Wednesday, December 9, 2009

Clip Of The Week (Number 5)

Its Sweden!
Its also a good way to break a hip!

Thursday, December 3, 2009

Clip Of The Week (Number 4)

With a name like Rocky Baptiste you only expect good things.

Saturday, November 28, 2009

Clip of The Week (Clip 3)

Apologies for the lack of a clip last week. I rejected the opppurtunity to put the unpleasantness of Paris on the Blog. This week we have an example of why direct football isnt always ugly.

Monday, November 23, 2009

France v Ireland - The Fallout

AODH

(a) Ireland played magnificently in Stade de France on Wednesday. They went at the French with a freedom and a fluency we have not previously seen under Trappatoni. If we had played the same way in the group stages, we would have finished top as the Italians were there for the taking.
(b) Like everyone else, I was sickened by how things transpired in Paris. The illegal goal coupled with the scandalous late decision by FIFA to introduce seedings for the play-offs leaves a very bad taste in the mouth.
(c) Contrary to a lot of media commentary, Henry’s handball did not cost Ireland a place in South Africa; it denied us the chance of a penalty shoot-out.
(d) The referee – who otherwise had a fine game – was let down badly by his lineman. It is maddening to think that within 10 seconds of the goal, millions of viewers across the world had access to a replay. Surely, the fourth official should be looking at a monitor and should be advising the referee accordingly.
(e) There seems to be an obsession with labelling Thierry Henry as a cheat because he ‘got away with it’ not because of his intention to deceive the officials. I counted four handball offences by Robbie Keane in Paris, at least two of which were deliberate opportunities to gain an advantage for his team. The difference is that he was caught but the intention was there. How is this different to Henry? To me the outcome of the action is a secondary consideration.
(f) Rules are rules and I think it is nonsense to suggest that the status of the game should alter things. An illegal deception of the referee is wrong whether we are talking about a friendly, a group game, a cup final or a World Cup play-off. And yes, I think Roy Keane has a valid point. When we won an important penalty against Georgia (we were trailing at the time but won due to a penalty and a goal that went in off a shoulder) for a phantom foul against Robbie Keane, did the Irish players rush to the referee and say ‘that was not a foul’? Did the FAI offer a replay? No, we smiled, took the penalty and went on to win the game.
(g) When do we decide that someone’s career should be tarnished? Again, is it based on ‘getting away with it’? Italy’s Pizzini recently handled the ball into the net against Holland and wheeled away in celebration before being called back by the referee. Wigan’s Paul Scharner scored against Spurs yesterday with a handball infringement which was every bit as blatant as Henry’s. Paul Scholes punched the ball to the net (see above) in the Super Cup final (Sir Alex said it was ‘instinctive’). Was he trying to gain an unfair advantage? Of course he was! Wait until Scholes retires in a year or two and listen to everybody labelling him a ‘model professional.’

Let’s keep things in perspective and ease off on the word ‘cheat.’


GERRY

Where do you start with the events of Wednesday? Well I suppose you have to start with the performance of the Irish team. This is not green tinted spectacles, but this has to be one of the best performances by an Irish team in years, if ever! There is not one player who didn’t play to the full limits of their ability. It was said by many at half time that they worried if the Irish could keep up the same incredible level seen in the first half. Well they did and I think I speak for everyone in saying they were shocked, amazed and intensely proud. Was this finally the vindication of Trapattoni? Ireland played the French team off the pitch, not one French player apart from their keeper can put there hand up and say they played well. The problem for the French was they were not allowed to play; the Irish were in their faces for 90 minutes and beyond, stifling every attack. Many spoke before the game (some Irish pundits too) about the gulf in class between the Irish and the French squad, John O’Shea being the only Irish player in the squad playing in the Champions League, while this is true how many of the French team actually looked capable of playing in the Champions League based on this performance?

I looked at FIFA’s website on Thursday morning and underneath the results of the Netherlands versus France beach soccer match was a summary of the France versus Ireland grass game. To my amazement in the pathetic summary of the game which was written it seems by someone looking at the match on Teletext, there was not one mention of the Thierry Henry handball. This I think typifies the response of FIFA so far! Where is Sepp Blatter? Where is Michel Platini who although being president of UEFA and not directly involved surely owes the public some pathetic sound bite? Blatter is not a media shy person and in many occasions has far too much to say for himself. It seems they are hoping it will all blow over, not likely I imagine.

Everyone knows there were many mistakes made Wednesday night, and not all by the French and the Swedes. Paul McShane should have dealt with the ball, he should not have let it bounce or let Henry get goal side of him, nor should Richard Dunne, and Shay Given should possibly have dealt with it. Let’s face it though; the biggest mistake was not awarding the free out. First things first, Thierry Henry cheated. Plain and simple, there is no denying it and anyone that says any different is a fool (thanks for finally proving it Mr Beckham). The problem though and Henry is right in saying this, it is not his job to referee the game! That falls to Mr Svensson, his two linesmen and the 4th official; the referee had a poor line of sight for the incident, but the linesman was in a clear position to see it and should have attracted the referee’s attention. If the Irish bench could see it you would imagine that the 4th official seen it. The referee told Irish players that Henry trapped the ball on his chest; if this is the case its then it is more obvious he didn’t see it. Why did the referee think the Irish players were livid? In most cases you will get one or two players looking for a decision but the whole team? No doubt this incident will result in one thing and that is a mass campaign for video technology, this will be helpful but it won’t help Ireland get to South Africa. Personally I don’t see a replay happening, for one what if Ireland lost? We would look a little silly, could Ireland reproduce that level or performance? Unlikely. Never a group to let an opportunity to win hearts and minds the government has jumped on the bandwagon calling for a replay also, on the surface this probably looks like kissing babies but to be honest when you think a figure of €26 million was quoted in a national newspaper today as the amount of money Ireland stand to lose at the hands of Mr Henry. We could certainly do with that. Oh and by the way I was aware of Roy Keane’s comments, I just didn’t think they warranted discussion.

Wednesday, November 11, 2009

Clip Of The Week (Number 2)

This week its the turn of the goal keepers to suffer!
I bet you watch this more than once!
How?.........

Wednesday, November 4, 2009

Clip Of The Week (Number 1)



In a new series there will be a weekly clip from the World Wide Web of sport and all the hilarity it brings.
The first one is from one of the best players to ever grace the Premiership, Mr Henry, showing he wasn't just clever on the pitch.

Monday, September 7, 2009

BEING STEPHEN [IRELAND] by Gerry Moloney

“I would love to play for Ireland, absolutely love it”. Believe it or not this quotation is from Stephen Ireland. Not last week, but in December 2005. Just around the time he had broken into the Man City first team with a man of the match display in his debut against Everton in October of the same year. The future looked bright for the young man from Cobh. So why was there a desire to play for Ireland and why wasn’t he playing? Ireland had been told he would never play for Ireland again after having an argument with underage supremo Brian Kerr. The details being, a Republic of Ireland underage team were due to play in Cobh, and Ireland being a native of the seaside town thought Kerr would at least consider him worthy of a game in front of the masses of family and friends he had invited to the game. This wasn’t the case; in fact he wasn’t even considered for a place on the bench. Now considering Ireland had left Man City mid season you can see why he would be annoyed, to the extent he considered declaring for England or Italy (which he was entitled to do). Ireland was never too far away from the spotlight. In the 2007/08 season he decided to introduce a new goal celebration which involved dropping his shorts to reveal “superman” boxers. He was lucky to escape further sanctions. Then came the Bebo page scandal in which he publicly (on the web) declared his hatred for football and posted pictures that would make a sailor blush. When you thought it couldn’t get worse there was the “grannygate” scandal. Whilst away in Slovakia with the Ireland squad, then manager Steve Staunton received a call from Ireland’s girlfriend saying that Stephen’s grandmother had died. Staunton relayed the message to Ireland who contacted home, learning that sadly his girlfriend had in fact miscarried. Ireland went back to Staunton and asked to return home due the death of his maternal grandmother (who had partly raised Ireland from the age of 5). The FAI arranged a private jet to fly him home.

On his return home it emerged that in fact Ireland’s maternal grandmother was still happily alive if not a little bemused by the messages of condolences. When Ireland was then contacted by the FAI he replied that there had been some confusion and that it was in fact his paternal grandmother. After more investigation by the media it was discovered that Ireland’s other granny was also happily still alive. In the days that followed the true and sad reason for his departure from Slovakia Ireland had in attempt to shield attention from his private life had thrown it wide open. The media furore was possibly the biggest since Saipan and left most people bemused. Afterwards Ireland stated “I love playing for my country and am grateful for the understanding Mr Staunton and the FAI have shown to me since I told them the truth”

So where is Stephen Ireland? Since his self-imposed international exile he has flourished in the Premiership, scoring 23 goals in 96 games for Man City; he is one of only 3 first team players that started last season for Man City to be still there! Since “grannygate” a new manager of the national team has given us a renewed sense of optimism about Irish international soccer, one that hasn’t been there since the age of Jack Charlton and Mick McCarthy. With 4 goals in 6 games for the national team it is obvious what we are missing. But we are on the verge of qualification, and it has become more obvious in recent months and weeks that Ireland is unlikely to come back. If interviews in the Sunday Times are to be believed it is “the best decision” he ever made. Whatever Ireland’s reasons for staying away, one is sure that in later life he will have regrets. The media are doing their bit to perpetuate the stand-off to the extent that Mr Trapattoni cannot hold a press conference without someone asking about Stephen Ireland. At this stage would it be fair for Ireland to come back into the squad? I don’t think so. Whose place would he take? Do the Irish squad want him back and how would he be received? I imagine that this has more to do with Ireland’s absence than anything else. It wouldn’t have happened in Jack Charlton’s day. In fact Jack Charlton recently said “I don’t agree with him, he needs to apologise. Come and play and say you’re sorry for what you said and did -- or bugger off and don’t bother”. There wasn’t much big Jack was wrong about.

Friday, August 28, 2009

THE EDUARDO CONTROVERSY

The first big controversy of the season has arrived thanks to Eduardo! There's no doubt in my mind that the Croatian's initial intention was to engineer a penalty but the contact never came from Boruc and he then went to ground. Did he dive? YES. Should diving be outlawed? YES. Should divers receive match bans? YES.

The problem, of course, is consistency or the lack thereof. Why start with Eduardo? I counted at least three dives from Celtic players over the course of the match but they occurred around the halfway line and received no attention. What really angers me about the Eduardo story is the blatant 'Johnny Foreigner bashing' in the British media. The worst dive I have ever seen was from Steven Gerrard when winning a penalty against Hungary before the 2006 World Cup. Was he lambasted? No, quite the contrary. Ian Wright applauded him for doing it, arguing that in the World Cup 'THEY will all be doing it (diving) over THERE.' Gerrard has continued in the same vein since then, including his spectacular dive against Atletico Madrid. Let us not forget Wayne 'Wazza' Rooney who dived to win a penalty against Arsenal in the 2004/2205 season when the Gunners were trying to extend their long unbeaten run to 50 games. And don't get me started on Joel Cole, Emile Heskey, Ashley Cole and Gary Neville who hit the deck with great regularity.

Maybe UEFA are right to make an example of Eduardo on the basis that they have to start somewhere but this is a very dangerous can of worms which is being opened. UEFA will now be obliged to act on EVERY dive and dish out bans accordingly. I hope they do so; if they don't then Eduardo is being victimised. Presumably they will go after Messi whose violent head movement against Shaktar tonight warranted a red card? Certainly, any other player in the world would have been shown a red card.

Eduardo was wrong and there is no defence but are UEFA really going to go down this road and why have they waited until now? Surely Ronaldo gave them plenty of opportunities to act over recent years?

Tuesday, June 30, 2009

MANAGER OF YEAR


Karol Coleman swept the boards as the Overall League Winner from January to May and the Manager of the Year 2009. Can he be toppled next season?

CLUB PERSON OF THE YEAR


This award went to the shirt-burning and fun-loving JP Quinn who received a (priceless) UCCFFC t-shirt.

AWARD WINNERS - CUP OF CHAMPIONS AND SHIELD



On Thursday 25 June 2009 the inaugural UCCFFC movie and awards night was held in UCC's Aula Maxima. Amongst the award recipients were Frank Burke (Cup of Champions) and Marita Foster (UCCFFC Shield, on behalf of her brother, Dominic).

Tuesday, May 5, 2009

KREUZ CONTROL


Mark Kreuzer claimed his fourth monthly career title by winning in April. Mark won the first ever UCCFFC award in August 2001 but then - amazingly - had to wait until December 2006 for his next success before triumphing again in August 2007. The other top five placings in April were (2) Aodh Quinlivan; (3) Karol Coleman; (4) Evan Healy and; (5) Eric Moore.

RYAN GIGGS EDITORIAL (Issue 269)

With 801 appearances for Manchester United under his belt (and counting) plus 10 Premier League titles, 2 UEFA Champions League medals, 4 FA Cups and an UEFA Cup (I’m leaving out some of the smaller titles) Ryan Giggs is a footballer apart who richly deserves many accolades and a ‘Lifetime Achievement’ award. However, on the basis of 12 league starts and one goal (the stats have risen to 13/2 after the weekend) the Welsh Wizard was somewhat fortunate to be crowned PFA Player of the Year last weekend. In my mind, the likes of Vidic, Lampard and Gerrard were more deserving but I don’t have a vote! Equally, in the ‘Young Player’ category I would have ticked Stephen Ireland’s name on the ballot box in preference to Ashley Young.

Having set out my stall that Giggs should not be the Player of the Year, I would now like to justify his selection and pay tribute to him! The PFA award comes from the professional footballers themselves and this gives it credibility. Perhaps players were influenced by the Manchester United PR charm offensive and the concerted media effort back in January to crown Giggs but, nonetheless, players know what goes on during matches and they clearly value what Giggs has done over the past 12 months. Even if there was some sentimentality attached to the decision, so what? The second point I would like to make came to me yesterday afternoon as Leinster were destroying Munster in the Heineken Cup at Croke Park. The young Brian O’Driscoll was known for his dash, his cutting line breaks and his pace. Due to bulking up, regular injuries and getting older, O’Driscoll can no longer do on a rugby pitch what came so naturally to him 10 years ago. But he has not disappeared. Instead, O’Driscoll has accepted Father Time and adjusted his game accordingly and he now relies on other strengths – experience, anticipation and tackling. It takes a certain type of character to carry this off, a person who has natural talent, mental strength and a great intelligence. Ryan Giggs also possesses these characteristics. His re-invention and longevity surpasses even O’Driscoll. Giggs cannot gallop up the left wing in the thrilling fashion of old but, as a central midfielder, he offers quality, class and – that word again – intelligence. Maybe he’s not the true Player of the Year but can we really begrudge him the honour?

Monday, April 20, 2009

Taking my life in my hands, I have engaged in my annual task of drawing up my team of the season. My main dilemma was with the forward positions. Last season, Ronaldo and Adebayor both scored more than 30 league goals but this time around Anelka remains the top scorer on 15 and he has been stuck on that total for a while. I think the best striker in the Premier League is Torres and, on current form, I would pair him with the revitalised Drogba. However, neither player makes my team because – on the basis of form over the season – they do not deserve to be there.
I’ve opted for a 3-5-2 formation (this is hard luck on Bosingwa who would have made it at right full-back in a 4-4-2) as follows:

Van der Sar (Goalkeeper)

Jagielka (Centre-half, right)
Vidic (Centre-half, central)
Carragher (Centre-half, left)

Ireland (Midfield, right)
Cahill (Midfield, right central)
Lampard (Midfield, central)
Barry (midfield, left central)
Taylor (Midfield, left)

Gerrad (Striker, support)
Rooney (Striker)

Sunday, March 29, 2009

FRIEDEL EDITORIAL (Issue 265)

Don’t get me wrong, I like Brad Friedel. He comes across as a decent bloke and he has arguably been the best and most consistent goalkeeper in the Premier League over the last decade. However, I am flabbergasted that the FA rescinded the red card he received in Sunday’s defeat at Liverpool. Friedel made a genuine effort to get to the ball but Torres beat him to it, knocked it past the keeper and then had nowhere to go but into Friedel. Torres was denied ‘a clear goalscoring opportunity’ and Friedel was the last man (Reo-Coker was ahead of his goalkeeper). While perhaps a penalty and a yellow card might have been enough punishment, referee Martin Atkinson was correct under the current laws to dismiss the American. How can referees operate effectively when their (correct) decisions are reversed by the FA? This totally undermines the credibility of referees and it is no surprise that the Professional Game Match Officials Board has written to the FA seeking clarification on how the decision to rescind was reached. Meanwhile, Friedel gets to play on and extend his record of consecutive appearances in the Premier League. Good luck to him.

SPIT-FIRE EDITORIAL (Issue 264)

You all know my bias by now as I am an Arsenal supporter and a big fan of Cesc Fabregas. But if the young Spaniard did spit at Hull City’s Brian Horton on Tuesday night, then I have no hesitation in describing it as a disgraceful action for which the player should be fined and suspended by Arsenal and the FA. Of course, fair judgement has to be reached on the understanding that you are innocent until proven guilty. Fabregas has not issued a ‘no comment’ statement or a bland denial; rather, he has strenuously and unambiguously denied the charge of spitting. For now, that is good enough for me. If the FA investigation declares Fabregas guilty then he will be discredited as not only a pizza-thrower and a spitter but also a liar. I do find it interesting that the initial outrage expressed by Hull about Fabregas allegedly spitting at Horton has been reduced to an accusation that he may have spat on the ground near Horton’s feet. There is quite a difference here!

In terms of the claim that Wenger refused to shake hands with Phil Brown after the game, I have three comments to make. (1) As a general principle, I believe that what happens on a pitch should be left there and handshakes should be exchanged at the end. (2) Notwithstanding the first point, it is not always easy to shake someone’s hand after a match where there has been tension. I have never refused a hand after a match in which I was involved but I have walked off pitches without extending my hand to opponents. If some of the comments allegedly made by Horton and the Hull City staff towards Wenger during the game are to be believed then the Frenchman was entitled to walk away. (3) Phil Brown also claimed that Wenger refused to shake his hand at the other two meetings between the clubs this season. This is plain wrong (see above picture which shows the two managers shaking hands at the Emirates after the league match). It should also be noted that Wenger was fulsome in his congratulations and praise for Hull after they beat Arsenal at the Emirates.

While I am unconvinced by the spitting charge and think that the ‘handshake’ issue is unimportant it does bother me though that, under Wenger, Arsenal have gained a reputation for being arrogant in victory and whingers in defeat. This has to change and it is up to Wenger (as manager) and Fabregas (as captain) to set a proper example.

Monday, February 23, 2009

UCCFFC Logo


Paul Kennedy has designed a logo for the UCCFFC which will be used on all of our material from this point forward. Paul’s design is based on some straightforward concepts: the four sections in the diamond represent the centre of the quadrangle in UCC; the two towers are the gates of Cork, as in the county logo; and, of course, red and black are the college colours.

Thursday, January 22, 2009

THE GREAT KICK-OFF


Everton's Steven Pienaar is really excited about the start of the second half of the UCCFFC season. Speaking exclusively to Sliding Tackle, he said: - 'I can't wait for things to start up again; the build-up has been great and excitement levels are high. I'm especially interested to see how the new managers perform, if JP lives up to his promises and how the Cup of Champions and Shield pan out. I presume I've been selected by a lot of managers?' {Ed. er no, Steven, actually not, sorry mate}.