Let’s be cool and calm on and off the pitch

LIKE every Irish soccer supporter I was happy with the draw for the upcoming Euro 2012 play-offs. I would be hopeful and optimistic that we are in with a good chance of qualifying.

I looked at the TV reporting of the draw and was a little worried about the over confidence that is apparent in a lot of our supporters. With that in mind please note this story from history.

In qualifying for Euro 2004, Estonia’s near neighbours Latvia managed to finish second in their qualifying group and entered the play-offs for that tournament. They were the team everyone wanted to draw in that play-off draw. Turkey were seen as the lucky ones after drawing them.

Turkey were a very strong team at the time and had just finished third at the 2002 World Cup.

Latvia won the play-off on a 3-2 aggregate score sparking off wild celebrations on the streets of Riga.

Let’s hope such wild celebrations are not repeated a few hundred miles up the road in Tallinn on November 15. Let’s get the job done on the pitch first before making any travel plans just yet.

Paul Hearty

Killnasalla

Nenagh

Co Tipperary