Cyprus V Republic of Ireland - Saturday, 5th September 2009 - World Cup 2010 Q

[Montenegrin]

i had a nightmare, but not a really bad one

we lost 2-0, but montenegro won 2-1 in bulgaria



I hope that your dream come true.In that case we would be back in the game for play-off spot.Completly.
Of course,small chances for this to happen:(.
So,good luck Ireland!

[macdermesser]

I was going to post a separate thread .. but actually its not worth a thread on its own..

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/football/article-1211086/Ireland-players-fume-travel-cheap-seats.html

I can't believe that this is still going on ... maybe we are not hearing the full story .. maybe the players were happy with the arrangements. Would have thought Roy Keane airing his views a few years ago about this very subject would have led to a change in policy

[elroy]

I was going to post a separate thread .. but actually its not worth a thread on its own..

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/football/article-1211086/Ireland-players-fume-travel-cheap-seats.html

I can't believe that this is still going on ... maybe we are not hearing the full story .. maybe the players were happy with the arrangements. Would have thought Roy Keane airing his views a few years ago about this very subject would have led to a change in policy

Apparently they werent too happy alright, Alan Kelly and Liam Brady gave up their seats in business class for players. Do the FAI not just charter their own flight anyway?

Do we make a big deal out of this in compared to other countries? Or do other countries just get the sort of thing right. In fairness its not that hard to organise.

[irishfan86]

The FAI should just fork out the money- they sell out every home game, and the least they can do is shell out relative pennies for business class seats for the players.

That said, if it's actually true that Kevin Doyle and Paul McShane whined to the point where Alan Kelly and Liam Brady gave up their seats, I've lost a lot of respect for them.

[seanfhear]

The FAI should just fork out the money- they sell out every home game, and the least they can do is shell out relative pennies for business class seats for the players.

That said, if it's actually true that Kevin Doyle and Paul McShane whined to the point where Alan Kelly and Liam Brady gave up their seats, I've lost a lot of respect for them.
Maybe the officials should just insure that the seats the players get are of exactly the same quality or better than they give themselves.

Its not rocket science. In a business(sport) where the fitness and well being of the players is paramount then maybe they should get the best seats available:rolleyes:

[rambler14]

Paul McShane and Liam Miller were lucky they weren't in the cargo hold, the fact they got a seat was enough.

[Scram]

Paul McShane and Liam Miller were lucky they weren't in the cargo hold, the fact they got a seat was enough.

LOL. We may have to depend on The Hulk McShane, and if we do I hope it's at centre at not at right back.

[irishfan86]

LOL. We may have to depend on The Hulk McShane, and if we do I hope it's at centre at not at right back.

I actually have this fear that if Sledge isn't declared fit that O'Shea will be pushed into the middle and McShane will start at right-full.

Probably even more worrying if McShane is given centre-half duty after not kicking a ball all season. Andy O'Brien anyone?

[Stuttgart88]

LOL. We may have to depend on The Hulk McShane, and if we do I hope it's at centre at not at right back.

The Examiner said that calling up McShane was as a favour to Hull who wanted him to be put through the paces at training and maybe get a run out against Sth Africa.

[tetsujin1979]

Today's Indo says he won't play tomorrow, but should play on tuesday: http://www.independent.ie/sport/soccer/brady-backs-st-ledger-to-be-ready-for-crunch-clash-1878071.html

Paul McShane has already been ruled out, with the Hull defender aiming to make Tuesday's friendly against South Africa.

[Stuttgart88]

Any of the superstitious amongst us looking for a good omen should note that the players were in economy class when we won 4-0 in Cyprus in 2001.

[Duggie]

Any of the superstitious amongst us looking for a good omen should note that the players were in economy class when we won 4-0 in Cyprus in 2001.

ya and roy keane was on the pitch like a beast and won the game almost on his own........

[OwlsFan]

1-2 Ireland.

By the way, I see from the Cypriot FA website that Psoriasis has been scratched from their team and that Hepatitis (well-known for skinning full-backs) is out too. Let's hope Domestos gets scrubbed as well. Tendonitis is doubtful yet again (recurring elbow strain). However, P*nis (a complete tool), Cl*toris (who fannies about quite a lot on the ball), Antithesis (plays on the opposite wing to Thesis) and Crisis (useful when the going gets really tough) are fit.

Epidermis has been dropped because he had a skinful the night before. Their hopes are on Adonis (Ronaldo clone - loves himself). Tight at the back with Clematis - more of a creeper than a sweeper really. Up front they have Sinusitis who has a nose for goal.

Their manager is Telekenisis - always seems to know what his opponents are about to do

[paul_oshea]

good man stutts and that memory of yours.

One question though, what did they eat on the plane over, and is it the same food this time?!

[Stuttgart88]

ya and roy keane was on the pitch like a beast and won the game almost on his own........That was just a detail. Choice of pub to watch it in & seating plan were far more important. Luckily the FAI knows that and made the seating arrangements accordingly. Credit where it's due.

[Crosby87]

good man stutts and that memory of yours.

One question though, what did they eat on the plane over, and is it the same food this time?!

Bacon Sandwiches isnt it?:o

[neville neville]

ya and roy keane was on the pitch like a beast and won the game almost on his own........

There was no almost about it. he did win the game on his own that day

Amazing performance by Roy in that game

[Stuttgart88]

It was a bit more subtle than that. We started that game well and played well as a team for a good while. I was conscious of this as I was watching with some English mates and I remember them being impressed by the way we were playing - saying we passed & retained the ball better than England. Up that that point it wasn't just about Keane but he definitely applied the gloss with his first goal.

However, after a while we simply fell to pieces, Kelly clearing off the line at one stage and from that point on Keane almost single-handedly kept them at bay. We deteriorated into a shambles with only Keane preventing the comeback.

It wasn't unlike the game in Malta where we squandered a 2 goal lead only for Stan to bail us out with a free kick. Something similar was on the cards in Cyprus.

[DeLorean]

2-1 win. No chance of us not conceding a goal against this crowd

I'd hardy say no chance, we haven't conceded more than one in any game so it's hardly beyond the bounds of possibility that we'd keep a clean sheet. In fact, one of our two clean sheet so far has been against them. Fair enough it was at home but they're missing a lot of players this time.

[Noelys Guitar]

Biggest game (since tha last one!) at this stage of a qualifying campaign for quite some time. Really since the French/Swiss games at home under Kerr. Performance won't matter tomorrow. Just get the 3 points. I feel we can stop them from scoring a goal this time. I just hope Keane and Doyle can find their form tomorrow. Or a Whelan double deflection shot from the halfway line will do.

[Stuttgart88]

yeah, any kind of a win will do.

[paul_oshea]

any kind of win will always do.

[OwlsFan]

1-2 Ireland.

By the way, I see from the Cypriot FA website that Psoriasis has been scratched from their team and that Hepatitis (well-known for skinning full-backs) is out too. Let's hope Domestos gets scrubbed as well. Tendonitis is doubtful yet again (recurring elbow strain). However, P*nis (a complete tool), Cl*toris (who fannies about quite a lot on the ball), Antithesis (plays on the opposite wing to Thesis) and Crisis (useful when the going gets really tough) are fit.

Epidermis has been dropped because he had a skinful the night before. Their hopes are on Adonis (Ronaldo clone - loves himself). Tight at the back with Clematis - more of a creeper than a sweeper really. Up front they have Sinusitis who has a nose for goal.

Their manager is Telekenisis - always seems to know what his opponents are about to do

Some more breaking news: Adios has left the squad and declared for Greece.

I'm not worried about Dematitis as he's inclined to take rash decisions while the young Cypriot Psychosis thinks he's better than he is and Doritos has a chip on his shoulder.

On the injury from Artritis' knees are causing him problems while Tuberculosis has a similar lung infection as Asbestos but both should be ok.

--------------------
Terrible stuff I know but me and a friend have been exchanging these ones all afternoon.

[paul_oshea]

What about Achilles, hows his paw? Or has he deflected to Greece too? How does FIFA rule on that? Perhaps we need EG and geysir to DECIPHER....all a bit easy really...;)

[Scram]

Some more breaking news: Adios has left the squad and declared for Greece.

I'm not worried about Dematitis as he's inclined to take rash decisions while the young Cypriot Psychosis thinks he's better than he is and Doritos has a chip on his shoulder.

On the injury from Arthur Itis' knees are causing him problems while Tuberculosis has a similar lung infection as Asbestos but both should be ok.

--------------------
Terrible stuff I know but me and a friend have been exchanging these ones all afternoon.

N Cephilitis has now been rushed to hospital unable to breathe, they're dropping like flies.

[Stuttgart88]

any kind of win will always do.It didn't after the Georgia or Cyprus wins. You'd swear Trappatoni had been found guilty of murder.

[Murfinator]

Really pumped up for this game! It's a long time since we've last had the chance to put ourselves in a strong position in our group.

I want to believe we'll win tomorrow but I'm cautious. When was the last time we beat any sort of half decent team away from home? I recall an utter shambles where Ireland got a dying second goal against the worst team in the world San Marino as being our last competitive away win (Georgia at neutral doesn't count).

Our last meaningful away win must have been under Kerr and even then it would have been one of the lower sides since we drew with France, Swtizerland and Israel away.

Heck a win tomorrow would possibly be on of our biggest results of the decade, even if it is only Cyprus these are the games campaign after campaign where we've slipped up. A win tomorrow and the nation will believe! Something it hasn't done in quite some time.

[geysir]

Unless you want to wallow down into a 'waiting on death row' pre-match mood,
don't decide to listen to Neil Young's "Tonight's the Night".

[paul_oshea]

Its time:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O-8ZBXsBOE8

[paul_oshea]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I5PT65I2ny8&feature=related

[Razors left peg]

absolutely sick already, days like this I hate being a football fan

[tetsujin1979]

one of my favorite comments ever on a football forum was on the morning before the Celtic - FC Porto UEFA Cup final in Seville. One poster said that it was his Dad that had introduced him to Celtic, and there had been times that he'd wished he'd introduced him to heroin instead, but then he'd never experience occasions like this.
Sums it all up really.

[Razors left peg]

one of my favorite comments ever on a football forum was on the morning before the Celtic - FC Porto UEFA Cup final in Seville. One poster said that it was his Dad that had introduced him to Celtic, and there had been times that he'd wished he'd introduced him to heroin instead, but then he'd never experience occasions like this.
Sums it all up really.

thats classic... sums it up alot more poetically than I could:D

[Noelys Guitar]

absolutely sick already, days like this I hate being a football fan

I know that feeling well. But I have to say I love it. Matches that really mean something. Woke up at 1am last night and could not get back to sleep. Stayed off the gargle so would not have the combined shakes this morning (usual + match). Have played the match over and over in my head. The what can go wrongs are thankfully one down to the what can go rights. COME ON IRELAND!

[paul_oshea]

noely good man thats irish time as well. ive been trying to make myself forget about the match, even dreaming abotu it last night, i have these dreams where i miss the game or i cant remember the score and stuff, weird, but i hate them. Nightmares in my case :D But couldn't sleep properly last night.

The thing is though with me sometimes the final whistle can be a bit of an anti-climax for me if you know what i mean which annoys me. Rememeber that dvd where mcgrath says he wanted the game to end but then when he did he didnt want it ended, that sorta way. Cant explain it but knew exactly what he meant, well from a supporters point of view anyway.

[paul_oshea]

Id just like to add ive listened to those 3 youtubes things over and over again since i first posted this morning. Ill be getting an asbo soon enough.

[irishultra]

:o getting nervous. hopefully ireland don't make this an even worse week football wise(back to school, bohs lost, rovers won) so yeah forza ireland.

[geysir]

So far, I can handle any type of game live but TV viewing does me in most times.

The rest in the house know something will be on later when I'm seen cleaning around the house.

[elroy]

Fine so far, once it goes past 6pm then the nerves will kick in. Am feeling surprisingly confident, we've an organised team, no major injuries, a tactically astute manager particularly for this type of game and two of their better players are out......believe lads believe.....and im never confident. I think we'll do it tonight. Wont be comfortable but when is it ever!! Come on the boys in green!!

[KR's Post]

I'm in work till 6 pm and live an hour away from my job so i'm happy that i'll get in door at around 7pm, have the dinner and then sit down and switch the match on. No build up to go through, no this that and the other and won't have to sit through Dunphy saying this Cypriot team is dangerous this or skilful that. Just a question for all. Will you watch it on RTE or Sky Sports.

Sky sports myself....

[Manc Irish Wolf]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I5PT65I2ny8&feature=related

Nice one, Paul. Saves me getting the CD out. F*cking love that tune. Quality days.

Weirdly not nervous at all. We have the better players, a strong structure and a lot of experience in the side. As long as we can exorcise the demons of that fateful night and play with the confidence that our ability deserves we'll be sound.

Dare say the nerves will start to kick in once the pre-match beers are flowing though.

2-1 Ireland - Doyle and Keane.

[SkStu]

anyone got a link for a live stream??

[Noelys Guitar]

anyone got a link for a live stream??

http://www.myp2p.eu/broadcast.php?matchid=48009&part=sports Free

or www.Shockstreams.com Join for a quid and excellent quality. I am watching the England game on this and the Ireland game will follow.

[EastTerracer]

Nice one, Paul. Saves me getting the CD out. F*cking love that tune. Quality days.

Hard to believe that is nearly twenty years ago. I was playing it in work here in New York yesterday and got a few odd looks.

I've been nervous all day but I think its the positive pre-match sort of tension rather than a dark sense of foreboding.

Just now (two hours before kick-off) is when I wish I was in Cyprus - Bari and Sofia were magnificent and I can't help feeling that I should have broken the piggy-bank open again.

[stiffler]

Come on the lads!!!!

[stiffler]

Its time:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O-8ZBXsBOE8


Brilliant.


'The nation holds its breath'

love it.

[SuperDave]

anyone bricking it? i'm going to be unable to eat my dinner!

[centre mid]

I've eaten my dinner already, but it may resurface before kick off.

[paul_oshea]

THe nation is still holding its breath:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GxD0qAe2dUU&feature=related

[paul_oshea]

Hard to believe that is nearly twenty years ago. I was playing it in work here in New York yesterday and got a few odd looks.

I've been nervous all day but I think its the positive pre-match sort of tension rather than a dark sense of foreboding.

Just now (two hours before kick-off) is when I wish I was in Cyprus - Bari and Sofia were magnificent and I can't help feeling that I should have broken the piggy-bank open again.

feeling the exact same as this, im bloody shaken as i type. I know i should have gone. Cos its the trip that breaks the...so to speak....and ive missed it. :(