As the 24th of March approaches, the country's focus gradually switches to the crucial Ireland vs Wales World Cup qualifier in the Aviva Stadium. On RTE's Late Late Show last night, Finbar Furey, Christy Dignam and Martin O'Neill conversed - mainly about music - but naturally, the Irish national team was brought up in the conversation.
As things stand, Ireland are top of group D, two points ahead of Serbia in second place. The Boys in Green were in convicing form in those respective fixtures as they remain unbeaten after four games. Yet, when the final whistle blows in Dublin in late March, the group may very well start to take shape if Ireland come away with a favourable result.
Despite, leading the standings, Martin O'Neill spoke about his concern in preparation for the Wales game;
We’ve got 10 points from 12, which is great for us at this moment, maybe more than we could have bargained for. It’s a tough old group but we’re in there fighting.
As it gets closer I get more concerned.
The obvious threat comes in the form of Gareth Bale, who sustained an ankle injury in November while playing against Sporting Lisbon. The Real Madrid winger is firmly on the road to recovery and looks certain to feature at the Aviva, despite earlier reports suggesting he may not be fit.
However, Christy Dignam has offered an unconventional method of keeping the Welshman out of the fixture. The Aslan frontman turned to Martin O'Neill and offered his services for the good of the team and country at large;
Me and Finbar [Furey] will go over and break it [his leg] for him.
Watch the clip in full from the Late Late Show below.
Aslan frontman Christy Dignam pays homage to Ireland boss Martin O'Neill then offers to help sort out Gareth Bale ahead of the Wales game. pic.twitter.com/oqOV8c3jDn
— RTÉ Sport (@RTEsport) January 20, 2017
