COME ON YOU PAUL'S NAMED GREEN !!

Match programme €5. Armagh GAA hat at a ROI soccer game, priceless.

Friday night saw a new name emerge in Irish football, Paul Green.  A debut on Tuesday followed up with a first goal on Friday evening, as far as starts to an international career go, they don't get much better.  Pulling the strings in the central midfield area alongside Glenn Whelan there was no doubt the Republic of Ireland looked like a side reborn following that fateful night at the Stade de France in November.  Two comfortable wins over World Cup finalists Paraguay and Algeria respectively cement the notion that this is an Irish side on the up. 

Unfortunately for the Republic the timing of this resurrgence in form has come 12 months too late.  Had they converted those draws into wins during the qualifiers, the boys in green would be on that plane to South Africa leaving Italy and France in what would in effect be the 'Celebrity Deathmatch' of international football.  Can you imagine the reaction at FIFA HQ?!  Sepp Blatter and co. would be left scampering for 'Plan B' and forcing through that 33rd team for the Finals after all...

Fear not though, Giovanni Trappatoni looks like he is here for another campaign at least.  The Italian is a man on a mission, and that is to guide the Republic of Ireland to a major Championship.  He has the perfect opportunity too.  The strongest side in his group for the European Championship's are Russia.  Hardly spine-tingling.  Infact, I'd fancy their chances to qualify as group winners.  At 11/4 with partybets.com they're certainly worth a flutter.

THE FOOLS, THE FOOLS

On a more serious note, following tonight's game at the RDS in Dublin between ROI and Algeria, I have to come to the conclusion that 'Nordies' at Republic of Ireland football matches are quite possibly the most deluded people you will come across on the island.  Imagine (if you will) a rather obese Northerner sporting an orange Armagh GAA shirt with Irish Tricolour painted on his forehead.  Imagine him plonking himself directly behind you stuffing what could have been a hot-dog (gone in seconds whatever it was) down his throat, whilst belting out Amhrán na bhFiann in what could have been the Craigavon dialect of Ulster-Scots.  After his sense of national pride had clearly been established, the much anticipated pre-match analysis was filtered through to the rest of the onlookers in the 16,000 strong crowd...

"Here mate, is that Hun b****** Bougherra startin'?"

As cringeworthy as it was, the response from the gentleman sat next to the young ill-informed Northerner was nonchalant...

"Which one's Hun-Bougherra buddy?"

Oblivious to the young lad's bigotry, the local man went on to watch the game with the rest of us in the 21st century.  However, it summed up for me all that is wrong with the large sections of people from Northern Ireland that regularly follow the Republic of Ireland at football.  These sections are intent on forcing their politics upon fans of the Southern team - many of whom simply arn't interested. 

When will the people who tar the Northern Ireland support as bigots come to the realisation that infact, the scourge of sectarianism is still alive and kicking in certain sections of the Republic of Ireland support too?

And when will these 'patriotic' fans who flock across the border in the name of 'Irish Unity' understand a 26-county Irish team is just as much a partitioned Irish side as a 6-county one? 

To quote another cringeworthy Irishman, the answers may be.....

"Never".

FRANKIE BRINGS IT TO THE BOYLE

Frankie's first of five night Irish Tour at Dublin's Vicar Street venue

If I were a referee I would be Graham Poll.  Why?  Because after my visit to Vicar Street last night I would have given Glaswegian comic Frankie Boyle three yellow cards and one red, he was that good.  Of course by 'good', I mean surprisingly bad.

I'll confess to be no comedy guru, but I know the difference between a Bill Hicks and say... a Roy Chubby Brown.  Last night's performance from fun-time Frankie made 'Chubs' bigoted 'angry-man' performances look like the work of a genius. 

Although in fairness to Frankie, he brought along an excellent warm-up act in the marvellous Craig Campbell from Canada (yes, it is a very Canadian name isn't it?).  The Billy Connelly look-a-like had the Irish crowd in stitches with some interesting 'Dublinisms' as well as tales of how he almost got a kiss in Glasgow.  But, it was the headline act the sold-out crowd were there to see.  Step forward Frankie, son. 

The former 'Mock The Week' funnyman had some great material.  His hecklers were put down with hilarious ease.  Ripping the piss out of the 'The Britz' also went down well with the home faithful.  But much of this was lost amidst his perverted obsession to focus on hard-hitting gags on sex-abuse, Down's Syndrome and Baby P.  Much of the routine tended to be just one endless dreary drive down the same miserable Fritzl family infested road... with admittedly, a few enjoyable speed bumps along the way.   In his autobiography he claims to be a big fan of Monbiot and Chomsky. It was a crying shame he didn't focus more on political subjects. 

Looking back, I still don't know what to make of Frankie's performance.  He is no doubt a very talented comedian with a huge target audience out there.  Infact one in which I would still include myself in.  But, last night I was just disappointed to leave the Thomas Street venue questioning the length of time spent on 'sex-abuse' sensationalisms rather than giggling cheekily at some expected outrageous gags.  However, not to the extent I had anticipated.

There was no need for goal-line technology last night. Frankie Boyle had rather emphatically crossed it already himself.

HOLYWOOD BOYS FC - R.I.P

The 'Treble'-winning U10 team of 1998 & Champions of Northern Ireland    (me: 6th back-row)

It was with great sadness recently to learn that my first junior football club Holywood Boys were taken over by the ex-Formula One driver Eddie Irvine and exported to Bangor.  The new name...

... "Eddie Irvine Sports Football Club".

Founded in 1991 Holywood Boys was a junior football club based predominately in the North Down area of Ulster.  As the name suggests, it was originally an all boys youth football club. It's training pitches were based at Redburn before relocating to Spafield further in the town.  They were also a club with whom I was proud to have represented for six years.  It was at the tender age of ten that I was 'scouted' whilst on international duty (otherwise known as school football) by the club's founder, and current County Down IFA coach, Raymond Alexander.  A knock on the door of the house one memorable day in June by the man himself persuaded me to give up my Saturday morning lie-in's for the more-often-than-not muddy slogfests on the slightly over-sized King George's Playing Fields, just next to the famous Oval stadium.  Following a slightly deluded swap with a friend I parted ways with my recently aquired Nintendo Gameboy and traded it for none-ther than a pair of (wait for it...) 'Patrick' football boots.  I was ready for action.

Holywood Boys FC was where I would showcase my Cruyff turns, Baggio flicks (not mullets), and Gazza celebrations for a total of six years.  At 16 (and a couple of dodgy stints with George Best's old club Boyland FC of Sydenham) I'm quite happy to admit as a player, I had peaked.  A season-long spell on my boyhood club Glentoran FC's books had ended and with a tinge of regret.  I parted ways with East Belfast's finest and it was back to North Down I went, joining hometown club Holywood FC (no connection whatsoever to Holywood Boys FC) then finally into the welcoming arms of Bangor Swifts FC. 

However, it was with those youthful years at Holywood Boys with whom I enjoyed the most success.  In 1998 at U10 level we quite simply were 'the Cream of Northern Ireland' at our age group.  A Dundonald Junior League 'Double' success was followed up by victory in what was known then as 'The Champions of Champions' (the Champions' League - except better).

I started off as a centre forward, dropped into centre midfield, won player of the year two seasons on the trot as a centre-back (hated it), and laterly found myself occupying the left-wing (politically too on occasion).  Mr Versatile.  What can I say, John O'Shea learnt from the best!

On the whole our club had a massive appeal country-wide.  Our chief scout (Walter Windrum) only needed to murmer the words 'Holywood Boys' and manys a young lad's ear would perk up immediately.  Off the top of my head current stars of the Irish and English leagues such as Chris Brunt (West Brom) and Jamie Mulgrew (Linfield) both plyed their trade early on at Holywood Boys.  Jamie himself would testify that Holywood Boys played a crucial part in his development and had undoubtably nurtured his obvious talent at such a young age.

Players within my age-bracket in-particular tended to flock from all over the UK and Ireland to join us.  The most notable was the signing of four players from the now defunct Antrim Eagles who travelled at least 20 miles just to come to training in Holywood every Wednesday night.  Fair play to those lads inparticular because if truth be told, I wasn't even willing to spend my Wednesday nights enduring the 3 mile bus journey to Glentoran Colts for training (lack of car in the family ruined my GFC career, there I said it!).

In an era in Northern Ireland which can only be classified as 'transition', Holywood Boys excelled.  Whether you be of Catholic or Protestant; it simply did not matter.  Our club was quintessentially the ultimate cross-community junior football club.  I can recall a tournament in Blackpool where our club was ridiculously accused of being 'bigoted' by someone from a rival club who took offence to seeing a one of our players who had the indignity of sporting a Rangers FC shirt post-match.  This grievance was countered by the sight of a Rangers shirt displayed on our teams window - alongside a Glasgow Celtic top. The aggreived party's head must have been doing Obafemi Martins somersaults at the absurtity of it all!

However on the playing side of things it was to be, and rather inevitably, the huge Bangor influx of players which would be to the detriment of Holywood Boys Football Club.  In recent years the club even re-located to Bangor which all but resigned the 'Holywood' name into obscurity.  Indeed, along came Eddie Irvine in 2008 with his very own sports' complex to promote in Bangor.  The final nail in our club's coffin was finally within range.  Eddie's target... my once great junior club Holywood Boys.

Rest In Peace HBFC (1991-2008).

BATTLE OF THE CHAMPIONS - PART DEUX

This weekend see's the final round of group games in the Setanta Cup where three of four teams will progress to the semi-finals of the all-Ireland tournament.  St Pat's Athletic head north to Belfast as they face-off against Irish League runners-up Linfield, in what should be an 'All-or-Nothing' encounter.  Following last week's 1-1 draw at Richmond Park it's hard to know what way the game will swing, but I'd expect home advantage to push the Blues over the finishing line - which Sligo Rovers so far are the only one's to cross.

However, the pick of the clashes will be in the Dublin suburb of Phibsboro where Irish League champions Glentoran travel south of the border to meet League of Ireland champions Bohemians at Dalymount Park.  The former home of international football in the Republic will play host to a near-capacity crowd as will it's current home, at Croke Park, which should also be full of northern soul come Saturday afternoon as Ireland's rugby team take on Wales - a double-whammy for the Ulster support amongst the travelling Glentoran contingent, no doubt. 

The East Belfast men will be out for revenge following their 2-1 defeat at the Oval in December.  However, the 'Cock n Hens', who are under new management in the rookie Scott Young, will know they can still do what is required of them. With the 'Gypsies' progression in the competition guaranteed, there is a fair chance it will be against a weakened Bohemian FC.  But with the League of Ireland season only just under way, there will be players on the fringes looking to impress their manager - ex-Linfield player - Pat Fenlon. 

This will be my second time at Dalymount Park, having had the "unique" experience of sitting amongst the fans of Boh's Dublin rivals... Shamrock Rovers.  It wasn't a good night for ' The Hoops' in that clash last season with Boh's winning 2-0, and by all accounts the post-match riots on the city's O'Connell Bridge produced a similar result.  Legion 1882, you have met your match.

The Future of the Setanta Cup...

Ticket allocation for the Glens was set at 1,000 although with popularity of the all-Irish competition fading rapidly this season, I wouldn't be surprised if the away support is closer to 500 come kick-off.  There have been various calls for a massive overhaul of the Setanta Cup.  I would agree with that.  First stage of the overhaul  would be to remove the FAI from any kind of power.  This would eliminate the potential of making a mockery of the competition (see last year's Setanta Cup Final fiasco).  Playing cup final's on opposing team's grounds make it a home game for the opposing team.  IFA take note.

The current Setanta Cup format involves:
- 4 teams (Irish League, NI)
- 5 teams (League of Ireland, ROI)
- 3 groups of 3.
- 3 winner's progress to Semi Final.
- 1 (best) runner-up progress to Semi-Final.
- Final venue decided by FAI/IFA (alternating years)

The basic concept is certainly there, but the teacher's report to the organising committee would be "could do better".  There is the possiblity that the competition could revert to a plain and simple 'knock-out' tournament which would open matches up to teams lower down in their domestic leagues.  We could be kicking-off this new format with Larne heading to Limerick and Athlone going to Ards.  Then, as with the FA Cup in England, the big teams could then enter the competition at a later stage. 

But of course, money would play a huge part in such plans for these clubs.  As we have seen this season with the unfortunate demise Cork City and Derry City, money is scarce at the bigger Irish clubs too.  Both club's eviction from the Setanta Cup hasn't helped the competition's credibility in the slightest, although in fairness Setanta can't be blamed for a club's financial troubles.  Infact, their willingness to stick by the all-Ireland competition in such dire times must be commended, especially as the broadcaster itself can't be making that much money from two poorly supported leagues on the island.  Shame on you EPL and SPL armchair 'fans'!

Also, in order to avoid the sheer bias on either associations part, let Setanta choose the venue for their 'prestigious final' once the two teams have been decided.  The FAI's last-ditch attempt to pump money into a dying Cork City FC by handing them home advantage at the last minute in the 2009 final was wreckless, and did nothing to convince me and many other local football enthusiasts that this island is ready for an 'All-Ireland League'. 

Until then, a revamped Setanta Cup will suffice. 

Saturday evening's game between Boh's and Glens, which is being billed as "The Battle of the Champions - Part Deux", will be televised on Setanta Ireland from 5:15pm.

Bring on the Champions !!

IRISH CONNECTION... UK?

Glamour friendly: ROI face Brazil in London, England

The mighty Brazil are in London town for what's being billed as the 'glamour friendly' of this weeks international fixtures.  However, the game itself which is set to take place at Arsenal FC's Emirates Stadium, won't see the 'Boys from Brazil' up against England.  Instead Giovanni Trappatoni's Republic of Ireland team will be the 'acting hosts' for the night.  It's not the first time an English stadium has been used by the Irish for friendly matches, and seems to be an increasing trend which will be no doubt be warmly welcomed amongst the UK's ever-expanding Irish community. 

The decision to play the game in London should of course also go down well amongst the following 10 (ten) UK-born contingent in the Republic's squad...

Keiran Westwood (Manchester, England)
Kevin Kilbane (Preston, England)
Kevin Foley (Luton, England)
Sean St Ledger (Birmingham, England)
Marc Wilson (Armagh, NI)
Aiden McGeady (Glasgow, Scotland)
Darron Gibson (Derry, NI)
James McCarthy (Glasgow, Scotland)
Liam Lawrence (Nottingham, England)
Leon Best (Nottingham, England)

Aside from almost half of the Republic's squad, the United Kingdom's other connection to Ireland is of course Northern Ireland.  The Green and White Army (the fans) face a truly ugly friendly match in comparison to their Southern cousins.  Albania are the opposition, and the capital Tirana can expect a wave of green and white on Wednesday night as Northern Ireland (the team) are in town.  It is a game which, no matter how unattractive, is a useful workout for Nigel Worthington's men.  A vast improvement in the side's away form is a neccisity ahead of the upcoming Euro 2012 Qualifiers in September. 

Both Irish sides face very different tests, but nevertheless, can expect two tough matches.  One, against the silky samba skills of Brazil where Aiden McGeady should feel at home.  The other, an unknown quantity in Albania - and an unpredictable Northern Ireland on the road.

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Albania vs NI is available on BBC red button
ROI vs Brazil is available on Sky Sports
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THE MAGIC OF THE FA CUP?

I think not...

The FA Cup: Losing it's pulling power?

Last weekend saw the latest round of FA Cup ties in England.  Attendances on average for FA games are bottoming out.  Even the most ardent fan can see what direction football is taking in 2010.  Football is business, but the business is no longer the football.  A friend of mine at Liverpool Hope University - and die-in-the-wool Aston Villa and England supporter might I add - aired his views recently on the mechanisms driving football away from it's natural surroundings of achieving success on the pitch to aquiring it through money.

"The days of cup glory are all but dying. Public broadcasters and service stations have diverted their attention elsewhere in the last few years. Club defying moments are paled in comparison to the all conquering Premier League. Is it so far from the truth that a 'Top 4' finish is more important than a trophy in the cabinet? From the dawning of football, weren’t bragging rights intended to be about winning things?

Due respect to Alex Ferguson etc about their constant branding of the cup competitions, but I wonder whether they do have alternative motives. We can all admit that 10 years ago hectic Premier League schedules were cast aside for a shot of silverware glory.  These days the League Cup and FA Cup have become an inconvenience to top sides and an excuse to “blood” their young talent.  ITV will continually crave the public’s respect by airing apparently uninteresting ties, but at what point will this commercially dependent channel decided to discuss their future purchases of domestic silverware, especially when they acquired the rights to the champions league a few years back.

The ITV's acquisition of the FA Cup probably reflects indefinitely their target demographic, but at what point will the interest become insignificant. This year (2010) Liverpool, Arsenal and Manchester United have fallen to lower placed teams. Upsets like this do cause uncontrollable fantasies amongst football fans, however, when the bigger teams leave the competition the coverage disintegrates and attention is drawn back toward other sports on FA Cup weekend.  Foreign sport star such as Ricky Ponting, Steve Waugh and Tiger Woods have praised the presence on the FA Cup as a pivotal part of their childhood.

Is a re-branding close to the cards?  All compliant football fans would wish not, however, look how the Super-Bowl was advertised and branded... can we honestly admit that the same would have been done for the Portsmouth vs. Cardiff City final in 2008? I can imagine most wholehearted football fans would wince at the sight of an advert during an injury break, but without commercial investment, how much longer will domestic silverware continue?"

Definately food for thought.  Premier League and FA chiefs take note.  Cheers Shep!

Jack Shephard is the frontman of Indie-Rock band the Dead Electrics based in the North-West of England. You can catch them on Facebook and MySpace.