GROUP E
Ireland 2-2 Poland
Grosicki 3’
Lewandowski 40’
Whelan 89’
Hendricks 90+3'
Dónal O´Brien
Aviva Stadium, Dublin, Ireland
Monday 15th June
As the sun broke through the clouds in the morning after a weekend of rain in the Irish capital many hoped that there was a silver lining after a tumultuous few months leading up the much-anticipated group E game, the first senior international tournament match played on Irish soil.
Ireland’s pre-tournament campaign played out like a Shakespearean tragedy with the ill-fated protagonist, once again, played by Mick McCarthy. The loyal servant to Irish football who in his second reign as manager steered the Irish team through a tricky group stage and knock-out round to their third Euros appearance.
Alas, a previous agreement to stick with the man who delivered on his promise of qualification was ultimately betrayed by the FAI. Choosing to fast-track Stephen Kenny’s promotion to the senior set-up after McCarthy was accused of adopting ´Neanderthal tactics to overcome dogged opponents Slovakia and Northern Ireland- the same kind of derogatory assessment which also led to the demise of Giovanni Trappatoni’s administration.
The decision was met with a barrage of critique by football commentators and fans alike. Yet, there is great enthusiasm to discover how far Kenny, the man who is praised to have transformed the Irish league during his time at Dundalk FC, can take this young and talented Irish squad. In particular, the addition of Troy Parrott, Michael Obafemi and Jack Byrne sprouted an ardent zeal among fans and expectation has never been higher for the team to perform competitively with Europe’s greats.
To meet them in their first competitive outing under Kenny is a Polish team who feel they belong up there with the most feared sides on the continent. Not only are they hoping to improve on their impressive quarter-finals finish four years previously in France they will also be looking to put a disappointing group stage exit at the World Cup in Russia behind them.
There is also a sense that it is mostly likely Poland’s most cherished son, captain and top scorer Robert Lewandowski’s last chance to make his mark at a Euros tournament. Two months shy of his thirty-second birthday the European golden boot winner with an outrageous 56 goals with Bayern Munich this season has been quoted as saying: “No accolade would top winning a tournament with Poland. We know there’s no team we cannot beat”.
On this the twenty-ninth meeting between the two countries Poland’s mission was clear from the outset. With only three minutes on the clock Ireland’s new flowing passing game was undone by Piotr Zielinski when the Napoli attacking midfielder stole the ball in midfield from a Glenn Whelan to lay it off for Kamil Grosicki to race through to finish past a furious Darren Randolph in goal. The Polish fans at the Northern end of the Aviva were sent into raptures as the TV cameras caught the worrisome faces in the FAI corporate boxes.
The goal did not seem to dishearten the Irish team as AC Milan’s surprising new addition Jeff Hendricks channelled his inner Pirlo and spread the ball impressively in the middle of the field, continuing to push forward through the pace and trickery of Brady and Doherty on the wings. The confidence in their ability was palpable and they nearly replied within minutes as a David McGoldrick header, provided by a Coleman cross from the right, shaved the right post. The Irish fans were back in full voice as the half wore on with Ireland on top of the enticing contest.
Poland’s experience up front started to be evident, however, as Lewandowski and Piatek combined to give their team a 2-0 lead on the 40th minute. Once again Zielinski picked up the ball in centre midfield and delivered it to Piatek outside the box whose turn upended Shane Duffy. Egan’s interception on Piatek only delayed the inevitable as Lewandowski pounced on a loose ball just inside the box to send it deep into the bottom left corner. Half time succeeded with Kenny seen attempting to rouse his dejected troops as they left the pitch.
The second half commenced with Poland on the ascent. Looking to finish off their opponents Randolph was called upon to produce an array of outstanding saves to keep his team in the game. The rampant Poles started to take their foot off the gas after the 70th minute and decided to hold on to possession, obviously with an eye towards their next two matches on the horizon. Lewandowski was taken off, to warm applause from the home fans, for another Polish great in Jakub Błaszczykowski.
Ireland likewise took the opportunity to freshen up their team with the inclusion of Troy Parrott and James McClean with 15 minutes remaining. McClean, somewhat infamous for his unrelenting, direct style infuriated the away support and players when he left what looked like a late foot in on Kamil Glik as the defender cleared a ball to safety. McClean deviously smirked at the Polish crowd as he jogged away without punishment.
Ireland, frustrated by the watertight Polish defence, started to revert to long-ball tactics in a desperate attempt to find a goal. On the 89th minute Ireland were given a lifeline as Wojciech Szczęsny fumbled a tame McClean shot out for a corne, from which Brady delivered a peach of a cross to find the unmarked Glen Whelan. The thirty-six-year-old Fleetwood Town midfielder left Szczęsny helpless in the Polish goal as his bullet header rattled in off the right post. 2-1 to Poland with just extra time remaining.
The four minutes of extra time announced by the stadium commentator board were met by a raucous cheer from the Irish crowd. With the clock on 93 minutes Conor Hourihane, standing just behind the halfway line, looked up to find McClean charging down the left-hand side after defending a Polish corner. The Derry-born winger received the ball with an uncharacteristic deft touch to leave Glik in his wake and hammered a cross into Parrott, whose header was saved by the feet of Szczęsny. Like a man possessed, Jeff Hendricks followed up to bury the ball into the back of the net. 2-2 and madness in the stands ensued as Kenny fell to his knees and hid his face in his hands.
Poland will be kicking themselves after easing the pressure in the second half and will undoubtedly be looking to make amends against high-flying Spain in Bilbao in five days’ time. Ireland, on the other hand, will cherish the memorable result as a point rescued but Kenny will however have to go back to the drawing board on their attacking game after being left frustrated by the Polish defence for most of the game. Their next test will be a wounded but experienced Sweden side right here in the Aviva. Whatever the result, we have already seen another piece of Irish footballing folklore written here in Dublin today.
Man of the Match: Jeff Hendricks
Attendance: 51,208