Ireland<\/a> 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.<\/p>\nThe 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.<\/p>\n
\u201cI think it\u2019s been really positive,\u201d he said of his team\u2019s performances in Qatar. \u201cYou saw the amount of players – 16 – that have come through our own system.<\/p>\n
\u201cIf we want to continue to try to get to these competitions there is still a lot of work to be done.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe messages they have sent out have been positive. To me it\u2019s been bigger than football. Society\u2026 you\u2019ve just represented the flag with distinction.<\/p>\n
\u201cYoung 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.<\/p>\n
\u201cA lot of those younger people see images of Ireland and it\u2019s not the Ireland that I know on TV sometimes.<\/p>\n
\u201cThis is the Ireland I know, and I am just delighted that they represented the flag with distinction.\u201d<\/p>\n
O\u2019Brien spoke of his pride in his players in the wake of the Swiss defeat, with temperatures hitting 28 degrees during the game.<\/p>\n
\u201cMassively [proud]. It\u2019s been an incredible season,\u201d he said. \u201cRight now we are gutted, there are no two ways about it, we had total belief that we could keep this going.<\/p>\n
\u201cThat\u2019s the mentality that is in every individual within the group, within the players and the staff.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe 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.<\/p>\n
\u201cOkay, 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.<\/p>\n
\u201cBut it just wasn\u2019t to be our night. Unfortunately we are knocked out, but I think when everything settles, what they have done for the country is incredible.\u201d<\/p>\n
This group of players will move on now, and O\u2019Brien believes they have what it takes to succeed in football.<\/p>\n
\u201cAbsolutely [they have grown at the World Cup],\u201d he said. \u201cAnd throughout the season, every event, that\u2019s what they are like.<\/p>\n
\u201cThere has just been growth in them, everything you look for them to do. On and off the pitch, you couldn\u2019t ask for any more from them.<\/p>\n
\u201cThey are talented, that\u2019s what opens up the door for you, but talent will only bring you so far.<\/p>\n
\u201cThey have great temperament, great humility, brilliant willpower, and you can do a lot in life with that.<\/p>\n
\u201cWhatever happens with the group after that, and the staff, my door will always be open to them.\u201d<\/p>\n
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![](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ie\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/0_inpho_02829615.jpg\")
The Ireland team during the national anthem(Image: INPHO)<\/p>\n