While I agree we shouldnt just be happy to be there, at the same time we were 4 -0 down, we were out, there was nothing to be done about it and then the fans started singing. They're out there having a blast, they decided to 'make a name for themselves' and while you might say it smacks of the usual defeatism, need-to-be-liked etc, I thought it was a thank you to the team for getting us there after so long, even if it didnt go well when we got there. So well done to the fans, its not their fault the team cant kick snow off a rope.
Roy Keane could not care a fig whether the Republic qualified or not. He didnt achieve much as a manager himself. However, he has an excellent football mind. His playing days are over. Perhaps he will continue in management? One way or another Roy has learned that saying something controversial gets him a nice little earner and more television exposure. It is the oldest television pundit trick to boost viewing figures. That is all it is. Mr Dunphy will probably say something controversial next.
The television people cannot afford to lose their audience, bottom line to thinking people. Incidentally, fair dues to the travelling Irish fans, they gave and continue to give an excellent account of themselves. Let's be honest, most of us knew the Rep of Ireland had little chance of qualifying from the group stage.
The television people cannot afford to lose their audience, bottom line to thinking people. Incidentally, fair dues to the travelling Irish fans, they gave and continue to give an excellent account of themselves. Let's be honest, most of us knew the Rep of Ireland had little chance of qualifying from the group stage.
After Saipan, Roy Keane has lost the authority to make any comments on the Irish players performances at this or any other tournament. AT LEAST THEY ARE OUT THERE PLAYING FOR THEIR COUNTRY!
Why shouldn't the fans have a sing song? What do what them to do? A silent protest in the stadium? Noone is saying the results and the performances are good enough and noone is saying that the same 11 players should be playing but are you really suggesting that the fans should turn against the team. I was at matches at the end of the McCarthy and Staunton reigns and they were ugly matches to attend as the fans weren't slow about showing their displeasure. Only reason they are not doing it now is that they appreciate the efforts of the team for getting them there in the first place. They are right to stay with them until the end. The post mortem can start tomorrow.
True. He is still entitled to an opinion though. Same as every other tv and armchair pundit. He also put in some performances in an Irish shirt that don't deserve to be forgotten about because of what happened in Saipan.
It is worth mentioning that Holland (2010 world cup finalist, ranked 4th in the world, seeded number one for their group ahead of Germany) are out of the competition having lost all 3 games.
Sunny's point re: Mick mcCarthy is right. He did a good job with Ireland but the fans were quick to turn on him after two defeats for the 2004 euro qualifying. We didn't even make it to the play-off position again until Trap became manager. Ireland's performances have been disappointing no doubt, but people have to be careful what they wish for.
Sunny's point re: Mick mcCarthy is right. He did a good job with Ireland but the fans were quick to turn on him after two defeats for the 2004 euro qualifying. We didn't even make it to the play-off position again until Trap became manager. Ireland's performances have been disappointing no doubt, but people have to be careful what they wish for.
Their fans were a disgrace as well. Didn't even sing once during the last 20 minutes when it was obvious that they were going out, having woefully underperformed for the entire tournament!
What the fans do or don't do won't change the result.
It's hard to listen to Roy Keane; he's a bitter whinger who's never said a gracious thing in his life.
Look, he was one of irelands greatest players, and I certainly remember all of his great performances.
But how can he seriously ever criticise a player wearing an irish shirt after he walked out on his team (country) when they needed him most?
And how can we take his comments seriously?
Like i said he has lost his authority to comment because of Saipan.
Oh good ! Is is time for yet another raking of the Saipan coals
?AFAIK, Roy Keane made these comments in a column for a red-top tabloid. What do you expect, insight, analysis, lowest-common denominator polemic
?That's the kind of logic that only sport can produce. We wouldn't have been talking about Saipan without Roy, because we wouldn't have made it there.
Oh good ! Is is time for yet another raking of the Saipan coals
AFAIK, Roy Keane made these comments in a column for a red-top tabloid. What do you expect, insight, analysis, lowest-common denominator polemic
Actually he made them on ITV on live television.
Fair play to the irish fans for singing. There is more important things in life than football. They went over to have a good time and just because Roy Keane can't take a drink anymore he shouldn't begrudge others having a good time.
Rumour has it he is on the short list for the managers job at Birmingham so maybe it will be third time lucky to instill his winning mentality into his management career.
Still doesnt take away from the fact that he walked out on his team when they needed him.
ITV Sport, red-top tabloids, it's all the same to me. I rather follow a match on Aertel than watch it on ITV.
I do listen. That's why I don' like him. He behaves and speaks like a spoiled child.
How does that square against the fact that Mick McCarthy claimed to have sent him home ?
I would side with the view that he walked.