The Sat Nav is set for Prague and you can sure “Joxer” has the Bedford van packed and ready for the party with a play-off semi-final squeezed in. After a memorable week last November the Republic secured a play-off semi-final spot where they will Czechia who themselves will be thankful for the play off route in a bid to make the 2026 World Cup.

From an Irish perspective the players and supporters are where they want to be in with a shot at making a first World Cup appearance since 2002.

It has been 24 years since the Republic graced the grand stage and this is seen as another opportunity to break that duck and give a new generation of supporter there moment in the sun.  From Euro 88 until World Cup 2002, the Republic appeared in every major Championship barring Euro 92, Euro 96 and France 98.

Play off heart break denied them a spot at Euro 96, Let’s hope we can learn from that and although they have been through this path before for spots at European Championships, this is a great chance to gain a spot at another World Cup.

Heimer Hallgrimsson has a good track record of qualifying sides for major tournaments and will feel he can help guide this group to the 2026 World Cup.

They have tinkered and suffered under Hallgrimsson with a few poor results and performances that did leave a lot to be desired over his tenure but they manged to find 2 terrific results against Portugal and then the new darling of Irish football Troy Parrott scored a magnificent hat trick against Hungary in Budapest with the winner coming in a dramatic final few moments.

The one thing you can be sure of from an Irish point of view is you’ll get effort from any man in a green shirt and they will go for the full 90 minutes and won’t leave anything on the field.

That is the one thing that supporters won’t ever question and that is effort and desire. You can be limited in other areas but once you put in a “shift” no one will give out…

The songs, memories and stories of the period from 1988 to 2002 have been recounted and remembered fondly over the past couple of weeks leading into tomorrow evening in Prague.

People who rarely speak about sport have mentioned this game and that tells you everyone will be on board and ready to rock come 7.45pm tomorrow evening. This group has their chance over the next week to secure a spot at a first World Cup since 2002.

So it’s over to the players now to see they put the cherry on the cake and do the business in Prague and then hopefully be in a position on home soil to shoot for the stars against North Macedonia or Denmark.

Enjoy the game tomorrow evening and for the love of god don’t forget to breathe….

Troy Parrott will be the hero of the hour, two goals on Thursday vs Portugal and then his hat trick this afternoon in the Puskas Arena vs Hungary in a dramatic late 3-2 win.

It’s been a dream few days for Troy and the whole Ireland squad. If you had told anyone after the opening fixtures in this group that Ireland would seal a play-off spot in as dramatic fashion as that no one and I mean no one would believe you. Going 1-0 down so early had people probably thinking here we go again but this time is was different.

This 3-2 result was built on a never say die attitude that will stand them well going into the play-off round next March.

They will feel they can take anyone on in that round in March of next year. Heimer Halgrimsson has a track record of getting teams to major Championships and is on the verge of doing it again. Results and the performances that went before will be forgotten on what has been such a special week for Irish sport let alone Irish football.

The results of the Under 17s in Qatar along with the big results in Dublin and now in Budapest will have Irish football supporters in dream land. This group never gave up internally when all seemed lost after the results over the opening 3 games of the group. But they found a way which is quickly becoming a by word for success in Irish sport in recent months.

The past few days, have to now become the norm and the standard for future games for this group no more so than in the aforementioned play off next March.

I so often say, no matter the team or sport. No one will ever give out if you put in a shift and exhaust yourself and by god this group did that today.

Caiomhin Kelleher came up with some big saves when called upon and at the other end Troy Parrott found his mojo to convert a penalty as well as two other goals including his late late show to nick a winner in the 5^th minute of injury time.

 As Halgrimsson mentioned pre match he would love nothing more than Ireland to score late on and Hungary not to have the opportunity to equalise, how prophetic that turned out to be given the late drama…

The result today is a special moment for a certain generation of Irish supporters who have heard stories of Houghton’s goals at Euro 88 as well as USA 94, not to mention Robbie Brady’s winner in 2016 vs Italy as Wes Houlihan’s goal against Sweden in France in the same campaign.

I have a funny feeling no matter who the opposition will be in March, one or two Credit Union’s will be getting polite early enquires about a possible trip Stateside next summer.

The lift this will give the country will no doubt be massive. Amazing how sport will always bring people together. Given all that has been happening globally and nationally over the past few years, a few hours of sport will have the desired effect. I can only imagine the reactions across pubs and homes up and down the country when Troy Parrott’s late effort hit the net.

This author was running over and back in his kitchen/living area and can only apologise to anyone that may have heard me roar when the ball nestled in the net…. These moments are few and far between and the Irish football team has had a few tough years with so many nearly moments and a few false dawns but men like Stephen Kenny can’t be forgotten either because he started the work to bring a lot of this playing group through.

A mention also for Seamus Coleman who isn’t playing with Everton at the moment being kept in reserve with Irish team mate Jake O Bren in his place. His part in this week cannot be under played either.

He was on the on field general on Thursday evening as well as for 70 minutes today. All 11 stood up and were counted this afternoon in Budapest and never gave up and drove on until the 95^th minute and got there reward with Parrott’s late goal to seal his hat trick.

This result was full of passion, spirit, determination, resistance and a unflinching will to win, it’s a pity you can’t bottle that feeling and take sip of it every time things start to get tough. Roll on the play-off round next March and as the saying goes, “you might actually never beat the Irish”

Well done to the Irish squad and Heimer Halgrimsson and his back room staff who probably never gave up that this would happen even if the rest of us might have doubts although this author did say to someone locally after Armenia in Yerevan that “all we need to do now is beat Portugal at home and then go and do the same in Budapest” did I honestly think they would, probably not but I am happy to be wrong……

Soak it in and enjoy the evening and bring on the play off in March…..

Amazing to see what one result can do pick up the mood of a nation, the Republic Of Ireland’s 2-0 win over Portugal in the second last World Cup qualifier for the 2026 World Cup has given them a fighting chance of getting to at the very least a play off in March 2026 if they can go to Budapest on Sunday afternoon and get a win that will see us seal a play-off spot and if Armenia could defeat Portugal on home soil then maybe they could seal automatic qualification.

The good old days that so many speak of between 1988 and 1994 came back last night. It was a performance full of discipline, passion, aggression and a lot more besides.

Troy Parrott who is playing his club football in Holland had scored 13 goals so far this season, Erling Haaland has scored 14 times for Man City in the Premier League. So that tells you that Parrott is in form. Evan Ferguson was ruled out through injury and that saw Parrott lead the line and score two goals to put the Republic 2-0 up at the break.

This performance also saw Josh Cullen have his best outing in a green shirt, having spent time with Anderlecht in Belgium under Vincent Kompany, he is now playing with Burnley in the Premier League.  

The one aspect of last night is that Ireland didn’t get over run in midfield for the first time in a long time and also had an out ball where both Parrott and Ogbene gave out full backs and midfield 3 options to release the pressure.

They had a few other chances to score with Ogbene hitting the post. The Portugese played a very high line and Ireland could have found the net a few more times. Cristiano Ronaldo is a wonderful player but last night before he was sent off on the hour mark, he actually hampered their ability to create clear chances. Gonzalo Ramos should have started up front but that is for another day….

The Irish back line stuck to its task with Seamus Coleman leading the line with Jake O Brien, Nathan Collins and Liam Scales. Caoimhin Kelleher produced a big save late on to keep the score line at 2-0, he had a quite night by his standards but there is no harm in that.

The atmosphere last night in Dublin 4 was electric and it has been pointed out that last night was a coming of age moment for the team but also for the supporters as a generation of supporters have yet to experience Ireland at a major tournament.

Last night gave them and the players a look at what can be achieved if we can go to Budapest and beat Hungary who like ourselves are looking to make major finals.  The stage is set for a huge game at 2pm on Sunday afternoon.

Euro 88, Italia 90, USA 94, Euro 2012, Euro 2016 and now the opportunity is there for them to go and see can they seal at least a play off spot to see can they make it to the 2026 World Cup….. It will take a performance similar to last night to get past the Hungarians on home soil but the confidence gained from the 90 + minutes last night will only help…..

35 years ago today in the words of George Hamilton “The Nation Holds Its Breath” after Packie Bonner had saved Daniel Timeofte’s penalty, it was left to Arsenal’s David O Leary to fire home the winning penalty that saw Ireland into the last 8 to face Italy.

That few weeks back in 1990 as I have so often been told were so special for people of every race and creed, I myself was only 6 weeks and was in hospital in Tralee as all the fun and games were unfolding.

Many people have recounted to me what that few weeks were like here in Tarbert and throughout the rest of the country. I can only go on people’s memories, YouTube footage of the penalties and of course the film “The Van” certainly brings to life what it was like at the time.

Utter madness would sum it up perfectly I think. With social media, every sort of a moment in time is brought back to life on a yearly basis, good, bad or indifferent. Every year via a few social media channels will share that special moment when Dave O Leary smashed home the penalty to secure Ireland’s passage through. Packie Bonner’s save is also shown as are George Hamilton’s iconic few words that said “the nation holds its breath”.

For generations since that 20 minutes still holds a special place in people’s hearts. The full penalty shoot-out can be found on YouTube. It allows those off us no yet born or too young to remember it experience what it felt like at that time.

It is great to see the sparkle in people’s eyes if you bring up the shoot out or ask them for any recollections of it that they have. In a haze of drink for some people, exam time for more, coming in early from work for another group. Pure excitement and enjoyment for people is what I hear if I mention it to people.

It is hard to believe that those penalties were on 35 years ago on this date. It is fantastic to still see the enjoyment and pleasure the footage brings to people if they see it now 35 years on….

I was only 6 weeks old and had to wait until USA 1994 but more so Japan and South Korea in 2002 to experience the Republic Of Ireland at a World Cup. Here’s hoping that they can reach the USA in 2026 and those special moments can be recreated 36 years on from Italia 90…

All roads will again lead to Ferry Park on New Year’s Eve with a 2pm kick off time where the current Ferry Rangers side will take on a mixture of recently retired and long-time retired veterans who played for Ferry Rangers from its creation back in 1995.

Here is hoping the weather plays ball this year as the 2023 edition had to be postponed due to poor weather. A bit like last year the current Ferry Rangers squad are looking for a win in this now almost annual fixture over the old stagers who have held the advantage over the past few years.

The training will be rigorous over the next week to 10 days with several players dusting off the boots to see can some of them produce the magic of old or in some cases magic for the first time !!! It will be good to see who the old stagers in particular will field in the side and who will need to be coaxed to bring the boots on the off chance of game and a shot at past glory.

The charity of choice has yet to be announced so all eyes will be on the Ferry Rangers social media channels to see who this year’s beneficiaries will be. Of course the Ferry Rangers Christmas party will take place on the 27^th of December in the Swanky Bar before the fun and games planned for New Years Eve.

You can be sure reluctant hopefuls will be cajoled into lacing up the boots if things are tight with the respective numbers for either squad, although the hard stuff from the top shelf may be needed to convince certain people…

Rumour has it the veterans have been training away secretly over recent weeks in a bid to keep the trophy and bragging rights for another 12 months. I can’t be sure where training has happened on the stool or somewhere top secret.

This author would like to commend Ferry Rangers and the group of people organising this event over the last few years for seeing the opportunity to bring the community together for an hour of fun and games…. See you in Ferry Park on the 31^st if you can make it, I promise it will be worth the trip….  

On new year’s eve this year, all roads will lead to Ferry Park for the charity game (the chosen charity’s will be revealed at a later date) between some of the current Ferry Rangers 23/24 squad and the old stagers who let’s say played with the club in the early days after the club was established in 1995.

This game is fast becoming an annual event which will hopefully continue well into the future. Other places do charity swims and runs but in Tarbert players both young and old and some not so old dust the cobwebs off the boots and return to action to relieve their own glory days.

It will be a chance for people to catch up and get ready for that evening which will see a new year roll in. The past two editions have drawn good crowds and hopefully the 2023 version will do the same today week…

The old stagers won last year and the buzz word already is that the current Ferry side has revenge in mind and will do what it takes to take victory. So with that in mind be prepared to see some hard tackles and no less skill on show !!

It will be good to see in particular the Old Stagers take to the field to see do they still have it. Over the past few turns those who wore the red and black of Ferry Rangers in the early days have shown there metel and won the day.

As the week progresses we will know the respective squads and I am sure there will be a few surprises but this author will be staying retired having played for Ferry up to Youths level, my body and my eye sight are not what they once were.

I’d like to take this opportunity to wish Ferry Rangers well with firstly the Christmas draw on December 29^thand then on the New Year’s eve it full steam ahead for the charity game. Keep an eye out for the details of the chosen charities and squads on social media…..

Declan Rice has committed his International allegiance to England after many months of a will he won’t he saga. He was capped 3 times by the Republic Of Ireland. He was capped only in International Friendly’s so he was not tied to the Republic because these are seen as non competitive games and for this reason he is eligible to switch allegiance back to England, the country of his birth.

Many people will move to vilify Rice as to why he allowed himself to be capped by the Republic Of Ireland when his heart is now set on continuing his International career with England who are currently managed by Gareth Southgate. This particular decision was a tough one to reach and many of his closest confidants, be they family, friends, team mates and coaches were consulted along the way to him making this choice.

Yes, it will stick in the craw of many that he has turned his back on the green jersey but they are many angles to this story, did he have his head turned by Southgate, did he have a change of heart at one of the training camps he was involved in when involved with the Republic.

We may never really get the full story but let’s be honest, yes he won 3 caps but was he ever really going to be fully committed to a country that he would have only spent shorts periods of time in with parents.

Mick Mc Carthy would have done his utmost to get Declan Rice to commit his lot with the Republic but the pull of the country of birth probably proved too much. It is huge blow for every person that did work to get Rice involved from under 16 level up to under 21 level.  It is a real quandary for countries like Ireland who in some cases depend on guys with parents or grandparents from the Republic of Ireland but who left for pastures new in search of work and other opportunities.

This situation has benefitted the Republic Of Ireland in the past with men like Mick Mc Carthy himself, Ray Houghton and Andy Townsend all born elsewhere but declaring to play in green through the 80s and 90s. This rule was used impressively by Jack Charlton to bring many guys over his tenure in charge. Although we are in different times now than we were back then, we qualified for 3 out of the 5 tournaments in his time at the helm, two World Cups and Euro 88.

What I am saying is times have changed and the Republic Of Ireland may not be the most attractive of places to place International football like it was while Charlton was in charge.

Declan Rice has chosen to commit to England and we will just have to wait and see will his decision be proven correct. He has committed to them but that does not mean he will automatically be selected by Gareth Southgate.

He may have had some assurances by the FA and Southgate’s staff that his name is currently in the mix but that list is long and winding. Just ask Jack Grelish who made a similar move a few years ago. The circumstances are different but the situation is the same.

The FAI has had to deal with this before and now on the back of this decision will look to UEFA ,and FIFA to clear up the ongoing quandary of this will he /won’t he saga. The impetus will be on their shoulders to make some sort of move to at least show up the unease of this situation and the impact it has.

I think the FAI will still have questions to answer but all in all, this decision was made by Declan Rice and a team of advisors. Whatever the reasoning for it, it will have to be respected and all in Ireland along with the FAI will have to respect it however hard that pill will be to swallow.

All parties can move on from this episode and both sides will hopefully learn from it and both the FA and FAI will be in a position to go to UEFA and FIFA and try and close this loophole so it will not happen again to other nations…

The name Jack Byrne won’t mean much to many but he has today signed a deal with Shamrock Rovers to come home from the Scottish Premiership side Kilmarnock after a short spell with them following on from spells with Oldham , Blackburn Rovers , Cambuur in Holland and of course his time with Manchester City.

He has also a number of caps at Under 21 level with Ireland and has spent time with the senior squad. But things just haven’t worked out for Jack in recent times so one feels the decision to come home and spend a season with Shamrock Rovers isn’t the worst move. It will bring much needed media coverage to the League of Ireland, will strengthen the Rovers squad that will next year hope to challenge champions Dundalk for the title.

It is shot in the arm for a league that is crying out for more investment and better facilities for certain clubs. Also a full season where one team or another doesn’t get into financial difficulty would not hurt either. The prize money on offer to the winner of the league is very poor and will really need to be looked at in the next few months before the new season kicks off next March.

While most people will immediately say the league is poor and I wouldn’t go and  watch the teams involved , let’s just give the league a chance and hopefully the move from Jack Byrne to come home and start again at the age of 22 is a shrewd move on his part. While at home he can try and stamp his authority on a side for more than a few games and see can he put all this promise to good use !!

With Mick Mc Carthy now in charge of the National side to be followed by Stephen Kenny, the league needs to put its best foot forward while Mick is in charge to make it next to impossible for him to ignore the league like the last two men who were in charge of the National side.

Could Jack Byrne be in a position if he puts his head down to get into the senior national side with consistent performances for Rovers and be the first League Of Ireland based player since Glen Crowe to get capped at senior level.

Time now for Jack Byrne and more like him to step up and make the League Of  Ireland great again…..

 

Euro 2020 Draw

So the great and the good of European Football all arrived in the Convention Centre Dublin for the draw for qualifying for Euro 2020 with both Northern Ireland and the Republic Of Ireland in Pot 3 where they could have been drawn with some of Europe’s best sides. Both teams will have differing feelings in the aftermath of the draw where Northern Ireland were paired with Holland, Estonia, Germany and Belarus. A group of death for Michael O Neill’s men but a challenge he is looking forward to none the less.

For Mick Mc Carthy whose second coming as the Republic Of Ireland manager was confirmed earlier this week after Martin O Neill and Roy Keane were relieved of their duties will be pleased as it looked as if Ireland would be drawn alongside Germany and Holland but as only two host nations can be in the same group so the Republic of Ireland were moved from one Group to another and Northern Ireland were put into the group with Holland and Germany.

Mick Mc Carthy will be thankful that his side were removed from that group and they are in a group with Switzerland, Denmark, Georgia and Gibraltar. All those sides are familiar opponents to Ireland over the last few qualifying campaigns.

Given the results throughout 2018, this campaign which begins next March will give Mick Mc Carthy the chance to see can he revive the faltering fortunes of the national side. It has been a tough 12 months for the team and let’s hope that the change in management will see and upturn in fortunes and with Stephen Kenny in charge at Under 21 level, let’s hope to see more co operation and more young players step up to senior level from Under 21 level.

We will have to wait and see how the group will pan out from March 2019 and see can Ireland make Euro 2020 when Dublin will host 4 games in the Aviva Stadium. The slate is clean now and all players will have to impress Mc Carthy and Terry Connor in club colours before next March.