The Republic of Ireland faces off against Hungary tonight at the Aviva Stadium; the match will be broadcast live on RTÉ 2, commencing 7.45pm. Despite a noticeable decrease in public engagement with the Irish teams, organisers anticipate a crowd of approximately 37,000 for the match. This forecast is contingent upon all 24,000 season ticket holders turning out.
Earlier this year, games against Belgium and Switzerland saw attendances of 38,128 and 35,742 respectively. Subsequently, 32,742 spectators watched England triumph over Katie McCabe’s squad 2-0 in April. Recent matches have seen a decline in numbers, with only 22,868 attendees, mainly young female supporters, for the match against Sweden which resulted in a 3-0 defeat. This is attributed largely to the FAI’s promotional focus on the men’s team.
Hungary, captained by Dominik Szoboszlai, a 23-year old Liverpool midfielder, enters the match unbeaten. Szoboszlai, who has scored 12 goals in 40 international appearances, looks set to take centre stage as his next big challenge is the forthcoming Euros. His outstanding performance forms a stark contrast to Ireland’s recent form, bringing back memories of the successful ‘Magical Magyar’ era led by Ferenc Puskás in the 1950s.
Under manager Marco Rossi, Hungary has had a remarkable run, losing only twice to Italy but securing victories against England, Germany and Serbia in the previous two years. This impressive record has earned them a place in upcoming matches in Cologne and Stuttgart. Seamus Coleman, Ireland’s captain, acknowledged Hungary’s strength, noting that alongside Szoboszlai, left-back Milos Kerkez is also a key player to watch.
After coming face-to-face with the nation ranked 60th globally and welcoming Israel to Debrecen this Saturday, Hungary will commence their European campaign with a match against Switzerland. This will be followed by games against the tournament hosts and Scotland in the city notorious for introducing football to the Irish.
Alongside this, the Football Association of Ireland (FAI) keeps the status of its seven-month-long search to find Stephen Kenny’s successor under wraps. The upcoming matches against Hungary and next Tuesday’s contest in Portugal are being framed as try-outs for the acting head coach, John O’Shea.
“Clarity on this matter would be appreciated by everyone, myself, the coaching staff, the players,” O’Shea stated before drawing on a Gaelic Athletic Association slogan from Donegal, as pointed out by his team captain, Seamus Coleman. “Our goal is to defeat Hungary, and to re-start the cycle of victories for the Irish team. It’s quite straightforward. The aim is to cultivate the winning mindset, particularly for home games. Resuming our winning streak is crucial – as a Donegal local famously said, and I believe Seamus can affirm this, ‘Jimmy’s winning matches.’ For me, that’s the primary objective – we need to get back to winning.”
O’Shea temporarily takes over a team that hasn’t achieved victory over a noteworthy nation since their match against Scotland in June 2022. That same month, two years ago, Ireland suffered crucial Nations League losses to Armenia and Ukraine. Kenny’s tenure plunged to its lowest point last summer following their loss to Greece in Athens.
Evidently, the competing Irish EFL Championship players, fatigued from a 46-game stretch seemed to lack the essential fitness to perform in June, a month post the club season’s end.
“Such circumstances won’t affect us. We’ll be prepared and capable of giving Hungary a challenging game,” O’Shea assured regarding the playoff.
Rossi is set to announce a powerful lineup; however, various Irish Premier League players including Evan Ferguson, Chiedozie Ogbene, Gavin Bazunu, Nathan Collins, and Andrew Omobamidele, are not available.
There are suitable alternatives. During O’Shea’s management of the March friendly games, a significant problem was capitalising on scoring opportunities. The promotion of Tom Cannon to the senior squad, following the successful deterrence of interest in the Leicester City striker from the England under-21 manager, Lee Carsley, could give Ireland the necessary boost.
Troy Parrott, who recently scored a hat-trick for Excelsior in the Dutch relegation play-offs, is fit for play. Similarly, Josh Cullen, who just got married, and Adam Idah, who had a successful loan spell at Celtic with 9 goals in 19 matches, are ready.
Likewise, Bosun Lawal and Jake O’Brien might get their first caps. Having proven his worth during his loan from Celtic to Fleetwood Town, Lawal is expected to be a solid replacement for Cullen in midfield.
On Lawal, O’Shea remarked, “He’s clearly a strong lad, but he possesses finesse as well. He’s truly thrilling but still needs to continue his progression. His stint at Fleetwood should provide good exposure and we’ll see where it takes him at Celtic. There might be an opportunity to watch him play tomorrow.”
Here’s the probable line-up for Ireland: Kelleher from Liverpool, Coleman from Everton, O’Shea from Burnley, O’Brien from Lyon, Scales and Idah from Celtic, Brady from Preston North End, Smallbone from Southampton, Knight from Bristol City, Szmodics from Blackburn Rovers and Johnston, on loan from Celtic to West Bromwich Albion.
The expected Hungarian team is made up of Gulácsi from RB Leipzig; Szalai from SC Freiburg, Orbán from RB Leipzig, Lang from Omonia Nicosia; Nego from Le Harve, Nagy from Spezia Calcio, Schäfer from Union Berlin, Kerkez from Bournemouth; Szoboszlai from Liverpool, Varga from Ferencvárosi TC, and Sallai from SC Freiburg.