ONE OF THE many sobering thoughts for Ireland fans processing the disappointment of last night’s disastrous result against Denmark is that fans will have to wait 16 months for Ireland’s next qualifier for a major tournament.
Qualifying for Euro 2020 does not begin until the week of 21-23 March 2019, with the draw for the competition set to be held on 2 December 2018 at the Convention Centre Dublin.
Before then, there will be a couple of friendlies taking place in March as usual.
There are also likely to be some end-of-season games. As is often the case, teams who get drawn in England’s World Cup group will probably be keen to take on Ireland — opponents they may perceive to have a similar style.
There has also been talk of involvement in a US-based tournament reserved for some of the teams who failed to reach the World Cup, though that idea is very much in its early stages according to reports, and may come to nothing.
Ireland will also take part in the Uefa Nations League, which is set to replace most friendlies from September 2018 onwards.
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The competition will also be linked to Euro 2020 qualifying, giving teams another chance to reach the tournament.
Ireland have been placed in League B of the Nations League alongside Northern Ireland and Wales. For further details on that competition, click here.
Despite the offer of a new contract apparently being on the table, after last night’s setback, O’Neill strongly hinted that he would consider his future in the job.
In contrast with the quick turnaround between Euro 2016 and the World Cup qualifiers, considering that it is so long until Ireland’s next competitive game, the Derry native will certainly have plenty of time to take stock.
Whether it is O’Neill or somebody else in charge, the manager should also have ample opportunity to experiment with young players and try different formations in the coming months, as the re-building process begins following last night’s demoralising loss.
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Mad to think Denmark scored more in the Aviva than South Africa in the rugby
Though there were mistakes throughout by management, anyone who thinks the solution is to bring in a new messiah and to try and play attacking football is not looking deep enough. Of any of the fifty or so possible starters for an Irish team, the only one who could play that style is arter.
Dublin has a much lower population of GAA players than soccer, yet produces Diarmuid Connolly and Ciarain Kilkenny, both players who are wonderful passers of a football, with vision and attacking creativity. Soccer in Dublin produces no such players.
Irish soccer needs an overhaul similar to the one Belgium had in 2000, Spain had in 94, and Germany had in 2002. The style has to change from the age of six. Otherwise, it’s a long freewheel downhill from here
@Chucky Arlaw: the FAI have an awful lot to answer for. Useless
@Chucky Arlaw: are u saying the only player in the panel capable of playing good football is Arter?? Is that correct or have I misunderstood something?
So if McCleans shot goes in and the dynamics of the game change, and we hold on for an hour, we have no such problems in our game anymore? Give it a rest you bore it’s one game we got smashed cos of 2 sloppy goals in 3 minutes which was effectively the game ender. Put the fossil brush and magnifying glass away you pretentious aul eejit.
The North were brave when they appointed Micheal O’Neil and were rewarded. A league of Ireland manager who was progressive, on an upward curve in his career not winding his career down.
Why not take a punt on Stephen Kenny, he’s shown that he can coach players of a certain standard to perform well past expectation and win games against teams with vast superior resources.
The lack of preperation and lack of belief in the players ability means its time for a change at the helm. Would give anything to see Chris Hughton given a go
The north and south join up now stop this silly politics
@Aidan O: pour one bucket of muck into another bucket of muck, you just end up with a big bucket of muck.
@Aidan O: We already have players from the North; Duffy, McLean, O’Kane etc
European championship failure!
Not to worry. We still have John Delaney.
More failure on other international stages.