David Connolly
FORMER EFL STRIKER AND TALKSPORT PUNDIT

For 30 EFL players the World Cup is going to be something they will cherish forever, to look back on with memories made with teammates that will last a lifetime.
Qualifying for a major tournament is often the hardest part, as I bitterly know.
While playing for the Republic of Ireland, we lost out on two tournaments narrowly in the play-offs for the 1998 World Cup and Euro 2000.
When we did reach the 2002 World Cup it was such a relief. It was something we felt we had earned and had to enjoy, and our squad contained quite a few EFL pl...