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Daryl Horgan believes that Stephen Kenny’s puzzle is almost complete, and now only a small piece is missing, albeit the most important piece.
The Wycombe Wanderers winger, who was only called up to the squad as a result of the current Covid crisis in the squad, entered as a late substitute in Sunday’s goalless draw with Wales and made an immediate impact, attacking down the right flank and turning down a great chance to get a winner.
And Horgan believes that the team’s performance was near perfect during the 90 minutes and only one vital aspect was missing; put the ball in the back of the net.
“I thought we were very, very good for almost 90 minutes,” Horgan said, speaking to the media after the game.
“We controlled long periods of time, we had chances, but we just couldn’t get the ball into the back of the net.
“If we can get that last part, we will be very strong because everything else was very good.”
Horgan said Ireland may lack a bit of good luck to continue on their way and hopes that once the first goal hits, the floodgates will open.
Ireland have scored just once in Stephen Kenny’s four games in charge, and that goal came from a set piece in Bulgaria, while they only managed one shot on goal against Wales, which was a meek effort from Jeff Hendrick at the end. of the game.
However, Horgan really feels the Ireland team will be complete once he finds a way to hit the back of the net.
“That’s why the best center forwards go for 100 million euros, because they are good at it and it is natural,” Horgan said.
“It could be just a case where when we have one, they will flow. It could be just a little bit of confidence or luck or whatever you want to call it.
“Maybe on Wednesday someone will hit someone on the butt and walk in, and just walk out of there.
“It’s easier said than done to fix it because the rest is very good and you can see what the coach is putting into practice and the way he wants us to play, and we are creating opportunities.
“Now it is just the last detail, but the most important.”
Horgan said he was delighted to get involved with the team again, as he had felt more like a fan of late when he wasn’t involved with the Ireland setup.
But he said he was always ready to seize the opportunity should it show up, and undoubtedly the former Dundalk man, who previously played with Kenny at the Oriel Park club, is a player who is not cursing the Covid crisis as was introduced to him. your route back to the team.
“It was great to get the call,” Horgan said. “It’s something I didn’t expect, but it’s not something I would reject.
“It had things to do with family in England, but the opportunity came up and I went for it. Getting another cap is amazing.
“He was really like a fanatic and I wanted them to do well, but once you’ve tried it, you just want to be involved all the time.
“So it was always on my mind to play and act, go into the settings and see if I can affect the games. So having the opportunity was brilliant.
“Help [having played under Kenny before]. It’s a pretty similar way of playing, but with some differences. ”
And while Horgan revealed that he was only able to join the team at the last minute, awaiting Covid clearances for himself and Sean Maguire as newcomers and the team’s testing process, he said that a talk with coach Damian Duff really helped him get it done. an idea of what was asked of him on the team.
“I spoke to Duff and he explained clearly what he wanted,” Horgan said.
“So when you have that transparency and clarity going out onto the field, it really, really helps.”
Despite all the commotion on and off the court over the past few days, Horgan said the team remains in a good mood and believes the best way to deal with the lingering threat from Covid is to just keep going.
“It’s crazy and it’s something that’s probably happening everywhere – you just have to deal with the bumps and follow the guidelines.
“It’s hard for the guys who missed it to digest. Just do everything you can.
“The mood has been good. Sean and I arrived yesterday and we kept separate from the rest of the team until the results came in.
“It’s a great group to get in, great guys and the atmosphere is good. But everyone in the world is a little nervous. It’s a strange time for everyone.”
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