A 3-1 defeat to Switzerland in the last-16 has meant the end for Ireland’s journey at the Under-17 World Cup.
The Ireland team during the national anthem(Image: INPHO)
Colin O’Brien has delivered a powerful message in the wake of Ireland’s last-16 defeat to Switzerland.
He watched his side bow out of the Under-17 World Cup on Tuesday in Qatar and then hailed his players for representing the Irish flag “with distinction”.
O’Brien referenced images on television do not tally with his view of the country, but did not elaborate.
He described his players as “role models” for young kids across the land.
Ireland topped their group with wins over Panama and Uzbekistan, and a draw with Paraguay, before they saw off Canada in the last-32 on penalties.
The Swiss, winners of the Under-17 World Cup in their only previous time to reach the tournament at this age level, in 2009, proved too strong, particularly in the second-half.
“I think it’s been really positive,” he said of his team’s performances in Qatar. “You saw the amount of players – 16 – that have come through our own system.
“If we want to continue to try to get to these competitions there is still a lot of work to be done.
“The messages they have sent out have been positive. To me it’s been bigger than football. Society… you’ve just represented the flag with distinction.
“Young people that would have been watching the game back home, especially very young boys and girls, they have inspired the nation, they are role models now.
“A lot of those younger people see images of Ireland and it’s not the Ireland that I know on TV sometimes.
“This is the Ireland I know, and I am just delighted that they represented the flag with distinction.”
O’Brien spoke of his pride in his players in the wake of the Swiss defeat, with temperatures hitting 28 degrees during the game.
“Massively [proud]. It’s been an incredible season,” he said. “Right now we are gutted, there are no two ways about it, we had total belief that we could keep this going.
“That’s the mentality that is in every individual within the group, within the players and the staff.
“We did everything we could tonight. The Swiss probably started the second-half that little bit better. We had a very early warning when they hit the post.
“Okay, they have had two deflections [for two of their goals], but the boys showed great character to get a goal back and they did everything they could.
“But it just wasn’t to be our night. Unfortunately we are knocked out, but I think when everything settles, what they have done for the country is incredible.”
This group of players will move on now, and O’Brien believes they have what it takes to succeed in football.
“Absolutely [they have grown at the World Cup],” he said. “And throughout the season, every event, that’s what they are like.
“There has just been growth in them, everything you look for them to do. On and off the pitch, you couldn’t ask for any more from them.
“They are talented, that’s what opens up the door for you, but talent will only bring you so far.
“They have great temperament, great humility, brilliant willpower, and you can do a lot in life with that.
“Whatever happens with the group after that, and the staff, my door will always be open to them.”