A LEAGUE OF THEIR EOIN

In 1985 we had a Hand.. but now we have a weaker hand after four decades of mismanagement, failure & decline

- BY GARRY DOYLE

IF Heimir Hallgrimsson had a choice, it wouldn't be a team sheet he'd write out on Saturday but a wish list.

Ideally he'd get in a time machine and fly back to September 1985.

Then Ireland had Eoin Hand; now it's a weaker hand.

Way back in September 1985, Ireland faced Switzerland in a World Cup qualifier. The starting X1 was: Seamus McDonagh, Chris Hughton, Mick McCarthy, David O'Leary, Jim Beglin, Gerry Daly, Liam Brady, Mark Lawrenson, Kevin Sheedy, Tony Cascarino, Frank Stapleton.

For context, Ronnie Whelan and Michael Robinson had played in the previous year's European Cup final. Neither got a minute against the Swiss.

Paul McGrath, man of the match in that year's FA Cup final, had to be content coming off the bench.

Seven of those who started for Ireland that night had already appeared in a European club final - Brady, Stapleton, O'Leary with Arsenal; Lawrenson and Beglin with Liverpool; Hughton with Spurs; Sheedy with Everton.

Now look at the Ireland squad.