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Joe Schmidt Turns Soccer Pundit As He Discusses Psychological Impact Of Germany Win

Joe Schmidt Turns Soccer Pundit As He Discusses Psychological Impact Of Germany Win
Conor Neville
By Conor Neville
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The events of Sunday 11 October will not be forgotten in a hurry one way or another.

At 4.45, the Irish rugby team take on France in their biggest match in four years, while at 7.45, the Irish football team go to Poland knowing a win will qualify them for Euro 2016, with the lovely certainty of a playoff spot should things go awry (one hopes that inspires a certain fearlessness on the night).

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Ken Early wrote in March that the Irish rugby team were the undisputed darlings of the nation. And in recent times, it has usually fallen to the football coach to congratulate the rugby team on their latest success, see Giovanni Trappatoni on the Grand Slam of 2009.

Yesterday, it was Joe Schmidt's turn to praise the Irish football team, and suggest that the rugby team may seek to draw inspiration from the events of Thursday.

It probably does contribute a little bit to confidence, they see Irish teams that are underdogs step up and knock off the current giant of football.

There is always narrow margins, I've no doubt the Irish football team massively deserved their victory, but there was probably a few shots on goal by a German team who seemed to have a lot of possession.

You are willing them to miss and you are willing them to get turned over but it was pretty nerve racking in the last quarter.

It was a super effort. Shane Long's touch and finish were exceptional. You take your hat off to that kind of skill. It was fantastic to see that kind of enthusiasm around that, and they are up again, after us. It will be great to have a genuine super Sunday for Irish sport.

Ideally, both national coaches will be congratulating each other come Monday morning.

Meanwhile, Rory Best was chuffed to see Northern Ireland reach the championships. He was but a three year old the last time they pitched up at a major tournament back in Mexico in 1986 and he is thrilled by their progress.

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We were sort of watching both of them. To qualify is brilliant. The boys have been great the whole way through this campaign. It was very inspirational for us to watch both games

Read more: Watch: Jon Walters Gave The World A Masterclass In Holding The Ball In The Corner

 

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