‘Growth’ for Republic of Ireland despite Prague pain

March 27, 2026 No Comments

‘Growth’ for Republic of Ireland despite Prague painImage source, InphoImage caption, The pain was etched on Republic of Ireland captain Nathan Collins’ face after his side’s shootout defeat in PragueByMatt GaultBBC Sport NI senior journalist in PraguePublished38 minutes agoThe full gamut of emotions synonymous with do-or-die international football was on display as the Republic of Ireland’s World Cup dream was left in ruins following a devastating penalty shootout defeat by the Czech Republic. The week started with feverish excitement as thousands of Irish fans – most of whom didn’t have a ticket to the game – descended on Prague.On the back of a rollercoaster qualifying campaign that ended with inspiring wins over Portugal and Hungary, the supporters – Parrott costumes in tow – flooded the Czech capital with renewed belief that Heimir Hallgrimsson’s team were capable of ending a 24-year wait for a World Cup return. And for a while, Thursday’s play-off semi-final at a raucous Fortuna Arena promised to eclipse the ecstatic full-time scenes in Budapest that followed Troy Parrott’s last-gasp winner in November.Parrott stepped up again to give his side the lead from the spot before Czech goalkeeper Matej Kovar’s own goal stirred Irish dreams of a play-off final in Dublin. But from there, elation turned to frustration when Ryan Manning’s foul on Czech skipper Ladislav Krejci enabled Patrik Schick to slot home a momentum-swinging penalty in a frantic first half. With the game on a knife-edge, the visitors went close to restoring a precious two-goal cushion through Jayson Molumby and Parrott before Krejci’s 86th-minute header forced extra-time. After Sammie Szmodics was taken from the field on a stretcher, following an aerial collision that left the Derby midfielder unconscious, the Irish players regained enough composure to lead 3-2 after six penalties in the shootout. But failed attempts by Finn Azaz and Alan Browne paved the way for Jan Kliment to complete a whirlwind tale of Irish heartache and send the Czechs into Tuesday’s decider with Denmark. Pain the overriding emotion for Hallgrimsson

6 hours ago

Czech Republic end Irish hopes with shootout win

‘Timing of goal knocked wind out of us’

The Republic of Ireland are no strangers to penalty pain. But unlike against Spain at the 2002 World Cup and Slovakia in the Euro 2020 play-offs, they led this game 2-0 and now must reckon with how they lost control of their destiny.

“We were in a good spot,” captain Nathan Collins told BBC Sport NI.

“We were playing really well. We were front-footed, creating chances, our press was working, we were hurting them on the ball.

“The timing of their first goal probably affects it a bit and knocks the wind out of you. They had a lot to fight for in the second half, but it’s probably the timing of it rather than the performance.”

There was a kind of twisted inevitability with how the Republic of Ireland’s fate was sealed after Hallgrimsson revealed in the build-up that his squad would not practise penalties.

It at least did not impact Parrott’s coolness from 12 yards. The talismanic striker converted in Budapest and expertly dispatched another for the opener in Prague despite a lengthy wait for the home side’s protestations to subside.

Parrott made no mistake at the start of the shootout, and while Adam Idah and Robbie Brady both followed suit, Azaz and Browne – who also failed to score in the Slovakia shootout – were denied by Kovar.

“They have a lot of thoughts in their head right now,” added Collins, who hit the crossbar early in the game.

“There’s not a lot you can say to a person when they’re in that position. But there are not a lot of people that would stand up and take a penalty.

“It took a lot of bravery for them to do that so there’s no fingers being pointed at them at all.”

Alan Browne's penalty is saved — Image caption,

Alan Browne was unable to exorcise the ghost of 2020 as he had another shootout effort saved

‘We are growing’

Hallgrimsson, who last week signed a contract extension until 2028, will lead his side into a friendly against North Macedonia in Dublin on Tuesday before the return of the Nations League in September.

Asked to sum up his emotions in the immediate aftermath, the Icelander stated: “One word, just pain.”

However, the 58-year-old was keen to highlight the “growth” he has seen in a squad that bounced back from a miserable loss to Armenia in Yerevan to reel off three straight wins and reach this stage.

And while 37-year-old Seamus Coleman may not be around for much longer – although he was non-committal about retirement – the Everton stalwart was the only player in the starting line-up older than 30.

That points to a potentially bright future if Hallgrimsson continues to shape those approaching their peak years.

“First of all, we take that with us, that we can play teams higher than us in the Fifa rankings, punch above our weight whether it’s Portugal, Hungary or here, and compete with these teams,” he stated.

“We came here with three wins in a row – it’s a long time since that happened for this national team, so there’s growth in the squad, it’s maturing.

“These have been the biggest games most of these players have played, so that’s encouraging, to know that we are growing.”

The Republic of Ireland players react to losing on penalties — Image caption,

Heimir Hallgrimsson says his side will continue to grow once they recover from Thursday’s loss

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