Former Republic midfielder’s optimism following euphoria of heroic World Cup wins over Portugal and Hungary last month is tempered by some trepidation
Troy Parrott’s exploits for Ireland captured the public imagination. Photo: Stephen McCarthy/Sportsfile
As former Ireland winger Stephen Hunt made his way to the Aviva Stadium for Ireland’s World Cup qualifier against Portugal last month, he was struck by a recurring image.
One after the next, young Irish kids heading into a must-win game for their home nation were performing Cristiano Ronaldo’s ‘Siuuu’ celebration as they counted down to the moment when they could see their hero in the flesh.