Ireland Gets Nightmare Group In Euro 2016

The Republic of Ireland’s hopes of making an impact at Euro 2016 were dealt a major blow at the draw in Paris today. Far from getting a favourable result, as the balls were drawn from the glass bowls, it became obvious that we were in one of the toughest groups.

The draw brings us into confrontation with the No.1 ranked team in the world, Belgium, as well as hardened campaigners Italy and Sweden.

Meanwhile Northern Ireland were also given an extremely difficult task. Germany, Poland and Ukraine stand between them and progress to the knockout stage of the tournament. In contrast the home nation, France, find themselves in a relatively easy group, alongside Romania, Albania, Switzerland.

However the easiest group of all is headed by Portugal, who were drawn alongside Austria, Iceland and Hungary – which would have been a dream group for Ireland with just one change in a letter in one of the teams!

In another relatively tight-looking group, Roy Hodgson’s England were drawn with Russia, Wales and Slovakia.

For their part, Spain look as if they have one of the tougher groups with Croatia, Czech Republic and Turkey as opposition. But of course that is a far tougher draw for Turkey than it is for Spain!

The reaction in RTE’s studios was phlegmatic – emphasising that in the end Ireland will simply have to perform. The fact that our first game is against Sweden has to be seen as a minor consolation. It is, perhaps, a relatively winnable game – and victory might just give our campaign the momentum that it needs. Then again, defeat in that opening joust in Paris could seem like a hammer blow.

In the wake of the formalities, Irish manager Martin O'Neill described the group as "a tough one." In particular, he emphasised that Italy are essentially a Pot A team in Pot B – and that we will be competing against two teams of the highest calibre.

Well, we shall see! But in the meantime, we can still dream...