Seamus Coleman: Republic’s World Cup heroics mean nothing without qualification

Damian Spellman, PA

Seamus Coleman has warned the Republic of Ireland their World Cup qualification heroics to date will count for nothing if they do not go on to reach the finals.

The 37-year-old defender was part of the team which snatched a 3-2 victory over Hungary in Budapest with the last kick of the game three days after defeating Cristiano Ronaldo’s Portugal in Dublin to ensure they finished second in Group F and grabbed a play-off spot.

Wild celebrations ensued with Coleman’s own emotions pouring out after the final whistle, but he knows the big prize still awaits with the Czech Republic in Prague on Thursday evening, and then potentially Denmark or North Macedonia standing between them and their dream.

The Everton captain said: “Ultimately it has to count for something as well. It was great at the time and memories that people will keep forever, but it has to count for something, and that is starting (on Thursday).

“When you put on the green shirt, you are representing your people and it is an emotional occasion. We have enough tough days as well, so it’s important to soak in those good days.”

Coleman played 60 minutes in Budapest before being replaced by Festy Ebosele with the Hungarians leading 2-1, and, although it took Troy Parrott, who had cancelled out the opener in the 15th minute, to level for a second time before completing a famous hat-trick at the death, the right-back insisted he had never given up hope.

Asked if he feared his international career was over as he left the pitch, he said: “It is hard to explain without being there, but there was such a belief that week that I fully believed we could get back into the game and create something.

“When Troy got his second goal, I felt that if we scored in or around that time, I just felt that we could get back in that game.

“No, it never crossed my mind. I fully believed that the lads would get the job done, whether that was naive of me or not, but it proved not to be. I thought they would get the job done and so they did.”

Veteran Coleman’s continued presence in Heimir Hallgrimsson’s squad is a testament not only to his quality but his dedication, and his motivation remains what it has always been.

He said: “I just want to be someone who is remembered as a good team-mate, someone that works hard every single day. I don’t want anyone to ever have an opportunity to say ‘He’s not giving his all’.

“The motivation is putting on that green shirt for Ireland. It’s incredible, it’s something we dreamed of as a kid and underneath it all, it’s representing your people, my family, my mum, my dad, my brothers, my wife, my kids. Things like that are my motivation, always have been.

“I’m very proud to put on the green shirt for Ireland and never take it for granted.”