{"id":366239,"date":"2026-03-26T13:29:17","date_gmt":"2026-03-26T13:29:17","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ie\/366239\/"},"modified":"2026-03-26T13:29:17","modified_gmt":"2026-03-26T13:29:17","slug":"vale-in-contention-to-start-irish-fans-descend-on-prague-the-irish-times","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ie\/366239\/","title":{"rendered":"Vale in contention to start; Irish fans descend on Prague \u2013 The Irish Times"},"content":{"rendered":"

We\u2019re reluctant to remind you that Ireland\u2019s play-off record isn\u2019t the best. Along the way, we had a melee in Turkey, joy in Iran and scandal in Paris. There was rarely a dull moment. We take you through 30 years of highs and lows.<\/p>\n

[\u00a0The most memorable moments from Ireland\u2019s playoff historyOpens in new window<\/a>\u00a0]<\/p>\n

A blast from the past: Mr Mourinho with a gift for Troy Parrott after he made his Premier League debut for Spurs back in December 2019.<\/p>\n

[\u00a0If not Troy Parrott, then who? Other Irish scoring threats against the Czech RepublicOpens in new window<\/a>\u00a0]<\/p>\n

\"RepublicRepublic of Ireland fans in Prague today ahead of the game. Photograph: Adam Davy\/PA Wire <\/p>\n

From Jack Power in Prague: It\u2019s a cold day here in Prague and there were certainly a few sore heads among the thousands of Irish fans who have brought the party to the Czech capital, but the travelling supporters wasted no time in getting back on it.<\/p>\n

The Irish fans have largely taken over the square in Prague\u2019s old town. Chants of \u201cTroy Parrott\u2019s on fire\u201d and \u201cstand up for the boys in green\u201d ring around the city centre. <\/p>\n

For the majority of the travelling fans, who don\u2019t have tickets to the match, even getting in somewhere to watch it poses a challenge. <\/p>\n

A queue had formed outside some of the Irish bars before they had even opened on Thursday morning. <\/p>\n

\u201cWe\u2019re locked in here for the day, we tried three Irish bars before,\u201d says Conor O\u2019Brien, from Carrigaline, after securing a table in front of a television in the Golden Kettle Irish pub, minutes after it opens its doors. The group from Cork have nearly nine hours in front of them before a ball is kicked. Does the pub even serve food? \u201cI believe so,\u201d says one of his mates, sounding a bit unsure.<\/p>\n

\"HarveyHarvey Vale speaking to the media earlier this week. Photograph: Ryan Byrne\/INPHO <\/p>\n

The surprise inclusion in Heimir Hallgr\u00edmsson\u2019s squad for the Czech game was that of former England under-19 captain Harvey Vale. Ken Early has a notion he might even start tonight<\/a>. Gordon Manning heard from Vale earlier this week and brings you his story.<\/p>\n

[\u00a0Harvey Vale\u2019s Ireland call-up may seem out of the blue, but it\u2019s years in the makingOpens in new window<\/a>\u00a0]<\/p>\n

\"SpiritsSpirits are (very) high among Irish fans over in Prague, including this bunch in the Waxy Malones pub. Photograph: Ryan Byrne\/INPHO <\/p>\n

Forty-two of the 48 qualifying slots have already been filled for this summer\u2019s World Cup – by: Algeria, Argentina, Australia, Austria, Belgium, Brazil, Canada, Cape Verde, Colombia, Croatia, Cura\u00e7ao, Ecuador, Egypt, England, France, Germany, Ghana, Haiti, Iran, Ivory Coast, Japan, Jordan, Mexico, Morocco, Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, Panama, Paraguay, Portugal, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Scotland, Senegal, South Africa, South Korea, Spain, Switzerland, Tunisia, United States, Uruguay and Uzbekistan. <\/p>\n

Cape Verde, Cura\u00e7ao, Jordan and Uzbekistan have all qualified for the first time, Cura\u00e7ao the smallest nation – with a population of 156,000 – ever to do so. And having hosted the last tournament, Qatar made it off their own bat this time.<\/p>\n

The Republic of Ireland\u2019s match is one of eight World Cup qualifying play-offs in Europe today. Here are the other games, which include Northern Ireland\u2019s trip to Bergamo<\/a>. All are at 7.45pm, except Turkey v Romania which is at 5pm. A reminder that should Ireland win tonight, they will play Denmark or North Macedonia on Tuesday in Dublin.<\/p>\n

Italy v Northern Ireland<\/p>\n

Wales v Bosnia and Herzegovina<\/p>\n

Ukraine v Sweden<\/p>\n

Poland v Albania<\/p>\n

Turkey v Romania<\/p>\n

Slovakia v Kosovo<\/p>\n

Czech Republic v Ireland<\/p>\n

Denmark v North Macedonia<\/p>\n

Here\u2019s Ireland\u2019s match-day squad. Bosun Lawal is the surprise missing name – there had been plenty of chat in the build-up about him making his senior debut tonight, maybe even starting in place of the suspended Josh Cullen.<\/p>\n

One of the many pieces our crew penned in the build-up to the game was Malachy Clerkin\u2019s very lovely reflection on how the nation responded to Troy Parrott\u2019s hat-trick goal in Budapest. Among those he spoke to was Slovakian Zuzana Botikova whose video of the reaction in Dublin Airport remains a thing of beauty. <\/p>\n

[\u00a0From the airport to the maternity ward \u2013 where were you for Troy Parrott\u2019s goal?Opens in new window<\/a>\u00a0]<\/p>\n

\"TheThe view from Gavin Cummiskey’s hotel room <\/p>\n

Our man in Prague, Gavin Cummiskey, has just sent us the view from his hotel room. The image, of course, shows a baroque relief sculpture of Saint Anthony of Padua located on the facade of the Church of Saint James the Greater in the Old Town of Prague (thank you Google Images reverse search), although when we asked Gavin who was the main fella in it, he said \u201cthat\u2019s Heimir\u201d. Presumably that\u2019s Caoimh\u00edn Kelleher holding the cross. <\/p>\n

There\u2019s just under – checks countdown clock – nine hours to kick-off in Prague, which is a lot of time to fill when butterflies are doing somersaults in your tummy. So what better way to calm yourself than to indulge in some reading? <\/p>\n

Mind you, Ken Early will give you the heebie-jeebies by reminding you that tonight\u2019s game could go to penalties\u2026. and the Czech Republic \u201chave the best penalty shootout record in world football\u201d. He talks to the creator of perhaps the most famous peno of all, Anton\u00edn Panenka.<\/p>\n

[\u00a0Ireland may want to avoid penalties in the home of Anton\u00edn PanenkaOpens in new window<\/a>\u00a0]<\/p>\n

Gavin Cummiskey might, though, ease your worries a bit in his match preview – he reminds you that Caoimh\u00edn Kelleher has a mighty penalty-saving record. <\/p>\n

[\u00a0Passion, composure \u2013 and Troy Parrott \u2013 needed for this oneOpens in new window<\/a>\u00a0]<\/p>\n

Speaking of mightiness: S\u00e9amus Coleman. Gordon Manning heard from the Donegal man on the eve of his 78th cap, his lack of playing time for Everton – he hasn\u2019t made an appearance since November – not bothering him. <\/p>\n

[\u00a0Ireland\u2019s Mr Dependable will give it his all to make World CupOpens in new window<\/a>\u00a0]<\/p>\n

\u2018We want to do it for the people\u2019 \"RepublicRepublic of Ireland head coach Heimir Hallgr\u00edmsson and Seamus Coleman at the press conference before the game. Photograph: Ryan Byrne\/Inpho <\/p>\n

S\u00e9amus Coleman issued a rallying call<\/a> at the press conference on Tuesday. Speaking about the team\u2019s exploits last November, when Ireland came from the brink to qualify with wins against Portugal and Hungary, he said:<\/p>\n

\u201cIt was incredible what it did to our country, how it lifted our people, how it made people happier and gave them something to get up in the morning and talk about.<\/p>\n

\u201cThat is so important. As much as us players want to do it for ourselves and for the manager and all the people behind the scenes, we want to do it for the people of our country.\u201d<\/p>\n

America 2026<\/p>\n

To get the hype going for the match tonight, check out the new Irish Times soccer podcast<\/a> with Paul Howard and Kevin Kilbane, who has played in four of Ireland\u2019s 11 major tournament playoffs. In this podcast he tells the stories of Ireland\u2019s games against Belgium for World Cup 1998, Turkey for Euro 2000, Iran for World Cup 2002 and France for World Cup 2010.<\/p>\n

\"\"Heartbreak and glory: Ireland’s history of World Cup playoffs<\/p>\n

The teams\u2019 last significant meeting was a Euro 2008 qualifier under Steve Staunton. Karl McGrath was there and saw Ireland lose 1-0. He was also the subject of a famous photograph taken by David Maher: <\/p>\n

\"AA dejected Karl McGrath looks on after Marek Jankulovski scored the Czech Republic’s winner in September 2007. Photograph: David Maher\/Sportsfile <\/p>\n

Gordon Manning tracked McGrath down<\/a> ahead of his return to Prague this week. <\/p>\n

\u201cIt looks like I\u2019m staring right down the lens of the camera, but I had no idea there was even a photographer there. That photo gave me my 15 minutes of fame,\u201d McGrath says.<\/p>\n

Ireland\u2019s head-to-head record v Czech Republic<\/p>\n

(Since independence in 1992): W2 D2 L4<\/p>\n

(Including Czechoslovakia): W6 D3 L11<\/p>\n

Ireland don\u2019t have a particularly positive record against the Czechs, who they have not beaten since March 2004. The Czechs were unbeaten in 20 matches then, so it was an impressive victory against a team that perhaps should have won Euro 2004, even if only in a friendly. Ian Harte and Robbie Keane scored the goals in Dublin.<\/p>\n

\"AnAn attempt from Robbie Keane during Ireland’s Euro 2008 qualifier against Czech Republic at Lansdowne Road in October 2006. The match finished 1-1. Photograph: Dara Mac D\u00f3naill <\/p>\n

Away from home, including the days of Czechoslovakia, Ireland have only won twice in 10 matches, and have only beaten them once away in a competitive game, in November 1967 when in Euro 1968 qualifying.<\/p>\n

Hello and welcome to live coverage of the Republic of Ireland<\/a>\u2019s World Cup<\/a> playoff against the Czech Republic in Prague, where we\u2019ll have all the build-up ahead of one of the biggest games for the national team in many years. Who will start for Heimir Hallgr\u00edmsson<\/a>? Josh Cullen and Evan Ferguson are among those out with injury, with recently called up Harvey Vale in contention for the starting team. That team should be announced about an hour before the game, which kicks off at 7.45pm. <\/p>\n

Here\u2019s the Ireland squad for the match:<\/p>\n

Goalkeepers: Caoimh\u00edn Kelleher (Brentford), Mark Travers (Everton), Josh Keeley (Luton Town).<\/p>\n

Defenders: S\u00e9amus Coleman (Everton), Jimmy Dunne (QPR), Nathan Collins (Brentford), Dara O\u2019Shea (Ipswich Town), Jake O\u2019Brien (Everton), John Egan (Hull City), James Abankwah (Watford), Liam Scales (Celtic), Robbie Brady (Preston North End), Ryan Manning (Southampton). <\/p>\n

Midfielders: Jayson Molumby (West Brom), Bosun Lawal (Stoke City), Jack Taylor (Ipswich Town), Alan Browne (Middlesbrough), Jason Knight (Bristol City), Finn Azaz (Southampton), Harvey Vale (QPR).<\/p>\n

Attackers: Troy Parrott<\/a> (AZ Alkmaar), Adam Idah (Swansea City), Johnny Kenny (Bolton, on loan from Celtic), Chiedozie Ogbene (Sheffield United, on loan from Ipswich Town), Sammie Szmodics (Derby, on loan from Ipswich Town).<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"We\u2019re reluctant to remind you that Ireland\u2019s play-off record isn\u2019t the best. Along the way, we had a…\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":366240,"comment_status":"","ping_status":"","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[9],"tags":[56982,4700,61,60,1842,112,44452,4018],"class_list":["post-366239","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","category-sports","tag-czech-republic","tag-heimir-hallgrimsson","tag-ie","tag-ireland","tag-republic-of-ireland-mnt","tag-sports","tag-troy-parrott","tag-world-cup"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ie\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/366239","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ie\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ie\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ie\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ie\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=366239"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ie\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/366239\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ie\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/366240"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ie\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=366239"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ie\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=366239"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ie\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=366239"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}