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Euro 2016 has gotten off to a great start, with teams giving their all to ensure they don’t end up on the losing side, with there being a couple of interesting results, none more than England’s 1-1 draw with Russia.
The Republic of Ireland get their European Championships campaign off the ground tonight, and they’ll be looking to impress everyone with their performances. The Irish typically have some of the best fans, who support their team with great enthusiasm, wearing the team’s colours, the beautiful royal green jersey designed by Umbro.
With them being drawn in a very tough group with the likes of Sweden, Belgium and Italy, here are 5 players from the Republic of Ireland who will impress at Euro 2016:
Richard Keogh
The rugged central defender was one of the success stories from the Republic of Ireland’s successful qualification campaign, making the central defensive position alongside John O’Shea his own.
Keogh, who has made 11 appearances for the national team, has shown himself to be adept playing at both centre-back and right-back, and will look to have a great impact, going up against players of the calibre of Zlatan Ibrahimovic, Alvaro Morata and Romelu Lukaku.
Sporting Umbro’s finely crafted Medusae 4th Colourway, the big defender will give his all to stop rival forwards from making an impact, giving his team a better chance of progressing through to the knockout stages.
Robbie Brady
The speedy winger had a good season for Norwich City in the Premier League, though he couldn’t help prevent his team getting relegated. Brady will be one of the most important players for the Irishmen this Euro, as his pace and crossing from the flanks will add an extra dimension to their attack.
The Manchester United youth product, has been noted as a key member by manager Martin O’Neill, and it remains to be seen whether he will be played in defence as the left-back or as the left winger, where his pace and thrust could be put to better use.
His ability to take good setpieces is an added advantage and one that the Republic of Ireland coaching staff will look to make use of.
Wes Hoolahan
The playmaker of the Republic of Ireland team, Hoolahan will be very crucial to their chances of progression, as his cunning and guile in the final third is what will run the attack of the side.
Playing behind either Shane Long or Robbie Keane, the left-footer will look to slide balls in behind the defence, so that they can make use of the pace of Brady and Hendrick, with the strikers the pivots in the box.
The attacking midfielder will be the link between midfield and attack, and is their most graceful player, with his easy on the eye playing style. Playing in the Umbro designed royal green jersey, he will look to make the most of his passing accuracy, as he glides across the field.
Jeff Hendrick
The biggest unknown in the Republic of Ireland squad, Hendrick is one of the players who made a great impact in the qualifiers. The winger’s pace and dribbling ability, combined with his link-up play with Brady down the left, will be the biggest threat posed by the Irish to the opposition.
He put in some great performances against Germany and Georgia, proving to be the key in setting up goals in both games, helping Ireland get crucial results. With the team part of a very tough group, he will be a very important member of the Irish team.
Shane Long
Striker Shane Long was the hero of the Republic of Ireland’s qualification campaign, scoring the all-important winner against Germany that helped them seal a spot in the playoffs. He also scored a very important equaliser against Poland, a match that was very crucial in keeping their playoff hopes alive.
With record goalscorer Robbie Keane potentially not available due to injury, Long’s ability to stretch defences and his strength and power in the air will be a very useful asset, and could be what helps the Irish negotiate a very tough group.
