Andorra versus Republic of Ireland.

Ireland are playing away to Andorra on 3rd June 2021 at 5:00 pm. The 2020s has so far has being an awful decade for Irish soccer, with a winless running stretching nearly two years, as well as off the pitch scandals involving the Football Association of Ireland. Ireland are still about 47th according to FIFA’s latest rankings (Wikipedia (how, I don’t know)), but the reality is that they are closer to the 100th spot, then the 50th spot. Most of Ireland’s current international players are not Premiership standard players (in my opinion).

Ireland lost to Luxembourg (ranked 96th) in their most recent competitive match, and having watched the match, it was no fluke. In an even game, Luxembourg shaded it.

Andorra should be an ideal opponent for Ireland to put this kind of winless streak behind them, having a population of 77,543 (Wikipedia) and having only ever having seven wins in international football (Wikipedia). However, this kind of match tells us nearly nothing about how good/bad/indifferent Ireland currently are. Ireland will slip further down the world rankings over the coming years, until they reach a position closer to where they actually are.

Verdict: Ireland to win.

Irish squad for Andorra (3rd June), and Hungary (8th June).

Goalkeepers: Mark Travers (Bournemouth), Gavin Bazunu (Manchester City), Caoimhín Kelleher (Liverpool).

Defenders: Seamus Coleman (Everton), Shane Duffy (Celtic), Matt Doherty (Tottenham Hotspur), John Egan (Sheffield United), Dara O’Shea (West Bromwich Albion), Ryan Manning (Swansea City), Lee O’Connor (Tranmere Rovers), Andrew Omobamidebe (Norwich City).

Midfielders: James McClean (Stoke City), Conor Hourihane (Swansea City), Harry Arter (Nottingham Forest), Daryl Horgan (Wycombe Wanderers), Jayson Molumby (Preston North End), Josh Cullen (Anderlecht), Jason Knight (Derby County), Danny Mandriou (Shamrock Rovers), Jamie McGrath (St. Mirren), Sammie Szmodics (Peterborough United).

Forwards: James Collins (Cardiff City), Ronan Curtis (Portsmouth), Adam Idah (Norwich City), Troy Parrott (Ipswich Town), Chiedozie Ogbene (Rotherham United).

(c). Ferdia O’Mahony 2021.