IRISH EYES ARE GOING TO SMILE (Republic of Ireland National Football Team)

Member Name: C_Padd

Product:	Republic of Ireland National Football Team
Date:	21/05/02 (54 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: see op

Disadvantages: see op

It’s time to have a party this summer; a Green tide could well be rushing across Asia as the Irish are in town for the World Cup.

Ireland have done tremendously well to get to Japan and Korea. Drawn in a qualifying group that included many people’s dark horses Portugal and the might European power Holland few would have given them much chance. Holding both teams to draws on their own turf was a great achievement and beating the Netherlands in Ireland while remaining undefeated to Portugal could have seen them through, but Portugal piped them into first leaving the Irish with an interesting tie with Asian qualifiers Iran for a place in the finals. Thanks to a 2-1 aggregate win Ireland ended up with a great summer ahead of them and no more playoff misery. Putting out Holland and competing evenly with Portugal is not a bad start and lays off any people that can criticise them.

Qualifying may have been hard enough, but Ireland can be in with a real chance. Their group includes Germany, Cameroon and Saudi Arabia in Group E. This is a tough draw, all teams are relatively close together in talent and similar there is not much between them. Saudi Arabia are probably the weakest there, but the other positions will be hard fought. I can see Ireland getting thorough, hopefully at the expense of the Germans but the second round could see Spain or a combination of Paraguay or Slovenia if they can win the group. The second round is possible to win if they can also claim the group, and the quarter finals against Italy or Portugal could be their undoing.

Taking over from someone like Jack Charlton who had guided Ireland to two World Cups was never going to be an easy job. Mick McCarthy has stepped into big Jack’s shoes neatly and is now coming of age with qualification to 2002 World Cup. He missed out on the last one in France and Euro 2000 but the FAI has kept faith in him and it is now starting to show sweet rewards. A full internat
ional himself who was captain at Italia ’90, he was also Charlton’s assistant before taking over and is well respected by fans and players.

The squad of 23 Irish players was hit with the withdrawal of winger Mark Kennedy, with Steve Reid of Millwall as standby. The squad contains a solid backbone of ‘keeper Shay Given, defenders Ian Harte and Steve Staunton, midfielder general Roy Keane and upfront creativeness of Robbie Keane and Damien Duff. All 23 of the Irish team play their club football in England.

Shay Given – The Irish first choice keeper and Newcastle number one. A wonderful keeper for both club and country he has proven himself in every game he has played. Great shot stopper and in the air he will be needed to keep the goals out for Ireland and is fully capable. Other keepers are Deain Kiely (Charlton) and Alan Kelly (Blackburn) in the squad..

Steve Finnan – Has made a big impression for Fulham this season and will take over the right back slot in the absence of Steven Carr for the Irish. The fact that Manchester Untied are tailing him speaks volumes, a great player at the back and gowning forward.

Roy Keane – The star of the show and runs the Irish midfield as captain just as he does for Manchester United. Uncompromising in the tackle he will inspired others around him and has a tremendous work rate.

Robbie Keane – No relation to Roy, only 21 years old he has won over 30 caps internationally. A disappointing move to Italy with Inter Milan ended when he was brought back by Leeds, but has not been a regular this season. Will be keen to show how good a player he is, very talented with the ball at his feet and can score some great goals.

Damien Duff – Has had a great season with a mediocre side Blackburn and hit a great run of form towards the end to carry into the World Cup. A very influential and creative player he can also hit them. He could be on
e of the stars at the World Cup with his wing displays and tricks, a great player for Ireland.

Clinton Morrison – About as Irish as Tony Cascarinio born in Tooting Clinton O’Morrison qualifies for Ireland through his grandmother. An out and out striker the young Crystal Palace striker could make a big name for himself this summer as one of the few Irish players that could regularly put the ball in the net.

Niall Quinn – Won a lot of praise for donation all the proceeds of his testimonial which were £1million+ to children’s charities in Ireland and Sunderland. A rare show from professionals these days, he was already high in my book. Great in the air but now pushing the years this is one last time to shine

McCarthy has named eight defenders in his squad, with the likely starting line up being in a flat back four Harte at left back, Finnan at right back and Staunton and Cunningham in the middle. Steve Staunton should win his 100th cap in the World Cup and adds much experience, while Harte is a dead ball specialist. Cunningham has a slight knock, Gary Breen and Garry Kelly are also in the squad. In midfield there is the industrious Lee Carsely, Matt Holland who I rate and will play alongside Roy Keane and Jason McAteer who has made a great comeback. Kevin Kilbane and David Connolly also offers something else upfront.

Ireland are going to be a very hard side to beat. They have a strong spine and great resolve led by Roy Keane. They also have the qualities up front to succeed with Damien Duff going to be one of the stars along with Robbie Keane and Morrison. Matt Holland should be a good bet in midfield. With a good combination of both steel and flair McCarthy has some good players and can get the most from the less international star quality ones. An undoing may be through the defence that does not carry the same quality as further up the part. Harte likes to attack too much and can be caught out. Staunton a
nd others are pushing on in years and could be exposed by some real quality attacks and have to rely on Given too much. Even the performances of some players like Roy Keane and Kilbane has never been transferred to international level by their high standards.

Overall though I can see Ireland getting through their group. From there it could be a repeat of Italia ’90 out in the quarter finals. What I don’t want to see is them crashing out in the groups losing out to Cameroon and Germany. I cant see that happening though, with the talent and grit in the squad they could be going somewhere. It will be a great part back home if they can do something, and I will be cheering them on. After England of course.

Summary: