Fahey: ‘I could have been better’
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It’s been a meteoric rise for Keith Fahey – from Richmond Park on a Friday night to facing Gabriel Heinze for Ireland in the Aviva’s opening international.
He may have only been a late replacement for the injured Liam Lawrence but the Birmingham City midfielder was still delighted to have started his first game for the national side.
Fahey lasted 77 minutes, to be replaced by an impressive cameo from debutant Keith Treacy, and the 27-year-old still believes that he can improve his game further.
“I could have been better, but it went alright” he remarked after Angel Di Maria ruined the Aviva party with a dubious 20th minute goal. “I improved a bit in the second half and felt a bit more comfortable. I felt a bit sharper and stronger.”
Where, so, can the former St Pat’s star improve?
“My final ball. A couple of times I was in a good position but hit sloppy balls into the box which weren’t good enough at any level, nevermind in an international.”
“I think the game opened up a bit more in the second half and it suited me a bit more.”
For much of the game the Argentineans just passed across the field, leaving the home side with very little share of the ball.
In the end, Ireland had just 32% of possession in the game – a stat which illustrates their struggle in the absence of key figures such as Glenn Whelan in the middle.
Fahey, while not overawed, did have time to appreciate the quality of the opposition, particularly Leo Messi.
“I think everybody could see the quality they had and everytime Messi gets the ball it looks like he can create something.
“I did alright and even though I won’t be counting my chickens, I’ll hopefully get in (to the next squad) again.”
Originally, Fahey wasn’t due to play but Liam Lawrence’s late withdrawal after a groin strain in training Tuesday night, meant stand-in boss Marco Tardelli threw the Dubliner into the melting pot.
“It wasn’t actually confirmed until I saw it on the news,” Fahey said. “I wasn’t told it was decided when I was put into the shape in training when Liam was injured.
“I think it’s brilliant for myself to play in a game like this, the first game in the new Lansdowne, it’s amazing to be involved. I’m very proud of myself.”
Fahey now returns to England ahead of the Premier League’s start at the weekend and he reckons staying in the top flight at the end of the season will be a success for Birmingham.
“We’ve Sunderland away on Saturday, it’ll be a tough game. We’re travelling up on Friday so it’s back to work again.
“To survive again [is the ambition for City]. The fans will be expecting a bit more but as a team and a group we want to just stay in the top flight.”
He may have only been a late replacement for the injured Liam Lawrence but the Birmingham City midfielder was still delighted to have started his first game for the national side.
Fahey lasted 77 minutes, to be replaced by an impressive cameo from debutant Keith Treacy, and the 27-year-old still believes that he can improve his game further.
“I could have been better, but it went alright” he remarked after Angel Di Maria ruined the Aviva party with a dubious 20th minute goal. “I improved a bit in the second half and felt a bit more comfortable. I felt a bit sharper and stronger.”
Where, so, can the former St Pat’s star improve?
“My final ball. A couple of times I was in a good position but hit sloppy balls into the box which weren’t good enough at any level, nevermind in an international.”
“I think the game opened up a bit more in the second half and it suited me a bit more.”
For much of the game the Argentineans just passed across the field, leaving the home side with very little share of the ball.
In the end, Ireland had just 32% of possession in the game – a stat which illustrates their struggle in the absence of key figures such as Glenn Whelan in the middle.
Fahey, while not overawed, did have time to appreciate the quality of the opposition, particularly Leo Messi.
“I think everybody could see the quality they had and everytime Messi gets the ball it looks like he can create something.
“I did alright and even though I won’t be counting my chickens, I’ll hopefully get in (to the next squad) again.”
Originally, Fahey wasn’t due to play but Liam Lawrence’s late withdrawal after a groin strain in training Tuesday night, meant stand-in boss Marco Tardelli threw the Dubliner into the melting pot.
“It wasn’t actually confirmed until I saw it on the news,” Fahey said. “I wasn’t told it was decided when I was put into the shape in training when Liam was injured.
“I think it’s brilliant for myself to play in a game like this, the first game in the new Lansdowne, it’s amazing to be involved. I’m very proud of myself.”
Fahey now returns to England ahead of the Premier League’s start at the weekend and he reckons staying in the top flight at the end of the season will be a success for Birmingham.
“We’ve Sunderland away on Saturday, it’ll be a tough game. We’re travelling up on Friday so it’s back to work again.
“To survive again [is the ambition for City]. The fans will be expecting a bit more but as a team and a group we want to just stay in the top flight.”
About Alan Smith
Alan Smith works as a sub-editor for the Guardian newspaper in London. Originally from Cork, he freelances for several other newspapers and websites. Follow him on twitter @alansmith90. View Full Profile