Republic of Ireland boss Heimir Hallgrimsson says he has "big respect" for how veteran defender Seamus Coleman has "given everything" to his country's cause. Coleman, 37, played 96 minutes of Thursday's heartbreaking World Cup play-off semi-final shootout loss to the Czech Republic in Prague. While the Everton stalwart would not be drawn on his international future in the immediate aftermath, his career is almost certain to end without having represented the Republic of Ireland at a World Cup. "To play in the World Cup and to have this game [play-off final] at the Aviva [Stadium] would have been special. "Obviously he has given everything to this team in his life, so big respect to him like all the others."

Source: BBC March 28, 2026 13:56 UTC