The calm before Polish storm

Trying to find the hidden messages behind today’s clash at the Aviva Stadium.

Today marks Ireland’s last game on home soil before Euro 2012. Indeed, in many ways, the match against Bosnia-Herzegovina almost seems a bit of a sideshow. The real event is the send-off. So, in that context, how did Ireland do in previous going-away parties? And did they reveal anything about the competitions to come?

You wouldn’t have known Ireland were heading for their first international tournament. Or perhaps you would have. Because the country seemingly didn’t know what to do. The bandwagon certainly wasn’t moving yet. Just 20 days before the England game in Stuttgart, only 18,000 fans turned up at Lansdowne Road to watch Ireland easily beat Poland. It seems, however, that Jack Charlton let himself go in the relaxed atmosphere. With Ireland 3-0 up after 40 minutes through goals from Kevin Sheedy, Tony Cascarino and John Sheridan, the manager threw on all attacking players in the second half, some evenreplacing defenders. Robert Warzycha’s inevitable 66th-minute goal didn’t spoil the mood.