It's France

[paul_oshea]

France were crap during the 90 - 96 though werent they really papin, cantona, ginola and a few others but they weren't doing great, i reckon that could eb another period for them in the not too distant future.

[Leeside Swagger]

France were crap during the 90 - 96 though werent they really papin, cantona, ginola and a few others but they weren't doing great, i reckon that could be another period for them in the not too distant future.

The period from october 14th to 18th would suit us fine!!

[Razors left peg]

with the idea of keeping a clean sheet in Croker I wouldnt be surprised to see John O Shea starting in midfield if Finnan is fit and Steven Reid isnt

[centre mid]

Id prefer O'Shea went and played along side Dunne.

[Razors left peg]

Id prefer O'Shea went and played along side Dunne.

I would prefer if O Shea played at left back and Finnan on the right personally. I think St Ledger is doing ok

[centre mid]

I think his poorest games for Ireland were all at left back. Those couple of games he played with Dunne I think were some of his best.

[Acornvilla]

I think his poorest games for Ireland were all at left back. Those couple of games he played with Dunne I think were some of his best.

were just lucky hes good enough to play everywhere

[Razors left peg]

[QUOTE=GM11;1254401]

Given - Lifford

Ledger - Grandfather from Carlow

have visited the forum for quite some time but never posted

just on st ledger - i was a couple of years above him at Peterborough many years ago - in training we always played Irish V English in 5 a side - sledge was always on the irish side and when asked he always said he was Irish - has always considered himself to be irish and hated anyone at Posh calling him English. Certainly not one who can be put in the same bracket of certain players who we have had over the years. ie. Townsend

Always good to hear things like that

[Razors left peg]

I think his poorest games for Ireland were all at left back. Those couple of games he played with Dunne I think were some of his best.

I think though he has really stepped up a couple of levels since Trap has taken over. I just think the back four would look alot more secure with Kilbane taken out of it now

[centre mid]

Its a while since he has played at left back in fairness and he is a far more solid player that a few years ago when he seemed to play there almost all the time.

[back of the net]

Lets get ready to rumble!!! - am so f**king hyped for this

http://www.skysports.com/story/0,195...640583,00.html

Real Madrid forward Benzema, who has 27 caps for France, is relishing the test that the Republic will bring, and is desperate for his team to reach the tournament next year.

"It is a very difficult draw, two big games await us for a place in the World Cup 2010 in South Africa," he said.

"It is very exciting and a game you are born to play in - it will be a battle and I want to be part of that.

"In Croke Park, Ireland will count on their fantastic fans to try and have the advantage but we will be ready - we all want to be part of the biggest football event of the world."

[paul_oshea]

lets trick them and have the advantage at stade de france, by laods of french tickets even if just to leave empty seats!!!!

This croke park thing seems to be a big thing with all foreign teams in all codes

[carloz]

[QUOTE=GM11;1254401]

Given - Lifford

Ledger - Grandfather from Carlow

have visited the forum for quite some time but never posted

just on st ledger - i was a couple of years above him at Peterborough many years ago - in training we always played Irish V English in 5 a side - sledge was always on the irish side and when asked he always said he was Irish - has always considered himself to be irish and hated anyone at Posh calling him English. Certainly not one who can be put in the same bracket of certain players who we have had over the years. ie. Townsend

Thats nice to hear. Good to see a player doing Carlow proud

[backstothewall]

I think though he has really stepped up a couple of levels since Trap has taken over. I just think the back four would look alot more secure with Kilbane taken out of it now

LB probably isn't his position, but he is stronger there than Kilbane. A back 4 of Finnan, Dunne, Sledge and O'Shea makes me feel confident. I think it might be too much for Kilbane to have to deal with Govou and a full back overlapping. I love the guy to bits, but there have been mistakes from him playing at left back, and he is a makeshift full-back at best. Finnan coming back gives us a better option.

I understand some people might thing its too big a game to gamble on the inexperience of St. Ledger but he has found his feet quickly in international football, and Italy didn't phase him.

[boysingreen]

Ledger's my new hero! lol Hope Domenech's remark spurs him to play like a man possessed.

[irishultra]

Is that a compliment? I think Ireland is more like a C team.

[EastTerracer]

This croke park thing seems to be a big thing with all foreign teams in all codes

I think its more the Irish fans rather than the stadium that players seem to respect. Remember when Zidane un-retired he said it was because he wanted to play in front of 50,000 Irish fans at Lansdowne Road (perhaps not realising that capacity was closer to 36,000 with the bucket seats). His brother's ghost (who told him to come out of retirement) mustn't have been up to date with UEFA stadium safety regulations.

[irishultra]

I think what he means is that all our players play in English leagues, hence the 'English B team'

[irishultra]

France were crap during the 90 - 96 though werent they really papin, cantona, ginola and a few others but they weren't doing great, i reckon that could eb another period for them in the not too distant future.

no, france has its act sorted out. they have many class youngsters.

[irishultra]

we should all go out and pretend we support english clubs and bring them to the game, and perhaps even have flags of english clubs at the game just to put it back in Domenech's face