Ireland v Ecuador - Match Thread

**billybunter** · 24/05/2007, 12:53 AM

any of you lads going to the game in boston on saturday?

**drummerboy** · 24/05/2007, 12:54 AM

Murphy got the ball on the left wing and swung in a great ball, Doyle scored with a brilliant diving header, very brave. O’Halloran at left full looks a decent player. Kelly doing well at right full, two lads in the centre all over the place. Potter started well, spraying the ball around but became less influential as half wore on, his delivers from set pieces are excellent. Keogh and Hunt are trying hard without too much success. Kilbane not really in it. Lads up front not getting enough ball to worry the Ecudoran defence.

**billybunter** · 24/05/2007, 12:56 AM

hows our keper looking?

**SwanVsDalton** · 24/05/2007, 12:57 AM

Originally Posted by eirebhoy

In fairness he has been given such a difficult job of leading the line. It's something that takes years of experience and I doubt he's even the leader of the line at Ipswich. Unless you're the genius that is Paul McShane you shouldn't be playing such a crucial role on your debut. I suppose there's no option really. A lot of the time he doesn't no whether to mark a player, push out or do anything. We should have brought Kenny Cunningham over for this.

Fair point. Perhaps not quite as ignominious as Butler but different quality is needed for this level and sometimes, like McShane, it can be found from the most unlikliest of souces at the most unlikliest of times. He doesn't look up to snuff and neither does Bennett. O'Halloran looks a bit Hartesque, decent going forward but all over the place defensively. Youth and a lack of left-back's will make his chances all the better.

Great goal though. Keogh should've put us in front.

**southsidebohs** · 24/05/2007, 12:59 AM

Keeper looking alright so far.Not much else to do apart from the goal but didnt have much chance with that.Poor defending from Bruce allowed him in.

**geysir** · 24/05/2007, 1:00 AM

No danger of falling asleep just yet
Ecuador on the ropes in the last few minutes before ht. The game is made for Hunt. Some rip roaring stuff. O'Halloran at LB has a bit of flair.
Kelly is just about holding some sanity to the back line.
What a goal by Doyle, one of those classic diving header goals from another era.

**billybunter** · 24/05/2007, 1:02 AM

brilliant lads - really appreciate the updates...

**timmy mallet** · 24/05/2007, 1:03 AM

Lapira on the bench then, chances of an appearance? Think O'Halloran has looked good as said before, need more from Kilbane, Keogh looks a bit lost wide right. Bennet and Bruce not workin, just defend about 5 yrds deeper and they'll be grand.

**billybunter** · 24/05/2007, 1:04 AM

hows hunt playin? and murphy?

**southsidebohs** · 24/05/2007, 1:05 AM

No changes at half time for Ireland

**timmy mallet** · 24/05/2007, 1:05 AM

JEEEESUS, nearly an OG special there - back off the ECU defender and just wide

**SwanVsDalton** · 24/05/2007, 1:08 AM

Aye interested to see Lapira get capped but at the same time you have to wonder if the FAI fancied saving a couple of plane fares. Why take domestic LOI talent when you can just grab a couple of natives from the locality eh?

**timmy mallet** · 24/05/2007, 1:09 AM

Good start to the 2nd half, Potter does look good, maybe a central midfielder who can pass the ball, aint seen that since Mark Kinsella... :-)

That same long ball over the top is doin us all the time... Kavieadas good chance, tried to lob Doyle from 20yrds after Kelly misjudged a hopefull ball

**SwanVsDalton** · 24/05/2007, 1:09 AM

Hunt and Murphy are doing well. Murphy has worked especially hard and his physicality has been useful. Also his ball for for Doyle's goal was a beaut.

**southsidebohs** · 24/05/2007, 1:10 AM

Good pressure from Ireland starting the second half.2 corners in the first 3 minutes.Potter coming out playing well.ECU just after coming close with a chip but caught pretty easily