SEAMUS COLEMAN SAYS he was ‘in a zone’ as he captained the Republic of Ireland to one of their most famous ever wins last night.
Robbie Brady’s 85th minute header gave Ireland a 1-0 win over Italy in Lille to send them joyously into the last 16 of Euro 2016.
The party will roll onto Sunday after that epic moment, just when the chance seemed gone for Martin O’Neill’s team, when Wes Hoolohan floated a teasing delivery into the Italian penalty box and Brady glanced home.
O’Neill shook things up with a bold team selection. John O’Shea was dropped and Coleman handed the captaincy.
“I was in a zone,” the Killybegs man said.
“Once I knew I was captain that I had a job to do. The lads have to look up to you and I was fully focused on making this a memorable night for Ireland.
“I thought we were incredible from the off.
[adrotate group=”43″]“We got in about them. We were very disappointing against Belgium and we knew that but the manager addressed it and I thought you could it tonight that we got in about them tonight.
“We tried to play out when it was on, we were comfortable on the ball and we fully deserved that win.”
Four years ago, Coleman sat in a bar in his native Killybegs, deemed too inexperienced by Giovanni Trapattoni to be a part of the squad. But last night, Coleman and Ireland stunned the Azzuri on an electrifying night at the Stade Pierre Mauroy.
[adrotate group=”74″]“It’s mad to think; from Sligo Rovers not so long ago to this… my dad driving back and over the road with me trying to make it in football.
“So to be captain of your country for something like this is something I’ll always remember but, it’s not done yet, we’ve full belief that we can go further in this tournament.”
