SLOW DEATH OF THE IRISH GAME

From 1988 onwards, Ireland have enjoyed about a two decade-long love affair with the beautiful game. That relationship is disintegrating and it may even already be dead.

 D. Ray Morton, 31st August 2015.

 

The decline of the Irish twenty-something



For the past four years, this writer used to play six-a-side football on Monday nights. The games were played in a new facility, a lovely artificial grass surface in a suburb of Cork City. As a weekly activity, the games brought a lot of fun and were a nice way to get through the gloomy fog of a Monday evening. After a long run of games, the weekly match is slowly unravelling to nothing, the player numbers simply no longer available. Whether off to Dublin, London, Toronto or Sydney, the young people have left. Some frightening statistics illustrate this with a massive exodus of twenty-somethings leaving the country in their droves. Adding to this, the teenagers are not interested in soccer any more and the lads in their 30s and 40s don't take good enough care of themselves to run around for an hour a week. A small tale of tragedy but an indicator of a bigger picture.

The Republic of Ireland went mad for football from 1988 onwards. They qualified for their first major tournament that year and trips to the World Cup in 1990 and 1994 added to the hysteria. Irish players were of a high level. We had a world-class centre-back in Paul McGrath and midfielders as talented as Ronnie Whelan and Roy Keane. The likes of Damien Duff and Robbie Keane followed. Unfortunately the supply line has dried up. If James McCarthy is the future, that is one worrying future.

Once upon a time, Ireland used to produce players capable of winning the PFA Player of the Year award. Those days are over

 

Ireland play Gibraltar in a Euro 2016 qualifier this Friday in a game no-one really cares about. Then they play at home, after a big GAA weekend, Monday against Georgia. The attendance could be embarrassingly low. The League of Ireland is hanging in tatters, arguably no better than it was in the '90s as some of Europe's other minor leagues develop through sensible investment and advancing through the earlier rounds of UEFA's club competitions. Ireland remains in a quagmire.

Rugby, with the success of the Irish national team, has become the sport of the common man now. This was not always the case as rugby is something of a specialist sport in its own right. It is not as if the average man is fifteen stone of bodybuilt muscle. The sport of the people is a sport played by giants. Not a sport where size, see Lionel Messi, necessarily matters. Despite the fact that thousands still watch the Premier League and the Champions League, Ireland are on the periphery feeling the effects of the more globalised English game that once allowed many Irish, Welsh and Scots to dig out successful careers.

The end is nigh for football in Ireland and it may take many, many years or something extremely radical to change that. Over to you, John Delaney.

O'NEILL'S RETURN TO LEICESTER A GODSEND FOR THE FAI

Rumours are emerging this afternoon that the Football Association of Ireland are happy to allow Martin O'Neill to vacate the Irish manager role to return to Premier League management with his old club Leicester City. Perhaps this is the best arrangement for both parties after an uninspired two years in charge at the Aviva Stadium.

D. Ray Morton, 10th July 2015.

Martin O'Neill looks likely to step down from the Ireland job after only joining in 2013

This afternoon, The Guardian are reporting that a bookmaker has halted bets on Martin O'Neill becoming Leicester City's new manager after the sacking of Nigel Pearson over a week ago. This means that he will vacate the Irish manager job likely leaving Roy Keane in charge of their failing European Championship qualification campaign.

Since O'Neill took over in 2013, his tenure in charge has seemed utterly uninspired. Irish fans expected O'Neill's tactics to be conservative but they felt he would bring an air of authority to the team after the shambles of Giovanni Trapatonni's last World Cup qualifying campaign. We got the conservative tactics part but we never got the inspiration. O'Neill completely failed to get anything positive out of his willing, albeit limited, squad. It all felt a bit like Paul Lambert at Aston Villa. Decent manager, terrible situation.

Failing to convince Jack Grealish to play for Ireland aside, O'Neill persisted with a deeply negative 4-5-1 system as Scotland, our main rivals in qualification, went with attacking football which ultimately outdid us over two close fixtures. Currently Wales are ranked 10th in the FIFA world rankings. Ireland are not even in the top fifty. This would have been unthinkable some years back but we really have been overtaken. We live in an era where the small teams of Europe are emerging, yet Ireland stays stuck in the mud. This is across the board too. Last night, Cork City FC were knocked out of the Europa League by an Icelandic (Iceland themselves looking a good shout for Euro 2016 qualification) team. The League of Ireland has never been considered hugely competitive but being outdone by minnows like KR Reykjavik was an unwelcome extra kick in the teeth.

Back to Ireland and O'Neill though. The current campaign, let us face facts, is done. Keano will preside over a series of dead fixtures but is unlikely to stay on as a permanent manager. The FAI will have a lot of time to come up with the new guy. They have to get this right or else Ireland will continue to sink. We will be 4th seeds in the draw for the World Cup qualifiers after the Euros. This is a pretty terrifying prospect. Thinking hat on, John Delaney.

IRELAND'S PARKHEAD WOES/FERGIE'S CONTINUING INVOLVEMENT IN THE GAME

The Republic of Ireland sank to a disappointing 1-0 defeat away to Scotland to fall down to fourth place in UEFA Euro 2016 qualifying Group D. Can they pick themselves up and get vengeance against the Scots at the Aviva next June?

 

D. Ray Morton, 17th November 2014.

Shaun Maloney celebrates the goal that shattered Ireland's dreams in Glasgow

Scotland put the Republic of Ireland to the sword at Celtic Park on Friday night thanks to a finely-worked late winner from Shaun Maloney to spell trouble for Martin O'Neill's men early in this European Championship qualifying group. Speculation before the game had centred on the Republic's Glasgow-born duo, Aiden McGeady and James McCarthy, with the ex-Scottish international Gordon McQueen hoping the Parkhead crowd would give them a "horrible reception" for choosing to play for an international team they were not born in. McCarthy pulled out with an injury and McGeady started but it did not seem as if he was targeted for any special treatment on the night.

If there was anything focused on McGeady, it was drowned out by what was a raucous atmosphere in general. Any player in possession, Irish or Scottish, felt bellowing roars from the rafters of one of Europe's most intimidating arenas. This lead to a somewhat disjointed and quite ugly game of football. Possession was gifted cheaply, especially by Ireland with their overall completed passes actually being less than that against Germany in a game which they snatched a point despite a barrage of  German attacks. There is such a thing as playing with passion but there is also playing with recklessness and Ireland certainly achieved both on this occasion.

Their play resembled that of a scrappy rugby team. They got stuck in and the challenges were wild. There was no intelligence to their play. The missing pair of the aforementioned McCarthy and Wes Hoolahan hit Ireland hard. Without their bit of craft of the ball, the Irish resorted back to Trappatoni-esque tactics of aimless long ball for the most part. Robbie Keane had been dropped in favour of starting Shane Long as a lone target man but the gamble failed.

Stephen Quinn was supposed to be Ireland's "plan B" off the bench but his performance typified his side's reckless play and was lucky not to be sent off on the night

In RTÉ's analysis of the match, pundit Richie Sadlier had rightly suggested that Ireland's gameplan had been focused on effort over skill. Liam Brady felt they had been outplayed by what was, on paper, a slightly weaker team and that it showed Scottish manager Gordon Strachan had won the tactical battle.

O'Neill's post-match interviews deflected the focus on their rematch at the Aviva next summer. He gets off lightly because Ireland have made a good start all things considered. No-one expected Ireland to draw in Germany and their points total is probably acceptable. The manner of play is another story. O'Neill will be forgiven if he can turn it around in Dublin but until then, the sceptics will be sharpening their knives.

Former Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson heads a panel of "elite coaches" which give UEFA recommendations for changing rules in their continental competitions. Considering some of his decisions outside of actual football management, is he the right man for this role

 

 

Gone from the game, or is he? Ferguson is still manipulating the football world despite retiring as a manager a year and a half ago

He was the man that brought David Moyes to Manchester United sinking them into mid-table obscurity and now he leads a panel that recommends changes in UEFA rules that will directly effect the European Champions League. His recommendations seem to be based on personal dissatisfactions with the rules and do not reflect what is best to bring the game forward.

One of his recommendations is to change rules in the Champions League which sees players suspended from the final. He has experienced this in his own managerial career having lost Paul Scholes and Roy Keane for United's clash with Bayern Munich in Barcelona is 1999 and with Darren Fletcher for the tie against Chelsea in 2009. The rules probably do need sprucing up but it is somewhat disconcerting that these changes would be made only because the retired Scottish managerial legend kicks up a fuss about it. Teams, players and managers have had the same problems with the rules for years, just ask Xabi Alonso who missed the showcase final last season, but does this mean UEFA will only listen when it is the likes of Ferguson speaking up about it?

He has also suggested a ludicrous "sin-bin" system borrowed out of rugby which could cause a huge amount of confusion and tactical cynicism. As the current rules stand, a red card means a player's involvement in the game is over. A sin-bin system could involve calculated fouls designed so the punishment only lasts a set amount of time. One imagines a shrewd manager with a dark side could use such a rule deviously.

Alex Ferguson's post-managerial decisions in football have been poor. He is a legend of the game but he needs to step away from it as he only seeks controversy, more praise and more recognition. His presence at Old Trafford last season was an uncomfortable one and never gave David Moyes a chance to breathe. This season, despite Louis van Gaal's shaky start, there is a greater sense of ease around the club without old purple nose behind his back. This feels like a clean slate and it allows for optimism. Walk off into the sunset, Fergie, before you start to ruin your great legacy.

TOP 5 SMALL NATIONS IN WORLD CUP HISTORY

D. Ray Morton, 22nd June 2014.

With Bosnia & Herzegovina having been, somewhat cruelly, eliminated from the World Cup last night and Costa Rica excelling in a way no-one expected with wins against Italy and Uruguay, it got me thinking. Who are the best small nations in World Cup history? When I mean small, I do not mean geographically. I mean population-wise. The Netherlands, for example, is a small area but has a population of over 16 million. Here, we will look at countries with less than five million people inhabiting them. This is the top five run-down of small nations in World Cup history.

5. Northern Ireland

 

Though "Norn Iron" have not qualified for a World Cup since 1986, their record in the tournament for a nation of only 1.2 million people is somewhat remarkable. The country did not enter the first three World Cups and failed to qualify in 1950 and 1954. They did get through in 1958 and performed admirably, getting past their group via an additional play-off against Czechoslovakia which they won 2-1 after extra-time. This paved the way to the quarter-finals where they fell to Just Fontaine and France in a 4-0 defeat.

Between 1962 and 1978, they could not get in but they managed to qualify for two World Cups in a row in 1982 and 1986, the "golden age" of Northern Irish football. In 1982, they famously beat Spain on Spanish soil with Gerry Armstrong as the hero as they got out of their group again. This led them to a second group phase of three teams, which was the format at the time. Unfortunately, another heavy defeat to France sent them packing.

Gerry Armstrong's winner against Spain in 1982

Making it to Mexico in '86, this time they failed in the group stage when they were pitted against Brazil, Spain and Algeria. Nevertheless, for such a small nation to qualify for three World Cups and to overcome the initial stage twice, is a superb achievement.

4. Costa Rica

 

 

Though Costa Rica did not first qualify for a World Cup until 1990, their record in the competition is stellar for a country of 4.5m people. Indeed, they raised many an eyebrow in that first World Cup by reaching the round of sixteen eventually falling to Czechoslovakia. They qualified in 2002 and 2006 but were twice eliminated from the group stage but they make this list because of their exploits in this current World Cup where they have shocked Uruguay and Italy and are on top of Group D, the supposed "group of death" with six points from two games. A stunning achievement for a team with winning odds of 2500/1 before the competition began. They deserve credit for being a surprise package. A victory against a hapless English side next Tuesday would be the icing on a very delicious cake.

3. Republic of Ireland

 

Like Costa Rica, the Republic of Ireland did not qualify for their first World Cup until 1990 where Jack Charlton lead the boys in green to an unexpected quarter-final appearance in a dour tournament where defensive football was king. This suited Big Jack's "put 'em pressure" tactics as they escaped the group stage thanks to three draws against England, Egypt and the Netherlands respectively. They drew 0-0 with Romania in the second round but went through on penalties thanks to Pat Bonner's famous save. Into the quarter-finals they went, without winning a single match, where they were knocked out by Italy and Salvatore "Toto" Schillaci's winner.

They would have their vengeance against the Italians four years later when they upset the pre-tournament favourites with a heroic 1-0 victory in Giants Stadium, New York after Paul McGrath had the game of his life following Ray Houghton's speculative long-range opener. They got through their group despite being humbled by Mexico and were then eliminated thanks to the Dutch in the second round.

Reflections on the Republic of Ireland's 1-0 win against Italy in 1994

Their third World Cup appearance did not come until South Korea and Japan in 2002. Managing to get out of their group containing Germany, Cameroon and Saudi Arabia, even without Roy Keane, they faced Spain in the last sixteen. They managed to drag the Spanish all the way to a penalty shoot-out but came up short. A shame considering a quarter-final place would have meant facing a beatable South Korea (provided Byron Moreno was not in charge). Still though, three World Cups and never a group stage exit is a fine record.

2. Croatia

 

Since Croatia could enter World Cups from 1998 onwards, they have failed to qualify just once in 2010. That means they have qualified for four out of five tournaments, an indicator of the country's excellence in the sport. They made a huge impact in their début World Cup, getting all the way to the semi-finals and then winning the third/fourth place play-off to secure the bronze medals. It took hosts and eventual winners France to knock them out in extra-time in the semi. Davor Šuker was the star of the show scoring six goals in seven matches winning the Golden Boot in the process.

Šuker was Croatia's goal machine in 1998

The next two campaigns were disappointing with two group stage eliminations but this year, they look good to get out of their group despite losing their opening game to Brazil thanks to some poor officiating. They look capable of advancing provided they can beat Mexico and could go far with the likes of Luka Modric, Ivan Rakitic and Mario Mandzukic in their ranks. Croatia's seemingly constant supply line of highly technical players should be an inspiration to any small nation attempting to climb the international football ladder.

1. Uruguay

 

Uruguay's triumphant 1950 team

With a population of only 3.3 million, Uruguay are surely the ultimate small nation in World Cup history. Not only did they win the 1930 and 1950 editions of the tournament (they did not enter in '34 and '38), they have qualified for eight other World Cups and only failed to qualify five times. They are World Cup regulars when their population would indicate that they have no right to be that. Of all those tournaments they got in to, they were only knocked out in the group stage three times and finished fourth three times in 1954, 1970 and in 2010 to many peoples' surprise. Their overall record is having played 47, won 18, drawn 12 and lost 17 with 76 goals scored and 65 conceded. That is simply incredible considering the World Cup's greatest team, Brazil, has a population of 198 million which is over 66 times that of Uruguay. Remarkable.

IRISH LOSE TO SERBIA WITH SOME POSITIVES TO TAKE FROM IT

IRISH LOSE TO SERBIA WITH SOME POSITIVES TO TAKE FROM IT

D. Ray Morton, 6th March 2014.

The Republic of Ireland fell to a 2-1 home defeat to Serbia in last night's friendly at the Aviva to signify to Martin O'Neill that the honeymoon is over and business starts in earnest from here on in. It was an opportunity to test new players against a capable young side well accustomed to playing neat, possession football.

Opting to set Ireland up in a 4-4-1-1 formation with Wes Hoolahan playing in behind Shane Long, things started positively for the boys in green. Within two minutes, the home side had the ball in the back of the net only for it to be ruled offside. James McClean worked the ball down the left, crossed to Glenn Whelan who volleyed in the direction of Hoolahan who was standing in an offside position. It looked as if Hoolahan had spoiled a perfectly good goal for Whelan although the replay suggested that Hoolahan's slight touch guided it goalwards.

Six minutes later however, Ireland managed to score a legitimate goal. Branislav Ivanovic, Serbia's biggest name player, hesitated at the back allowing Shane Long to get one-on-one with the goalkeeper. His tidy left-foot chip made it 1-0 to Ireland and things were looking very good.

The half wore on and Serbia began to grow into it after their relaxed start. They started to get hold of the ball and created more chances than the Irish. Despite Serbia's growing confidence, they still looked vulnerable to the counter attack. On 30 minutes, Hoolahan managed to play through Long, who had actually been well offside, but the new Hull City signing couldn't finish even after a second bite at the cherry following Vladimir Stojkovic's save from his first effort.

Seamas Coleman had a good first half down the right, bombing forward at any given chance and using his pace well. Marc Wilson looked shaky at centre half however and the Serbians piled on the pressure leading up to the break. Dusan Tadic tested David Forde with a wonderful effort on 40 minutes. Hoolahan picked up a yellow card just on the stroke of half-time for a Paul Scholes-esque challenge which demonstrated that tackling back isn't really part of his game. A central midfield player he is not. He is far better suited to the No. 10 role.

It didn't take long for Serbia to find the net in the second half and it came via an own goal. They had worked the ball into the Irish penalty area with some intricate passes to which James McCarthy had been drawn to. He found himself in the unfortunate position of redirecting a low cross into his own net past the on-rushing Forde. It was no less than Serbia deserved as they had put Ireland firmly on the back foot from the restart.

In the 53rd minute, Long found himself played through on goal yet again after another one of Hoolahan's magnificent slide rule passes. His finish was scatterbrained though, attempting another lob like the one he had succeeded with in the first half but this time getting it all wrong and aiming well wide.

On the hour mark, Serbia finally took the lead after on-going spells of attacking possession and some clever movement. Coleman, in an otherwise decent performance, lost possession on the right as a result of some tenacious pressing. Filip Djordjevic managed to get the final touch on a move that had ripped Ireland wide open exposing concerning defensive frailties.

At this point, the game had been interfered with by both sides introducing several substitutions which is typical of international friendlies. Ireland's only real other chance of note came late on when Jonathan Walters appeared to be through on goal with only three minutes left on the clock. Whether the sub striker hadn't warmed up properly or simply didn't have the pace, we don't know, but he looked very sluggish indeed.

So 2-1 it ended and it marked Martin O'Neill's first defeat as Ireland manager. Considering the experimental line-up fielded, he won't take too many negatives from the game but will understand that there's lots of work ahead in terms of changing this side from a defensive unit to a team that can be proactive and dictate games. Serbia were difficult opposition and made use of the ball very well. Ireland need to take a page out of their book in that regard but the performances of the likes of Wes Hoolahan and Seamus Coleman were quite positive for the most part.

Player Ratings

Ireland

Forde 6.5; Coleman 7, Keogh 6, Wilson 5.5, Ward 6; McGeady 6.5, McCarthy 6, Whelan 6.5, McClean 6.5; Hoolahan 7.5, Long 7. Subs: Clark 5.5, Pilkington 5.5, Meyler 5.5, Quinn 5.5, Walters 5.

Serbia

Stojkovic 7; Rukavina 6.5, Ivanovic 6, Bisevac 6.5, Kolarov 6.5; Basta 6, Fejsa 6.5, Matic* 7.5, Tadic 7; Djordjevic 7, Markovic 6.5. Subs: Tosic 6.5, Llajic 6, Sulejmani 6, Scepovic -.

* = man of the match