Tír Na HiFi

What an amazing game between Italy and Spain! It had everything: skill, tactics, guts and spirit! One of the best games I have seen in ages!

I agree Jared. Rugby is very seldom won by the weaker team. There are still many aspects of rugby I find interesting! Though my favourite sport is American Football. ;)

I'm feeling cheated...

I'm a Leicester City fan...

Sean St Ledger is one of our central defenders...

he scored ONE goal for us all last season (in the FA Cup 5th Round)...

and now he goes and scores for his country!!

Let's hope he gets another one for you in the 2nd half... ;-)

Disappointing to concede goals like that but Croatia were technically the better side and you cant really argue with the result. Ireland are simply lacking quality in certain positions to compete at this level. Plenty of commitment and spirit to be fair to them.
Sorry to be negative but I said a few months ago that I could see Ireland loosing all 3 games. With the earlier result in the group, Spain and Italy now really need the points. They'll see Ireland as the easier of the remaining games to get those points in.

I echo everything Dave said. A real shame about the soft goals. I still thought Ireland played better football than Denmark against Netherlands.... :) Just the last bit of skill and confidence on the ball needed from Ireland. Lets hope the Italians are in one of their bad moods!

Claus wrote:Dave: I am also a F1 nut. Must have a chat with you regarding races to go to. I want to bring my Dad and brother to one maybe next year... :)

just seeing this now. Yeah send me a pm if you wish. If there is one F1 race to go to in your lifetime then it has to be the Italian GP at Monza for two reasons: 1. Fastest track in the calender where the speeds are incredible 2. The fanatical Ferrari fans, The Tofosi. They make for a great atmosphere.

Monaco for the loudness due to the noise echoing all round the narrow streets. Not easy or cheap to get the best seats though and seating is limited.

I too confess to being a F1 addict but the circuit for me is:

Spa-Francorchamps

Why? fast and tight flowing corners and the famous Eau Rouge, along with a micro-climate that can change the weather in minutes.

Dreadful to watch but unfortunately Ireland just dont have a cutting edge. Our 'stars' Duff and Keane are around since saipan and precious little has come through. But second goal shouldn't have been given and decent shout for a penalty but that would have just papered over the cracks.
Croatia looked a better more skilful team and always looked threatening.

tony wrote: Our 'stars' Duff and Keane are around since saipan and precious little has come through

Indeed. With the influx of star names from abroad now dominating the Premiership I think it may be a long time before we see Ireland with players similar to the Charlton era.

tony wrote:Dreadful to watch but unfortunately Ireland just dont have a cutting edge. Our 'stars' Duff and Keane are around since saipan and precious little has come through. But second goal shouldn't have been given and decent shout for a penalty but that would have just papered over the cracks.
Croatia looked a better more skilful team and always looked threatening.

Yeah got it in one. Soccer is all about the mid-field area and Ireland were poor in that area. Duff tried hard, McGeady was AWOL for most of the game, Whelan and Andrews are basically defensive mid-fielders and there was nobody to put the strikers into a position where they had a chance to score. Ireland score mainly from set plays. The mid-field have to work the ball into a position where a set play can create danger, this did not happen against the Croats. The substitutions by Trap were mindless and without any purpose. Hard to see where Ireland will pick up a point at this stage....

C'MON IRELAND