UNDER-21 EUROPEAN CHAMPIONSHIP QUALIFYING GROUP TWO/Republic of Ireland v Armenia:SÉAMUS COLEMAN believes the criticism levelled at Republic of Ireland under-21 manager Don Givens is unmerited.
Givens came in for a barrage of abuse after his side suffered a 4-1 hammering by Armenia in their most recent Uefa Championships qualifier in November.
It left the Irish bottom of their group without a win in six Group Two fixtures – although four of those ties were drawn – and they are eager to make amends against the Armenians in Tallaght tonight (7.30pm).
Everton defender Coleman missed that Yerevan fixture through injury but the 21-year-old acknowledged he could not believe the scoreline when it came through. “I was shocked when I heard the result. I couldn’t believe it, to be honest. The lads must have just had a bad day, but it is disappointing to lose by that margin,” he said.
“I know Don has helped get a lot of players from the under-21s to the first team, which has been great. On the results, most of the games we should have won them easily but we couldn’t put the ball in the back of the net. So that is obviously not Don’s fault, he can’t come on and score goals.
“In the games, we were probably the better team, but just couldn’t score and they would catch us on the break in the last minute or something. But I am happy with the set-up and I know a lot of the lads are too.”
The former Sligo Rovers full-back is so content with life in the under-21s he recommended the set-up to his club colleague Shane Duffy, who recently opted to switch to the Republic from Northern Ireland.
“Yeah, I had a few words in his ear, all right, but nothing serious. I’m sure he had his mind made up with his father and that,” said the Killybegs native.
“I told him what the Republic set-up is all about and that I think it is a great set-up. But I’m sure it wasn’t just me that made up his mind.
“He told me that he was thinking of changing his mind then I saw his name coming up in the Northern Ireland squad for the Albania game, so I texted him but he texted back saying it must be a mistake because he is going to play for Ireland.
“Shane’s very good. He is only turned 18. He is a centre half, very good in the air and is good with the ball at his feet. Hopefully he will be a good player for Ireland.”
Coleman has made seven appearances for Everton in all competitions this season and was linked with a senior call-up himself.
The exciting young talent should progress to Giovanni Trapattoni’s squad sooner rather than later and he appreciated being name-checked by senior assistant Marco Tardelli.
“I saw it in the paper. When you hear that you are delighted and it is great that they even know who I am,” he admitted.
“Someday, hopefully, I can get called in and it would be a dream come true. But at the minute I’m just happy to play for the under-21s.
“I wasn’t expecting a call-up for the Brazil game, if I’m being honest. Stephen Kelly, Kevin Foley, Paul McShane – they have loads of right backs in ahead of me.
“I’ve only played a handful of games, so I can’t be thinking of that. As a pro you want to play at the highest level and obviously I want to play for Ireland some day, but all of those guys are good players.”
