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<\/p>\nHeimir Hallgr\u00edmsson put his faith in the Everton defender on Thursday night in Prague and Seamus Coleman didn\u2019t let his manager down.<\/p>\n
Seamus Coleman celebrates Ireland’s second goal in Prague(Image: INPHO\/Ben Brady)<\/p>\n
Jimmy Dunne has paid an emotional tribute to Seamus Coleman, describing the veteran defender as \u201cphenomenal\u201d and \u201cinspirational.\u201d<\/p>\n
Dunne, speaking in the wake of Thursday\u2019s World Cup play-off semi-final defeat to Czechia, hailed the Everton star for \u201cdragging us through the mud.\u201d<\/p>\n
It was a remarkable tribute to a remarkable player, one who, at the age of 37, has likely seen his last chance at a World Cup appearance disappear.<\/p>\n
\u201cTo be honest, my heart goes out to Seamus and the more experienced players,\u201d said the QPR captain.<\/p>\n
\u201cAnd also [it goes out to] players that wish they were on this journey at the minute, with Josh Cullen and a few other lads who are missing out with injury.<\/p>\n
\u201cI’ve never seen a leader like Seamus, it’s phenomenal.<\/p>\n
\u201cI know you hear a lot of stories about how inspirational he is but you don’t know until you experience it and my heart goes out to him.<\/p>\n
\u201cI wish there was more I could have done or we could have done for him, and we’re incredibly disappointed ourselves that for Seamus and for the staff as well that we couldn’t get over the line.\u201d<\/p>\n
Asked what makes Coleman so inspirational, Dunne replied: \u201cIt’s a combination of everything.<\/p>\n
\u201cFor me it’s how authentic he is, how genuine he is, how much he really cares, not just with his words but with his actions.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt\u2019s him constantly being available for us, constantly performing at a really high level for us and then dragging us through the mud in really difficult times and also with words of inspiration that touches the heart and makes us feel really grateful to be here.\u201d<\/p>\n
For Dunne, Thursday night was a bittersweet experience. He replaced Coleman six minutes into extra-time to make his competitive debut.<\/p>\n
\u201cUsually I would say yeah [it\u2019s good to get on],\u201d said the Dundalk native. \u201cObviously I’m always very proud to represent my country.<\/p>\n
\u201cBut it’s very hard to feel any other way but disappointed and heartbroken for the staff and our supporters and our families.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe’re just going to soak up the disappointment and leave the positives for another day I think.\u201d<\/p>\n
When the heartache does lift, there will be opportunities to reflect with greater focus on the good things that have emerged from this campaign.<\/p>\n
One example is the fact that a big group of young players has gained valuable international experience, and that knows what it takes to pull off a big result, as they did in November against Portugal and Hungary.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe journey continues,\u201d said Dunne. \u201cAnd to be honest we were dead and buried in this campaign and we lifted the nation at one stage.<\/p>\n
\u201cI know we’ve fallen at the final hurdle there tonight, but looking forward there’s something to be really, really excited about.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt’s hard to think about right now but there’s a lot of young players still in that group and obviously we’ve got the manager with us now for the future.<\/p>\n
\u201cIf we continue going in this direction then we will succeed eventually.\u201d<\/p>\n
An easier route to Euro 2028, with Ireland as co-hosts, will redirect the focus in time.<\/p>\n
\u201cIf you look at the amount of appearances the lads have racked up, young young players, they’re only going to grow better,\u201d said Dunne.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe back 3 tonight with Jake, Dara and Nathan, they’re young men. They’ve got loads and loads of games ahead of them and they’re such experienced international Irish players.<\/p>\n
\u201cSo in the next campaign they’ll be better off for it and new leaders will appear and drag the next generation through.\u201d<\/p>\n