Ireland cut for Euro 2016 thanks to O’Neill and Keane factor

In light of the news that Martin O’Neill and Roy Keane are set to combine managerial forces and take charge of Ireland together, bookmakers Ladbrokes have cut the Republic’s odds from 1/1 to 10/11 to qualify for Euro 2016.

However, the unlikely couple, who will succeed Giovanni Trapattoni, look to have a far harder task to qualify for the next World Cup, with Ladbrokes deeming Ireland’s chances at 5/1 to be at the finals for Russia 2018.

Meanwhile, Keane’s previous blotted history of walking out on Ireland as a player during the 2002 World Cup has led Ladbrokes to offer a couple of specials regarding the fiery former Sunderland and Ipswich boss.

It’s a 6/4 shot that Keane leaves his country in the lurch again before Euro 2016, while it’s reasoned to be a near-certainty at 8/13 that he leaves his job before O’Neill does at odds of 6/5 in that little matchbet.

Jessica Bridge of Ladbrokes said: “We’re confident the pair can give the Boys in Green a new lease of life and that’s why we’ve trimmed their Euro 2016 qualification odds. However, Keano’s walked out on his country before and it looks like he could do it again.”

It’s longer odds of 33/1 that Keane is sent to the stands in his first game in charge of the Republic.

The firm also cast their eye much further into the future with a series of special bets surrounding the potential length of O’Neill’s tenure.

Ladbrokes offer 1/5 O’Neill is still in charge for the start of World Cup 2018 qualifying, 5/6 he’s still there for Euro 2020 qualifying, it’s 9/4 he’s in charge at the onset of Ireland’s World Cup 2022 campaign and 7/1 he oversees the first game of their Euro 2024 qualifiers.

All Odds and Markets are correct as of the date of publishing.

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