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Set-piece maestro Ryan Manning ready to take aim at Hungary

Ryan Manning training with the squad ahead of the Hungary game
Ryan Manning training with the squad ahead of the Hungary game

Repetition, repetition, repetition; a Ryan Manning mantra when it comes to practising free-kicks back at his club, Southampton.

The left-footer, comfortable in defence or further upfield, appears to have found the midas touch around the penalty area, already scoring twice from set-pieces this season.

And it is a role that the Galway native would relish should he get the nod to start Saturday's World Cup qualifier against Hungary on Saturday at Aviva Stadium.

Manning forced his way into Heimir Hallgrimsson’s emerging side, and has since become one of the creative outlets in the team, while establishing a potent partnership with fellow ciotóg Robbie Brady.

An injury for Preston’s Brady means that the manager will need to rethink how he accounts for the left flank of the field at Lansdowne, however, it would appear that Manning will certainly be asked to play a role either in attack or defence.

"I had a good start to the season," said Manning, speaking to the press after training. "A couple of free kicks and some good performances.

"Just happy to be back in the squad and obviously we're prepping now for two massive games and I think there's 20-22 lads that are ready to play. It's just about showing a bit in training now over the next few days, taking on all the information and prepping for Saturday."

"I don't know, I'm happy just to be on the pitch," he added, when asked where he might be utilised for the visit of the Hungarians.

"For me, obviously playing a bit further forward in the last few camps, I've really enjoyed. It just gives another option for me to get up the pitch and gives the manager something else that he can do with me.

"Missing Robbie is a big miss for us because he's done so well over the last few years. But yeah, like I said, I'm just ready to be in contention and hopefully play."

 Ryan Manning (L) of Southampton after scoring against Watford, Championship, August 2025
Ryan Manning celebrates after scoring his free-kick against Watford

And Manning said that he would be more than willing to put his hand up for set-piece duty, should Ireland find themselves in prime position in and around the penalty box.

"I'm not too sure about penalties, but for free kicks I'll put my hand up," he said. "I've been fortunate enough to score a couple over the last few weeks and confidence is pretty high at the minute. Hopefully we get something within shooting range on Saturday.

"I suppose I compare it a little bit to golf, you find something that just works and you sort of go with it.

"I've been doing that, I don't want to speak too much in case I lose it again. It's just repetition - just putting the walls up in training and just doing them over and over again and then a bit of luck on the day that they go in."

And when it comes to repetition, Manning has something in common with Hallgrimsson, who employs similar methods when it comes to getting his message across to the players.

"Consistent and clear message" was how John O’Shea put it when it comes to maintaining the players’ focus ahead of games, and Manning believes that the communication methods are paying dividends.

"He's very clear in his information," said Manning. "It doesn't really change game by game, it's just a standard way that we play.

"Because we all play different ways at clubs with different formations, different styles, it's very clear here now that it's something that we don't have to change each camp.

"I think that's shown with the performances, each camp we're improving, the results have been improving. He’s just really clear in his information. I think we're all starting to gel and get used to it now."

Ryan Manning in action against Netherlands

Hallgrimsson referred to Manning as a potential matchwinner within the collective, and the former QPR man admitted that the expression of trust really helps to concentrate on performing at the highest level.

"I think for anyone having the sort of backing of the manager and him realising that you can potentially win a match is a massive help.

"And it just probably allows you to be able to prepare properly for the game and relax, enjoy the environment.

"I think that comes with [the fact that] it's my fifth or sixth season coming away with Ireland and you know, you're used to everyone.

"You’re one of the senior members of the squad, and that means you have to take on other roles and responsibilities in terms of new boys coming in and hoping that they settle well."

Manning echoed the sentiments of goalkeeper Caoimhín Kelleher, who believes that the next step for the squad is qualification, and the Southampton man added that it was time for the players to "step up" and embrace the challenge.

As a six-year-old, Manning was hauled off to the local pub back in 2002 to watch Ireland’s last involvement in the World Cup, a penalty-shootout defeat to Spain in Seoul, and he feels that it is time to hand the next generation similar experiences, watching the national team on the biggest stage.

"We've had a tough few years with qualification campaigns but I feel like the squad now, when you look at it, you've got four or five club captains within the squad, you've got a lot of people who have a lot of caps, good experienced Premier League players and Championship players.

"The squad is probably in as good a place as it has been in the last few years so I think now is probably the time that we need to step up as a group and put in the performances to qualify and get to a tournament.

"Believe it or not, I remember the penalty shootout against Spain," he said. "I think I was in my local pub with my family watching it. So we want to be able to create memories like that in a World Cup campaign.

"I remember the Euro campaigns and it's such a good time at home here in Ireland. I think we definitely need to qualify for a major tournament now and sort of create some memories for the younger generation."

On a more sombre note, Manning paid tribute to former manager Ollie Horgan who died last week, and recalled some great days playing under his tutelage with the Ireland schoolboys.

"It was awful news to hear during the week about Ollie," said Manning. "He brought me off, I spent some time in his car, he's bringing me to different schoolboy camps, and we had such a brilliant campaign under him when I was doing my Leaving Cert.

"He was such a good character, some funny stories. He's obviously an incredible servant to Irish football, schoolboys and the League of Ireland. I know he’ll be missed hugely at Galway United, I think he had such a good influence there. He worked with my brother for a few years. It's a huge loss for Irish football."

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Watch Republic of Ireland v Hungary in World Cup qualifying on Saturday from 7pm on RTÉ2 and RTÉ Player. Follow a live blog on rte.ie/sport and the RTÉ News app. Listen to live radio commentary on RTÉ Radio 1

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