eamondunphy

I've given him stick, and I don't take any of it back.

- 

Until now, the football has been tepid, the selections odd.

But against Portugal, he got everything right — from the shape to the spirit.

It was brave management, not blind luck.

At the back, Caoimhin Kelleher was world class. He's a Rolls Royce in goal.

He makes hard saves look routine and has the poise of a man who learned his trade alongside Alisson and Virgil van Dijk.

Late on, when Portugal flung everything at him, he stood tall, his left-handed save from Ramos was special.

In front of him, Nathan Collins and Seamus Coleman were magnificent.

Collins is the future — powerful, composed, a fine captain already.

Coleman, though, was the soul of the night. At 37, after injuries and doubt, he rolled back the years. Every block was gutsy. That's leadership you can't coach.

He's old-school in the best way — no fuss, no headlines, just pride in the shirt.

Watching him, you understood what international football is supposed to mean.

Ireland's midfield worked, too. For years, we've struggled to keep the ball, to play with purpose. But here, there was structure and bravery.