"Heimir Hallgrimsson may have dropped the bombshell about his contract extension right in the middle of his squad announcement press conference ahead of the World Cup play-offs, but there were still plenty of other talking points to pick through from his 25-man panel."
"While you could have put your house on the likes of Troy Parrott, Caoimhín Kelleher, Nathan Collins and Finn Azaz getting the nod, others were less certain of making the cut. We knew that Evan Ferguson, Josh Cullen and Mikey Johnston were out injured but the camp came too soon for Will Smallbone."
"Robbie Brady and Adam Idah won their own fitness races to be included, there was a first Irish call-up for new recruit Harvey Vale, while Alan Browne earned a first recall since September 2024."
Heimir Hallgrimsson announced his contract extension during the squad announcement press conference for the World Cup play-offs. The 25-man panel included expected selections like Troy Parrott, Caoimhín Kelleher, Nathan Collins, and Finn Azaz. Several players missed out due to injury, including Evan Ferguson, Josh Cullen, and Mikey Johnston, while Will Smallbone arrived too late in his recovery. Robbie Brady and Adam Idah successfully passed fitness tests for inclusion. Harvey Vale received his first Irish call-up as a new recruit, and Alan Browne earned recall after absence since September 2024. The squad announcement generated discussion about both winners and losers ahead of the Prague match.
Read at Independent
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