What’s in a name?

WE won’t forget the name in a hurry: Artmedia Bratislava.

Artmedia? Bad enough to be well-beaten in Europe but to be hammered by a team which sounds like football’s answer to Macnas, well, it’s no wonder that wee Gordon Strachan declared himself to be in such a state of shock afterwards that he confessed he couldn’t speak coherently. Not that we’re always sure when he does.

As word of the rout filtered through to the press box in Tolka Park, the thought struck that on European nights in the long ago, it was more likely to be Scottish hacks who would be getting word of some terrible beating inflicted on their Celtic cousins. So, much as we might sympathise with the Bhoys, all credit to Shelbourne for another competitive performance in Europe.