Italy V Republic of Ireland - Wednesday, 23rd June 2016 - Euro 2016 Group E

OK. That was mostly good. Ireland have made chances, aren't afraid to take the ball and pass it around. That being said, I don't think Italy have really tried as hard as they could at all. They seem shockingly laid back going forward, save that one shot that went just wide (and Randolph wasn't getting there).

Would worry about Ireland's fitness level, Italy might punish us late on after all this huffing and puffing. This ref though. The elbow on Long, the arm around Duffy's neck, the shove on McClean, that push on Long...what's it going to take?

About as good as could have been expected from that half. See yiz in an hour or so.

A performance to be proud of so far, keep it up, great to watch.

Italy don't even want to be there. Worried with the heat that Ireland might wilt in the second half considering the work rate. It's there to be won.

Of course it's not all that unlike the first half against Sweden. If Ireland do score you can expect Italy to get the finger out.

Great first half ! Hope that we can keep it up and get a deserved goal (or 2/3 :))

The players are giving it everything. Great to watch. Impressed with that. Pressing, passion and endeavour. We need to convert the dominance into a goal.

McClean, Hendrick and Brady have all done brilliantly. Even McCarthy has stood up.

Defenders should be putting any passbacks to Randolph wide of his goal, especially on this pitch, lest any would hit a bump and bobble over Randolph's foot and into the goal. Duffy over-hit one which cost us a corner, but at least it was wide of our goal. We could have been in trouble with Keogh's one after that.

Defender or no, Coleman has to hit the target there! Excruciating.

No!!!!!!!!!!!!

I mean YES!!!!!!!!!

I was about to back Robbie to score next goal at 40-1 but then they closed the market!

In tears.

Just balled my eyes out. So proud.

Feckin' epic.

Randolph, a few dodgy moments, would not have got to shots twice, one went wide, one hit the post.

Ward got stuck in, made himself useful. Duffy was very poor at the back, rushes of blood constantly, just hoofing it. Keogh very solid, encouraging. Coleman back to his best, at the back and going forward, minus that brainless strike without any precision after the keeper error.

McClean, one of his best games in an Irish shirt, chased balls down, threw himself around without being too reckless, made a serious impact on the left. McCarthy with a serious improvement on the poor returns of the last two games. Brady honestly I would have said not quite up his usual, a few aimless long balls, thought McClean showed him up a bit but then that run, that header. Hendrick a good point man in the middle, and was often the crucial link in the build-up play, if only he could be more accurate from outside the box.

Murphy, mostly impressed, with his build-up play, positioning, but not his accuracy (or longevity). Long, not the lone target man this time, and a serious problem for Italy at times, as evidenced by how much he was fouled.

McGeady, not sure why he got three runs in this tournament, he never showed why he was worthy of such faith. Hoolahan, so crucial when he came on, crazy bad miss but then what a cross.

It would have hurt so much to lose. They did all that they could tonight, even if it was against an Italian team with their heads in the second round already. There was inventiveness, guile, effort, will. And it was just enough. The post-goal collapse against Sweden, the turtling against Belgium to no effect, and their was frustrating impotence tonight. But when they needed it, they got it. They ****ing got it. O'Neill totally vindicated in selection, tactics. Bring on the hosts. No fear.

Fantastic! Great to get out of the group. Let's get revenge for Henry handball!

Jesus NFB, where did you get the composure to write a proper post?! I can't even calm down enough to read it.

Brady started that move, and look at Hoolahan screaming for the ball to be given to him, just moments after the worst miss of his life. That's what you need.

Really didn't think that goal was ever coming, nearly puked in the last few minutes, younger team and more energy definitely helped, the Italians not caring definitely helped, we owe the French one big time, no better time to pay them back, coybig!

Quote:

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Originally Posted by DeLorean

Jesus NFB, where did you get the composure to write a proper post?! I can't even calm down enough to read it.

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God's honest truth, I thought the game was up and when I get annoyed I start angry typing thoughts on the fly.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by passinginterest

Really didn't think that goal was ever coming, nearly puked in the last few minutes, younger team and more energy definitely helped, the Italians not caring definitely helped, we owe the French one big time, no better time to pay them back, coybig!

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Oh, how sweet would it be to knock them out of their own tournament? I refused to even think about the possibility beforehand. Now, just savoring even the possibility.