RTE Soccer Podcast - players.bio

Republic of Ireland manager Heimir Hallgrimsson would have been heartened by much of what he saw from Irish players across the weekend.

Evan Ferguson scored his first Premier League goal in almost a year, Sammie Szmodics found the net for Ipswich, Troy Parrott converted a penalty for AZ Alkmaar in the Eredivisie and Adam Idah also got a goal for himself while on Celtic duty.

Meanwhile, both of the main goalkeepers currently available to him during Gavin Bazunu's long-term absence, Caoimhin Kelleher and Mark Travers, started in the English top flight, with the former involved for Liverpool in a huge game at Arsenal, whilst the latter impressed for Bournemouth against high-flying Aston Villa.

However, injuries to Chiedozie Ogbene and Robbie Brady overshadowed those positives. Both will miss the November window when Ireland will face England and Finland in the Nations League.

But it's Ogbene's setback which appears to be longer-term after being stretchered off during Ipswich's 4-3 defeat to Brentford on Saturday after what appeared to be a non-contact situation.

The prognosis for the Cork man seems pessimistic with his club manager Kieran McKenna saying that "it looks like it could be an Achilles tear" which would mean a lengthy lay-off.

And given how integral the winger has become for the Boys in Green, the fact that his absence which would be expected to stretch into the start of the 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifying campaign represents a severe blow at international level.

"It's a big one for Ireland," former Ireland winger Keith Treacy told this week's RTÉ Soccer Podcast.

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Aston Villa Adam Idah Kieran Mackenna Sammie Szmodics Gavin Bazunu Mark Travers Robbie Brady Evan Ferguson Troy Parrott Chiedozie Ogbene Keith Treacy