Irish Times

**BohsPartisan** · 16/02/2007, 9:09 AM

Doyle denies rumours
Andrew Fifield

Republic of Ireland Manager Kevin Doyle has laughed off suggestions that Steve Staunton's dismissal as Ireland manager would prompt mass mutiny among his senior players.

In the wake of last week's embarrassing performance in San Marino, reports had suggested a group of players - led by Robbie Keane, Shay Given and Richard Dunne - would quit international football in the event of Staunton being sacked.

All three men are believed to have been dismayed at calls for the former Liverpool defender's head, although none have made their feelings known to John Delaney, the FAI chief executive. That, combined with Doyle's denial yesterday, would appear to scotch any rumours of a walkout.

"It sounds made up," he said. "Obviously decisions like that are personal choices for the individuals involved, but I very much doubt whether anything like that will happen. I think what we are seeing now is the consequences of our results - if we were winning and playing very well, these stories wouldn't surface."

Doyle did not attempt to play down the sense of crisis which has gripped Irish soccer in the last nine days. The Reading forward might owe a debt of gratitude to Staunton, who handed him his first cap against San Marino in November, but he admitted that the manager's lack of experience has exacerbated his current problems.

"It's his first manager's job and when the results and performances aren't going as well as expected, it's inevitable that people are going to jump on his back," he added.

"I'd say that the pressure on the Irish manager is now much worse than on the England manager. The scrutiny is very intense and it puts managers in a very hard position. To be fair, it's not a job that I would want.

"But Steve has a lot of experience as a player and he will have felt the pressure that comes with playing for Ireland, so he will know how to ride it out.

"He didn't need that result in San Marino. We expected to win by more goals and a draw would have been a disaster, but sometimes things like that can be the making of you. He will want that game to make both himself and us, as players, stronger."

Doyle was spared the indignity of Serravalle courtesy of a hamstring injury. The 23-year-old was kept up to date on Ireland's progress, or lack of it, via mobile phone and was bracing himself for a merciless reception from his Reading team-mates when Stephen Ireland pounced deep into stoppage time to salvage a scrap of pride.

"I was desperate to play against San Marino because I hoped to get a few goals under my belt, but maybe it was better for me to miss out, given the reaction to the result." he said.

"But a win is a win and in 10 years' time, people will look at the three points and nothing else. We've still got a chance of qualification and that's what we should focus on."

� 2007 The Irish Times

**gustavo** · 16/02/2007, 9:16 AM

Jeez that Doyle is some plotter

**youngirish** · 16/02/2007, 9:36 AM

His first cap against San Marino in November? That was about his fifth cap. Do these people know anything about football? How do they get these jobs writing articles?

**lopez** · 16/02/2007, 9:51 AM

Originally Posted by youngirish

His first cap against San Marino in November? That was about his fifth cap. Do these people know anything about football. How do they get these jobs writing articles?

Often their daddy's the editor.

**gustavo** · 16/02/2007, 9:54 AM

or in Aengus' Fannings case he has produced an entire Sports Department from the fruit of his loins.

**Jerry The Saint** · 16/02/2007, 9:54 AM

Originally Posted by DRB

"He didn't need that result in San Marino. We expected to win by more goals and a draw would have been a disaster, but sometimes things like that can be the making of you. He will want that game to make both himself and us, as players, stronger."

Like after the Holland game you mean? Or Cyprus

Doyle made his debut against Sweden but I wouldn't blame him if he's repressed most of his memories from the Stan Era, like all the rest of us will in time. Which kinda explains this comment

Originally Posted by DRB

"But a win is a win and in 10 years' time, people will look at the three points and nothing else"

He's a good lad though, Doyle, even if he seems to be easily influenced. The money I made selling him tickets to all of Chile's games in the World Cup really came in handy last summer.

**WeAreRovers** · 16/02/2007, 10:31 AM

That's a syndicated piece from the Guardian. The Irish Times football coverage consists of Mary Hannigan ripping off the Fiver, Tom Humphries banging on about Gah being the greatest thing in the world, Emmet Malone parrotting the latest guff from Ollie/FAI etc and the syndicated Guardian pieces. Why anyone would buy it is beyond me.

KOH

**BohsPartisan** · 16/02/2007, 10:35 AM

Have access to an online account that I don't pay for.

**NeilMcD** · 16/02/2007, 10:51 AM

Its always good to read stuff you dont agree with as it gives you a more balance view on things. I think reading about things that I constantly agreed with would be a very boring way of living.

**Dazzy** · 16/02/2007, 10:58 AM

Originally Posted by NeilMcD

Its always good to read stuff you dont agree with as it gives you a more balance view on things. I think reading about things that I constantly agreed with would be a very boring way of living.

Tell that to Delaney.

**Dodge** · 16/02/2007, 11:06 AM

Originally Posted by WeAreRovers

That's a syndicated piece from the Guardian. The Irish Times football coverage consists of Mary Hannigan ripping off the Fiver, Tom Humphries banging on about Gah being the greatest thing in the world, Emmet Malone parrotting the latest guff from Ollie/FAI etc and the syndicated Guardian pieces. Why anyone would buy it is beyond me.

I'm sure there are some who don't buy it for the fooball coverage.

I read the copy belonging to the guy who sits beside me in work...

**Calcio Jack** · 16/02/2007, 11:18 AM

Originally Posted by WeAreRovers

That's a syndicated piece from the Guardian. The Irish Times football coverage consists of Mary Hannigan ripping off the Fiver, Tom Humphries banging on about Gah being the greatest thing in the world, Emmet Malone parrotting the latest guff from Ollie/FAI etc and the syndicated Guardian pieces. Why anyone would buy it is beyond me.

KOH

Why buy the IT.... I can't even comprehend the notion that one wouldn't. A class paper....and even if you don't appreciate their sports coverage, their ongoing campaign to see Bertie and his pals removed from office is worth the cover price.

**WeAreRovers** · 16/02/2007, 11:20 AM

Originally Posted by Dodge

I read the copy belonging to the guy who sits beside me in work...

We get all the papers every morning so I can read them all and remain on the high moral ground at all times. Now where did I put my copy of the Mail?

KOH

**soccerc** · 16/02/2007, 11:28 AM

Originally Posted by WeAreRovers

I can read them all and remain on the high moral ground at all times. Now where did I put my copy of the Mail?

KOH

Is there a smilie missing somewhere there WAR?

**WeAreRovers** · 16/02/2007, 11:38 AM

Originally Posted by soccerc

Is there a smilie missing somewhere there WAR?

Assumed it was superfluous in any reference to the Mail.

KOH

**NY Hoop** · 16/02/2007, 11:59 AM

Originally Posted by Calcio Jack

Why buy the IT.... I can't even comprehend the notion that one wouldn't. A class paper....and even if you don't appreciate their sports coverage, their ongoing campaign to see Bertie and his pals removed from office is worth the cover price.

Spot on. Wipes the floor with west brit bogroll like the indo.

Anyway Hannigan knows nothing about the EL as is evidenced when a player moves to england or scotland and is not mentioned in the stats on monday.

Humphries has gone alarmingly downhill since his claim to fame on an island many moons ago. Dont read his drivel anymore.

Thornley is still the best sports journalist around.

Buy the IT and the sun on saturdays. The best and worst

although the tabloids are great for EL coverage if a little simplistic.

KOH

**pete** · 16/02/2007, 12:59 PM

Other papers might have more eL coverage but the IT has the best eL journalist.

Overall the IT is the best newspaper in this country by some distance. The Indo is 90% wire service as have few if any foreign correspondents. There is little differenc between buying the Indo & the Guardian/Independent/Times from the Uk.

Tabloids are papers which provide information wwithin their remit but they are not newspapers. Celebrity & Soap stories does not count as news in the newspaper sense of the word.

**Dodge** · 16/02/2007, 1:07 PM

Originally Posted by pete

Other papers might have more eL coverage but the IT has the best eL journalist.

yeah, but they hva ehim on the rugby now

**WeAreRovers** · 16/02/2007, 1:35 PM

Originally Posted by Dodge

yeah, but they hva ehim on the rugby now

Beat me to it.

Gerry Thornley is IMO the best sports journalist in the country. As for Emmet Malone, people seem to confuse his ability to write well with good journalism. Two entirely different things.

KOH