thoughts and prayers go out to his friends and family. R.I.P
Of course it matter how he die, you can’t just sweep this national tragity under the carpet and bury your head in the sand. There is a problem here that needs to be addressed. You can’t go through life saying “I don’t care less”. Well you can, I guess, but you shouldn’t.
“I couldn’t care less” was aimed at those pressing the red thumb for people airing their condolences not about how this fine young man died. I apologise for not clarifying this. Either way, still a sad loss. God bless his family.
What a great hurler .its sickening to hear this news .to his family and friends and the club and county teams my condolences.a great Galway man and a great talent .rip
Too young… May he continue to have a good time wherever he may be now.
He will be a huge loss to Galway hurling. R.I.P Niall.
R.I.P.
RIP Niall
Such sad news so tragic, all becoming so common now a days tho unfortunately, thoughts and prayers with his family friends and team mates RIP
Why does anyone down vote condolences I don’t understand. Wonderful player
Jimmy those people can’t read they only know how to press red thumb down
With a username like Jimmy Saville you’re in no position to be judging people
I remember being at Croke park with my Father watching Gaillimh get hammered by the Kilkenny back in 2012. He was playing. Such a beautiful young son of Éireann. May he rest in peace.
Very sad R.I.P.
So sad. So young. What happened to him? Praying for the family.
Ah dear that is so sad, I hope his family and friends find some strength.
@dave, nothing in article suggests suicide or any other cause such as sudden adult death syndrome.
A journalist from the Examiner mentioned that it was suicide on twitter last night and The Samaritans are tweeting that they are there if anyone needs to talk in a tweet that mentions him. RIP.
Seemingly by his own hand sadly RIP
Too many fit young men passing like this , it so wrong and so sad May he R.I.P
Tragic…..poor family….and yet according to the Taoiseach we dont have a rising problem in Ireland……its happening way too often & sonething needs to be done to get support & help groups set up country wide. Thoughts are with this young man & his family. RIP.
To think some lowlife gave me a thumbs down for that comment is a disgrace,god love them and their narrow mind,or do they have one.
RIP and god help his poor family.
What is happening with young sportsmen dying so young. I would have thought it was auld fellas like me who get little exercise that would be the first to go, not young men in their twenties.
He gave some exhibition in the Leinster hurling final 2012. God bless him, his family and friends from a Galway hurling family in Australia.
How can any1 thumbs down comments?? Goes to show how pathetic some people are!!! Tragic loss of a young man gone way too soon, R.I.P
Yes Ann Marie they are pathetic sad people in here. They have no life other than to criticise and make stupid comments. This young mans family need respect for the terrible tragedy. RIP
Omg! Shocking! Struggling to believe this. Rip.
Have none of you lot ever heard of Sudden Adult Death Syndrome? . . . . Maybe this was how he died, hate people jumping to the conclusion that it was suicide or drugs just because he was otherwise young and healthy.
No one mentioned drugs or suicide. R i p
There was previous comments that gave thankfully been removed. Not useful to speculate in this situation as it’s not going to change anything
It may not but brushing it under the carpet is not the answer. Suicide is a scourge across communities all over Ireland. People need to be talking about finding solutions and getting people the help they need.
Yes but not when we haven’t any facts either way in this case.Why potientially pile more pain onto his family. Let’s just wait and see first .
There was no jumping to conclusions, that is what occurred. Why the Irish media refuse to use the word suicide is beyond me. It could possibly help others.
Facts or no facts a young man is dead. Nor should there be any wait and see .Please show respect for his grieving and very loving family. Rest in peace young star of the hurling field. Prayers for you and all whom you loved.
Not trying to speculate but it seems a growing number of athletes around the world are dying through undiscovered heart problems or sever dehydration/electrolyte imbalance. Wonder if there is constructive action that can be taken to minimise these problems.
RIP,far too many have gone too early .
RIP & tkx for the hurling skills you shared with us Niall.
A very talented and athletic player, God obviously needed a brilliant wing back for his team, Rest In Peace Niall
RIP : Sad news : condolences to his Family.
Rip will be really missed
So Young, May he RIP.
I can’t get my head around this. .
So sad. My condolences go out to his friends and family.
Was and would have been a marvellous hurler – some of the saddest news this year r.i.p.
Very sad… Rip
R.I.P. so sad.
Unbelievably tragedy.
RIP
RIP Niall and condolences to his family, friends, teammates and Galway GAA from a Mayo man. Tragic deaths like this certainly put loosing All Irelands into perspective.
Tragic. R.I.P. deepest sympathy to his family and friends x
very sad so much to live for and we will never understand why
R.I.P. Niall Donoghue – Kilkenny supporter
RIP young man.
Gone too soon…. Thoughts and prayers go to his family,friends and clubmates. Heaven has gained another angel xx
RIP Niall
News now saying found dead in tragic circumstances
So very very Sad R.I.P
RIP very sad news
Terribly sad news. RIP and condolences to his family.
More and more of these sad cases popping up. Are athletes these days being put through too much physical training? Is there too much of an emphasis on being ultra fit?
Such a tragedy. Our thoughts are with his family & friends.
Rest in Peace Niall
So so sad! RIP.
That is just so wrong. Poor guy. May he rest in peace
Very sad news ,may he rest in peace.My thoughts and prayers with his Family at this sad time .
So sad. He was taken too soon. May he Rest In Peace
Go ndéana Dia trocaire air. Cailliúint mhór eile.
Why! Why! Why! So very very sad. May he now be at peace
Rest in peace champ, be sorely missed!!
Niall May you rest in peace such a sad sad loss
Very sad for all friends. The best, die soon.
God bless you niall rip