Head coach Heimir Hallgrimsson speaks to media, accompanied by communications manager Kieran Crowley before an Ireland training session at the FAI National Training Centre in Abbotstown, Dublin. Photo by Stephen McCarthy/SportsfileHeimir Hallgrimsson has compared the ending of Ireland’s playoff defeat in Prague to a ‘car crash’ and feels Tuesday’s unwanted friendly with North Macedonia can be their opportunity to get behind the wheel and build confidence again. Hallgrimsson admitted it has been a difficult 36 hours for his group ahead of their return to training on Saturday morning with his rewatch of the penalty loss to Czechia giving him the opinion that defeat was ‘undeserved’ and a ‘cruel’ outcome.

Source: Irish Independent March 29, 2026 00:44 UTC