The immediate beneficiary of John Eustace’s appointment as Republic of Ireland coach has to be Jimmy Dunne. Jeff Hendrick is a close second but all of a sudden the Queens Park Rangers centre back has a club voice fighting his corner when it comes to international recognition.
Eustace is already filling the Anthony Barry role at Irish training in Abbotstown, ahead of the centenary match against an under-strength Belgium at the Aviva stadium on Saturday, perfecting the 3-4-2-1 system both coaches drill into players on a daily basis at Chelsea and QPR.
Eustace, like Barry before Belgium recruited him from under the FAI’s nose, will double job on the club and country scenes.
“I played against John which makes me feel a bit old,” said Conor Hourihane, who at 31 enters his prime years at Sheffield United, while on loan from Aston Villa. “Looking forward to working with him.”
Expectations are enormous with Eustace facing a challenge to match his predecessor’s immediate impact. And just for add …
- March 22, 2022
