Designed by Ruben Lyon, a graphic designer from Bremen in Germany who claims Irish roots, we bring you the next installment of the Póg Mo Goal Match-day Poster series for Ireland V Serbia.
Underage world champions and top of their World Cup group, Serbian football is on a high right now. Provided they don’t make a familiar mistake and slip up against Moldova, they will roll into Dublin expecting a fight to the finish, writes Milos Dusanovic.
Ahead of a crucial first test on the road to Russia, Serbian sports writer Miloš Marković has the lowdown from Belgrade, including a sense of disappointment that the hosts won’t get to see Robbie Keane one more time.
Could we embrace an Irish version of an Iniesta-Xavi type partnership in midfield? Is Martin O’Neill prepared to transform the Republic’s style of play, and with it, our fortunes? Here’s ten talking points after a big week in the new manager’s reign.
Despite taking the lead through Shane Long, Ireland slumped to a first defeat under Martin O’Neill’s charge as a disjointed second half display handed victory to the visiting Serbs. The manager saw plenty of positives, however.
Roy Keane described Glenn Whelan’s performance in Stoke’s win over Arsenal last weekend as ‘outstanding,’ and he would know. The player who came in for a lot of criticism during Giovanni Trapattoni’s reign could be set for a new lease of life under the guidance of Ireland’s former midfield general
“Roll on September, we’ll be ready,” says Roy Keane. The YBIG Football Show, with Dave O’Grady, airing each Tuesday on FRQ.fm looks ahead to tonight’s friendly with Serbia, a must–win game for Ireland’s U21s, and the League of Ireland season kick-off.
Martin O’Neill has announced his first squad as Ireland manager for the friendly with Serbia at the Aviva Stadium next month. There’s been no recall for Shay Given, whose loan spell at Middlesbrough expires at the end of February. Ipswich’s Daryl Murphy makes a return to the squad but there’s no room for Stephen Ireland. Although O’Neill oversaw the games with Latvia and Poland, he inherited those selections from interim coach Noel King.
The first YBIG Football Show of 2014 with host Dave O’Grady looks ahead as Martin O’Neill gets set to name his squad for the Serbia friendly next month. There’s also analysis of Wes Hoolahan’s woes at Norwich, talk of Andy Reid, and a preview of the Euro 2016 draw.
Robbie Keane is back in light training with club LA Galaxy following surgery on his Achilles tendons last November and says he’ll be ready well before the MLS opener against Real Salt Lake on March 8.