The Czechs have managed to qualify for every European Championship since they began competing as an independent state in 1994 but so so far nothing has topped their debut performance at Euro 96 in England, writes David Toms. Continue reading → 
With the winter break over, David Toms travels to Olomouc to see Bohemians take on SK Sigma Olomouc in the latest in his ongoing series following the Czech football club. Continue reading → 
“Although Slavia-Sparta is the most intense rivalry given both clubs’ success, this is surely the most localised in Prague.” Ex-pat David Toms’ love affair with his adopted club continues as he takes in another dramatic derby in the Czech capital, Slavia Prague v Bohemians. Continue reading → 
In his latest column from the Czech Republic, ex-pat David Toms updates us on the progress of adopted club Bohemians 05 and contemplates the difficult pleasure of the score draw
as the build-up to the Prague derby begins in earnest. Continue reading → 
Bohemians 1905 versus FK Příbram. In his second column from Prague, ex-pat David Toms updates us on the fortunes of his adopted club in a new city, but not before seeking out a decent pre-match taste of home.
Continue reading → 
David Toms on finding your club as an expat in Prague Continue reading → 
The acclaim which greeted the on-field arrival of Derry’s James McClean during last Wednesday’s game with the Czech Republic was like the return of the messiah. For many, his inclusion on the plane to Poland in the summer seems a foregone conclusion. And this gives Trapattoni a major media headache. Continue reading → 
James McClean-mania has reached fever pitch in some quarters but Giovanni Trapattoni is not going to drastically change tactics at this point. The amount of previews of the Czech game suggesting McClean would start on the left were scarcely credible and against everything we have learned from the Trap era. Continue reading → 
We hope James McClean gets his chance against the Czech Republic and goes all Yippee Kay Olé on their asses. Continue reading → 
James McClean’s call-up to the Republic of Ireland squad for next week’s friendly with the Czech Republic casts the spot-light once more on the domestic game’s role in the development of international-calibre players. Continue reading → 
Giovanni Trapattoni has relented and included James McClean in the Republic of Ireland squad for the Czech game. The Sunderland starlet will link up with the players in Dublin ahead of next week’s friendly. Oh, and Paul Green has been called up too. Continue reading → 
It’s exactly like measuring four gallons of water in a five gallon jug. How do you decide who to pick and who to leave out in your midfield for a first European Championships since 1988? James McClean has been crashed out of Giovanni Trapattoni’s Euro plans like an aeroplane landing at a snow-covered LAX airport. The brightest spark at the Stadium of Light, who received international clearance from FIFA yesterday, has NOT been named in Trap’s squad for the friendly this month against the Czech’s. Continue reading → 
JUST as it did in 2002, the summer sun will rise in the East for Irish football supporters as the dedicated and the diaspora prepare to reunite in the Polish cities of Poznan and Gdansk. And Derry’s James McClean looks set to be our new star. Continue reading → 
What connects James McClean to the First World War, a Czech giant and a rotund Andy Reid-esque legend of world football? Continue reading →