Ireland v Hungary and Armenia - September 2025

[Eirambler]

With the Hungary game just over two weeks away I'd imagine we'll see Hallgrimsson's squad announcement early next week. It looks like it might actually be competitive to make the squad for once - Wikipedia suggests we've called up 46 players in the last year, and he tends to go with squads of just 23. There are a few injuries, but not too many, so there will be maybe a few surprise omissions here.

Goalkeeper looks fairly straightforward with Kelleher, Bazunu and Travers all currently fit. O'Leary is injured but probably wouldn't have been in anyway and Keeley will likely miss out despite his good form.

At right back Doherty looks a certain pick (although he claims he's a centre back these days) and Coleman as captain will presumably be in if fit.

Collins, O'Shea and O'Brien will be among the centre backs. That potentially leaves a few players chasing one other place, including Dunne, Abankwah, McGuinness, Scales and Omobamidele. Scales may get the nod here, meaning some decent players in McGuinness, Dunne and Omobamidele may miss out.

Left back looks more straightforward with Brady out, O'Dowda and Manning appear to be the only realistic options unless a decision is taken to being McClean out of retirement. Honohan didn't feature in June so is unlikely to make the cut here.

In centre midfield Cullen and Knight will definitely be in. That would leave Taylor, Smallbone, Molumby, Finn, Coventry, McGrath, Phillips and Lawal battling for one or two remaining places. Not sure where Alan Browne is at these days. Taylor and Molumby to get in maybe, with the rest all missing out?

Azaz and Szmodics will likely be the attacking midfielders, with Moran out of sight in the US. Szmodics had an injury scare but it sounds like it's maybe not too bad.

On the wing it's competitive as well, with McAteer, Johnston, Ogbene, Ebosele, Sykes and Vata competing for maybe three places - the first three would be favourites there, but that would mean we wouldn't have the option to bring Festy on off the bench in either game.

That would leave room for three out and out strikers, which would likely be Parrott, Ferguson and Idah also squeezing in as a bench option despite his poor form.

So that would leave the squad as:

Kelleher, Bazunu, Travers
Coleman, Doherty, Collins, O'Shea, O'Brien, Scales, O'Dowda, Manning
Cullen, Knight, Molumby, Taylor
Ogbene, Johnston, McAteer, Azaz, Szmodics
Parrott, Ferguson, Idah

[Razors left peg]

Conor Coventry in with a shout? Seems to have started well in Championship this season

[Eirambler]

Yes, he has a small chance I think. A lot of similar options in centre midfield, with no absolute standout players there.

[Eirambler]

https://archive.ph/r1dAM

The Irish Times' take on the start of play here. If Ferguson starts the season well a topic of debate will be whether/how him, Parrott and Azaz can all be accommodated in the same starting 11. Or, given the poor form of the likes of Idah and Cannon, whether it makes sense to hold one of Parrott and Ferguson back as a bench option.

[pineapple stu]

Not sure what to make of this one. It's so rare to have a forward coming into the window on great form (Sammie did it last year I guess, but was uncapped at the time - I'd rated Parrott higher, for right or for wrong). Kelleher at the other end - well Brentford are 1-0 up on Villa this afternoon so hopefully his season won't be quite as bad as it had the potential to be. If we've a bit of strength in nets and up front, we've always got a chance.

Hungary have only one twice in the last year, but in fairness they came third in the Nations League A group so they had tough games. Apart from being hammered in Germany and Holland they were unbeaten (which is a pretty big "Apart from"!) Kerkez has joined Szoboszlai at Liverpool but equally they've Callum Styles of WBA and Daniel Gazdag of Columbus Crew.

You have to worry about our midfield still, and indeed our full-back options. I know a draw isn't great for our qualification chances but I could see being happy with it. Not looking ahead to Armenia yet but they seem to have gone backwards since they beat us (one point from two games against the Faroes last year, though they still made it into a promotion playoff before getting stuffed 9-1 by Georgia).

[Eirambler]

It feels like we have a good few players in decent form at the start of the season - goalkeeper and defence should be strong enough with plenty of good options other than the usual weakness at left back.

If Ferguson can show any bit of form we look in good shape in attack as well - Parrott, Azaz and Johnston are all going well too.

Cullen seems to have started the season very well in midfield, Knight will give the usual 100% effort, below them it's more quantity than quality alright.

But overall I'd say we look in the best shape we've been in for seven or eight years, probably right back to just before the wheels came off for O'Neill.

[John83]

We've looked okay in defence and goals for a long time. The main thing that's changed over the past couple of years is the emergence of credible attackers. Parrott is blooming into a really good player, Ferguson is at least starting brightly at Roma, Szmodics and Azaz give real tactical options through the middle, all of them with goals in them. Just a few years ago we had a subset of the same players (plus Robinson, whose 12 goals in the Championship last year isn't enough to have him remain in real contention, it seems) none of whom could yet buy a drink legally in the USA. And while there are generally more question marks over each of them, there are at least several credible options on the wings. Beats the heck out of calling up League 1 players and small children.

There was a lot of talk in recent windows of needing 3 in the middle (maybe including one more attack-minded player like Azaz) to avoid getting overrun by better teams, so that decision of how (and when) to shore up the centre is still a big one for me. That and the left back issue, all the more pressing with Brady's injury.

[tetsujin1979]

Squad to be named tomorrow at 10:30
1959935310856335513

[~YTM~]

Collins, O'Shea and O'Brien will be among the centre backs. That potentially leaves a few players chasing one other place, including Dunne, Abankwah, McGuinness, Scales and Omobamidele. Scales may get the nod here, meaning some decent players in McGuinness, Dunne and Omobamidele may miss out.


Omobamidele came off injured this weekend so he's likely missing out already. Talented player but so prone to injuries.

[Kingdom]

We've looked okay in defence and goals for a long time. The main thing that's changed over the past couple of years is the emergence of credible attackers. Parrott is blooming into a really good player, Ferguson is at least starting brightly at Roma, Szmodics and Azaz give real tactical options through the middle, all of them with goals in them. Just a few years ago we had a subset of the same players (plus Robinson, whose 12 goals in the Championship last year isn't enough to have him remain in real contention, it seems) none of whom could yet buy a drink legally in the USA. And while there are generally more question marks over each of them, there are at least several credible options on the wings. Beats the heck out of calling up League 1 players and small children.

There was a lot of talk in recent windows of needing 3 in the middle (maybe including one more attack-minded player like Azaz) to avoid getting overrun by better teams, so that decision of how (and when) to shore up the centre is still a big one for me. That and the left back issue, all the more pressing with Brady's injury.

I can't be the only one who doesn't really see what's constantly spouted about Smodzics?

[pineapple stu]

He had that one very good spell. But yeah, probably due a goal at international level to justify the chat alright.

[Razors left peg]

I can't be the only one who doesn't really see what's constantly spouted about Smodzics?

He was a really good Championship player for 1 season and then injury killed last season and stopped any momentum from him. The only thing that stands out for me from him in an Ireland shirt to this point is when he was running offside demanding the ball when Parrott scored and there was a debate on if Parrott should have passed. He'd be a squad player for me right now but not a started in the team I think

[elatedscum]

With the Hungary game just over two weeks away I'd imagine we'll see Hallgrimsson's squad announcement early next week. It looks like it might actually be competitive to make the squad for once - Wikipedia suggests we've called up 46 players in the last year, and he tends to go with squads of just 23. There are a few injuries, but not too many, so there will be maybe a few surprise omissions here.

Goalkeeper looks fairly straightforward with Kelleher, Bazunu and Travers all currently fit. O'Leary is injured but probably wouldn't have been in anyway and Keeley will likely miss out despite his good form.

At right back Doherty looks a certain pick (although he claims he's a centre back these days) and Coleman as captain will presumably be in if fit.

Collins, O'Shea and O'Brien will be among the centre backs. That potentially leaves a few players chasing one other place, including Dunne, Abankwah, McGuinness, Scales and Omobamidele. Scales may get the nod here, meaning some decent players in McGuinness, Dunne and Omobamidele may miss out.

Left back looks more straightforward with Brady out, O'Dowda and Manning appear to be the only realistic options unless a decision is taken to being McClean out of retirement. Honohan didn't feature in June so is unlikely to make the cut here.

In centre midfield Cullen and Knight will definitely be in. That would leave Taylor, Smallbone, Molumby, Finn, Coventry, McGrath, Phillips and Lawal battling for one or two remaining places. Not sure where Alan Browne is at these days. Taylor and Molumby to get in maybe, with the rest all missing out?

Azaz and Szmodics will likely be the attacking midfielders, with Moran out of sight in the US. Szmodics had an injury scare but it sounds like it's maybe not too bad.

On the wing it's competitive as well, with McAteer, Johnston, Ogbene, Ebosele, Sykes and Vata competing for maybe three places - the first three would be favourites there, but that would mean we wouldn't have the option to bring Festy on off the bench in either game.

That would leave room for three out and out strikers, which would likely be Parrott, Ferguson and Idah also squeezing in as a bench option despite his poor form.

So that would leave the squad as:

Kelleher, Bazunu, Travers
Coleman, Doherty, Collins, O'Shea, O'Brien, Scales, O'Dowda, Manning
Cullen, Knight, Molumby, Taylor
Ogbene, Johnston, McAteer, Azaz, Szmodics
Parrott, Ferguson, Idah

Does Coleman make the squad? Hasn't played a minute of competitive football and only played 10 minutes of pre-season. Don't think he'd be fit enough to start a game. Ebosele might be a better option for that slot. I think I'd also give a 24th slot to McGrath personally.

I wonder is Jake O'Brien a doubt at all? He went down in the last 5 mins of the game at the weekend holding his hamstring. Camera caught him saying 'it's just cramp', but he didn't really look right for the last few mins.

[elatedscum]

Really this is why we should have larger squads like we used as far back as Trap. I searched for the first random Trap squad i could find and it was a 27-man squad.

[Razors left peg]

Really this is why we should have larger squads like we used as far back as Trap. I searched for the first random Trap squad i could find and it was a 27-man squad.

Id be willing to bet that we have smaller squads now due to financial reasons

[seanfhear]

Id be willing to bet that we have smaller squads now due to financial reasons
We badly need a Sugar-Daddy !

[elatedscum]

Id be willing to bet that we have smaller squads now due to financial reasons

I agree but it's totally counterproductive. We've had situations where players who didn't make squads ended up starting competitive games for us just days later due to injuries. We have had lads coming off the bench having only joined up with the squad the day before the game. And we risk alienating players by not including them. Or in Coleman's case, we've dropped him from squads he was available for and would have been great to have in the camp because of the crunch on spaces.

[Razors left peg]

Yeah a larger squad is beneficial, but at the same time its not like we are leaving out lads who are tearing up the Champions League or something. There is competition for places in the squad to a point that I think thats a good thing.

Coleman is slightly different. I dont think he should be in the squad at this point, but he'll most likely want to turn up himself anyway and be around the squad, especially for home games. Might not be the worst idea to start prepping him for some sort of coaching role in the squad

[John83]

He had that one very good spell. But yeah, probably due a goal at international level to justify the chat alright.
(a) He scored 27 in the Championship one year ago. The intervening season wasn't great but he was injured a lot and playing up a division in a relegation-bound team. (b) I'm comparing him as a bench option to a situation several years ago where teenaged Troy Parrott with 3 goals for Preston was the equivalent squad role.

[pineapple stu]

No, I get that, but I guess when you say "The main thing that's changed over the past couple of years is the emergence of credible attackers. Parrott is blooming into a really good player, Ferguson is at least starting brightly at Roma, Szmodics and Azaz give real tactical options through the middle, all of them with goals in them.", then Sammie is the one who's not really like the others, certainly at international level yet.

[Razors left peg]

Right now Id be picking Azaz over Szmodics for sure. Szmodics energy off the bench could be really good though

[Eirambler]

Does Coleman make the squad? Hasn't played a minute of competitive football and only played 10 minutes of pre-season. Don't think he'd be fit enough to start a game. Ebosele might be a better option for that slot. I think I'd also give a 24th slot to McGrath personally.

I wonder is Jake O'Brien a doubt at all? He went down in the last 5 mins of the game at the weekend holding his hamstring. Camera caught him saying 'it's just cramp', but he didn't really look right for the last few mins.

I'm thinking it would be a massive call to not pick your captain in your 23 man squad. He is fit, at least to the extent that he was about to come on when O'Brien cramped up at the weekend. If he isn't called up when fit then I don't see how he could continue as captain any more.

[Razors left peg]

I'm thinking it would be a massive call to not pick your captain in your 23 man squad. He is fit, at least to the extent that he was about to come on when O'Brien cramped up at the weekend. If he isn't called up when fit then I don't see how he could continue as captain any more.

Collins is effectively the new captain anyway I would have thought?

[rebelmusic]

Collins is effectively the new captain anyway I would have thought?

Effectively. There was no handover though. June was the opportunity for that but HH didn't take it. He really should have though and still kept Coleman around for emergencies.

One possible tactic would be to use this window for the handover, bring Coleman in as a mascot and have a 'Do it for Seamus' speech before going on the pitch against Hungary. I might be watching too many sports movies but it would be a good way to motivate the team...and Collins will likely play a blinder when he gets the official nod.

[Eirambler]

Collins is the on-field captain really at this point alright. But my understanding is that if there was an event involving the Ireland captain today, it would be Coleman who would attend.

Of course it's possible that part of the announcement tomorrow is that Collins is becoming the official captain.

[Razors left peg]

I never really remember the captaincy handover as a big thing really. It just always gets to the point that where someone just takes it on no?

I hope there's no more nonsense like Long complaining that "his number" was given to someone else. The captain has to be a guaranteed starter and Im fairly sure Seamus gets that considering he'd struggle to make the squad now

[elatedscum]

Yeah a larger squad is beneficial, but at the same time its not like we are leaving out lads who are tearing up the Champions League or something. There is competition for places in the squad to a point that I think thats a good thing.

Coleman is slightly different. I dont think he should be in the squad at this point, but he'll most likely want to turn up himself anyway and be around the squad, especially for home games. Might not be the worst idea to start prepping him for some sort of coaching role in the squad

I just think it makes no sense to have Manning or Omobamidele or Doherty arriving in the squad 24-48 hours before a game and starting that match when they could have been there for the previous week or whatever. And i think that’s happened with all of them.

We’ve had situations where we were balancing choosing our first choice players who might be carrying knocks and fit players who are definitely available rather than taking both.

We’ve struggled when switching systems between two games in the same camp, one where we played a back 5 and the other with a back 4. With a back 5, you want 5 CBs in the squad and with a back 4 just 4. We’ve had games where we’ve then had only one midfielder on the bench covering 3 players and 3 centre backs on the bench instead.

It’s also maybe hindered us from introducing new players earlier and reduced competition once the squad itself is together…

Like if Ebosele misses out from a squad where we might need him and want him because it costs €1k or whatever to call him up - that makes absolutely no sense to me

[OMTY]

Republic of Ireland Squad - Hungary & Armenia






Goalkeepers: Caoimhín Kelleher (Brentford), Gavin Bazunu (Southampton), Mark Travers (Everton).


Defenders: Matt Doherty (Wolverhampton Wanderers), Jake O'Brien (Everton), Nathan Collins (Brentford), Dara O'Shea (Ipswich Town), Jimmy Dunne (Queens Park Rangers), Bosun Lawal (Stoke City), Liam Scales (Celtic), Ryan Manning (Southampton).


Midfielders: Josh Cullen (Burnley), Jason Knight (Bristol City), Jack Taylor (Ipswich Town), Killian Phillips (St. Mirren).


Attackers: Evan Ferguson (AS Roma), Troy Parrott (AZ Alkmaar), Adam Idah (Celtic), Finn Azaz (Middlesbrough), Sammie Szmodics (Ipswich Town), Chiedozie Ogbene (Ipswich Town), Kasey McAteer (Ipswich Town), Mikey Johnston (West Bromwich Albion).

[The Fly]

That midfield would make you cry :(

[pineapple stu]

Is there nobody else we could put in there? Molumby the obvious one (unless he's suspended?) He's not great, but it's another body where one appears to be sorely needed.

[tetsujin1979]

Squad stats
1960281300998254991

[Diggs246]

I think he's made up his mind with Cullen and Taylor in the middle, which i 100% agree with
Knight and Philips energy off the bench could be vital

I absolutely think we are going to win this game, it just feels right

[Kingdom]

I think he's made up his mind with Cullen and Taylor in the middle, which i 100% agree with
Knight and Philips energy off the bench could be vital

I absolutely think we are going to win this game, it just feels right

He'll go with Cullen and Knight in the middle, surely?

I don't understand why Jayson Molumby isn't involved. I really don't - hands up I'm totally biased here as I'm a massive fan of his. I appreciate that the midfielders are probably siloed into 'smally's' and 'tallys' and Cullen and Knight are going to be ahead of him in that regard (whether I like it or not). I'd have Taylor in the squad as I think he's got that je ne sais quoi that none of our other midfield options have, but there should be a place for Molumby.

Unless he's suspended, but I don't think he is.

[elatedscum]

For me, it’s a left back short, O’Dowda presumably. At the moment it’s between Manning and Scales for the position and I am much prefer Scales in the centre than on the left. I also think that this squad is definitely missing Molumby and Festy

[mark12345]

Republic of Ireland Squad - Hungary & Armenia






Goalkeepers: Caoimhín Kelleher (Brentford), Gavin Bazunu (Southampton), Mark Travers (Everton).


Defenders: Matt Doherty (Wolverhampton Wanderers), Jake O'Brien (Everton), Nathan Collins (Brentford), Dara O'Shea (Ipswich Town), Jimmy Dunne (Queens Park Rangers), Bosun Lawal (Stoke City), Liam Scales (Celtic), Ryan Manning (Southampton).


Midfielders: Josh Cullen (Burnley), Jason Knight (Bristol City), Jack Taylor (Ipswich Town), Killian Phillips (St. Mirren).


Attackers: Evan Ferguson (AS Roma), Troy Parrott (AZ Alkmaar), Adam Idah (Celtic), Finn Azaz (Middlesbrough), Sammie Szmodics (Ipswich Town), Chiedozie Ogbene (Ipswich Town), Kasey McAteer (Ipswich Town), Mikey Johnston (West Bromwich Albion).

This squad of players is quite interesting. Options at both ends of the pitch but nothing in the middle. Crying out for a 4-3-3 formation with Mikey Johnson in the middle of the park as a playmaker of sorts or perhaps Ogbene in midfield as a marauding wing man. Smozdics, Parrot and Ferguson up top with a liberal supply of ball would be nice for a change

[Fixer82]

Seems very light on CMs

[Razors left peg]

Seems very light on CMs

Its just weird how its listed. Azaz and Lawal both could have been listed as midfielders and it would have looked better balanced on paper

[Exgrad]

HH doesnt seemt to fancy Molumby, it happens. With the way the team is set up the two in midfield are there to be water carriers. Theres only 2 positions so selecting 4 in squad for it seems fine. also Lawal and Collins can play there, all though people seem to have gone off the Collins in midfield thing.

[Razors left peg]

Apparently Louie Barry has declared for us and was considered for this squad

[Eirambler]

In terms of the squad I predicted in the first post the changes are Coleman, O'Dowda and Molumby out and Dunne, Lawal and Phillips in. Not sure if that's stronger or weaker overall. Not having Festy as a bench option was always a strong possibility, but disappointing nonetheless.

HH apparently spoke of the squad being difficult to pick because of a "need" to limit the number to 23 players. Not clear yet if it was picked up on in terms of what the "need" is though - is it because that's the number he wants to work with or is it because he has been set a limit by the association.

[Kingdom]

Just wondering, even from an insight perspective, would it not have made sense to include O'Dowda?

[Kingdom]

Apparently Louie Barry has declared for us and was considered for this squad

That would have sparked whooping and hollering a few years ago, that it's been quiet says a lot for his standing right now.

[SkStu]

In terms of the squad I predicted in the first post the changes are Coleman, O'Dowda and Molumby out and Dunne, Lawal and Phillips in. Not sure if that's stronger or weaker overall. Not having Festy as a bench option was always a strong possibility, but disappointing nonetheless.

HH apparently spoke of the squad being difficult to pick because of a "need" to limit the number to 23 players. Not clear yet if it was picked up on in terms of what the "need" is though - is it because that's the number he wants to work with or is it because he has been set a limit by the association.

It definitely lends weight to Razors theory about a limitation by the FAI.

Squad is the squad. The omissions more or less = the inclusions so there’s nothing worth getting too hung up on. I’d have liked Festy and Molumby both in there as add-ons. Delighted with Lawal being called up but want to see him deployed as a DM.

[SkStu]

That would have sparked whooping and hollering a few years ago, that it's been quiet says a lot for his standing right now.

I’m whooping and hollering at this bit of Barry’s tea.

[Razors left peg]

That would have sparked whooping and hollering a few years ago, that it's been quiet says a lot for his standing right now.

We've had too many false dawns to get excited until they are actually good in a green shirt. He might be a Finn Azaz, but could just as likely be a Tom Cannon... let's save the whooping for something worth whooping for

[Kingdom]

We've had too many false dawns to get excited until they are actually good in a green shirt. He might be a Finn Azaz, but could just as likely be a Tom Cannon... let's save the whooping for something worth whooping for

We're singing from the same hymn sheet here, and hands up, I've been (more often than not) the one doing the whooping plenty in the past.

[Kingdom]

I’m whooping and hollering at this bit of Barry’s tea.

Fond of the tea-bagging are you, or is it loose leaf?

[pateen]

Is Molumby injured?

[Kingdom]

Is Molumby injured?

Nope.

[seanfhear]

I’m whooping and hollering at this bit of Barry’s tea.Barry's is Fine Gael tea lest any have forgotten or just don't know !