In this video
- Asked about injuries, Hallgrímsson said everyone is fit apart from Evan Ferguson, who has not kicked a ball yet and felt he could not contribute much. He praised him for thinking about the team first.
“Will I do it? I don't know.”
- Asked about the statement win over Portugal, Kelleher said he thinks they were due a big victory like that for a while. Pretty soon after the game, he said, attention turned to Sunday.
- Asked whether Hungary needing only a draw might change their approach, Hallgrímsson said he does not know, and they do not care. Everything is in their hands, he said, and they love that.
- Asked about Seamus Coleman's impact on the squad, Hallgrímsson said people are either vacuums or batteries. Coleman is the biggest battery he has worked with in a football team, he said.
- Asked about Troy Parrott, whom he has known since the under-21s, Kelleher said his form has been no surprise to him. Since going to Holland he has been unbelievable, scoring goals and full of confidence.
- Asked about mind games and pressure on referees, Hallgrímsson said he does not think they are playing mind games. They were just unhappy with the referee in Portugal, and he wishes all referees a good game.
- Asked about the full-time scenes on Thursday, Kelleher said it was a special night, and a lot of the group had probably never experienced that. It has given the whole squad the fuel to go on and do more.
Ireland head coach Heimir Hallgrímsson and goalkeeper Caoimhin Kelleher press conference ahead of a big match against Hungary.
Fresh off their stunning victory over Portugal, the Republic of Ireland are aiming to take down Hungary next and qualify for the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
Heimir Hallgrímsson confirmed Evan Ferguson will not join the squad, praising the striker’s selfless decision to prioritize team success. With squad morale at an all-time high, Kelleher reflected on the Portugal win as a long-overdue moment of belief and unity, stating the group is now locked in for Sunday.
The message is clear: Hungary may only need a draw, but Ireland are coming with purpose. From analysing Hungary’s potential weaknesses to praising the unmatched leadership of Seamus Coleman.
