'Hopefully everyone will have their time to shine' - Hallgrimsson looks to strike balance against
Ireland's rookies will get their time to shine against Luxembourg but Heimir Hallgrimsson won't compromise the need to finish the World Cup preparations on a high.
Back-to-back wins over Bulgaria in March were followed by an impressive showing against Senegal on Friday when Ireland came within eight minutes of beating the nation ranked 19th in the world.
Those numerals are opposite for the second part of the double-header. Luxembourg may be 91st in Fifa's rankings but their sole victory in the last 11 games was a notable one, slaying Sweden in March.
Luc Holtz's side are in the news locally due to the manager continuing to select Gerson Rodrigues despite the star striker being convicted of domestic violence against his former girlfriend Emily Boland. Protesters in attendance at Friday's defeat to Slovenia were forcibly removed, with the federation subsequently issuing an apology for the heavy-handedness.
Hallgrimsson doesn't intend overhauling his team in the final audition for the qualifiers kicking off against Hungary on September 6.
They also face newly crowned Uefa Nations League champions Portugal and Armenia in a six-match sprint campaign from September to November.
Josh Honohan, John Patrick Finn and Max O'Leary are in line to make their debuts.
'The purpose of this camp was to look at new faces and we will make some changes, even though we were really happy with the performance against Senegal,' said the Icelander.
'Hopefully everyone will have their time to shine but we'd like to keep some consistency too and build on what we've been doing well.
'I think we probably played one of our best games as a team and we don't want to miss that in the game against Luxembourg 'As everybody knows, this World Cup campaign comes and goes really quickly.'
Repeating the good aspects from the Senegal game and eradicating some of the lapses that cost them late on is the manager's prioriy.
'We are growing as a unit,' he asserted.
'We are saying the same thing over and over again, probably boring for the players to listen to because we are saying the same thing over and over and I have said before that it's basics first before details.
'The excitement comes from that. We can feel that we are growing every time we play.
'Being comfortable against Senegal was one step taken. We can have the same against Luxembourg, so it shouldn't be up and down performances.
'Consistent performances are what we need.
'Luxembourg could have scored more goals against Sweden, so I wouldn't look at it as a shock to the nation if we would not get a good result here.
'A win here would be really good for us at this stage. I hope nobody is taking them lightly.'
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
The 42
an hour ago
- The 42
Minimal change in low-key squad announcement for Ireland's US summer tests
THE ANNOUNCEMENT WAS low-key, the squad itself not straying too far from recent iterations after all. It was released through FAI social media channels at noon, while a press release landed in journalists' inboxes. There was no press conference with head coach Carla Ward, as is customary; some quotes instead circulated for use as the 23-player selection for a friendly double-header against the US was unveiled. Katie McCabe's unavailability was flagged last week, the captain rested after a hectic season which culminated in Champions League glory with Arsenal. Ward stated McCabe was 'on the verge of burnout' after the Nations League group finale against Slovenia, and suggested 'a number' of other players would not travel Stateside for the off-season series. More change was probably anticipated than followed, Ward selecting a relatively familiar squad as Ireland build towards their Nations League play-off with Belgium in October. Eight players were listed by the FAI as unavailable, four of them long-term injury absentees in Jamie Finn, Jess Ziu, Lily Agg and Tara O'Hanlon. Heather Payne and Leanne Kiernan had both been ruled out of the last camp, while Aoife Mannion joined the captain as the other name: the Manchester United defender played the first half of the Türkiye game, but didn't feature against Slovenia as her load — and a quad knock — was managed. Aside from the now-retired Louise Quinn, Shelbourne's Aoibheann Clancy was the only other player from the last squad not included following a recent bereavement. 'The WNT players and staff send their condolences to midfielder Aoibheann Clancy following the passing of her mother, Siobhan. She is being given the time to deal with this difficult period and has the full support of the WNT squad,' read the press release. Advertisement Hayley Nolan and Izzy Atkinson (centre) return to the squad. Ryan Byrne / INPHO Ryan Byrne / INPHO / INPHO Ellen Molloy, Hayley Nolan and Izzy Atkinson were the three headline inclusions. Molloy and Nolan receive their first call-ups under Ward. Molloy has been impressing in the SSE Airtricity Women's Premier Division since returning to Wexford, and now gets a fresh opportunity with Ireland. The 21-year-old midfielder was a regular under Vera Pauw, before an ACL injury interrupted her rise. A move to Championship outfit Sheffield United followed, and Molloy won her first senior cap since 2022 in last October's Euro 2025 playoff semi-final against Georgia. Another injury followed, she left Sheffield in January after four months due to personal reasons, and has been thriving amid home comforts. Nolan is back in the fold for the first time since late 2023 under Eileen Gleeson, having last played for Ireland in the pre-World Cup friendlies against the US. It's a full circle moment for the Crystal Palace defender, who has see-sawed between fine form and injury in recent times. 'Hayley has been unlucky to miss out on being included in recent squads, simply because we have a lot of competition for places at centre-back,' said Ward. 'We have kept an eye on her at club level, I've spoken with her managers and also had conversations with her. So we are excited to bring Hayley in and give her a chance.' There notable change is in defence, in the absence of first-choice full-backs McCabe and Mannion. Atkinson gets the nod as another left-sided option alongside Megan Campbell and Chloe Mustaki, while right-back is an area in which Ireland currently lack choice. Mannion appeared to nail down the position through the Nations League, though is naturally a centre-back. Jessie Stapleton deputised against Slovenia and will most likely have to do so again without injured duo Payne and Finn, but Nolan's versatility could also be useful. Expect huge competition at centre-half: there's a spot up for grabs for the first leg against Belgium with Anna Patten suspended, and no shortage of contenders. The rest of the squad runs along the same lines as the last, with no change in the goalkeeping department and Molloy added to a midfield selection spearheaded by Denise O'Sullivan, who will be stand-in captain. 'Ellen is a player who we have been tracking closely,' said Ward. 'She has done well for Wexford over the last two months and has been on the longlist for our squads, so we needed an opportunity to take a closer look at her in our environment and this is it. 'We know how talented Ellen is but it's how she can adapt that to international level is what we need to look at. I watched her when she was with Sheffield United and we've been watching her at Wexford, so we want to see how she gets on during this camp.' There's also continuity in attack, all who featured in the last window returning. New recruit Erin Healy is recalled, and could win her first cap in her country of birth. Atkinson is actually listed as a forward. The 23-year-old Dubliner gets a fresh international opportunity following her departure from Crystal Palace. She was in Ward's first squad where 'tough love' was offered after falling 'out of favour' at Palace, but was left out thereafter. Related Reads Recalls and absentees as Ireland squad named for US friendlies Have expectations been set too high for Ireland after mixed Nations League group? Like Molloy and Nolan, the 2023 World Cup bolter will be looking to get back in the picture. Ireland head coach Carla Ward. Ryan Byrne / INPHO Ryan Byrne / INPHO / INPHO Further experimentation with new faces, like younger and domestic talent, may have been hoped for in some quarters, but Ward sticks with pretty settled squad as the Belgium play-off looms large. The US provide formidable competition as the world number one, reigning Olympic champions and four-time World Cup winners. Their European-based players will be rested, but Emma Hayes still has an abundance of top stars to choose from. Ward cites her as a mentor and close friend and has unique insight, having worked in the set-up at the Paris 2024 Olympic Games as a scout and performance analyst. Now, she leads Ireland into their 16th and 17th meetings with the US in Denver (Thursday 26 June) and Cincinnati (Thursday 29 June). 'We know how good USA are, they've always been world-class but I believe Emma has taken them to another level and that's why this is a great test for us. To be coming up against the very best is a good opportunity for us,' said Ward. 'When these games were first proposed to us we knew that we would be without certain players, but that opens the door for others to step up. 'Of course you always want to win games but, for me, the most important aspect of these two games will be the performance and continuing to implement our processes. 'These two fixtures will be our final preparation, in terms of games, before we take on Belgium in October, so we want to make the most of these opportunities.'
The Irish Sun
an hour ago
- The Irish Sun
England footie ace Millie Bright misses OBE ceremony with Prince William as she's on crutches with knee injury
LIONESSES ace Millie Bright missed a date with Prince William yesterday — as she is on crutches. The England defender, 31, is recovering from surgery to fix a knee injury which forced her to Advertisement 3 Millie Bright is recovering from surgery to fix a knee injury Credit: Getty 3 Prince William with Everton manager David Moyes Credit: PA It also meant she missed her investiture at Windsor Castle, where she was due to receive an OBE. Instead, the It comes after The Sun revealed she had An onlooker said: 'Millie's had a chaotic few weeks with news of her split and pulling out of the England squad. Advertisement Read more on Millie Bright "But she's as tough in real life as she is on the pitch.' We revealed on Saturday how Millie had f England's World Cup captain last week made herself She was said to be in turmoil after splitting from hubby-to-be Levi Crew and growing close to tattooed martial arts enthusiast Dave, who has been seen moving into her property. Advertisement Most read in Football However, she has told friends her A source said yesterday: 'Millie and Dave's relationship has rocketed. STAR'S NEW LOVE England footie ace Millie Bright's hunky new personal trainer lover revealed as kickboxer dad of SEVEN "They are smitten. It's tough on their former partners but they are trying to navigate through the turbulence as best they can and concentrate on a future together.' Millie was awarded her OBE after winning the 2022 Euros and captaining England to the 2023 World Cup final. Advertisement 3 Millie's new love, tattooed martial arts enthusiast Dave Credit: Facebook
The Irish Sun
2 hours ago
- The Irish Sun
Fifa to introduce major change to offside decisions at Club World Cup to avoid repeat of Taiwo Awoniyi injury horror
CHELSEA and Manchester City players will avoid the risk of extra injuries from late-raised offside flags at the Club World Cup. Fifa chiefs have now confirmed a new computer-led system will be used for the first time when the expanded 32-club tournament kicks off in Miami in the early hours of Sunday morning. 2 Fifa are set to introduce some major offside changes ahead of the Club World Cup 2 Fifa's decision comes after Nottingham Forest ace Taiwo Awoniyi's horror injury And with the flag being raised if an attacker is just four INCHES offside, it will mean there SHOULD be no repeat of the offside guidelines that led to the horror injury sustained by Nottingham Forest's Nigerian Awoniyi was Massey-Ellis was following International FA Board protocols brought in since the introduction of VAR on 'tight' offsides, designed to prevent legitimate goalscoring chances being wiped out by premature whistles. But the Fifa version of the semi-automated offside technology, being introduced at this summer's 32-team tournament in the USA, will see the latest version of tracking cameras utilised. Read More on Football That will see assistants automatically informed if an attacking player breaking the line and touching the ball is more than 10cm offside, allowing the flag to be raised earlier. Each stadium will have 16 dedicated tracking cameras, linked to AI technology and algorithms, in addition to the sensor in the middle of the ball that was introduced at the 2022 World Cup in Qatar. Fifa ref's chief Pierluigi Collina said: 'The audio message, which will be 'offside, offside', will only go to the assistant referee when the player the algorithm has detected in an offside position touches the ball. Most read in Football 'Until they touch the ball, even if they are in an offside position, that message will not be sent. CASINO SPECIAL - BEST CASINO BONUSES FROM £10 DEPOSITS 'We are aware that the decision to keep the flag down was part of how VAR works, because you don't want to raise the flag on a close situation and kill the chance of a goal. 'The assistants have been doing what we told them to do but it is clear that what is viewed as 'close' has become bigger and bigger and bigger. Dazn unveil brilliant Club World Cup promo video with legendary boxing announcer drafted in to ring bell on tournament 'At the same time, we want the assistants to be a bit braver and more courageous in these situations. If a player is 2m offside, that cannot be a tight decision.' At this stage, PGMOL bosses have not planned to follow suit with the Fifa-style system next term, relying on the current guidelines once again. But if the Club World Cup approach is deemed a success, the pressure for Prem bosses to order a change of tack will grow, especially if late flags bring any more injuries next season. Fifa will also unveil the new Laws of the Game, including the 'five second countdown' signal leading to a corner if a goalkeeper holds onto the ball for more than eight seconds. Refs in the tournament will also be equipped with 'Ref Cams', attached to their ear pieces at eye level, giving TV and stadium viewers access to new angles of the play. The only live shots will be at the toss before the game but referee's views of key moments, including goals, will be shown on TV and stadium giant screens, and also available for officials to rule on VAR decision changes. Club World Cup 2025 Guide SOME of the world's biggest clubs are heading Stateside for a MAMMOTH Club World Cup. Chelsea, Paris Saint-Germain, Real Madrid, Man City, and Inter Miami are among the 32 teams taking part in the tournament, which runs from June 14 to July 13. Lionel Messi, Kylian Mbappe, Erling Haaland, Ousmane Dembele, Cole Palmer and Harry Kane will be showing their skills to packed crowds across the US. Los Blancos are favourites to lift the trophy in New York but will face stiff competition from around the globe. Here's everything you need to know ahead of the tournament... INFO Everything you need to know ahead of the Club World Cup LATEST NEWS & FEATURES
