Angry Fans
LIAM, I was completely shocked to read the blatantly ignorant opening letter from Mr Patrick Keating “will Roy Keane ever tire of talking rubbish?”
Ah yes, like the time he called some United fans the “prawn sandwich brigade” (he was roundly applauded for it), for saying it was wrong for Irish players to be stuck in coach on planes when the suits were in first class.
Does Patrick remember that? More than likely not and how is that obvious? Why, by this statement . . . “as for managing Ireland being a step down for him, Staunton may be bad but at least he won’t walk out on his country in the middle of the World Cup.”
Seriously, where to start with how WRONG and IDIOTIC this statement is.
Ever heard of the Genesis report? Ever heard of the word vindication? Let’s have a whip around and get him a copy.
Walked out did he? Roy was sent home — I have footage of McCarthy saying that which I will gladly drop it over to Mr Keating.
Just out of curiosity, where was Mr Keating when our captain stood on his own against the Portuguese tide at Lansdowne? Or when he gave every inch of himself against the Dutch? What about the away game against Cyprus when the rest of the lads couldn’t be arsed playing and Roy got a 10/10 in one newspaper for it .
How’s about Roy’s assertion that the FAI, through their abysmal disorganisation, were ripping off real fans who were putting themselves into debt to go to Korea and Japan in 2002? Or what about Roy’s comment that we could win the World Cup and that’s why he was there?
Does Mr Keating want to go back to the days of celebrating pathetic draws against lesser teams? If that’s the case, and it looks like it is, then Mr Keating must be in paradise because this is truly the most embarrassing time to be an Ireland fan. But of course, that’s what people wanted — get rid of Roy, no more rocking the boat and we can have shambolic results and management.
I apologise for the ferocity of this but I’ve simply had it with Roy Keane haters. I’ve defended Keane to the hilt many times, and will do so till I die but what you always get is ignorance, ignorance, bloody ignorance when the debate rages about him. His detractors will always have more say and why? Here’s why — those of us who support Roy, who back him and KNOW the bloody truth don’t have to say anything.
He owes us nothing. He gave us more than we had any right to ever expect of a player in a green shirt. His greatest hour — which would’ve been the World Cup — was ruined by idiotic incompetence and he has been forced to take the blame by blind ignorance. He’s hated because he refused to let fans be short-changed. People call him selfish — show me one interview about the Irish set up where he didn’t use such terms as “team” “fans” and “what’s right for them.”
PS: That whole Miller being from Cork thing is a bit of nonsense isn’t it?!
Seosamh — if Ireland show one tenth of your controlled passion on the pitch tomorrow night, Steve Staunton will be smiling for a change. Which isn’t to say that I agree with everything you say. I mean, Keano “hated”? You think Steve Staunton gets a better press in Ireland? And as for Saipan — pleeeeease, let’s not go there again. But for the power of your prose and the poise of your postscript — have our Letter Of The Week prize.
IN the absence of Andy Reid, Stephen Ireland is our only midfielder who is able to get on the ball and pass it. So why was he playing on the wing? With Carsley and Douglas in the middle the only option was long balls from back to front and that’s no way to get Duff and Keane in to a game.
Stan picked a team to stop the opposition from playing. Did he not realise the Welsh can’t play?
After about 20 minutes he did. And it made the difference — just about.
LIAM, is it correct, as some parts of the Press have reported, that the Irish soccer team had a request turned down by the GAA to train at Croke Park. If that is true does it mean that our national soccer team are to be afforded some sort of second class citizen status compared to the rugby boys and, if so, won’t this diminish the stock of goodwill that the nation built up after the England rugby international?
IT’S a normal courtesy in international soccer to allow teams to train on the ground allocated for the match. Yet several newspapers have reported that Steve Staunton’s team have been denied this opportunity on at least one occasion.
Let’s imagine that in years to come Croke Park is given the chance to stage a Champions League or a UEFA Cup Final. Let’s stretch the imagination further and foresee that it is to be contested by two English teams — let’s say the two with the largest following of Irish supporters, Liverpool and Manchester United. Would they be prevented from training? I think the GAA needs to think this one through more closely.
Calm down Ryan, you’ll never see Liverpool, Manchester United or a Champions’ League final at Croke Park. I mean, Lansdowne is coming down the rails fast. Isn’t it? And to be honest, I’d be a bit more worried about the state of the Croker pitch than the number of times Ireland have trained on it.
WHO do you think will be the first to get the sack — Steve Staunton or Steve McClaren? That question is more interesting than the football that either of their sides are playing at the moment. Dull and duller just about sums it up.
My money is definitely on Steve.
WAS it me, or did the first soccer match at Croke Park pass by not so much with a bang as a whimper?
I KNOW the style wasn’t great but a win is a win. With the Czech Republic losing we’re still in there with a shout.
Um, yes, technically a shout but one which sounds a bit more like Nuala’s whimper, perhaps.
LIAM, would you vote for Ronaldo as Footballer of the Year despite all his diving?
No. And I wouldn’t give him my number one even if he didn’t dive.
WHEN the awards get handed out at the end of the year how about a special one for Jeff Stelling of Sky? He’s lucky he didn’t get a boot aimed at his head by Fergie. I suppose we won’t be seeing any more United players sent out to pick up their man of the match awards. At least it will give Carlos Queiroz something to do.
Anthony Doyle, Waterford, by email
JUST why does TV think it’s appropriate to ambush players, who are often speaking in their second language, when they come out before the cameras to pick up their man of the match awards. They did it to Drogba last season, and to Ronaldo last week.
I don’t think picking up a man of the match award in front of the cameras qualifies as “an ambush“, Brendan. Maybe they should prepare Oscar-style acceptance speeches, though.
SO, if United sign Deco they will be able to field the two most gravitationally-challenged players in the world next season.
Almost stuck with a red card in my back pocket this week and then, just in the nick of time, up pops Cork Blue. Result!
