Robbie Brady rolls back the years as Ireland finally taste victory in Helsinki
Goal and assist for wing-back against Finland helps halt team’s downward spiral in Nations League
Nations League B, Group 2: Finland 1 (Pohjanpalo 17) Ireland 2 (Scales 57, Brady 88)
Robbie Brady has been here before. The only survivor from the Republic of Ireland’s last taste of major tournament football, at Euro 2016, smashed a late winner after Festy Ebosele mesmerised the Finnish defence into submission.
The wingbacks cometh, halting Ireland’s downward spiral and snapping a three-game losing streak in the most dramatic fashion imaginable.
A barely respectable score draw was nearing its conclusion when Chiedozie Ogbene gingerly departed, to be replaced by Ebosele, the Watford right-back called up to replace Matt Doherty.
The 22-year-old made an immediate impact, dancing between two Finns before picking out Brady at the back post to secure Ireland’s first victory of note since beating Scotland in June 2022.
Just like the old days, Brady galloped towards 1,100 delirious Irish fans who made the journey to Helsinki, touching the track where Eamonn Coghlan strode to a gold medal at the 1983 World Championships.
It cannot be overstated how much this group of young Irish men needed the veteran to deliver.
In the short time Heimir Hallgrímsson has been in charge, incremental improvements are visible. Victory here sure beats the resounding Nations League defeats to England and Greece last month in Dublin.
