FAI...June 2024 Friendlies v Hungary and Portugal

[imtommygunn]

Decent performance and a positive result. Maybe Portugal was there for the taking but Ireland done more than enough to earn the point. If nothing else it's a lot easier to watch and enjoy whilst getting a point against a big European side. In the past we'd have huffed and puffed with dour football and not get anything.

Football is about results and that will be any managers barometer but in my eyes, Kenny deserves the next campaign. Can't see Brady's point about waiting to March for a series of friendlies. If he'd have said wait till after Sunday it may have been more valid.

To get results you need a good defence and looking at it Ireland have that. He's found a way of getting Doherty and Coleman in side together. Duffy back in form a massive help. Have also got pace and movement in the side up front. That will always give you a chance but do we still have an out and out goalscorer? We use to laugh at Robbie Keane banging in goals against "poor" opposition but it's what the game is about and it's missing since he retired.

I think most Ireland teams are going to struggle without that ruthless finisher and it's hard to see him coming along the line. Parrot a lot to do. Idah needs 3 chances to score 1. Robinson hasn't scored much for WBA since last internationals. Ireland will keep it tight but my fear is that they will need to create lots of chances to score goals, other teams have the finisher to score more off less chances.

Set pieces where disappointing last night. Largely due to delivery.

I would largely agree with this. I thought it was a very good performance but I do think we will struggle for goals even against lesser teams which could be the sword Kenny falls on but for me he without a doubt should get another campaign. A lot of players have been lost and it has been a rebuilding.

Portugal looked like they were going to try and sucker punch us but when Pepe went off they  were settling for the draw. The winger they brought on second half stretched us a bit with his pace but thankfully he got subbed.

[Armagh18]

It's no different to a GAA team starting with a bunch of talented young lads who know how to win and dumping older fellas with the wrong profile. It takes time for things to start to produce results. 1990s Crossmaglen would be a good example.

Ireland were on a downward spiral for a number of years. The general technical level of opposition teams improved over the same period. So the FAI had no choice.

Our biggest issue is none of our players are getting game time at a decent level for their clubs bar Coleman and maybe a couple of others.

[An Watcher]

I think the young boys now have to move across into the European league to get the experience.  Cullen is with anderlecht isn't he? Not saying they'll all make it but they'll have a better chance of breaking into the first teams

[Itchy]

Entertaining enough game and I think you can see Kennys vision for the team becoming more solid. We looked relatively comfortable at the back for a change and opened up Portugal a few times. The next qualifying campaign the results will have to follow as the honeymoon period will be over then.

The booing of Ronaldo was a tiresome sideshow. He shut them up showing a little of class at the end giving his jersey to the young girl who ran on the pitch. Why the need to boo a player just because he is world class or for god knows what reason.

[Milltown Row2]

Are the republic below Luxembourg because they haven't played them yet?

[imtommygunn]

Entertaining enough game and I think you can see Kennys vision for the team becoming more solid. We looked relatively comfortable at the back for a change and opened up Portugal a few times. The next qualifying campaign the results will have to follow as the honeymoon period will be over then.

The booing of Ronaldo was a tiresome sideshow. He shut them up showing a little of class at the end giving his jersey to the young girl who ran on the pitch. Why the need to boo a player just because he is world class or for god knows what reason.

There are too many LIverpool fans. The same happened Fernandes when he went off...

MR2 because of results. Far from given we'll beat them.

[Itchy]

Entertaining enough game and I think you can see Kennys vision for the team becoming more solid. We looked relatively comfortable at the back for a change and opened up Portugal a few times. The next qualifying campaign the results will have to follow as the honeymoon period will be over then.

The booing of Ronaldo was a tiresome sideshow. He shut them up showing a little of class at the end giving his jersey to the young girl who ran on the pitch. Why the need to boo a player just because he is world class or for god knows what reason.

There are too many LIverpool fans. The same happened Fernandes when he went off...

MR2 because of results. Far from given we'll beat them.

You think people would identify as Irish fans first and Liverpool/Man Utd fans 2nd. My kids were there and they were looking forward to seeing Ronaldo and while he wasnt at his best they will remember fat arm chair fans roaring at him that he is a sex offender and booing him instead. This is why I can never understand this "we" fascination with English club soccer.

[laoislad]

I've been at games where ex and current Rangers players were booed, no one seemed to care afterwards. Can't see any difference to the booing last night. Not that I agree with booing anyways but if it's wrong to boo Ronaldo then it's wrong to boo any player..
Bit ridiculous also for anyone to suggest it was Liverpool Irish fans doing all the booing...

[Armagh18]

I've been at games where ex and current Rangers players were booed, no one seemed to care afterwards. Can't see any difference to the booing last night. Not that I agree with booing anyways but if it's wrong to boo Ronaldo then it's wrong to boo any player..
Bit ridiculous also for anyone to suggest it was Liverpool Irish fans doing all the booing...

Awk now theres a difference boing a Rangers player and booing a Liverpool/United player...

[Itchy]

I've been at games where ex and current Rangers players were booed, no one seemed to care afterwards. Can't see any difference to the booing last night. Not that I agree with booing anyways but if it's wrong to boo Ronaldo then it's wrong to boo any player..
Bit ridiculous also for anyone to suggest it was Liverpool Irish fans doing all the booing...

I think it is stupid to boo an ex rangers player too.

[laoislad]

I've been at games where ex and current Rangers players were booed, no one seemed to care afterwards. Can't see any difference to the booing last night. Not that I agree with booing anyways but if it's wrong to boo Ronaldo then it's wrong to boo any player..
Bit ridiculous also for anyone to suggest it was Liverpool Irish fans doing all the booing...

I think it is retarded to boo an ex rangers player too.

I think it's disappointing you used the word retarded.

[Itchy]

I've been at games where ex and current Rangers players were booed, no one seemed to care afterwards. Can't see any difference to the booing last night. Not that I agree with booing anyways but if it's wrong to boo Ronaldo then it's wrong to boo any player..
Bit ridiculous also for anyone to suggest it was Liverpool Irish fans doing all the booing...

I think it is retarded to boo an ex rangers player too.

I think it's disappointing you used the word retarded.

Fine, I changed it to stupid. No offence was meant

[Rudi]

The best supporters in the world, didn't cover themselves in glory; with the booing of one of the finest players, the world has produced. Fair play to Ronaldo at the end a nice gesture to give the wee girl his jersey, of course he was a great lad then with the boo boys.
On the game itself, playing well delighted for Kenny. He's a down to earth honest sort of fella, league of Ireland grassroots through & through, shrove your Trappatonis up your arse

[Baile Brigín 2]

I've been at games where ex and current Rangers players were booed, no one seemed to care afterwards. Can't see any difference to the booing last night. Not that I agree with booing anyways but if it's wrong to boo Ronaldo then it's wrong to boo any player..
Bit ridiculous also for anyone to suggest it was Liverpool Irish fans doing all the booing...

Awk now theres a difference boing a Rangers player and booing a Liverpool/United player...

Is there? Is it not the same - importing foreign football 'rivalry' where it isn't needed or wanted?

[weareros]

Thought Okoflex, who is in great form for West Ham u23, would be involved with U21s tonight but not listed as a sub. Still pondering England? Wonder why we are not in home jersey.