Latest news with #SéamusColeman
Irish Times
4 days ago
- General
- Irish Times
Jake O'Brien: ‘We all feel we are good enough to be at the World Cup'
Séamus Coleman is absent from the Republic of Ireland squad for the upcoming friendlies against Senegal and Luxembourg. Nobody has stated with any certainty if the 36-year-old's playing career is over. Everton manager David Moyes is adamant his captain will be contracted to the club next season. In what capacity, however, remains unclear as Coleman has struggled with injuries for several years. Jake O'Brien is the next man up. The Ireland skipper's unavailability provided an opportunity for O'Brien to establish himself as a Premier League right-back. 'Séamus is a huge part of the club at Everton, everyone knows that, he's highly respected – what he's going to do next July I don't know,' said O'Brien. READ MORE 'He can do what he wants. If he wants to be a coach or a player, either one he wants to be, but I think it's important we keep him at the club, he's at the heart of everything. 'He was only caretaker manager for a week [in January] but it was great. He's like that all the time, always driving standards in training, he was no different as caretaker.' O'Brien rolled the best and worst season of his career into the past 12 months. Everton paid Lyon €19.5 million for the 24-year-old last summer only for Sean Dyche to barely notice. Dyche used the 6ft 6in defender twice off the bench as The Toffees annual flirtation with relegation forced a managerial change in January. Moyes returned to Goodison Park and immediately transformed O'Brien into a right-back, mainly to due to the unavailability of Coleman. In 12 straight Premier League starts at full-back, the Cork man showed his distribution skills, earning a recall to Heimir Hallgrímsson's international squad, where he forced his way into the team against Bulgaria in March, at centre-back alongside Nathan Collins. 'Six months back I was in a different place, I wasn't where I thought I'd be when I came to Everton,' he admitted. 'I worked hard every day in training. It happens in football, sometimes managers favour you and others don't, a lot can happen in six months. Jake O'Brien in training. Photograph: Tom Maher/Inpho 'I think when [Moyes] came in, he just knew the club really well and what worked for the club and I think he just got to know the players really well and what works for the team. He didn't come in and try to change too much all of a sudden. He was very open-minded when you were speaking to him and I'm grateful that he's given me a chance so everyone knows that he knows what he is doing and that has shown in the last six months with how we finished strongly in the season.' Matt Doherty has the Ireland right-back role under wraps for the time being, but it was instructive to see Hallgrímsson go with O'Brien ahead of another established Premier League performer in Dara O'Shea. Now that O'Shea, Celtic's Liam Scales and O'Brien all reported for training on Monday morning, the Ireland manager's pecking order will be revealed on Friday against Senegal at the Aviva Stadium. The centre-half stocks are so plentiful that Hallgrímsson has experimented with Collins as a holding midfielder alongside Josh Cullen. Last year, for 45 minutes at Wembley, it worked. Then Scales was sent off for a second yellow card and England scored five goals. 'It's always been a strong position with the Irish team, we've always had good defenders,' said O'Brien after training in Abbotstown. 'As a player you always have to be confident you can come in and stake your place, we have good players in that position so it's up to the manager at the end of the day.' Despite the unavailability of former Liverpool star Sadio Mané, Senegal are ranked 19th in the world – to Ireland's 60th – for good reason. O'Brien knows all about the individual quality of their Everton duo Idrissa Gueye and Iliman Ndiaye. 'The two lads are obviously really good players who have had really good seasons in the Premier League. If you look at the overall squad, they have very prolific players and I think it's good for us to come up against these teams and prepare for the World Cup.' In that sense, it is a useful fixture. In reality, Hallgrímsson will use the game to settle upon the starting XI that can beat Hungary in the opening World Cup qualifier at the Aviva Stadium on September 6th. Three days later Ireland return to Yerevan to face an Armenia side that beat them 1-0 in 2022. 'We all feel we are good enough to be at the World Cup,' said O'Brien. 'This is a different type of opposition to what we are used to but it's important we play these types of teams and know that we're good enough to go toe to toe with them.'
Irish Independent
29-05-2025
- Sport
- Irish Independent
‘We have the material to qualify,' insists Heimir Hallgrimsson ahead of World Cup bid
Ireland boss believes tournament experience of Séamus Coleman and Robbie Brady will be vital in campaign The Ireland squad will descend on Dublin this Sunday ahead of their June friendly double-header, the latest stop on a road they hope will lead to a first World Cup in 24 years next summer. But out of Heimir Hallgrimsson's 23-man squad, only one man has known the feeling of qualifying for, and featuring in, a major tournament. Next month will mark nine years since Ireland's last appearance at a major finals and Robbie Brady is the only current survivor from that Euro 2016 campaign. The 33-year-old will forever be associated with that magical night in Lille.
Irish Times
29-05-2025
- General
- Irish Times
Séamus Coleman and Sammie Szmodics to miss Ireland friendlies against Senegal and Luxembourg
Republic of Ireland manager Heimir Hallgrímsson has called up Andrew Moran in place of Sammie Szmodics for the international friendlies against Senegal and Luxembourg. Ireland face Senegal at the Aviva Stadium on Friday week (June 6th) followed by an end-of-season trip to Luxembourg on June 10th. Séamus Coleman lasted only 18 minutes for Everton in the club's last match at Goodison Park on May 18th and requires a three-week recovery period. Hallgrímsson decided not to replace Coleman in a 23-man squad as Matt Doherty, Jake O'Brien, Festy Ebosele and Dara O'Shea can play right back. On whether the 36-year-old will feature in the World Cup qualification campaign – beginning against Hungary and Armenia in September –Hallgrímsson said: 'That's for Séamus to decide, not me.' READ MORE 'He is a leader in this squad. His experience is one thing, but his quality as a player as well, having played at the highest level for so long. 'Hopefully there will come another time for him. I know he is going to be at Everton next season in more of a leadership role. If he is going to continue playing is his decision.' Séamus Coleman gestures to the crowd as he leaves the pitch after going down injured during Everton's Premier League game against Southampton on May 18th. Photograph: Martin Rickett/PA Szmodics returned from the ankle injury he sustained in January to finish Ipswich Town's season against West Ham last Sunday but Hallgrímsson wants him to rest and undergo a full preseason to be ready for Hungary's visit to Dublin on September 6th. 'Sammie played 10, 15 minutes in the last game for Ipswich, but his ankle got sore so we decided to call in Andy Moran as a winger-ish-type. He has played in that position before. 'He made a good impression when we played England away [last November], in a difficult situation, and he wasn't involved in the last camp so this is a chance for him to cement himself in the squad. 'His playing time at Stoke got less and less, maybe because he was a loan [from Brighton]. He is really young, he has quality to play in many positions.' Republic of Ireland squad Goalkeepers: Caoimhín Kelleher (Liverpool), Max O'Leary (Bristol City), Josh Keeley (Leyton Orient, on loan from Tottenham Hotspur). Defenders: Matt Doherty (Wolverhampton Wanderers), Nathan Collins (Brentford), Dara O'Shea (Ipswich Town), Jake O'Brien (Everton), Andrew Omobamidele (Strasbourg, on loan from Nottingham Forest), Liam Scales (Celtic), Robbie Brady (Preston North End). Midfielders: Jason Knight (Bristol City), Killian Phillips (St Mirren, on loan from Crystal Palace), Will Smallbone (Southampton), Jack Taylor (Ipswich Town), John Joe Patrick Finn (Stade De Reims), Andrew Moran (Stoke City, on loan from Brighton). Forwards: Troy Parrott (AZ Alkmaar), Evan Ferguson (West Ham United, on loan from Brighton), Adam Idah (Celtic), Kasey McAteer (Leicester City), Festy Ebosele (Istanbul Basaksehir), Ryan Manning (Southampton). Fixture details Republic of Ireland v Senegal, Aviva Stadium; Friday, June 6th, 7.45pm Luxembourg v Republic of Ireland, Stade De Luxembourg; Tuesday, June 10th, 7.45pm (Irish time)
Yahoo
18-05-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Epic scenes as Everton lead on Goodison Park farewell
Epic scenes as Everton lead on Goodison Park farewell LIVE TO FOLLOW 2025-05-18T12:00:55Z West Ham host Nottingham Forest later on, and the Hammers have released their starting XI ... 2025-05-18T11:59:58Z A good omen for all the Everton fans out there ... 2025-05-18T11:54:43Z Advertisement This man's been superb so far today ... 2025-05-18T11:54:22Z What a half it's been for Everton! We've got just 45 minutes of men's football left at Goodison ... 2025-05-18T11:51:18Z HALF-TIME Everton 2-0 Southampton Nidaye's two goals the difference at the interval, while Beto has also had two goals ruled out for offside. Only 45 minutes of men's football remains at Goodison Park... 2025-05-18T11:50:48Z GOAL! Everton 2-0 Southampton Nidaye 45+2' It's a second for Nidaye! Goodison is rocking! 2025-05-18T11:46:04Z What a farewell. 2025-05-18T11:43:19Z 2025-05-18T11:40:52Z Was that Wayne Rooney strike the most memorable? 2025-05-18T11:39:03Z Advertisement More epic scenes around Goodison Park this afternoon. 2025-05-18T11:38:21Z An impressive piece of history for Everton's grand old lady! 2025-05-18T11:21:33Z Unfortunately the Everton skipper's day has came to a premature end through injury. Séamus Coleman leaves the field to deafening applause. 2025-05-18T11:19:34Z Some of the scenes prior to kick-off on an emotional day on Merseyside. 2025-05-18T11:14:07Z GOAL! Everton 1-0 Southampton Nidaye 6' The perfect start for Everton! Ndiaye gets forward and guides a low effort into the corner to send Goodison Park wild. 2025-05-18T11:11:16Z KICK-OFF We're underway in the first Premier League fixture of the day between Everton and Southampton for Goodison Park's final farewell.
Irish Times
14-05-2025
- Sport
- Irish Times
Ireland captain Séamus Coleman named in squad for friendlies against Senegal and Luxembourg
The international career of Séamus Coleman has some miles to run as the 36-year-old Republic of Ireland captain is included in Heimir Hallgrímsson's squad to play Senegal and Luxembourg next month. 'Séamus has had limited minutes for Everton but he really wants to come in,' said Hallgrímsson. 'Same goes for Will Smallbone and Evan Ferguson.' Coleman will compete with Matt Doherty and Festy Ebosele while only three players from the Championship – Max O'Leary, Robbie Brady and Jason Knight – are selected as the international friendlies fall at the beginning of their off-season. Ireland face Senegal at the Aviva Stadium on June 6th before a trip to Luxembourg on June 10th. READ MORE 'Three weeks before the camp is an unusual time to announce the squad but we wanted to give the players notice,' Halgrímsson explained. 'There has been a lot of talk about the load on players. We are trying to adjust to that fact by limiting the number of Championship players in this squad. 'An exception is Robbie Brady, who plays at left back where we don't have a lot of depth. The others can have a good pre-season and be ready to go for the World Cup qualifiers in September.' Hallgrímsson also named Shamrock Rovers defender Josh Honohan as one of four uncapped players. Honohan (24) is joined by goalkeeper Josh Keeley, who has impressed this season on loan from Tottenham Hotspur to Leyton Orient, Stade Reims midfielder John Joe Patrick Finn and Killian Phillips who is currently on loan to St Mirren from Crystal Palace. Keeley (21), a product of the St Patrick's Athletic academy, provides cover for Gavin Bazunu as the Southampton goalie is recovering from a knee injury. Finn (21) was born in Madrid but his late father, John Finn, hails from Ballyhaunis in Mayo. Phillips (23) comes from the more traditional route, moving from Killbarrack United to Drogheda United before signing with Palace in 2022. Andrew Omobamidele, Sammie Szmodics and Smallbone also return to camp following injury-interrupted seasons. 'We are hoping Sammie will be ready in June, but it is unlikely. Troy Parrott has a groin injury but he is optimistic that he will be back. Festy, as well, is coming back slowly.' This is the last opportunity for Hallgrímsson to find a formula that can guide Ireland to the 2026 World Cup ahead of the opening qualifier against Hungary in Dublin on September 6th. Ireland squad Goalkeepers: Caoimhín Kelleher (Liverpool), Max O'Leary (Bristol City), Josh Keeley (Leyton Orient, on loan from Tottenham Hotspur) Defenders: Séamus Coleman (Everton), Matt Doherty (Wolverhampton Wanderers), Nathan Collins (Brentford), Josh Honohan (Shamrock Rovers), Dara O'Shea (Ipswich Town), Jake O'Brien (Everton), Andrew Omobamidele (Strasbourg, on loan from Nottingham Forest), Liam Scales (Celtic), Robbie Brady (Preston North End) Midfielders: Jason Knight (Bristol City), Killian Phillips (St. Mirren, on loan from Crystal Palace), Will Smallbone (Southampton), Jack Taylor (Ipswich Town), John Joe Patrick Finn (Stade De Reims) Forwards: Troy Parrott (AZ Alkmaar), Evan Ferguson (West Ham United, on loan from Brighton and Hove Albion), Adam Idah (Celtic), Sammie Szmodics (Ipswich Town), Kasey McAteer (Leicester City), Festy Ebosele (Istanbul Basaksehir), Ryan Manning (Southampton)
