Sammie Szmodics was a fan favourite at the outset of his Ireland career, but his relationship with the supporters has taken a much more sour turn in recent months.
From making his debut in March of last year, Szmodics would start every single game of 2024 for the Boys in Green, but it has been a very different story in 2025.
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Szmodics missed the Bulgaria playoff in March through injury, before withdrawing from June’s double-header of friendlies just days after playing for Ipswich.
In September, he withdrew from the game against Armenia, only to come off the bench for Ipswich against Sheffield United just three days later.
Similarly, he would withdraw from the October window through injury despite having played every club game in the intervening period – and then played over an hour for Ipswich the following week.
Szmodics’ inconsistent availability for Ireland appears to have alienated some fans, and the 30-year-old evidently took the criticism of some supporters to heart.
Writing on Instagram late last month after knee surgery, Szmodics said:
On the mend after a minor knee op. Thank you for all the supportive messages.
Also thank you for the keyboard warriors that know more about my life and my situation than I do.
The last two weeks have been nothing shy of ridiculous the amount of hate messages me and my family have received over the recent international football concerns.
Injury comes with playing games and rest is so important otherwise things like this happen. Question my ability and performance but never question my professionalism.
Looking to be back ASAP. I will be making no more comment on the matter.
Szmodics was again absent from the Ireland squad named by Heimir HallgrÃmsson this Thursday, as he enters a lengthy recovery from his knee surgery.
Head coach HallgrÃmsson did comment on the matter at his squad announcement on Thursday morning, and said he had “no reason” to doubt the veracity of Szmodics’ previous injury claims.
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Heimir HallgrÃmsson responds to Sammie Szmodics – fan fallout
Heimir HallgrÃmsson addressed the Irish media on Thursday morning, and confirmed a lengthy layoff was ahead for Sammie Szmodics after his operation.
“Quite a few players [are injured],” HallgrÃmsson said.
“Sammie Szmodics is out for a few months. It’s been a better situation for us in the past.”
When asked by Balls.ie, HallgrÃmsson confirmed he had spoken to Szmodics about his recent social media messaging.
The Ireland head coach said Szmodics had his full backing, and that he and the coaching staff had always found the forward “really honest” to deal with.
We’ve spoken to him. Sammie has always been really honest to me.
If the club says he’s injured, and he says he’s injured, then there’s no reason to doubt that, in my opinion.
He’s always been honest to us. At this stage, he has a serious injury, so he will be out for a long time. That’s why he’s not included in the squad.
But he definitely wanted to come in before that injury and show everyone how dedicated he is.
I have no reason to doubt him, at all.
There is no doubt that Ireland are a better side with Sammie Szmodics in it, and his availability has understandably been a bone of contention for Irish fans this year.
However, he will know he has the full support of the head coach, even if some fans have made their displeasure known.
Eoin Harrington reporting from FAI HQ
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