Tag Archives: irish football

Criticism when he’s out of the team and no praise when he’s in it. Martin O’Neill is getting hammered for a perceived lack of trust in playmaker Wes Hoolahan. But, the stats don’t back it up. Can we really summarise the Irish manager’s philosophy in the treatment of one player? Proof that Ireland are more than brute-strength and aggression, diminutive Hoolahan …

Georgia at home and away to Moldova. They were two games in which the Republic of Ireland were expected to earn six points, needed six points and got six points. It was arguably one of the weakest Irish teams in recent years, but they got the job done. However, the squad was not just weak, but old too. The starting eleven …

Tuesday night’s eagerly anticipated duel between League of Ireland table toppers Dundalk and Cork City lived up to all expectations. The pace of the game was frenetic, borne from Dundalk’s exemplary pressing game in conjunction with Cork’s frantic attempts to pin Dundalk in their own half. The first goal came just seven minutes in after Dundalk won a dubious free-kick in a …

Like watching a James Bond movie, viewing the RTÉ analysis of Irish football games is reassuringly predictable. Every time we see a 007 film, it’s obvious what’s going to happen. We all know he will somehow avoid death and get the girl. With the RTÉ panel, it’s the exact same. We’re certain, no matter what the result, Eamon Dunphy and company will …

When Harry Sloan was killed in action at Combles, near the Somme, on 21 January 1917, Irish football lost one of the most celebrated players of that era. He was one of very few Dubliners to have plied their trade at home and also to have represented Ireland regularly. The fact that he did so as an amateur competing against professionals …

Why do we bend over backwards to accommodate the ‘reluctant Irish’? Time after time, every effort is afforded to coax individuals to play for the Republic of Ireland when their heart quite clearly belongs to another land. It’s time we start developing the next Robbie Keane and Damien Duff rather than be preoccupied converting other nation’s also rans. There’s something …

In this strange paradoxical little island of ours, it is a curious fact that you can make a pretty educated guess at an Irishman’s age by the English soccer team that he supports. For instance, there exists a thriving community of fifty-something Irish Leeds United fans, for the simple reason that they were at an impressionable age around the time …

Fifa president Gianni Infantino has proposed expanding the World Cup from 32 to 48 teams. According to the BBC, Mr Infantino has suggested that 16 of these countries would be eliminated after a preliminary knockout round. This would ruin the World Cup. 32 teams at a World Cup finals is more than enough. As far as the beautiful game is concerned, the …

There are moments in football when you realise you’re watching a special player. Cork City hosted a Manchester United XI selection at Turner’s Cross in the summer of 2012 and aside from the fact that over 6,000 people paid in to see a team of United’s underage stars play on Leeside, the performance of the night came from Cork City’s …

How many of us envy the life of a footballer? Getting to play the game for vast amounts of money sounds like the perfect scenario for millions of us who spent the majority of our childhood kicking a ball around. A few hours training and having a laugh with your mates each day before playing a match at the weekend. …

With Dundalk flying the flag high for the League of Ireland in this season’s Europa League calls have emerged for some of the Lilywhites’ players to get the ultimate recognition they deserve: a call up to Martin O’Neill’s Republic of Ireland squad. The latest squads have been named for the forthcoming games with Georgia and Moldova without the inclusion of …

Jeff Hendrick notched up his first goal for new club Burnley against Watford on Monday night. The Irish midfielder rose highest in a congested penalty area to head in a Steven Defour corner and give his side a 1-0 lead. Hendrick’s star has risen steadily over the last few years and having established himself in Derby’s first team, he then forced …

A peculiarly bleak atmosphere lingered in the stands during Dundalk FC’s 1-1 draw with Shamrock Rovers last Tuesday night. Hoops supporters riled the home fans by applauding each of the seemingly endless line of players who hobbled to the touchline and wasted an extra few minutes. Perhaps Dundalk fans have become a little too pampered by success and don’t react …

If ever there was a football competition that needed an overhaul, surely it’s the Europa League. Europe’s secondary club football tournament, formerly the UEFA Cup and also an amalgamation of the old Cup Winners’ Cup, is now in its eight season under its current moniker. Between the qualifying rounds, groups stages, knockout stages, quarter-finals, semi-finals and eventually a final at …

Ok. I know. You’ve read the headline and thought to yourself “Jesus, that’s a bit strong isn’t it?” It’s the usual tactic. I think “click-bait” is what it’s pejoratively referred to in the media industry. It’s Conor McGregor saying he’s going to kill his next opponent. It’s Arsenal being tipped to buy a top striker (yeah, right). It’s Katie Price having cellulite …

Much of the lead up to this opening group qualifier has been based around who will not be on show for Serbia but there are still plenty of names familiar to Irish fans that the Boys in Green will have to be wary of. Like Ireland, most of Serbia’s high profile players are based in England. Aleksandar Kolarov and Nemanja Matic are …

‘A nation holds its breath…’ As Ireland countdown to their massive World Cup qualifier with Serbia this evening, The Opel Jersey sat down with Serbian journalist, Milas Dusanovic (@SerbianFooty), to discuss the dangers that the opposition could present for Martin O’Neill’s men. ____ TOJ: There has been a lot of media coverage over the off-the-pitch issues Serbia faced in the …

Another hectic summer transfer window has come to an end and all the speculation can be put to one side until January at least. It was certainly eventful as the constant increase in transfer fees saw the Premier League spend sky rocket past the £1 billion mark. Paul Pogba’s world record move to Manchester United, John Stones’ £50 million move …