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The Guardian - UK
The Guardian - UK
Sport
Andy Hunter

Coleman tells Ireland they have a duty to lift country in World Cup playoff

Seamus Coleman lifts up hero Troy Parrott at Puskás Aréna in Budapest, Hungary, after their last-gasp glory in November.
Seamus Coleman lifts up hero Troy Parrott at Puskás Aréna in Budapest, Hungary, after their last-gasp glory in November. Photograph: Stephen McCarthy/Sportsfile/Getty Images

Séamus Coleman believes the Republic of Ireland have “a duty” to lift the country by completing the job of qualifying for a World Cup finals for the first time since 2002.

Ireland visit the Czech ­Republic on Thursday in a World Cup playoff semi‑final that few would have imagined possible after collecting one point from their opening three qualifiers. Having reignited their campaign with two Troy Parrott-inspired wins against Portugal and Hungary in November, however, Heimir Hallgrímsson’s side will take confidence and momentum into their bid to end a 24-year absence from the World Cup.

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