ROY Keane did not hold back in his criticism of the Ireland women’s team during a dressing room visit following their 3-1 defeat by Russia, captain Emma Byrne has said.
Martin O’Neill’s right-hand-man was amongst the 1,503 spectators at Tallaght Stadium on Wednesday, who watched the women’s team’s hopes of World Cup qualification dealt a huge blow.
Ireland struggled against the Russian side, their main competitor in claiming the second place available in Group One, and conceded all their goals in the first half after a string of defensive errors.
“Roy came into the dressing-room and was honest in his assessment,” said the Arsenal goalkeeper.
“He said we can’t be conceding goals like that at this level and it just wasn’t good enough. His comments were cutting and probably made us feel worse. But I suppose it’s what we needed to hear.
“We have to look at ourselves before blaming anyone else and Roy was only echoing that. Neither myself or the manager Sue Ronan hold back in being harsh on the team.”
Ireland’s assistant manager Keane was allowed by Ronan to critique the women’s performance on the pitch and to give them feedback on where the team’s weaknesses lie.
“He was right in telling the girls that it was the basics that let them down,” she explained.
“But he complimented them for sticking to the task in the second-half. Even Roy watching from the stand could notice the difference in professional structures Russia have behind them compared to us.”
Ireland's women face Croatia on June 14 in their next qualifier.
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