Let’s put our foot on the ball here. It’s October 7, 2006, and Steve Staunton’s head is bowed, almost like he is trying to avoid the flashing cameras and high-pitched vitriol. He is trying to avoid the flashing cameras and high-pitched vitriol. He wishes the Nicosia turf would suck him up and bury him where […] More
Ireland is currently undergoing a slow rejuvenation under Stephen Kenny, if he is given the time he needs then the rewards could be felt for years to come. The one area we are so weak in currently is attack, where Troy Parrott is one of the BIG hopefuls. The 19-year old striker is currently at […] More
With just two words, you could sense a child-like giddiness from Brian Duffy. Whoop Whoop, he would write. And you could just imagine the scene. Surrounded by family and friends and wearing a beaming smile, proudness emanating from every bone in his body, he takes his seat. Even from watching social media feeds from the comfort of a sinking […] More
The last time Aiden McGeady played for Ireland was in the World Cup play offs, the horrible 5-1 reverse to Denmark, back in November 2017. McGeady came on as 2nd half sub but the game was up by then. It should have been Martin O’Neill’s final game in charge too but that’s another story. Fast […] More
Irish football has faced a crisis off the pitch the past two years and on the pitch it has been a real struggle too. A poor end to the Martin O’Neill reign which should have ended after the 5-1 play off loss to Denmark, was followed by the damp squib of a return by Mick […] More
The World Cup qualifiers are coming in 6 weeks. So, it’s time to assess the majority of Ireland’s players (26) that are most likely to feature under Kenny at the start of this campaign. Much has been made of Kenny’s poor start, the coronavirus absences and player injuries. Hopefully this time Kenny has a full-strength […] More
After failing to qualify for the European Championships and a dismal run of form, the Republic of Ireland are in dire need of a victory in the near future. Stephen Kenny and his men are winless in their last nine matches but have a decent run of fixtures, including the start of their World Cup qualifying […] More
With a population of just 10 million Portugal have gone from the second tier of World Football into the 1st tier. Since 2000 (much of which Cristiano Ronaldo has been playing) Portugal have regularly reached the latter stages of the Euros and World Cups; they finally won a major tournament for the first time in […] More
The Azerbaijan footballing federation was founded in 1992, after the country gained independence in 1991 after the fall of the old Soviet Union. There have been few highlights since in the footballing world. Their highest finish in a qualifying group was fourth, then managed under the German Bertie Vogts. Their highest ever position in the […] More
We live in an age of social networks and TV debates where everyone has an opinion, including perhaps more than a few people who shouldn’t. Then there’s Roy Keane, someone who tells it like it is, someone we can listen to all day, filling TV punditry appearances with pearls of wisdom and good humour, plus […] More
When the Group A draw for the World Cup 2022 was completed, no one in Ireland was giving Luxembourg much of a thought as all eyes were on the top two seeded teams in the group, Portugal and Serbia, while 4th seeds Luxembourg would be dismissed as minnows by many Ireland fans. And for for […] More
Ireland were handed a fairly kind draw in World Cup qualifying Group A. While Portugal, as top seeds, will be heavy favourites to win the group, Serbia as second seeds will be seen by Ireland manager Stephen Kenny as a team we can finish above into 2nd place. Serbia were in Ireland’s last WC qualifying […] More
