Martin O'Neill and Roy Keane

[geysir]

Why is the name sometimes O'Neal, sometimes O'Neill. Tis confuses me. Shaq is one way, the Irish manager is another. Tis ashame.

Both spelling versions are 'valid'. The original surname was in gaelic and there are a few derivatives but O'Neill is a much more common surname.
Afaia, those who shipped the Irish to the USA and those in Ellis island, went to extremes to accurately record the names of the immigrants.

[Yard of Pace]

Did anyone read Paul Rowan yesterday? I got a text from a pal saying that PR is saying that MON is treating the job as a joke. I don't subscribe to the Sunday Times so didn't see the article.

As far as Irish soccer writers go, I don't have much respect for Paul Rowan. Always trying to stir something up or make a story out of a non-story.

I didn't read the piece but I'd hope MON treats the job seriously but brings back the element of fun that's been missing from Irish teams for far too long. I hope he enjoys the job. To say he's treating it as a joke is a very serious accusation and I'd have zero idea where he's getting that idea from. I really enjoyed his press conference and if you're looking to treat a job managing a country as a laugh, RK is the last person you'd ask to be your assistant.

The old man gets the ST so I'll ask him about.

[Fixer82]

As far as Irish soccer writers go, I don't have much respect for Paul Rowan. Always trying to stir something up or make a story out of a non-story.

i read in Saturday's paper that Roy Curtis was named sportswriter of the year. Now that is laughable

[BonnieShels]

i read in Saturday's paper that Roy Curtis was named sportswriter of the year. Now that is laughable

Neil Francis won Sports Columnist of the Year.

http://www.independent.ie/sport/francis-scoops-top-award-29741191.html

Like the Mercury Prize these are truly discredited now.

[ArdeeBhoy]

Tbf, Rowan's, 'The Team That Jack Built' was half-decent. And read some OK articles by him over the years but unfamiliar with his recent (ie. the last 10?years) work. Is he really that bad?

[Stuttgart88]

I've met Paul quite a few times. Nice chap, but I do agree with Yopper's take on things in that he is usually trying to put a cynical angle on things. Of course, in context of Irish football, he'd often be right!

[DannyInvincible]

Saw the conference in full last night - his numerous attempts at sarcastic humour were truly cringeworthy.

I wonder how many more times will we have to hear the "Ive asked myself that many times" line from him

Ha, it's only his first week. After he gets a game or two out of the way and gets to know his individual players a bit better, I'm sure he'll be able to come up with more concrete answers rather than the stock first-week reply to, "So, why did you take the job and bring in Roy as assistant?" I felt he answered well during the press conference by avoiding overly specific territory in relation to available players.

Why is the name sometimes O'Neal, sometimes O'Neill. Tis confuses me. Shaq is one way, the Irish manager is another. Tis ashame.

There's reality (where Martin's surname is spelled "O'Neill") and then there's the world of tricky (where Martin's surname is spelled "O Neil").

Did anyone read Paul Rowan yesterday? I got a text from a pal saying that PR is saying that MON is treating the job as a joke. I don't subscribe to the Sunday Times so didn't see the article.

God forbid, surely not Undercover Agent Martin of the IFA?!

[back of the net]

Ha, it's only his first week. After he gets a game or two out of the way and gets to know his individual players a bit better, I'm sure he'll be able to come up with more concrete answers rather than the stock first-week reply to, "So, why did you take the job and bring in Roy as assistant?" I felt he answered well during the press conference by avoiding overly specific territory in relation to available players.

Im not doubting his ability to deal with the press or anything.
When not trying to be humerous - he answered the questions fine and came across very well.

I wouldnt be holding out for a better comedy performance from him though Danny, whether it be his first week or not.

In saying that though, some of the questions asked by the journalists were pretty limited and in some cases repetitive

[Fergie's Son]

Well there really isn't that much to ask him. He's just starting. Rowan's accusations are fairly serious (if that's what the article says). O'Neill is on 1.3M so you'd want to be taking it more than a little seriously.

[ArdeeBhoy]

A wee taster.

http://www.thesundaytimes.co.uk/sto/news/ireland/article1338604.ece

[Stuttgart88]

My mate was stirring things if that opening paragraph is anything to go by.

[geysir]

And he's one of Stutts' best mates??

[Stuttgart88]

Yep, who likes to stir things.

[gastric]

Neil Francis won Sports Columnist of the Year.

http://www.independent.ie/sport/francis-scoops-top-award-29741191.html

Like the Mercury Prize these are truly discredited now.

Jeez, the standard of journalism must be at an all time low if Francis won this award. He is boorish, opinionated and arrogant in the extreme and lacks objectivity. Scary stuff! Give me Tony Ward any day.

[geysir]

Hard to credit that not even Emmet Malone was nominated as sportswriter.
There must be some explanation why Curtis, a sack of shít, got the award.