Dermot: Sport

Irish Joy

Sat, 18 Mar 2006 20:43:49 GMT

Two outrageous pieces of luck saw Ireland storm to a 28-24 victory and in so doing claimed a second Triple Crown in three years and consigned England to their 8^th defeat in 15 Tests. Oh dear what will nanny say? Must beat the servants when I get back to the country.
The officials made two crucial decisions in our favour as Shane Horgan grounded but the replays show the ball touched the line, which is out of play. In addition a Ben Cohen quick throw was rule out for no reason and the ensuing line out saw the ref blow for not straight BEFORE Leamy scored. The ref, on referral was heard to say “no advantage green”, but a lack of communication saw the try given. Marvellous. Brian Moore was spitting blood on the commentary and virtually called the ref a cheat. The ref is from Llanelli, so big drinks all round to our Welsh Brethren.
It was almost a case of oh so near but with the clock running down and Ireland trailing by three, an inspired break saw Horgan smash free of Lewis Moody and ground to send the Emerald Isle and all of us plastic Paddy’s wild with joy.
Wales couldn’t do Ireland a favour, slipping to a narrow defeat to France, who win the title on points difference. That dreadful showing in the first half of the match in the Stade De France coming back to haunt the Boys in Green.
Overall it’s been a poor Tournament and nothing seen here will worry All Blacks Coach Graham Henry with just over a year until the next World Cup.
In truth Ireland are an average team who have taken advantage of disarray in the England and Wales camps. Scotland and Italy being the biggest improvers this year and Scotland upset England up front to win a famous and deserved Calcutta Cup victory. In addition Italy recorded their first away point against an abysmal Wales, and pushed England hard until the last quarter.
As for Wales. A shocking season which saw the game descend into civil war and recriminations after the sacking of Ruddock, the man who delivered Nirvana last year forced out by petty jealousy and squabbling. Wales are to rugby what Yorkshire are to cricket. Not happy unless having a ruck with each other.
France blew hot and cold, as ever. Walloping England and Ireland and then contriving to lose against the improving but not yet classy Scots.
England…… How we laugh. Couldn’t happen to a more loathsome organisation as the RFU.
They have some fantastic players and even a died in the wool League man such as myself realises that Dawson (why on the bench?), Moody, Corry, Tindall and Lewsy are world class. And Steve Thompson and Ben Cohen so it’s a mystery why they are so dreadful.

Where ARE those servants……?

The Impossible Job?(Andy's Candidates)

Tue, 24 Jan 2006 16:39:02 GMT

Now that the debate over the succession is out in the open, all sorts of suggestions have been made. Here’s my tuppence worth…

Allerdyce Graham Taylor Mk II.

Curbishley Done a great job with limited resources. Not proven at top level. The divas wouldn’t respect him.

Ferguson This is a joke, right?

Hiddinck Let’s see…World Cup semis twice in a row, the first time with one of the most argumentative teams of all time, the second time with South Korea, who got there playing relentless, up-and-at-em attacking football, and who never gave up. Ever. Not at all the English style of playing, then. He’s coached Aussie to qualification for the first time in 32 years. In his second spell at PSV: in the first he won 3 championships and the European Cup; in the current spell PSV are wiping the floor with everyone else in Holland except Alkmaar, who don’t have the resources to keep up. Would shut up that self-righteous little gobshite Neville. (Don’t pick an argument with a Dutchman unless you’re sure you’re on very firm ground; debate is the national game. Football and hockey come in a distant 2^nd and 3^rd.)

Hitzfeld Not a chance. The red tops would go mad, the jingoistic twats.

Jewell See Curbishley.

McClaren Boring, boring bastard. Utterly negative team. Next!

Mourinho Haven’t been able to take him seriously ever since I saw the Lemur King in “Madagascar”. Indulged at Stamford Bridge in a way he never would be at Soho Square.

O’Neill Too busy caring for his missus – a far more important job.

Pearce I’m having too much fun watching him at the madhouse, aka Man City. Too inexperienced, and he said he doesn’t want the job anyway.

Scolari Is interested; 2 major finals in 4 years; World Cup winner; hard as nails; said he’d get England playing beautiful football; doesn’t know English but learnt Arabic without difficulty. Overqualified for the job!

Taylor Ahem…not proven at top level. Moving swiftly on…

Wenger Arsenal need him more than England. He’d pine without daily hands-on activity.

I’m really not interested in the whole business about needing an English manager to gee up English players. It didn’t work for Kevin “Mike Bassett” Keegan. So for me, it’s either Guus or Big Phil.

Thomond Miracle (Again)

Sat, 21 Jan 2006 20:08:07 GMT

Munster recorded yet another miracle win at Fortress Thomond as they convincingly beat a Sale team who sit top of the English Premiership.
Away teams seem to wither and collapse when they run out at the famous old Limerick ground and it’s with great pride that I follow this wonderful team from afar. I’ve only seen them once, in the eighties in a provincial game against Leinster but was struck by the amazing passion of the fans.
Their finest hour was the 12-0 defeat of the All Blacks in 1978. Everyone you meet in Limerick was at that game, as indeed they were in 2002 when they game back from the dead to beat Glouster. This fantastic win will be in that bracket, my only disappointment was that the incomparable Gary Connolly didn’t get on. He was a total star in League but has failed to impress in the 15 man game.
If you want to piss off a Limerick person, tell them that the reason they have such a good rugby tradition is because of the British Garrison. Ouch!
League, for me is the better game and also I detest the Public School rugger bugger mentality that you get in England and as a result I always want them to lose. The media here is so pro Union you wouldn’t believe it, and coverage of the 13 man code is disgrace.

I love watching Ireland and it’s always brilliant to beat England. The Keith Wood inspired victory of 2001 saw us Celts really give it loads at school to the Union boys. Fantastic. Although I saw the OFSTED inspector examining my classroom collage of English rugby disasters with a frown.

Arsenal 2005

Wed, 28 Dec 2005 13:09:58 GMT

Arsenal suffered a very in and out 2005, securing a deserved runners up berth in the Premiership and winning the Cup in most bizarre fashion at a rain swept Millennium Stadium.

What made it so sweet was that Man Ure played Arsenal off the park, creating a number of decent chances, but Horseface couldn’t have scored in a brothel and his profligacy ultimately was the difference. Extra time was dreadful, quite the nadir of Cup Finals, football wise. Reyes was sent of and it seemed inevitable that Utd would find the winner. But it wasn’t to be. The Ginger Whinger missed and Vieira stroked home to precipitate delirium amongst the faithful. Ferguson was suitably incandescent with rage and totally graceless which made it even better from a Gooner viewpoint.

The new Premiership started in disastrous fashion and by December a staggering five games had been lost on the road, the pits being defeat to West Brom and a shockingly poor display against perennial under achievers Newcastle.

To be frank, I had predicted this slide to the third level in the top flight as early as 2003, but Wenger confounded the critics by leading the Gunners to the Title in stupendous style with no defeats. Even with Chelski in such dominant long term form it is hard to see this being replicated for a very long time.

This title was secured by a style of play which saw the team cutting the opposition to ribbons by a slick passing game, playing through the middle of teams. When you have the quality of a rampant quartet of Henry, Bergkamp, Viera and Pires playing at the top of their games then anything is possible. They were ably supported by Ljunberg (although not of the 2002 vintage) Gilberto and Reyes.

The opposition in the Premiership were shown the way by Sheffield United, who in successive Cup ties, played three tight across midfield and said; “Play around us down the flanks”. Now they didn’t have the quality to execute the plan for two games, let alone cause a threat to Lehmann’s goal but managers in the top flight, especially those of poorer quality footballing sides, did take note.

Bolton away was a prime example. They set their stall out in midfield, disrupted, harried and were physical. Arsenal got frustrated, gave the ball away, committed silly fouls and got done on a set play, an Allerdice forte.

Of the Invincible Four Vieira has been sold due to financial considerations regarding the new ground, Pires and Bergkamp are over the hill and Henry can’t do it on his own.

The midfield is poor. They give the ball away cheaply (Silva) and lack experience and streetwise ness (Flamini and Fabregas). Freddie has gone alarmingly off the boil and a woeful effort one on one with the keeper against Charlton on Boxing Day summed up his lack of confidence and self belief. They desperately need a leader on the pitch, a sorry state of affairs alluded to by Silva in an interview with the Gruniard recently.

You can blame injuries (Cole, Clichy) all you like but it doesn’t explain the current fallibility.

Campbell has been off the pace and will be lucky to be on the plane to the World Cup, Senderos looked the real deal last season but confidence is low, a fact that should be the responsibility of his senior partners in the back four.

This general malaise has permeated the back four and led to a lot of stupid errors.

Cygan. If he was a horse he’d be shot. Quite the worst player I’ve seen in Arsenal shirt… and that includes McGoldrick and Jimmy Carter. He must have something on Wenger, I just can’t fathom how someone who is so bad at football can play for Arsenal.

And yet in Europe they sweep all before them. Ah, these foreigners don’t like it up em, so no physical battles to worry about.(If only…)

Wenger will get it right, make no mistake and in two or three years time the Arsenal will be up there again ramming the critics doom and gloom down their throats.

The Doncaster game, where we slipped through on penalties, allowed the press to vent the old boring, dirty and lucky clichés. Print them up, Wenger, and stick them in the lockers of those young lads, the future of this proud club. Get that spirit of the Graham era which was passed on via Adams and then Vieira. We need to be patient. Keep hold of Henry, show faith in the youngsters plus the signing of a midfield leader in the Ballack mode, and we’ll be back. And a keeper. Given would do nicely and as for Cygan… Get a decent lawyer and flush him out.

Arsenal

Tue, 06 Dec 2005 18:52:40 GMT

It’s been a whopping SEVENTEEN YEARS since I attended my first Arsenal game and it was an auspicious start as the Gunners tonked Gascoigne and his new Spurs team mates 4-0. If only it was always as easy as that…

The setting was Wembley and the occasion the defunct Makita Cup involving Bayern (beaten 3-0) and AC Milan. These sort of Pre season affairs were the only means by which English Clubs could play continental opposition as a result of the ban imposed after the Heysel Tragedy of 1985. The ban was completely justified as English fans been riding their luck and it was amazing it took so long before this happened. Shamefully, Everton took UEFA to court to get the ban overturned as they realised that the exile would ruin the game in England. And it nearly did. Football was at an all time low in the late eighties. In 1997 Sky paid £2 billion to the Premiership for the TV rights. In 1988 the League couldn’t give the TV companies access and the game was off the box for the first half of the season before ITV agreed to pay £10 million for three years.

It seems amazing now, but you could go to any top flight game and pay on the turnstiles and I only remember one lock out during this time, 1990 at home to Spurs, and that was only due to the capacity of Highbury being cut back in the wake of Hillsborough. As late as 92 I remember only deciding on the day if I was going.

The cost of the title winning game against Man Ure in 91 was £6 for the North Bank. I still have the stub as it was one of the few all ticket games that season. Now the minimum is £38. And that is fairly cheap compared to Chelski and Man Ure. And believe me £6 was the cause of moaning..

Football became sexy and trendy in the wake of Italia 90, and the redevelopment of Stadia following Hillsborough. The up side is state of the art facilities in safe, clean and comfortable surroundings and this is the way it should be. No one in their right minds wants to go back to the disgraceful situation in the mid 80’s of crumbling, barbed wire war pseudo war zones. It was just mental, all that pent up frustration and testosterone fuelled posturing…

The down side is the immense cost of going to games. I was priced out of the market for a while in the mid 90’s as it got to about £25 a game, a teacher’s wage then and top flight football were incompatible. I began going again on a regular basis during the 97-98 season. What a glory hunter! That and a vastly improved salary due to the Labour landslide of May 1^st. Compare.

£15,00 in 96 to £22,000 in September 97 to £36,500 when I finished. And you can see how we were exploited. If I’d had a kid in 96 it would have qualified for free school meals, that’s how bad it was.

First away game was at QPR and Arsenal ran out 2-0 victors. That excuse for a Subutteo ground is not a lucky one for me. It’s probably the ground I’ve visited the most as an away supporter or neutral. I saw AFC lose there twice in a week, City get stuffed 5-1 and Swindon lose 4-0. That’s in addition to a dire 0-0 when even Jimmy Carter looked quality. Oh yes and a completely pointless game between the R’s and Sheff Utd. It was Donagh’s

equivalent to visiting Mecca or so you’d have thought. Well, he is from Corbally so I’m sure Loftus Road is VERY sophisticated! Especially when you have to watch Limerick Utd. (Which I did a few times.)

Embarrassingly I smashed my glasses and had to drive home in shades. At 10pm. I then lost the England/Ireland Golf Challenge 1993, held in Farnham, on the first extra hole. And I somehow contrived to lock my keys in the boot and the AA man had to run across the course for the keys. What a week!

Fortunately City and Arsenal have only locked horns once, in the 1989 League Cup. It was early in my Arsenal career so I had no feelings of split loyalty but as the years progressed I became a total Arsenal nut and loved every minute of it. The Club were hated by all and sundry and this suited me down to the ground. If there is a team that epitomises (weirdly) being Irish and Northern, then it is the Gunners. Always the outsiders and pilloried for it, especially with the press. Lucky, capricious and dirty. Just groovy. I felt right at home. It sits with me a bit uneasily all this metro cool that the Club have developed.

I used to love the whole experience. Train up to London. Pint at Waterloo. Tube to Arsenal and then either the Tavern (till 93) or the Gunners from then on. Larger in plastic glasses or cans on the street by “The Wall”.

That walk from the tube to the pub, just so evocative. After, if it was a night game, panic at missing the train at Waterloo (94 CWC Semi was a very near thing) but sometimes you could have time for another pint.

Mid week games were often the cause of intoxification as I could get dropped at Hook Station for 2.30 thus requiring a pub stop and it would snowball on from there. Chelsea in the League Cup 98 was a catastrophe on all counts. We lost 5-0 with a reserve team (from what I can remember) and I got on the wrong train and ended up in Andover. Got home at 1am, up again at 7am and had to get a lift to work as I still felt pissed. Developing a hangover whilst in work is not pleasant, I can tell you.

Those days are well and truly gone. I can’t remember the last alcohol fuelled match I went to. The Cup Final in 2002 I suppose.

I’ve been luck to attend four Cup Finals and you can never get sick of that occasion. It’s just amazing, really special and all those who knock the FA Cup are talking rubbish, the history and tradition are dripping off the thing on the day of the Final.

Mind you the replay in 93 was a surreal experience. The game was well short of a sell-out, half the Wednesday fans didn’t make it till late due to M1 problems, and it was a pig of a night. Driving heavy rain and freezing cold. The game reflected this and Adams only lifted the Cup after a Linighan last minute winner as the Final was set for the first ever shoot out.

98 was just the pinnacle of watching the Gunners. A fantastic run in saw the League clinched as they won 13 out of the last 15 meaningful fixtures and I was lucky enough to go to a fair number. The standard of football was the best I’ve seen in the Premiership and I’m convinced that the Arsenal first team of this era was their best ever. The speed and breath taking way that they could take anyone apart was awesome. I remember Overmars just destroying Southampton single handed and as for Bergkamp, the vision, the touch, the goals. People go on about Cantona, but Dennis did it in big games and consistently which Eric never did. He was a luxury player and they got better in Europe when he left.

The Cup Final was a stereotypical hot sunny day and we went to Wembley by stretch limo. Fortunately I was skint so hardly drank a thing a as result savoured every wonderful moment. I was sceptical that Cardiff could do the occasion justice but 2002 proved me wrong and it sure helped that Chelsea were seen off to clinch the second Premiership Era Double.

We had a near miss in 91 when we won the League at a canter with only one defeat, an amazing achievement in those days where it wasn’t just a couple of sides in contention. We never got the credit due to the brawl at Man Ure (we can be seen on the video in the away end) and Adams getting sent to the Clink for D and D. He totally deserved it, the pratt, but he didn’t learn and continued for another five years. I kept a diary for this season and it’s very interesting to see myself as I was. A bit like this in the future.

Adams was bit like Gazza. I was behind the goal when he destroyed a fantastic Gunners side at Wembley on his own. First an amazing free kick followed by a slick one-two to put in Lineker. A sickener to lose in a Semi Final like that. We won tickets in a ballot but it turned out to be a poisoned chalice. The atmosphere was just horrid and there was loads on stupid anti Semitic chanting from the Gooners. Diabolical.

I remember the Derby in 95 at Highbury. Pure nastiness and unacceptable. However this sort of thing seems to have died away as racism of any sort is now just not on and rightly so.

It could be that our age group are the only ones that can afford it these days and we have grown up a bit. I admit to having had an unhealthy dislike for Spurs and although I would never do all that Yid stuff there are plenty who did. I can’t imagine how the 18-25 age group can afford to go on a regular basis as we did and that’s the age when you really get into big style and keep that feeling for life. We were lucky.

Best Game: Arsenal 2-0 Newcastle 1998 Cup Final.

Walking back up Folly Hill as I couldn’t afford a taxi. Gooners party in full flow spotted my shirt and I waved my ticket stub and this resulted in me being guest of honour as people touched my ticket as if it had magical properties. Lots of free drink, food and everyone hanging on my every word. Magic!

Worst Game (Hurt wise): Arsenal 1-3 Spurs. Walking to the tube station with all those idiot Spurs fans with think they are a big club. They are so not. Mickey Mouse pretenders. Last Title? 1961. Ha. I kicked a bus after the driver taunted me. Bastard.

(Oh dear, I appear to have regressed to 1991).

Worst Game (Football wise): Norwich 0-0 Arsenal. A horrid place to get to, stupid accented yokels and McGoldrick ran 60 yards and fell over with no one near him. And this stupid farmer kept singing “Bring the Robins on” over and over and over. SHUT UP!

Best Goal seen: Bergkamp’s second V Southampton 1995.

Best Game Seen (Objectively) Arsenal 1-2 Man Ure. FA Cup Semi Final replay 1999. The whole balance of power in English football swung to Old Trafford when Dennis missed a penalty in injury time of a quite brilliant, flowing game. If I close my eyes I can still se it. A weak effort which was easily saved. Cue them winning the treble.

City/Test Match

Wed, 23 Nov 2005 16:41:43 GMT

A strange and bizarre match saw City move up two places after an ill deserved draw at home to Premiership outcasts Southampton.

The (former) Dell Boys had contrived to turn three nil up with 20 minutes left into a 4-3 reverse at home to Leeds and I felt they would either be nervous wrecks or intent on teaching this division a lesson. The latter proved to be true as they sprinted out of the blocks with wave after wave of relentless quick incisive football played to feet and it took only five minutes to register the first goal as a ball whipped in low caused problems in our re- worked defence and the ball was turned in from six yards. The guy couldn’t miss.

Contrast with the Tigers lame and uninspiring approach as our two most creative players, Barmby and Elliot were both left on the bench. In their place we had the Twin Towers of Burgess and the lamentable Mackem, Brown and yes, you guessed it. The “plan” was to have long balls pumped up these two and Paynter playing “off” them. In this case “off” was even more nebulous a phrase than usual and no one, least all the Tigers players knew what to make of this formation.

Another fatal flaw in these tactics was that the midfield three, due to playing narrow, simply left France and Delaney woefully exposed.

We rode our luck mainly through Arsenal £2 million target Myhill and incompetent finishing from the Saints forwards. Woodhouse had a shot and errr.. that’s it in an attacking sense.

Then, totally against the run of play, Barmby converted after a poor corner clearance effort. He had replaced Burgess who pulled up lame midway through the first half. Let’s hope it is nothing long term as he seems to be returning to his best form after an injury ravaged year out. However the big man’s misfortune gave a better balance.

Then, out of the blue Quashie lost the plot and lamped Woodhouse resulting in what the press always describe as a “melee”. It was all pushing and shoving with no punches but nevertheless provided warming entertainment on another freezing night. No mistakes were made on this front after Saturday and I look like the stereotyped wheelchair guy sitting in a sleeping bag. Judging by the way people look at you I may have been sitting in something else.

We created nothing of note in the second half and Myhill made two full length saves to keep us alive. Saints have had trouble adapting to this division and sit mid table, so our inability to kill the game is very worrying.

Yes, we have injuries but that’s tough. We have a bigger squad than most.

If you read the message boards, Taylor has lost the plot etc. GET REAL. What is it with our fans. Look, we have achieved back to back promotions and it’s going to take time. Rome wasn’t built in a day, so although I feel that these remarks seem negative, I’m trying to be realistic, not play the blame game.

Player by Player…

Myhill…… Again outstanding and stood in the way of a stuffing. Arsenal are reputed to be lining up a £2 million bid. Good luck Bo. We wish you well if it happens. You HAVE to take a chance like that.

France…. Given a right chasing at right back. No protection and he did well considering. As a result no chance to get forward thus neutering our front men.

Delaney….. Not a left back as he is slow, and bless him, he can’t pass to save his life. Centre half squad player should be his role. Being a great lad and a trier isn’t enough.

Collins…. Haven’t seen him before so can’t really judge. Seemed solid enough but there were mix ups galore which is inevitable if you decide to do team rebuilding mid season.

Cort….. Confidence gone. Tentative and this isn’t surprising considering how many partners he’s had. (That’s in a footballing sense).

Welsh….. Our best player. Good solid tackler and threaded some good balls to the front men after we had decided not to hoof every ball to the front two.

Woodhouse… Failed to impose in the Ashbee role. Not powerful to be a real enforcer. No right foot and passing not up to scratch.

Green… Lightweight and can’t pass. Lacks pace and crossing is poor. Get rid. Offers nowt at this level. And he runs like a girl. And he has blond hi lights.

Brown….. Horrible. Tanker turning circle and can’t trap a bag of cement. I tried to give him a break but he is just not very good at football.

Burgess…. Held it up well but when you front partner is Ben Nevis (the horse) what can you do? That joke didn’t work.

Paynter…. Home debut and was signed as a out and out striker so can’t judge as no one had a clue what he was meant to be doing.

Barmby…. Third goal in three games and linked well with Welsh to give us options. Should always play as he brings a bit more of a considered approach.

Elliot… Came of the bench but didn’t get into the game. Needs to try beating his man on the outside for variations sake.

Test

Pakistan 462 & 183/6 (66.0 ov) v England 446
Stumps - Day 4
Pakistan lead by 199 runs with 4 wickets remaining
Inzamam-ul-Haq 41* Naved-ul-Hasan 0* A Flintoff 3/46 SJ Harmison 1/41
Last wicket: 183/6

It’ll be tough, but Flintoff has put us back in contention in the match and therefore in with a chance of taking the series.

Once again this team just will not roll over and let a game drift.

At 164-3 the hosts were cruising to safety and with no imperative to win the match, the luxury of setting an unattainable lead and having a session and a half to bowl on day five.

Cue Preston’s finest to blast out Yusuff and then spread Afridi’s stumps first ball. Harmison accounted for the young keeper leaving Pakistan reeling at 199 ahead. We need to chase no more than 250 and I back them to do it.

Lions

Sun, 30 Oct 2005 21:08:50 GMT

Both sets of British and Irish Lions have endured a horrible run of form over the last year and last nights capitulation by the League Squad Was typical of what’s been going on in International Circles in both codes.

I always enjoy the Union Lions Tours as it’s a chance to bury all the anti English stuff and get behind a united team of all the talents (in theory).

In all sports with the exception of Union, I have no problem cheering for both Ireland and England, but I lose all perspective when it comes to the Red Rose rugby boys.

They are the epitome of Southern Public School arrogance and I loathe them with a passion. Rugger buggers, bores of the first order. Braying hooray Henries. I went to an International at Twickers and you should see them all. The Tory Party at prayer. Urgh.

A guy in front of us was talking about someone and it took me ages to work out he meant his girlfriend as he pronounced it “Garlfriend”. Weird. And they say we have a strong accent.

It’s like the female newsreaders on Sky who have these cut glass received pronunciation accents as if from a 40’s Hitchcock film. Get real. Where do they get these people from?

The Union Lions Tour was a fiasco of the first order as all three Tests were lost by increasing margins.

Woodward was the coach and part of me was smiling to see the Knight of England’s talent less World Cup Winners brought down to earth with a crash.

England were simply awful and the most boring team in history. Ruck. Scrum. Catch opponents off side and kick the penalty. Every game the same. Abysmal professionalism.

Now the All Blacks have become just as cynical by taking out O’ Driscoll in the opener with a spear tackle on the blind side of the ruck. Some new footage came out this week proving it. I’m not saying O’ Driscoll would have made them win but it would have helped. A setback like that (and Dallaglio’s injury) put the Lions on the back foot from the start (as did Morley’s thirteen second sending off in the last Ashes Series).

The Glorious One tried England’s bore tactic and they got stuffed. Plan B? Lets go all Wales and throw it around. Even worse stuffing. We had lost the will to live by the third match and got marmalised again.

If the authorities want to get serious regarding the Lions, then the domestic season will have to be curtailed every four years. Ah, but what about Murdoch money? There’s your problem. Club Chairman’s greed for the Digger’s Dollar comes first.

And this is precisely the problem the League boys face.

If we want to compete in International Football then something has to give and the domestic season needs to be restructured.

Here’s the plan.

Dump the World Club Challenge. It’s pointless and the Aussies don’t take it seriously anyway.

Divide Superleague into two Pools of six. Play home and away.

This would ensure the top six are playing hard games every week and would ensure Sky are sweet regarding top class fixtures.

That would entail 10 games each.

Then have an Origin Series of three matches. Hype it to buggery for TV (terrestrial) and make it clear to the players that a no show performance means no Test Football. Do it late July when any soccer is off the TV and the cricket hasn’t got to the vital stages yet.

Return to domestic action with the bottom two from Pool One playing the top two from Pool Two to enter the next phase which would see each club playing each other once with home advantage decided by position. Five matches each. Cup to be played on alternate weekends.

Then a Final Eliminator Series as now.

Grand Final in the first week of September.

Bi Annual European Nations Cup played with full strength teams.

The off year could be Tri Nations or Ashes.

What can’t happen again is a GB+I team going into a major tournament with NO competitive football together.

We will end up getting beaten and the public will switch off, so dear Murdoch loving Chairmen, the Tests won’t be worth diddly squat to TV any way.

Yesterday was just not acceptable. I sometimes think the RL don’t appreciate what the Lions mean to the fans. I would never accuse anyone of not playing for the shirt but it was indiscipline that cost us. I think it’s the result of too much football.

Why I HATE Roy Keane.

Thu, 13 Oct 2005 15:25:23 GMT

Inevitably Ireland failed yet again to qualify for a major tournament.Since Jack left in 95 we've only managed to qualify for the 2002 World Cup but at least we've been eliminated in a play off (Holland in 95,Belgium 97,Turkey 99).Under (Wayne) Kerr we have been crap and deserved to finish an abysmal fourth.

You can't throw away leads like we have and hope to get through.

Four points dropped against Israel when we bossed both games was the most damaging aspect and we failed to beat any of the teams above us so what do you expect?

The cause?ROY BLOODY KEANE.

I reserve true hatred for those who deserve it,Thatcher,Bush,Saddam,the IRA so why Roy?

Simple,he is the epitomie of the Thatcherite "me" generation which created the No Such Thing as Society mentality and this is exemplified by this lack of team ethic and the fact that the way to get recognition and thus "respect" is to think of yourself first and bugger the consequences.Also if anything goes wrong blame everyone else.Keane is the master of this.

Oh yes,and act with your fists if someone "disses" you.All about respect see?

These people are never told no (but when they are they respect the person ie.Clough and Jack).

Keane kicked the shit out of a kid of 15 because the guy gave him the wanker sign.Blimey he can't take that.What a pillock.He got off of course but was worried enough to grow his hair.

That famous picture of him and Stam confronting D'Urso because he gave a pen against Man Ure at OT.How dare he?It shows wild hatred and total loss of control.Mind you Fergie encourages them to hassle refs from the off and it works.I'm ashamed to say Arsenal now do this.Surround the ref and bully him.It worked last season when Halsey overturned a pen decision at Fulham.Lamentable.

Keane hates Mick McCarthy because Mick "humiliated" Roy once when as Skipper he bollocked him for poor time keeping.And Fergie wants him to stop playing for Ireland so he stirred the shit and it all blew at a team meeting in the run up to the 2002 World Cup.

Roy went beserk and called Mick the most disgusting names and said awful hurtful and untrue things abot the boss and his family.

Now you would think the FAI would back Mick and ban Keane for life.No way.They tried to get Mick to relent if Roy apologised.The senoir players said no way.Roy goes.

But the writing was on the wall and Mick's position was untenable by September and he was gone after we lost to the Swiss (them again).

So an emerging team was shorn of it's inspirational Boss man and has fallen apart under FAI patsy Kerr who let Roy back even though the senior players were against.This means the young players have to side with Roy,not that he gives a shit about them.

Team spirit irreparably damaged and it's always been our 12th man and why we have punched above our weight for so long.

Most of us would do anything to pull on the Green Jersey but Roy just doesn't get it.Money is all he cares about.

And he deliberatley tried to finish the career of a fellow pro again because of perceived lack of respect.Truth is Roy had a bad self inflicted injury but wanted to blame Haaland.

Just as racists blame the fact they have screwed their own life up on minorities.Can't get on at work blah blah...

Anyway England beat Poland 2-1 and played much better.

King played the anchor role allowing Lampard to get forward.

And Becks didn't play.

So Sven has to decide if he dare leave Gerrard out at it seems he and Frank don't want to do the defensive bit.

I still think the first XI is good enough but Sven needs to find another gear from somewhere to keep the press and the fans sweet.

International Football

Sun, 09 Oct 2005 17:17:21 GMT

An odd sort of weekend on the international front as England qualified for the World Cup Finals amist rancour and controversy surrounding the generally pathetic performances of the team in the last four games,and Sven's rocky relationship with the tabloids and the fans.

Austria were dispatched 1-0 but yet again it was a limp performance and lacked any momentum or urgency.In addition the "big" players seem to have a collective off day in an England shirt.

Why is it that Ireland players perform out of their skins in the green shirt and England players are fearful?

I am convinced that our first choice team is capable of beating anyone but it seems we lack the collective belief.We destroyed Germany 5-1 away and beat Argentina in the |World Cup and still the players give a negative vibe.

At Euro 2004 we lost to France and Portugal due to this collective malaise.We defend too deep and invite pressure.

The game in Belfast was the nadir and for once the reaction of the press was justified.The team was disjointed,the tactics poor and Sven clueless when things went wrong.

This has been the story of his regime...no plan b and in particular the subsitutions have been baffling.Wright Phillips was our best player on the night and yet he was removed at half time.He played Becks in some weird role in front of the back four and it ended up in a horrible mess with no width.

Sven sat there inscrutable leaving McClaren ranting on the touch line.

I mean we don't want the guy going dolally and losing the plot but some emotion please.On the other hand £4.5 million a year and he's not that bothered anyway.I know there is professional pride but there's no doubt the national team should provoke more feeling in the boss.Robson epiomised it as the fan manager whilst maintaining a cool head.

However we cant sack Sven as it would be suicidal to go into a World Cup with a rookie leader.Unless Bobby can come back for a swansong....

Best First XI:

Robinson;G.Neville,Terry,Campbell,A.Cole;Beckham(c),Lampard,Gerrard,J.Cole;Rooney,Owen.

Subs;Ferdinand,P.Neville,Defoe,Wright-Phillips,Crouch.

As you can see the old left side problem remains and I'm afraid to say the team picks itself.You won't find much dissent about this line up which shows how thin the squad is these days.We missed Neville,Rooney and Ashley Cole badly yesterday.

The good thing about dual nationality is that I can support Ireland fully as an Irish citizen and still love England.

I've been to loads of England games so you get more of an affinity and connection to the team.

I've no time for all this "I hate England" shite from certain "Professional" Celt types.It's just pathetic.

I love it when England do well,it brings us together and gives a feel good factor to the whole country.And it stops the whole thing being hi jacked by the Right.

Yes,I have been mortified with England.The Argentina game in 92 and the diabolical Falklands chanting.I felt like walking out and again in 99 when we lost to France.Horrid booing of the Marseileise (why can't we have Jerusalem please,an ENGLISH anthem instead of God Save the Bastard Queen) and No Surrender chanting.BUT the only way is to dillute it with reasonable people and don't let them win.

Euro 96,what a buzz and my best moment in football when we put the Dutch to the sword 4-1.I was there.Fab.

Ireland.Never had the chance to see them in the flesh but just love getting behind them.I hate it when they play England which is rare.After Dublin 95 though it would be hard to support England in these fixtures but that's letting the idiots win so I will continue to do what I've always done.First half England.Swop shirts and then the boys in Green second half.

It worked a treat at Italia 90 as Lineker scored early doors and then Sheedy equalised near the end.Brilliant!

Stutgart was weird but I was glad Ireland won as England went on to be pathetic and lose to The Netherlands and the Soviets.

The Euro 92 qualifiers were both 1-1 and after Dublin in 95 they haven't played since.

Some great TV moments with Ireland.Italia 90 and a shockingly bad game against Romania settled on penalties and lots of fantastic Big Ron bollocks commentary.

I had a mare trying to avoid the result as I worked in a busy office and had to endure a bus journey trying not to look in shop windows at TV' etc.Then phone calls to the flat which meant the phone being pulled out.The tape ran out just as O'Leary stroked home the winner.Phew.

Then USA 94 beating Italy and the 1-1 against Germany in Japan followed by the agony of losing on pens to Spain.Sickener.Roy K****.Never hated a footballer more than him.What he did walking out on Ireland is unforgiveable.Led to Mick leaving and the decline of the team.

We only just scrapped past Cyprus and now must beat Switzerland at home to get to play offs.They've had the sign over us of late so I'm not confident and Kerr has'nt inspired the fans at all.

Best first XI

Given;Carr,Cunningham,Breen,O'Shea;Duff,Reid,K****,Holland;Robbie Keane,Connolly.

There would be a bit of dissent re Duff's best position and the centre midfield.

The Premiership

Fri, 23 Sep 2005 15:42:21 GMT

Bloody computer crashed AN HOUR into my musings on the history of this now tarnished competition.

I will fill in various bits in other entries.

Here is the Gist.

Don't believe in "Golden Ages" for the sake of it.

Liverpool dominated in 70's and 80's but there were a SERIES of challengers.

Man Ure in the 90's also faced varied teams vying for the crown.

NUFC under Keegan were the best domestic team I've seen but were undone by introducing an artisan (Batty) to artists.

It was a tragedy for the game when Toon blew the title in 96 and then faded back to their historic mediocraty.They raised the bar of expectation.

Derby started all this 4-5-1 rubbish that pervades now.

Fulham under Tigana and now Coleman are the worst offenders.

Blackburn have perfected to an "art".

Rubbish teams whom I would rather stick pins in my eyes than watch;

Boro

Fulham

Birmingham

WBA

Everton

Bolton

Charlton

Wigan

Blackburn

Portsmouth

Basically half the League which means most games are attritional and abysmal to watch.

Ergo attendances are well down and add to that the "non" competition and Monochrome cash sodden decadence that is Chelsea and it's no wonder the danger signs are flashing.

I was very pleased with my last piece but I can't be arsed to type it all up again and I've lost my muse.

Another Amazing Day

Sat, 27 Aug 2005 20:02:24 GMT

England seized control in the Test match forcing the tourists to follow on for the first time since 1988.Simon Jones was the hero of a surreal morning session which saw the Aussies skittled out but the scoreboard whirl around at a run a ball.

Jones finished with 5/44 but then pulled up at the start of the follow on which is a worrying development.

Gilchrist set off at a frenetic pace and one Hoggard over disappeared for 22 including a massive six over long off.

However Flintoff did for him again as he was caught in the gully by Strauss with an amazing effort.

Lee blasted 47 in quick time icluding 3 enourmous sixes but failed to save the follow on.

Th tourists made a better fist of things but England patiently whittled away and the Aussies closed on 222/4.

Ponting is losing the plot as the reality that he will be the man to lose the Ashes dawns on him.The skipper was run out by a specialist sub (Pratt of Durham) and reacted with a stream of foul mouth invective for which he was forced to apologise and doubtless will be relieved of his match fee.

The Aussies won't roll over so we will have to prise these wickets out and then chase down what is set.My prediction is 170.It doesn't matter as we are mentally strong enough to knock off whatever is left.

City won 1-0 at Plymouth and are at the heady position of 8th.

Hull FC won an amazing Challenge Cup Final.More on this to follow