Saturday, 7th November

Dan Casey (0:01)

Welcome along to The Big Red Bench here on RedFM. Dan Casey here with you for the next hour, but it is also the last hour. It's my last ever show here. Time for farewells in the second half of the show. But first, there was incredible drama in Turners Cross right here in Cork as Ireland beat Croatia 3-1 to advance to the UEFA Regions Cup final tournament. Ruairí O'Hagan was there who spoke to Jason Purcell, the Irish manager.

Ruairí O'Hagan (0:25)

Jason, what can you say after that? That's a sensational performance.

Jason Purcell (0:29)

Yeah, unbelievable scenes here, I suppose. The players, the effort they put in for the last two years has been phenomenal, you know, but I thought we were really the better team on the night as well. We deserved to win. Some quality performances all on the pitch.

And the never-say-die attitude as well, it's just fantastic.

Ruairí O'Hagan (0:43)

What were you thinking when they scored that one goal there?

Jason Purcell (0:46)

It didn't really change anything. We just needed to score two. We knew that before the game started. Two-one was going to do us.

But just tremendous scenes here for the players in front of their families and their friends, you know.

Ruairí O'Hagan (0:56)

It's just the work grade of the lads as well. They've never said no.

Jason Purcell (0:59)

And it'll be like that since we started back two years ago, three years ago even now.

Great bunch of players, great group and they deserve everything they get. 100%.

Ruairí O'Hagan (1:07)

The atmosphere here was electric as well.

Jason Purcell (1:08)

It's really helping. Definitely. He had us over the line. It's great. We're playing in front of our own supporters and fans.

Ruairí O'Hagan (1:14)

Substitution is obviously making a big impact. Luke Casey coming up with two of the easiest goals he'll ever score. I don't think he'll ever care.

Jason Purcell (1:20)

Yeah, absolutely. But look, we'll take it. If it was a push or a try, it wouldn't matter as I'm going to get over the line.

Ruairí O'Hagan (1:25)

Jason, congratulations.

Jason Purcell (1:26)

Cheers. Thank you.

Dan Casey (1:27)

All right, we're going to hear now from the veteran forward, Onase.

Ruairí O'Hagan (1:30)

On, just what does this mean to you?

Onase (1:33)

Oh, geez, it means everything you see here. I'm here at my two smallies.

I'm 37 years of age. I made my debut for Ireland in 2015 So I'm on the go the last 12 years. And if I'm being honest, I thought that it was kind of over for me over the last maybe year or so. But thankfully, timing just went in my way. I worked hard off the pitch and see the results of working hard. An unbelievable group of fellas. I've had some week with them, in the spirit of God. It's been absolutely unbelievable. And at one all, I absolutely knew we'd score again. 100%, 100% belief in this team.

Ruairí O'Hagan (2:11)

Every single player there today ran themselves into the ground, yourself included. And that just shows you the spirit of this Irish team.

Onase (2:17)

Yeah, they did. And these lads are absolutely unreal. I know we're amateurs, but that's only a name. I'm telling you that much. We've had the most professional week I've ever seen. We've just been unbelievable all week.

We've been staying in Florida, living basically like professionals. And it's been the best thing ever, I swear to God. Yeah, it'll be, it'll live long with me for a long time.

Ruairí O'Hagan (2:40)

What was that feeling like when those goals go in?

Onase (2:43)

When those goals go in? Well, yeah, I mean, in the first half, I thought we were actually unlucky. We probably should have scored one.

Ruairí O'Hagan (2:48)

That was never a free kick.

Onase (2:49)

No, never a free kick. And it had to be me that scored. It was disallowed. But no, it was absolutely incredible. And yeah, like the character. So, Luke Casey, he's the international player of the year, like Tefela is the junior. He won the FAI Junior Cup this year, like Tefela is absolutely incredible. One of the best guys I know playing football. And I'm so happy for him as well.

Ruairí O'Hagan (3:11)

What about this atmosphere here today? It was really, really intense by the end.

Onase (3:14)

It was, yeah, yeah. Like, I played Croatia, actually in the Regions Cup final in 2017, and they won us. They beat us 1-0. So, you know, nearly 10 years later, like we're repaying that, and the crowd was massive for us. Like, you hear that in the corner there, in the corner flag, people are roaring Luke Casey's name, and it's just brilliant, you know? Well, congratulations.