Republic of Ireland head coach Heimir Hallgrimsson celebrates after the World Cup 2026 Group F qualifier victory over Hungary at Puskás Aréna in Budapest. Photo: Stephen McCarthy/Sportsfile
As Ireland feasted on Troy mania, supped from a cup brimming with a new-found love for the national team and had thoughts of a jaunt to the USA next year that would be giddier than the most joyful of J1s, where was the man who had orchestrated it all?
If researchers for the Late Late Show, or agents offering celebrity endorsements, spent a few days trying to track down Heimir Hallgrimsson and offer him whatever he wanted to turn up and chat, or heartily endorse their event or product, they drew a blank.