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Irish Times
4 days ago
- Sport
- Irish Times
Ken Early: Heimir Hallgrímsson's plan very nearly pays off in Ireland's solid performance against Senegal
Last month, Heimir Hallgrímsson decided he would give most of Ireland's Championship-based players this international window off to make the most of their holidays. It may prove a far-sighted decision, but it didn't do much for excitement levels in advance of Friday night's Senegal match, where the vibe was less 'do or die' than 'let's get this over with'. So the Irish starting XI contained eight 2024-25 Premier League players, five of whom have just been relegated. The Irish set-up was 4-4-1-1 without the ball and 3-4-2-1 with the ball, with Robbie Brady and Kasey McAteer as the wide players and Ryan Manning and Ipswich's Jack Taylor supporting the centre-forward Adam Idah. It was more disappointing than surprising to see Evan Ferguson left out of the starting line-up. Despite a terrible season at club level, he scored one of the best goals by an Ireland player in years in his last game here, against Bulgaria. Hallgrímsson went with Taylor as the player closest to Idah up front. Taylor is generally used by Ipswich in a defensive midfield position. His selection here in a more attacking role showed the importance the Ireland manager attaches to physical strength through the team. That is consistent with an approach that puts a lot of importance on set pieces. In the second minute Ireland won a throw high on the left and Nathan Collins and Dara O'Shea both advanced into the Senegal penalty area for the long throw. Ireland's opening goal midway through the first half came from a set-piece, though not one that seemed to have gone exactly according to plan. READ MORE Matt Doherty was running in to attack Robbie Brady's corner at the far post but O'Shea reached the ball first and headed it back towards the edge of the box. As Doherty and O'Shea appeared to argue over what had gone wrong, Manning clipped it back towards the penalty spot and Nathan Collins flicked a looping head over the advancing Senegal defenders. Kasey McAteer had reacted quickest and although Yahvann Diouf saved his first header, he latched on to the rebound and buried it low for his first Ireland goal. The joy on McAteer's face reminded you that not everybody considered this match a meaningless chore. Ireland's Adam Idah with Abdoulaye Seck and Abdou Diallo of Senegal. Photograph: Bryan Keane/Inpho McAteer was seeing a fair bit of the ball, Dara O'Shea often picking him out with raking passes from left centre back. The right-sided wide role has been variously filled by Mikey Johnston, Festy Ebosele and Chiedozie Ogbene in Hallgrímsson's eight previous matches, but on this showing McAteer is as strong an option as any of these. Certainly he has the physicality the manager likes. Ireland's performance in the first half was the kind that managers love while the fans rose en masse at the 40-minute mark to beat the queues at the bar. Solid, organised, going close on a few occasions, denying the opponents any sight of goal, getting a goal and keeping a clean sheet? There may not have been much to cheer about, but there was very little to complain about either. The start of the second half was enlivened by the invasion of a flock of seagulls, maybe attracted by the smell of half-time chips. They glided low over the seats in the west stand hunting for food before perching on the huge steel girders of the roof. The birds all sat facing the stands rather than the pitch. [ Hallgrímsson stresses Ireland's World Cup ambitions before valuable Senegal test Opens in new window ] They were missing Senegal gradually working their way back into the game. Caoimhín Kelleher had had nothing to do in the first half, but early in the second he needed to stretch to tip a header on to the underside of the bar. A few minutes later he was scrambling another ball clear after O'Shea had inadvertently deflected a cross on to the Irish post. The Irish goalkeeper's luck couldn't hold forever. Everton's Iliman Ndiaye is a useful dribbler but Andrew Moran – who had just come on as substitute – will be disappointed with how easy Ndiaye made beating him look. Ireland goalkeeper Caoimhin Kelleher watches the ball go just wide at the Aviva Stadium on Friday. Photograph: Laszlo Geczo/Inpho The Senegalese attacker dribbled in from the right before hitting a low cross that took a deflection away from goal along the way, wrong-footing the Irish defence and allowing Cherif Ndiaye to get off a low shot from eight yards. Kelleher stuck out his left foot to save the first effort but was powerless to stop Ismaila Sarr finishing off the rebound. After four wins and four defeats, this was the first draw of Hallgrímsson's tenure. The day before the match he had talked about how the identity and the principles of the team were becoming clearer all the time. The performance here bore that out to a certain extent, though this occasion lacked the intensity of a serious qualifying match. It goes without saying that neither Senegal nor Ireland looked anywhere near the level of Ireland's qualifying opponents, Portugal, as they came back to beat Germany in Munich in the Nations League semi-final during the week. Come the World Cup qualifiers in the autumn, less will depend on what has happened in these two summer friendlies, and more on whether between now and then Evan Ferguson can find himself a club, get some minutes on the field, and play himself back into the kind of form he was showing two years ago.
Irish Times
4 days ago
- Sport
- Irish Times
Seagulls circle as Senegal swoop for late draw
International friendly: Republic of Ireland 1 (McAteer 21) Senegal 1 (Sarr 82) The olé, olé, olé chorus was briefly heard inside the Aviva Stadium when Adam Idah and Cherif Ndiaye became embroiled in some pushing and shoving as injury-time ticked away. A flash of yellow cards from referee Adam Ladeback calmed the conflict. Such aggression was sorely missed during the previous 90 minutes as Kasey McAteer's first goal for the Republic of Ireland was cancelled out by Ismaïla Sarr's late equaliser. Heimir Hallgrímsson decided not to interrupt the holidays of Irish players who finished the English Championship season at the start of May. READ MORE His logic made sense. Hallgrímsson wants the likes of Josh Cullen and Finn Azaz fresh for the World Cup qualifiers against Hungary in September and Portugal in October. Ironically, the Ireland manager still fielded seven Championship players against a noticeably understrength Senegal side as five starters – Ryan Manning, Dara O'Shea, Will Smallbone, Jack Taylor and McAteer – were just relegated from the Premier League. This stark reality, as much as anything else, sums up the state of Irish football. Progress tends to be fleeting. Nobody is getting carried away with recent wins over Bulgaria. At least the constant depressive din that followed defeats has been silenced. Republic of Ireland's Adam Idah on the ball in the international friendly against Senegal at the Aviva Stadium. Photograph: Bryan Keane/Inpho Not that the first tie against Senegal will be remembered. For multiple reasons, this was a damp squib. Mainly, both teams either benched or rested their star turns. Liverpool legend Sadio Mané never left Saudi Arabia while Senegal manager Pape Thiaw ran his understudies in Dublin in advance of Tuesday's glamour tie against Thomas Tuchel's England at the City Ground in Nottingham. With a muted crowd at the Aviva Stadium waiting for Hallgrímsson to spring Evan Ferguson, Adam Idah made his second start under the Icelander as a reward for finishing the season with 20 goals for Celtic. The 32,478 attendance noticed the collection of Serie A and Premier League regulars Thiaw kept on ice. Napoli legend Kalidou Koulibaly, Chelsea striker Nicolas Jackson, Everton midfielder Idrissa Gueye and Crystal Palace winger Ismaila Sarr were conspicuous by their absence – except when they gently warmed up behind the goal. It was that sort of evening, with the leisurely tempo briefly interrupted by McAteer's first goal in his first start for his adopted country. After struggling for minutes in a poor Leicester City side, it was just what the Northampton-born winger needed. Senegal goalkeeper Yehvann Diouf makes a save from a header by Kasey McAteer. Photograph: Laszlo Geczo/Inpho McAteer finished on the second attempt when his header drew a fantastic save from Yehvann Diouf after Ryan Manning's cross was flicked on by Nathan Collins. Almost immediately, this sorry excuse for a competitive game of international football resumed its snail pace. Nobody is to blame. The FAI can say they secured a June fixture against a country ranked 19th in the world, even if it was a shadow of the team that will contend at the African Cup of Nations in December. At half-time, hundreds of fans headed for home as a flock of seagulls swooped in, snatching any unattended food. The game did provide a blank canvas for Will Smallbone to reclaim his place in the Ireland midfield. The Southampton man will be disappointed with two efforts on goal in either half, one he sprayed wide and the second was parried by Diouf. Ferguson arrived just before the hour mark, replacing Taylor as Ireland embraced a 4-4-2 formation that the disinterested Senegalese never properly examined for weaknesses. Ireland's Nathan Collins struggles for possession with Abdallah Sima of Senegal. Photograph: Laszlo Geczo/Inpho Little was expected of the 20-year-old, who started only once on loan to West Ham United since January. Match sharpness remains the enemy, but there were glimpses of his rare ability. Enough to suggest he will lead the line against Hungary on September 6th. Caoimhín Kelleher dominated the headlines this week after securing a €21 million move from Liverpool to Brentford. When called upon, after a deflection off Dara O'Shea almost spun into the Irish net, Kelleher made two solid saves. The night will be remembered by anyone associated with Killian Philips's rise from the Dublin suburb of Kilbarrack to winning his first Ireland cap. Socks rolled around his ankles, the 23-year-old did not look out of place. Besides the low-flying seagulls, the substitutions were the most interesting happenings in the second half until Sarr arrived to score an equaliser. Kelleher will shoulder no blame after he batted a shot by Cherif Ndiaye into the Palace winger's path. Roll on Tuesday's end-of-season trip to Luxembourg. IRELAND: Kelleher (Brentford); Doherty (Wolverhampton Wanderers), Collins (Brentford), O'Shea (Ipswich Town), Brady (Preston North End); McAteer (Leicester City), Knight (Bristol City), Smallbone (Southampton), Manning (Southampton); Taylor (Ipswich Town); Idah (Celtic). Subs: Ferguson (Brighton and Hove Albion) for Taylor (58), O'Brien (Everton) for Manning, Phillips (St Mirren) for Doherty (both 66), Ebosele (Basaksehir) for McAteer, Moran (Brighton and Hove Albion) for Smallbone (both 80), Scales (Celtic) for Brady (85) SENEGAL: Diouf (Stade Reims); Mendy (Nice), Seck (Maccabi Haifa), Diallo (Al-Arabi), Jakobs (Galatasaray); Diarra (Strasbourg), Camara (Berkane), Diatta (Monaco); Sima (Stade Brestois), Dia (Lazio), Ndiaye (Everton). Subs: Camara (Monaco) for Diatta, Sarr (Crystal Palace) for Sima (both 63), Sabaly (Metz) for Camarra, C Ndiaye (Red Star Belgrade) for Dia (both 77), Diouf (Slavia Prague) for Jakobs (85) Referee: Adam Ladeback (Sweden).
Irish Examiner
4 days ago
- Sport
- Irish Examiner
Adam Idah promoted to lead Ireland's attack against Senegal
Adam Idah will lead the line for Ireland in tonight's friendly against Senegal, promoted from the bench after his match-winner last time out. Idah's late volley completed a 4-2 aggregate victory in the March Uefa Nations League playoff against Bulgaria. His celebration and post-match comments spoke of his disappointment at missing out on the starting line-up and his plea has been heard by Heimir Hallgrímsson. The Icelander has opted for the Celtic man ahead of both Evan Ferguson and Troy Parrott. He's also handed first starts to Jack Taylor and Kasey McAteer in what seems to be a 4-2-3-1 formation. Will Smallbone returns to function as the No 10 behind Idah. Senegal, ranked 19 in the world, have left Nicolas Jackson on the bench as they rotate their squad for the double-header friendly culminating on Tuesday in Nottingham against England. Kick off at Lansdowne Road is at 7.45pm. IRELAND: C Kelleher; M Doherty, N Collins, D O'Shea, R Brady; J Knight, J Taylor; K McAteer, W Smallbone, R Manning; A Idah. SENEGAL: Y Diouf; A Mendy, L Camara Mamadou, A Seck, I Jakobs; H Diarra, I Ndiaye, K Diattta; A Sima, A Diallo, B Dia. Referee: A Ladeback (SWE)
BreakingNews.ie
5 days ago
- Entertainment
- BreakingNews.ie
Adam Idah confident he can handle the pressure at Celtic
Republic of Ireland striker Adam Idah has insisted he can handle the pressure of life at Celtic after ending the domestic season on a high. The 24-year-old, who completed a £9.5million switch from Norwich to Celtic Park last summer after a successful loan spell, finished the campaign with 20 goals despite making almost half his 53 appearances in all competitions from the bench. Advertisement However, he also suffered testing periods, not least after a video of him apparently vomiting from a taxi circulated on social media, prompting a stern defence from manager Brendan Rodgers. Asked about the pressure, Idah said: 'The pressure is a lot and you are expected to deliver. I think with my experience now, you have to put that behind you. You know what you are good at. 'If you don't score for a couple of games, it is not helpful to listen to an ex-player. I am not really concerned with what he thinks – I am there to do my bit. 'I had a good run in the last few games, but I know it can turn quick. That is football. There have been plenty of games when I have gone without scoring, you have to stay focused and help the team. Advertisement 'There is a lot of pressure at the club to be successful. It is good, I think. Every player wants to play at a big club, but what comes with a big club is the pressure.' Celtic boss Brendan Rodgers leapt to the defence of striker Adam Idah (Andrew Milligan/PA) Rodgers' backing – the Bhoys boss described him as 'a great young professional' – was welcome, but Idah has vowed to continue to live his life despite having to do so in the spotlight at times. He said: 'At the end of the day I am a human being. I go out. I don't have to stay inside all the time. It's hard when people are videoing you, it can be quite upsetting, especially when the story is made out to be what it is not. 'It can be tough, but like I said, I am human and I'm going to carry on with my life.' Advertisement In the meantime, Idah faces the task of re-establishing himself in the Ireland team under new boss Heimir Hallgrimsson, with Evan Ferguson and Troy Parrott having edged ahead of him in the pecking order. It was he who scored the winner after coming off the bench in the 2-1 Nations League victory over Bulgaria in March, and he will hope for a further taste of action in Friday night's friendly against Senegal at the Aviva Stadium as Hallgrimsson attempts to build up a run of three wins in four games ahead of the World Cup qualifying campaign. He said: 'We want to qualify for the World Cup and you want to be part of that, whether it is starting or off the bench. Even if you don't come on you can always help the team. 'It is up to the manager. Of course I want the minutes, but qualifying is the most important.' Advertisement
Daily Mail
6 days ago
- Lifestyle
- Daily Mail
I'm only human! Celtic striker Idah hits back at critics who question his off-field conduct
CELTIC striker Adam Idah has fired back at critics who questioned his off-field conduct towards the end of last season. A video was circulated on social media back in April which appeared to show Idah looking worse for wear and vomiting in the back of a taxi. Idah, who was on a day off at the time, immediately sought to explain himself to Celtic boss Brendan Rodgers in the aftermath. Rodgers was quick to defend the Republic of Ireland striker, who was signed for £9million from Norwich City last summer. Speaking to Irish media ahead of his country's friendlies against Senegal and Luxembourg, Idah insisted he will continue to live his life as normal. 'It didn't impact me,' said the 24-year-old in response to the social media storm around the video. 'I was out on a day off, that was that. The manager understood. I was off, I went out with the boys, and that was that. 'There was no problem with the manager - he spoke about it really well. 'I will be video-taped, but at the end of the day, I am a human being. I go out. I'm not a robot where I have to stay inside all the time. 'It's hard when people are videoing you. It can be quite upsetting, especially when the story is made out to be what it is not. 'It can be tough, but like I said, I am human and I'm going to carry on with my life.' All in all, Idah had a testing season. He wasn't first-choice for a lot of the campaign, with Daizen Maeda shining in a central role. But the Irishman still scored 20 goals in 53 appearances, which was the highest total of his career thus far. Learning to deal with the pressure and demands at a club like Celtic is something which he feels will stand him in good stead moving forward. 'The pressure is a lot and you are expected to deliver,' he said. 'I think with my experience now, you have to put that behind you. You know what you are good at. 'If you don't score for a couple of games, it is not helpful to listen to an ex-player. I am not really concerned with what he thinks - I am there to do my bit. 'I had a good run in the last few games, but I know it can turn quick. That is football. 'There have been plenty of games when I have gone without scoring, you have to stay focused and help the team. 'There is a lot of pressure at the club to be successful. It is good, I think. Every player wants to play at a big club, but what comes with a big club is the pressure. 'It was a disappointing end to the season for us [losing the Scottish Cup Final], but an overall fantastic season. 'I came away with two trophies, scored 20 goals and got the winning goal in the last camp for Ireland. I feel really good. 'Most strikers will say the same thing: that you get that feeling from scoring goals, and you're hungry for more. It's great to have. 'I got into a nice little rhythm towards the end of the season, and hopefully I can come into this camp and score more.' Meanwhile, Kieran Tierney has said his farewell to Arsenal fans ahead of his impending move back to Celtic in the summer. Tierney will return to Parkhead on a free transfer once his contract with the Gunners expires. Tierney told the Arsenal website: 'Just thank you for everything from day one. The fans supported us through the good times and the bad, and they supported me through some hard times as well. 'I think that's what I'm most grateful for, the times where it wasn't so good or so easy for me is when they probably supported me most, so I'm just very grateful and I feel very lucky to have the support from them. 'I feel so lucky that I've played for this club and the love that the supporters have given me has been amazing. I've loved every day here and I've learned so much, I've improved so much and I just feel very lucky.'
