FAI...June 2024 Friendlies v Hungary and Portugal

[From the Bunker]

Ronnie Whelan played a total of 53 times for the national side between 1981 and 1995.

Mad to think McClean will play nearly double that between 2012 and 2023.

[yellowcard]

I had hoped that Stephen Kenny might grow into the job and put his stamp on the team whenever he got the players in that he wanted. However they have lost any sort of identity now and the football isn't even that great to watch either, we are still relying mostly on set pieces to create chances.

It's a massive jump to go from LOI to international level and perhaps he should have been kept at underage level or as an assistant coach away from the media glare. His media interviews can be painful and I fear that it won't end well for him although he will probably see out this campaign to see if he can salvage third spot in the group.

[weareros]

Think will give this game a miss. The sight of Kenny rushing out and punching the air when we score against a rock with population of 32,000 will be just stomach churning stuff.

[seafoid]

I'm not in to comparing, but more appreciating players who play for Ireland.

I appreciate that McGeady chose Ireland.

I appreciate that McClean loves Ireland.

I appreciate talented players who chose Ireland like Kevin Kilbane.

[red hander]

I had hoped that Stephen Kenny might grow into the job and put his stamp on the team whenever he got the players in that he wanted. However they have lost any sort of identity now and the football isn't even that great to watch either, we are still relying mostly on set pieces to create chances.

It's a massive jump to go from LOI to international level and perhaps he should have been kept at underage level or as an assistant coach away from the media glare. His media interviews can be painful and I fear that it won't end well for him although he will probably see out this campaign to see if he can salvage third spot in the group.

I was in Athens for game and it was pretty woeful. It was night and day compared to the performance against France. I was willing to give Kenny a fair go, but I think he's running out of road now. The inconsistency is hard to put up with.

[seafoid]

https://www.rte.ie/sport/soccer/2023/0619/1390045-departing-liam-brady-no-longer-in-love-with-the-game/

In an interview with RTÉ's News at One this afternoon, Brady said that while he still enjoyed watching great players, he had grown disillusioned with many of the factors bearing down on the sport, notably the prevelance of sportswashing and the influence of social media.

"Things have changed with football now. I'm not in love with the game anymore," Brady told presenter Gavin Jennings.

"I like watching it and watching the best players. But all the things that surround it are not really for me.

"And then I suppose the arrival of social media in the last 10 years. I'm an old dog and you can't teach me new tricks.

"So, Twitter and Facebook and things like that, they're all gobbledegook to me.

"The business side of it, it's a multi-billion pound business. The ownership of clubs in England, the arrival of these countries, Qatar, Saudi Arabia. I don't feel it's been that good for the game to be honest."

[Milltown Row2]

Will Ireland score?

[seafoid]

Will Ireland score?

It's like waiting for a bus.

[Milltown Row2]

France needed a penalty an OG and early goal to win against these part timers

[seafoid]

Goal 53 mins

[seafoid]

Ferguson 2 nil

[BrotherMore6592]

Ah sure lookit....

[seafoid]

3 nil. Idah

[Capt Pat]

That is Evan Ferguson tied up with the republic I beleive. No chance of a a Rice like defection to England now.

[seafoid]

Ronnie Whelan played a total of 53 times for the national side between 1981 and 1995.

Mad to think McClean will play nearly double that between 2012 and 2023.

The opening up of Eastern Europe changed the Euro qualifying. Yugloslavia and the USSR broke up between 1990 and 92.
There are more matches now cos more teams.

Even the finals are different. In 88 there were 8 teams. Now there are more than 20.