Would This Dream Republic of Ireland Squad Win The Euros?

The Republic of Ireland are not at Euro 2024, making it 8 years since their last International Tournament at Euro 2016. So it will be at least a decade from their last appearance to their next if they manage to qualify for the 2026 World Cup.

The managerial “saga” continues to drag on about the potential successor to Stephen Kenny who left in November. While I’m sure brighter days are ahead, it could’ve been a lot better from an Irish supporter's perspective…

But what if things were different? In this post, we take a look at whether this squad of Irish eligible players could potentially win the Euros.

Ireland Eligible Squad

Goalkeepers

From Kelly and Bonner to Given and Randolph previously, the Republic of Ireland has never failed in producing “Top Class” net minders no matter what period in history. Thus, it’s no surprise that this element of the squad doesn’t need to be propped up by “Granny-Rulers”

Southampton Stopper Gavin Bazunu (22) and Liverpool keeper Caoimhin Kelleher (25) are among the top keepers in their age group in the world which means we’re set up in goal for the best part of a decade all going well. They’ll be well supported in reserve with Travers (25) who is currently contracted with Bournemouth and could be set for a move in the summer. They also have the likes of Keeley (21) at Tottenham and Wogan (18) at Drogheda coming through.

In terms of “granny rulers” Bristol City stopper Max O’Leary (27) has been in around squads and Christy Pym (29) of Mansfield is also eligible, but neither would come close to this squad.

Starter: Gavin Bazunu

Subs: Caoimhin Kelleher, Mark Travers

Defenders

In defence, it’s a tale of two halves for the Republic of Ireland squad. In the Full-Back areas, there’s a distinct lack of options within the current squad with ageing players. Seamus Coleman is still going strong at (35) and would be an integral leader for this squad. The supporting starter for this squad is Liverpool defender Conor Bradley (20) who represents Northern Ireland at International, despite it being believed that he supported the Republic of Ireland when younger.

At LB we could have upcoming Ireland U21 Anselmo García MacNulty (21) who is a regular for PEC Zwolle in the Eredivisie and has represented the Republic from U15-U21 despite also qualifying for Spain. In reserve we could have Sunderland player Dennis Cirkin (22) who has represented England from U16-U20 levels despite being born in Dublin there remains speculation about a switch to the Republic he is also eligible for Latvia.

McGrath, Moran, Cunningham, Dunne and O’Shea, CB is another position where we have never been short on options. From today's squad, I’d have Leixlip Native and Premier League regular Nathan Collins (23) who plays with Brentford as well as Lyon star and Corkonian Jake O'Brien (23). The other CB would be Man United man Harry Maguire (31) While Bosun Lawal in the midfielders could also cover the position as well as Anselmo.

Celtic’s Scales (25), O’Shea (25) of Burnley and Omobamidele (21) of Nottingham Forest are all unfortunate to miss out on this squad.

Starters: Conor Bradley, Nathan Collins, Harry Maguire, Anselmo García MacNulty

Subs: Seamus Coleman, Dennis Cirkin, Jake O'Brien

Midfielders

The strongest area of this squad (albeit the most controversial) Rice (25) who controversially switched to England from the Republic of Ireland at senior level would return to the squad alongside Jack Grealish (28) who played with us from U17-U21 before switching to England U21s and eventually playing for their Seniors too. The third England International we will “steal back” is Bellingham (20) who not only has a viral photo of him in an Ireland kit when younger, qualifies for us but also holds an Irish passport since his move to Madrid. While Maddison (27) of Tottenham would be another option.

It's not just players we’d be “poaching” though with Bosun Lawal (21) of Celtic, Southampton’s Will Smallbone (24) and Moran (20) of Brighton all terrific prospects of their own right who have come through the Irish underage system. Special mention too to Azaz (23) who received his first competitive start for Ireland against Hungary and offers a Zidane-style midfielder to the squad.

The final place in the squad would go to McGlynn (20) of Philadelphia Union the talented midfielder is poised to represent the USA at the Olympics which would tie him down to the USA, a huge miss for the Republic who he qualifies for due to his father.

Starters: Declan Rice, Jack McGlynn, Finn Azaz, Jude Bellingham

Subs: James Maddison, Bosun Lawal, Will Smallbone, Andrew Moran, Jack Grealish

Forwards

The attackers in this squad are also quite exciting! (Despite it being one of the areas where I’d bring in the fewest players of non-Irish Internationals. The attacking front two would be led by All-Time England Goalscorer Kane (30) whose father is from Galway, he’d be partnered by Irish teenage sensation Ferguson (19) who despite having a difficult recent season, has a huge future ahead of him.

The squad would be supplemented by plenty of in-form strikers! Championship top scorer Szmodics (28), Parrott (22) who had a brilliant season in the Netherlands, Idah (23) who silenced doubters on loan at Celtic alongside the exciting winger duo of Mikey Johnston (25) and frighteningly quick winger Chiedozie Ogbene (27) of Brentford.

Starters: Harry Kane, Evan Ferguson

Subs: Sammie Smodics, Troy Parrott, Adam Idah, Mikey Johnston and Chiedozie Ogbene

Republic of Ireland Dream XI

Formation: 4-4-2 Diamond

GK: Gavin Bazunu

RB: Conor Bradley, CB: Nathan Collins, CB: Harry Maguire, LB: Anselmo García MacNulty

DM: Declan Rice, RCM: Finn Azaz, LCM: Jack McGlynn, AM: Jude Bellingham

CF: Harry Kane, CF: Evan Ferguson

Where Would This Squad Finish At The Euros?

The Republic of Ireland has never been beyond the Round of 16 Stage at a European Championship which ironically came at their last appearance in 2016. Their only other appearances were Group Stage appearances at Euro 1988 and in 2012.

However, this is certainly a talented squad, and it shows how different things could have been if the fine margins and “tough decisions” went in the Republic of Ireland’s favour, especially when it came to the international choices of Bradley, Rice and Grealish. I’d even argue that aside from maybe Kane, Maguire and Bellingham in another era the rest of the “recruits” would have been very much live prospects for the Republic.

Where would they finish though? International Football at the highest level is very competitive with England and France in particular along with Germany, Spain and Portugal have massive strength in depth from back to front in their squad (although in this hypothetical scenario, England would be weakened considerably).

In a perfect world with this squad and a bit of luck, the Republic of Ireland could be the Euro 2024 Champions. But I think this squad is more akin to the “Golden Era” sides of Croatia and Belgium and a bit below the likes of France. Personally, I think this squad would make the Euro 2024 Semi-Final.

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