Ireland v Hungary and Armenia - September 2025

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

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

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

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.

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).

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.

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.

Squad to be named tomorrow at 10:30

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Originally Posted by Eirambler

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.

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

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Originally Posted by 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.

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

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

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Originally Posted by Kingdom

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

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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

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Originally Posted by 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

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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.

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.

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Originally Posted by 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.

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

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Originally Posted by Razors left peg

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

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We badly need a Sugar-Daddy !

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Originally Posted by Razors left peg

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

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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.

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

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Originally Posted by pineapple stu

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

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(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.

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.

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

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Originally Posted by elatedscum

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.

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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.

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Originally Posted by Eirambler

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.

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

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Originally Posted by Razors left peg

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

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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.

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.

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

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Originally Posted by 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

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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