SEAMUS COLEMAN has spoken of his heartache at missing Euro 2012, watching the games with his mates and family in Killybegs.
Now four years later he is going this time – and travels to France today as part of Martin O’Neill’s Ireland squad.
In 2012 Ireland’s then boss Giovanni Trapattoni decided not to take the Co Donegal man to Poland and Ukraine.
Seamus went home to Donegal.
“I had the Ireland shirt on (at home),” said the Everton defender.
“I didn’t go on holiday and I stayed at home, just like I did before I would meet up with the squad.
“I would have been at the housing estate, with the little kids knocking on the door, just like they were this week, and I would have watched the games with my friends. It didn’t feel nice but, as I’ve said before, that wasn’t Giovanni Trapattoni’s fault.”
It has been a poor year for Everton FC, with the manager fired. Seamus is looking forward now to the European Championship, and next Monday against Sweden.
“We’re going to France with a completely different mindset,” he said.
“We’re a hard team to beat and we can score goals. Everyone wants to work hard for each other and a lot of that comes from the manager.
“He gives us time away from the hotel now and again and we appreciate that. It’s like you want to reward him for how well he is with us.
“I’m sure everyone references Leicester City, and what a fairytale that was. Every one of them got back into position and it was a lesson for all the talented teams.
“There might be more talented players at club level but I’d rather have lads that work hard.”
Tonight Seamus Coleman will sleep in the historic city of Versailles – let’s hope he and his Ireland team mates can make history this summer in France.
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