Passage of Play: Giovanni Trapattoni
“For me it’s no problem going to games. I can fly every Saturday. The problem is players not knowing if they’re going to play”
We Know What You Did Last Summer
Halloween. When the deceased come back to life. Giovanni Trapattoni is in Dublin and has named his first squad since many had him dead and buried following our German horror show. He’s bitten the silver bullet and named Wes Hoolahan but there’s no Shane Long. Are Greece likely to emerge into an eerily quiet Lansdowne Road and have the crowds been scared away?
Video: Mario’s Perfect Delivery
“When I score, I don’t celebrate because I’m only doing my job. When a postman delivers letters, does he celebrate?”
Mario Balotelli, 2012….well, actually
How Mick McCarthy Made Fergie
On this day in 1986: Mick McCarthy scored the equaliser in the first televised Manchester derby. The result saw Ron Atkinson sacked as United manager soon after paving the way for a certain young Scot named Alex Ferguson to take over on November 6th.
The combination of cameras at the ground and the paranoia about travel chaos owing to the first day of bus de-regulation in the city resulted in a sub-40,000 attendance (at the time, the lowest ever at Maine Road).
City were relegated at the end of the season. #Knowledge
Papering Over the Craic
It’s been a rough week for Irish football but a worse one for the people who report on it. The sports hacks as a collective have taken a PR battering and they’ve reverted to their defensive mode by blaming the FAI for the fiasco. Meanwhile, the public remains in the dark.
Ken’s a Star in the Making
As Irish soccer fans settle in for the next nail-biting UEFA Champions League installment, Póg Mo Goal are once again teaming up with Heineken Star Player to invite supporters to be part of every single piece of the action on screen.
Video: Keano’s Sweet Sixteen
Robbie Keane was back on the mark for LA Galaxy grabbing his side’s first in a 2-2 draw with San Jose Earthquakes. It was Robbie’s 16th goal in 15 matches and ensures Galaxy finish fourth in the Western Conference.
Guest Post: Ireland – Time to Move On
In a special guest column from US football blog Soccer Banter, former Fox Soccer Report analyst, Eoin O’Callaghan, shares his thoughts on the state of the Republic of Ireland national team.
Passage of Play: YBIG Forum
“Germany suffered a 5-1 home defeat in qualifying for World Cup 2002. They kept their manager and went on to reach the World Cup Final.
Maybe if they were beaten 6-1 at home they’d have won the World Cup.”
Trap Lives!
The FAI have backed Giovanni Trapattoni and he will remain as Irish manager following an EGM of the association in Dublin. Read the full statement: