Republic of Ireland vs. Montenegro - 14/10/09 **KO 7:00 PM**

deisedude

Stacksey wrote: »

where are you?

America at the moment. I watched it after the Italy game so they ballsed it up tonight

Het-Field

Lukewarm aptmosphere, at a crap game. Ireland didnt play at all. Hence im not to worried. McShane, Rowlands, Miller, Noel Hunt will not be around the team in November. I would also hope to see Stephen Reid and Steve Finnan available, even if that is a long shot.

Two major shots from Ireland. Monetenegro shaded the game, but seemed pleases with a point

My Ratings
Shay Given 8 Called into action, but never found wanting
Paul McShane 6 Some dodgey passes, but was stable enough
Kevin Kilbane 6 Lethargic, and sluggish
Richard Dunne 7 Strong at the back. Unlucky not to score.
Sean St Ledger 7 No omissions of note.
Stephan Hunt 7 Caused difficulty when running at the Monetnegro defence
Martin Rowlands 6 Booking and Injury. Not his best night
Liam Miller 5 Faded very badly
Noel Hunt 4 Lacked presence and was out of his depth
Robbie Keane 6 Tried his best, but was outmuscled too often
Daimen Duff 7 See Hunt

J.O Shea 7 Comfortable
L.Best 5 Little Impact
A.Keogh Not on long enough

IRISHSPORTSGUY

I think tonight demonstrated the importance of Aidan McGeady to the squad. We don't any other player with his pace and skill to go past players, which was so desperately missing.

Was disappointed with O'Shea in central midfield. Miller offered nothing apart from two decent passes - him and Gibson are a much of a muchness from what I've seen. They don't demand the ball enough like Andy Reid for instance.

Stephen Hunt was the best of a bad bunch.

deisedude

IRISHSPORTSGUY wrote: »

I think tonight demonstrated the importance of Aidan McGeady to the squad. We don't any other player with his pace and skill to go past players, which was so desperately missing.quote]

Shame he cant cross the ball

IRISHSPORTSGUY

deisedude wrote: »

I think tonight demonstrated the importance of Aidan McGeady to the squad. We don't any other player with his pace and skill to go past players, which was so desperately missing.quote]

Shame he cant cross the ball

His crossing is hit and miss, yes, but we missed a player that can run at the opposition and into dangerous territory, forcing the oppo's defenders to retreat and take the pressure off our defence a bit. He'd be in my starting XI.

As an aside, I acknowledge Duff is back from being injured the last couple of weeks but he was utterly woeful.

ANXIOUS

What dates will the home and away legs be played?

greeno

I actually hope we get the best team possible in the draw. Ireland always seem to raise their game against the big teams so heres hoping it aint Greece.

IRISHSPORTSGUY

greeno wrote: »

I actually hope we get the best team possible in the draw. Ireland always seem to raise their game against the big teams so heres hoping it aint Greece.

I think they'll up their tempo regardless in the play-offs. The importance is still the same. Just my opinion though.

Dodgykeeper

Some pics from tonight, it was a shocking boring game:










Full set here:

IRISHSPORTSGUY

The first half was below par in terms of quality but the second was just downright appalling.

noodler

Horrible game but I acually applaud Miller. For once in this campaign an Irish midfielder actually went looking for the ball on a regular basis.

My stand (Cusak) was fairly awful. The boys in the Hill and opposite (especially) were doing a good job of getting the atmosphere going but overall it was a struggle.

Awful game and we now have failed to beat 3 of the 5 other teams in our group.

CHD

Paul McShane should not be allowed play for Ireland, he gets the ball and goes backwards.

givyjoe81

bayviewclose wrote: »

Credit where credit is due Hunt played well, Miller started well but faded near the end.
I think if we play the likes of Portugal we are in big trouble.
Any team who plays an expansive game will put us under severe pressure.

Holy fcuking christ, not to pick on you! iv seen a few say this, the chap is absolute balls! He only served to reinforce just how balls he is tonight. Shocking stuff. The name gump comes to mind. His brother shouldn't be let within a hundred miles of the Irish team in future either.

Going to see the match in the flesh does remind you how shockingly bad some of our players are. Time after time instead of playing the ball forward when an attack was on, player after player simply didnt have the balls/or the abililty to take the pass on. The lack of urgency was infuriating, thought miller was the only one who improved his chances of moving up the pecking order.

LuckyLloyd

Felt sorry for Rowlands. Hope the injury doesn't prove to be too serious.

Spiritoftheseventies

Word has it Trap maybe putting in a protest re governing bodys decision to scrap the open draw for the play-offs.

podge018

Well then he's a bigger clown than i thought because it was never an open draw.

DazMarz

bayviewclose wrote: »

Word has it Trap maybe putting in a protest re governing bodys decision to scrap the open draw for the play-offs.

Don't know whether that will make shag all difference to Ireland. On the back of last night's GOD-AWFUL performance, any team could beat us.

It was, without a doubt, one of the worst games I have ever had the misfortune to go to. And I've seen some stinkers in my time... No imagination, no cohesion, no team spirit, no nothing... Awful.

cournioni

Does anybody know the phone number or address at the FAI where they deal with claims for getting 90 minutes of their life back? All I can say is thank fcuk that I don't go to Ireland games any more (on principle), and that I was watching it in the pub.

_blank_

Mexican wave after less than an hour.

Says it all really.

noodler

givyjoe81 wrote: »

Holy fcuking christ, not to pick on you! iv seen a few say this, the chap is absolute balls! He only served to reinforce just how balls he is tonight. Shocking stuff. The name gump comes to mind. His brother shouldn't be let within a hundred miles of the Irish team in future either.

Going to see the match in the flesh does remind you how shockingly bad some of our players are. Time after time instead of playing the ball forward when an attack was on, player after player simply didnt have the balls/or the abililty to take the pass on. The lack of urgency was infuriating, thought miller was the only one who improved his chances of moving up the pecking order.

Stephen Hunt? He actually played well and usually plays okay. Where are you getting all this from?

podge018 wrote: »

Well then he's a bigger clown than i thought because it was never an open draw.

Clown? For actually making a protest about it unlike our feeble FAI?

No that actually makes him the opposite of a clown boyo.

Des wrote: »

Mexican wave after less than an hour.

Says it all really.

Had to do something to quell the boredom, it was about 3 waves too many though.

_blank_

Stephen Hunt didn't play well at all, he couldn't cross a road last night.

Miller was decent though, and actually looked to play some football.

The game passed O'Shea by.

Rest of them a solid 6.5/10

speedboatchase

Des wrote: »

Mexican wave after less than an hour.

Says it all really.

It was 6 in a row actually. Only highlight I had of watching that muck was a kid behind me asking his dad when Rowland went down injured ":O... dad, is he dead?"

noodler

Des wrote: »

Stephen Hunt didn't play well at all, he couldn't cross a road last night.

Miller was decent though, and actually looked to play some football.

The game passed O'Shea by.

Rest of them a solid 6.5/10

Well is fairly relative but from the middle/front six I personally didn't think it was hard to put him in there with Duff and Miller as the slightly better performers.

Actually managed to beat/outpace his man, win a corner or two.

There really wasn't much competition last night.

_blank_

speedboatchase wrote: »

It was 6 in a row actually.

Row six where?

I was in row five, lower Cusack, at the halfway line, about ten yards inside the Hill 16 half.

Great location, it has to be said.

Pity about the football. And the Mexican waves.

Paulw

PORNAPSTER wrote: »

Does anybody know the phone number or address at the FAI where they deal with claims for getting 90 minutes of their life back?

I know what you mean. It was horrible. I think even some of the press photographers left at half time. There seemed to be fewer of us for the 2nd half.

And they should have had a penalty. That might have given life to the game and forced Ireland to play and score. :cool:

Now to wait and see who we draw.

Gary ITR

Anybody in Cusack see the two lads with the 'Bring Back Andy Reid Banner' at the end?

Two suits ran up, took the banner and then had a Garda take details from the lads. Shocking stuff really


I couldn't get a pic of the suits and the Garda because my battery went flat

edit: Big picture is big.. just click the link

loyatemu

Onkle wrote: »

Anybody in Cusack see the two lads with the 'Bring Back Andy Reid Banner' at the end?

Two suits ran up, took the banner and then had a Garda take details from the lads. Shocking stuff really


I couldn't get a pic of the suits and the Garda because my battery went flat

edit: Big picture is big.. just click the link

poor show from the FAI if true, though the ""Trap Reid our lips. We want Andy" flag was wittier.

_blank_

The FAI are notorious for taking down unflattering banners.

It's nothing but censorship.

grames_bond

Des wrote: »

The FAI are notorious for taking down unflattering banners.

It's nothing but censorship.

exactly, anyone remember the fan with the mick mccarthy/roy keane mastercard parody banner, fai had that removed too! its ridiculous!

_blank_

They've also taken down banners in Tolka Park, and threatened sanctions over a chant against John Delaney.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MQBB02KjO8o

It's Stalinist imo.

Gary ITR

loyatemu wrote: »

poor show from the FAI if true, though the ""Trap Reid our lips. We want Andy" flag was wittier.

I really don't think Andy Reid is our saviour, but I won't get into that now. The showing from the FAI officials last night was a disgrace. Him telling the Guard to take the lads details was gas and she duly obliged.

podge018

noodler wrote: »

Clown? For actually making a protest about it unlike our feeble FAI?

No that actually makes him the opposite of a clown boyo.

There was no decision to scrap the open draw so there's nothing for him to protest against. Boyo.

speedboatchase

Des wrote: »

Row six where?

I was in row five, lower Cusack, at the halfway line, about ten yards inside the Hill 16 half.

Great location, it has to be said.

Pity about the football. And the Mexican waves.

No I meant there was six Mexican waves one after another :pac:

Pighead

Des wrote: »

Row six where?

I was in row five, lower Cusack, at the halfway line, about ten yards inside the Hill 16 half.

Great location, it has to be said.

Pity about the football. And the Mexican waves.

Drunk again last night Des?

Spiritoftheseventies

Re banners, remember the time the Legendary Ollie Byrne tried to prize a "Hutton is Judas" flag away from Derry City fans during Pitza's time with Shels. Heard there was quite a struggle between Ollie and the Derry fans. Story always cracked me up.

dsmythy

Imagine Ireland v Greece in the playoffs! :eek:

ZZZZZZZZZZ

briany

George Hamilton sounded a little taken aback when the shot of the guy holding the Andy Reid tricolour was shown like he didn't expect something that inflammatory to be shown lol.

zefer

I was one of the fellas with the banner last night. We were standing holding quietly the banner, when it was grabbed from us.
My mate had his ticket taken from him by FAI heads. He eventually go it back but only after the FAI heads took pictures of it and scanned it...

The best bit about it was a senior Garda came up after the inital grabbing of the banner and was trying to figure out what was going on. He said to the FAI heads:
Garda: "Was it a political banner?" FAI: "No".
Garda: "was it a personal attack on someone" FAI: "No"
Garda: "who ordered the banner down?" FAI: "the head of FAI security!!"
Garda:"I dont understand what the problem is" FAI: "well its a controversial subject"

Senior Garda then told them that we hadnt done anything wrong and to give us to banner back. He was very polite and professional. He then got the flag and told us that we hadnt committed any offence and were free to go.

That was after us standing there getting our names taken by another Garda for 5-10 minutes in front of people going out of the stadium...Fair play to other fans hanging around giving the FAI heads a hard time for taking it off us. But in the end, 1 of the FAI lads was grand and was joking about it.

I could understand if we were making a racket but we were just standing there.. :rolleyes:

Spiritoftheseventies

briany wrote: »

George Hamilton sounded a little taken aback when the shot of the guy holding the Andy Reid tricolour was shown like he didn't expect something that inflammatory to be shown lol.

Yes lets remember no one took Roy Keanes side in Saipan. So dont expect a show of support for Andy from the players.
But the way I see it in terms of the play offs we wont be able for a team like France (probably the worst team we could meet), Russia are always tough and it depends which Portugal turns up on the day.
Greece will be the dream draw for us as it will suit Traps system of playing better.

noodler

podge018 wrote: »

There was no decision to scrap the open draw so there's nothing for him to protest against. Boyo.

Eh, they left it ambiguous until they were relatively certain how the groups would pan out.

You don't think that warrants protest?

Spiritoftheseventies

zefer wrote: »

I was one of the fellas with the banner last night. We were standing holding quietly the banner, when it was grabbed from us.
My mate had his ticket taken from him by FAI heads. He eventually go it back but only after the FAI heads took pictures of it and scanned it...

The best bit about it was a senior Garda came up after the inital grabbing of the banner and was trying to figure out what was going on. He said to the FAI heads:
Garda: "Was it a political banner?" FAI: "No".
Garda: "was it a personal attack on someone" FAI: "No"
Garda: "who ordered the banner down?" FAI: "the head of FAI security!!"
Garda:"I dont understand what the problem is" FAI: "well its a controversial subject"

Senior Garda then told them that we hadnt done anything wrong and to give us to banner back. He was very polite and professional. He then got the flag and told us that we hadnt committed any offence and were free to go.

That was after us standing there getting our names taken by another Garda for 5-10 minutes in front of people going out of the stadium...Fair play to other fans hanging around giving the FAI heads a hard time for taking it off us. But in the end, 1 of the FAI lads was grand and was joking about it.

I could understand if we were making a racket but we were just standing there.. :rolleyes:

Not sure gardai had any right to be taking your names. You made a peaceful protest. FAI were bang out of order there.

givyjoe81

noodler wrote: »

Stephen Hunt? He actually played well and usually plays okay. Where are you getting all this from?

Il just address this one.. Where did i get it from..? Well i unfortunately managed to stay awake last night while at the game, thought i pretty much explained where i got it from. He was appalling, absolutely no end product, no imagination, and no skill whatsoever, plus he cant pass the ball to save his life. Perhaps you think he was good as wasnt as bad as everyone else. Did he win man of the match?! That really should have been changed to 'least biggest pile of the sh!te of the match' award, and he wasnt even that.

noodler

givyjoe81 wrote: »

Il just address this one.. Where did i get it from..? Well i unfortunately managed to stay awake last night while at the game, thought i pretty much explained where i got it from. He was appalling, absolutely no end product, no imagination, and no skill whatsoever, plus he cant pass the ball to save his life. Perhaps you think he was good as wasnt as bad as everyone else. Did he win man of the match?! That really should have been changed to 'least biggest pile of the sh!te of the match' award, and he wasnt even that.

Ah here. It was a bad display all round last night but I still say he was one of the 3 better outfielders. I checked the Indo this afternoon and they have him as their highest ranked player

"Typically lively from the outset, producing a couple of crosses that deserved better before releasing Duff with some clever footwork. Slightly less prominent after the restart when he spent a period on the right after beginning the game on the left. Jury is out on whether he will be a starter or an impact sub next month".

They gave him a 7.

Our opinions aren't world's apart but I definitely thought he was one of the more positive thinking players, actually taking a man on and getting a ball in. Some balls were bad, some could have done with someone on the far post and some won us corners.

I can't remember who the FAI sponsors gave MOTM to.

noodler

dsmythy wrote: »

It's at times like this where i look to worse performances to help me forget Ireland.

Here's Switzerland v Luxembourg earlier in the qualifiers. And to think Switzerland topped their group...

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hXmla8IdsJo

EDIT: Have to go to Youtube to look at it. Annoying.

Unbelievable.

The Swiss just keep on doing it though.

Pro. F

zefer wrote: »

I was one of the fellas with the banner last night. We were standing holding quietly the banner, when it was grabbed from us.
My mate had his ticket taken from him by FAI heads. He eventually go it back but only after the FAI heads took pictures of it and scanned it...

The best bit about it was a senior Garda came up after the inital grabbing of the banner and was trying to figure out what was going on. He said to the FAI heads:
Garda: "Was it a political banner?" FAI: "No".
Garda: "was it a personal attack on someone" FAI: "No"
Garda: "who ordered the banner down?" FAI: "the head of FAI security!!"
Garda:"I dont understand what the problem is" FAI: "well its a controversial subject"

Senior Garda then told them that we hadnt done anything wrong and to give us to banner back. He was very polite and professional. He then got the flag and told us that we hadnt committed any offence and were free to go.

That was after us standing there getting our names taken by another Garda for 5-10 minutes in front of people going out of the stadium...Fair play to other fans hanging around giving the FAI heads a hard time for taking it off us. But in the end, 1 of the FAI lads was grand and was joking about it.

I could understand if we were making a racket but we were just standing there.. :rolleyes:

That is disgusting behaviour by the FAI. I didn't realise they are totally morally corrupt as well as inept. It seems like every day the FAI give us a reason to despise them more.

It seems like their heavy handed bully tactics are well known to some fans on here (LOI fans in particular maybe). Has it ever gotten much coverage in the press? I can't say i've seen anything but i've lived abroad for a few years.

podge018

noodler wrote: »

Eh, they left it ambiguous until they were relatively certain how the groups would pan out.

You don't think that warrants protest?

No, because no matter when they decided to tell everyone they were retaining the seeded draw used in the previous WC, be it before, during or after the group stages, it doesnt matter, it's always going to favour the bigger nations. They could easily have said it before the groups got underway safe in the knowledge that if any of their pet nations were struggling that a seeded draw would help them out.

The seeded draw is unfair, but them waiting to tell us doesnt change that.

There was no outcry from the Irish manager or publib in 2005 when we finished 4th or whatever for FIFA to change their system, not a hope, we wanted to see a better competition and screw Switzerland.

Lets protest after the play-offs whether we go through or not at the injustice of the double-seeding not at the point in time when they decided to tell us.

noodler

podge018 wrote: »

No, because no matter when they decided to tell everyone they were retaining the seeded draw used in the previous WC, be it before, during or after the group stages, it doesnt matter, it's always going to favour the bigger nations. They could easily have said it before the groups got underway safe in the knowledge that if any of their pet nations were struggling that a seeded draw would help them out.

The seeded draw is unfair, but them waiting to tell us doesnt change that.

There was no outcry from the Irish manager or publib in 2005 when we finished 4th or whatever for FIFA to change their system, not a hope, we wanted to see a better competition and screw Switzerland.

Lets protest after the play-offs whether we go through or not at the injustice of the double-seeding not at the point in time when they decided to tell us.

I agree with you that the Play-Off seedings are an injustice irrespective of the announcement but for me the timing just makes it a double injustice.

If the top seeds of Portugal and France had comfortably finished first then they would have very little reason to have the seeded play-offs.

I will think seeded play-offs are wrong whether or not we qualify and hope Uefa can persuaded not to use them again next time. (Not usre if there will be play-offs for the Euros though).

yahoo_moe

zefer wrote: »

That was after us standing there getting our names taken by another Garda for 5-10 minutes in front of people going out of the stadium...

I was about twelve rows down from you and we couldn't believe what was going on. But this was the bit I found most odd about the whole thing - whatever about the FAI being petty (I was surprised how petty but it's obviously happened before), I just can't believe a Garda let herself be dragged into what was obviously not a public order offence. Fair play to the senior Garda for sorting it out, but it should never have come to that...

briany

Some coverage of last night's game on the back of the Herald. They glossed over the result of last night's game by looking toward the playoff and concentrating on Ireland's unbeaten record mostly. One of the stories has the headline along the lines of "Ireland turning into little Italy." Hmmmmmmm methinks that's slightly wishful thinking although if we became a little Italy for the playoffs I wouldn't be displeased. Good defense and a competent attack and dare I say it an ok midfield? Yes please.:)

zefer

yahoo_moe wrote: »

I was about twelve rows down from you and we couldn't believe what was going on. But this was the bit I found most odd about the whole thing - whatever about the FAI being petty (I was surprised how petty but it's obviously happened before), I just can't believe a Garda let herself be dragged into what was obviously not a public order offence. Fair play to the senior Garda for sorting it out, but it should never have come to that...

I know, it was silly. She backed down in the end but you are right, it shouldnt have come to that. I cant believe the FAI security have that much pull that they can get the Garda involved..

Listen to Newstalk Off The Ball this evening. My mate is going to be on it talking about last night.