46 ...... Thursday, March 15, 2018 1RM 1RM Thursday, March 15, 2018 ...... 47 Saturday, 2.45pm Twickenham GRANDGRAND SSLAMLAM SSATURDAYATURDAY ENGLANDENGLAND vv IRELANDIRELAND TV3 & ITV
SCHMIDT . . . extra spice EDDIE JacobJac From Back Page emerged of the insult, made during a leadership talk Jones gave last July, four months after his first loss in charge at the Aviva GENERATION GAMES targetstar Stadium ended English hopes of a Grand Slam. Jones said: “We’ve played 23 Tests and we’ve Smashing rivals is a family tradition for the Casey clan only lost one Test to the scummy Irish. I’m still dirty about that game but LASTLAST month,month D Danan CaseyCasey achievedachieved herohero highhigh pointpoint ofof thatthat FiveFive NationsNations asas IrelandIreland lostlost thethe andand g goingoing u upp t too t takeake h highigh b ballsalls i inn G Gaelicaelic h helpedelped byby tripstrips toto watchwatch NewcastleNewcastle FalconsFalcons and,and, lastlast year,year, we’ll get that back, don’t status among Bohemians fans when his remainder of their games and finished up with the me to get up for a header.” he was at Ireland’s defeat att MurrayfieldMurrayfield withwith worry. We’ve got them wooden spoon. Soccer was the one he liked most and felt he was James Talbot, a keeper from Finglas still with Sun- two goals inside ten minutes helped He recalled: “We should have been a team to beat best at. Pat suggests he may have made a mistake derland. Dan said: “It was his first rugby game.” next year at home.” By NEIL anybody. We had really top-class players like Noel but that kids these days are “hypnotised” by the But there are no regrets about the path he chose. perfectper turn a 1-0 deficit against Shamrock The Australian’s apology Murphy, Willie John McBride and Mike Gibson. I money and “razzmatazz” on offer. He said: “There are other times when you’re was released by the Rugby Rovers into a 3-1 win. don’t know what happened. Pat said: “He got a try against I can’t remember watching Champions League and thinking, ‘This is Football Union, whose But when it comes to getting important O’RIORDAN “We beat England at Twickenham and for some who at Donnybrook in a cup match and there was what I want’.” spokeswoman added: scores against traditional rivals, he did not unknown reason, we just didn’t gel. definitely quality there. He has not got to that stage yet. He parted com- “Eddie has apologised for lick it off a stone. Chief Sports Writer “Then they changed the team. I think that was “He would have been a very good player but of pany with the Black Cats last summer and, rather his inappropriate remarks, Ireland will complete a Six Nations Grand Slam the only team Willie John was ever dropped from. course I’d say that anyway.” than hang around in England or join Bray Jesus, when you think of that . . . ” But that is not just familial bias there as, had STOCK ON and the RFU is also very if they win away to England on Saturday, but Wanderers, he decided to link up with his THE RISE . . . they have come out on top in only 13 of their 47 sweeping move in Ireland’s 22 which was rounded The following year, Ireland fared better, again Dan not gone to Sunderland, he would most likely ex-Joey’s coach Keith Long. sorry for any offence off by Casey. Ireland’s new caused and will apologise championship visits to Twickenham. beating the Red Rose, as well as Scotland and have joined the Leinster Academy. Rugby connections with Bohs are nothing new. A highlight you would imagine, but he recalls drawing with France, but, at the age of 23, Casey’s Dan explained: “They said, ‘If football doesn’t Kevin O’Flanagan was capped by both the FAI and poster boy to the IRFU and WRU.” And Dan’s grandfather Pat was one of the heroes his try against Wales in 1963 — which ended a Slam international career was over. work out, come back and play rugby, you’re still the IRFU while with the Gypsies. Stockdale is That reference to the in 1964, when he grabbed one of four tries as 31-year wait for an Ireland win in Cardiff — with Ireland triumphed 18-5, their first victory there He explained: “I played in the interpros in ’66 young, you can still make a career if you work But the appointment of Southsider Long has chasing try WRU related to Jones also greater fondness. and that was that. They just didn’t think I was hard’. I don’t know, it’s easy saying it now. record at referring to Wales as a since the 1948 Slam. In between, he played against the All Blacks — helped re-establish it — midfielder Oscar Centre-half Dan left Dublin — and what might good enough, I suppose.” “One of the lads on my team is playing for Brennan’s brother Harry is a winger Twickenham ‘little s*** place’ with only who were on a tour which saw them win 34 times, But he left enough of a legacy to inspire his son the Ireland Under-20s, Eoghan Clarke. He have been a promising career in either rugby draw once and lose once in their 36 fixtures — for Lansdowne and lines out for three million people when or Gaelic football — at the age of 15 to join Bill — who played with Lansdowne — and grandson was a great player. the Ireland clubs side against comparing their historical twice in seven weeks. They were narrow losses in Dan, both of whom followed in his footsteps by “I remember playing against James Sunderland, who leave nothing to chance at their both instances, 6-5 with the national team while he Scotland tomorrow. success to Japan — whom state-of-the-art Academy of Light. attending Monkstown CBC. Ryan, when he was already 6ft 5in at 15, And, although his mobility is scored a try in Leinster’s 11-8 defeat. Dan recalled: “There were pictures in the house and Jordan Larmour. James Ryan was a he coached at the 2015 But life as a sports star was a little different He recalled: “It was an intercept.” restricted, Pat was at Daly- Rugby World Cup — who when ex-centre and winger Pat — who played club and I’d always be asking what was going on in different breed. If he was running at mount for the finest moment When asked how far out he was, without pausing, them. I’d see the caps, my Dad used to show me. you, you’re thinking, ‘How am I going have 125m inhabitants. rugby for UCD and Lansdowne — was in his pomp. he mischievously replied: “One hundred yards”, safe yet of his grandson’s career. dunk Despite the apology, the Capped 12 times between 1963 and 1965 — scoring He was obviously very good.” to get this man down?’” He said: “I couldn’t believe in the knowledge there is no video footage to At times, Dan allowed his mind comments will add extra three tries — he recalled how he learned of his contradict him, unlike his exploits in Twickenham, He too showed a talent for the sport, as well as the state of the place, with selection at international level. soccer with St Joseph’s Boys and Gaelic football to wander. grass on the terraces. I hadn’t spice as Ireland eye up a which was one of the first rugby games televised He said: “At Sunderland, if you’re Grand Slam of their own. He said: “You got a letter to say, ‘Turn up’ and live in Ireland. with Cuala. been there since I was being JACOBJACOB STOCKDALESTOCKDALE hashas hadhad a By OWEN COWZER you’d turn up in the Shelbourne Hotel. You’d be On pitting his wits against New Zealand, he Dan added: “In the morning, I might play a rugby going through a bad patch and the passed over the crowd by my dream start to his Ireland put up for the night, you’d have your breakfast, added: “There wasn’t an aura. It wouldn’t be what match for the school, in the afternoon I’d play for Six Nations is on, or even the All-Ire- Dad, who was a soccer man. in. Getting it even slightly wrong land, you’re thinking, ‘Imagine playing career — but insists he is still then you’d have a team talk and you’d go out. we would see it to be now. It was good to do it but Cuala and the next day, I’d have a match for Joey’s. “But it was great. The noise chasing perfection. could again have seen the try go “It was very amateur but a fella like Mike it’s not the same it is now.” “It was very busy but it actually helped me. I in that match now, it would be bril- was unbelievable. You the other way. Gibson, they trained and played like a professional.” And a win over England this weekend would also took what I could from the other sports — liant, do I want to do this?’” wouldn’t get that craic and The Ulster wing has lit up this He explained: “I was trying to It was Gibson, on his debut, who started the carry greater significance. In 1964, it was the sole the aggression from rugby — His love of rugby was indulged repartee at a rugby match.” year’s Six Nations Championship, get myself into the best defensive crossing for six tries to date to position, so that if he threw a equal the competition record. really great pass, I could still get England’s Will Greenwood in out to Blair Kinghorn and if not, I 2001, Wales’ Shane Williams in would be able to pick it off. 2008 and Chris Ashton of England “Luckily, he didn’t throw the best in 2011 are the others in the super pass in the world and I was able six club. to pick it off. TWICKENHAM 1964 But Stockdale — still only 21 — “To be honest, it’s just instinctive VAN DER WESTHUIZEN can rise above them all if he and after you get the ball, the next makes it a magnificent seven at thing in your head is getting to the Twickenham on Saturday. try line. It felt pretty good.” And with ten tries in eight But he knows he is still the Gustard games for Ireland, there would be novice of the team — even if he no surprise if he formed an elite has become the poster boy of BO-HEAVE-IANS . . . club of one. Ireland’s Championship success. Bohs defender Dan with Stockdale, though, is not con- He added: “I’m still learning and defends grandfather Pat at the cerned about records. throughout the course of this Six Perfection is his goal. Making it Nations, every week I’ve felt like former rugby star’s five victories out of five to win the I’ve learned something new. ref invite home in Blackrock Grand Slam and having an error- “I feel I’ve grown as a player free game — that is what will be and that’s the important thing. By JONNY FORDHAM driving him. “To a certain extent, it’s weird He said: “Every player on the to realise I’m at this level now and ENGLAND have denied any pitch is chasing the perfect game. playing regularly in the Six wrong-doing after inviting When you walk out on to the Nations. referee’s assistant Marius pitch, you’re not thinking, ‘I hope I “If you told me that a year ago, I van der Westhuizen to have an 80 per cent game’. wouldn’t have believed it. take charge of Tuesday’s “You’re going out saying, ‘I want “On the other hand, I’ve worked training session. a 100 per cent game’. hard to get to where I am, putting The South African whis- “If you’re not chasing 100 per in good displays for Ulster and cent, you’re chasing 80 per cent Ireland Under-20s, stuff like that. tler will controversially be and then you might only get 60 one of Angus Gardner’s “So I feel like I have built per cent. towards it but I’m pretty pleased touch judges for the “For me, it’s about going out and at how it has accelerated more crucial Ireland game at having the very best game I can. quickly than I expected.” Twickenham on Saturday. DALYMOUNT 2018 “If I make a mistake, I look at it And now he aims to finish the Defending the contro- and think, ‘How will I not make Championship with perfection and versial call, England that mistake again next week?’ a Grand Slam. defence coach Paul Gus- “I don’t know whether you’d call He said: “We were at our tard said: “It had been that risk and reward — it’s all post- match dinner when France long in the pipeline. about trying to do everything as beat England, which confirmed “We have had him — best you can every time and when Ireland as Six Nations champions. we have had Glenn Jack- you don’t do it, well . . . ” We had a bit of a celebration but son in a couple of times. He has played the percentages that was it. “It is all part of our beautifully to date, scoring two big “You kind of sit down and say, learning. It’s all part of interception tries at key moments ‘We’re the Six Nations champions’, understanding how differ- — against Wales to seal the victory but at the same time, we want to ent refs interpret things. and against Scotland early on to go to England and get a Grand “You are asking some- settle Ireland. Slam. The Welsh score was the more “It’s a really weird feeling, mixed one to come in here and significant in that it prevented emotions. But I’m not thinking of assist in training, give his Warren Gatland’s men from steal- the try record. I’m just focusing on viewpoint on things. ing victory from Joe Schmidt’s the game and hopefully I can per- “It’s no different to charges as the ball moved omi- form as well as I can for myself someone from Ireland nously along the visitors’ backline. and the team. ringing him up to give his For the Scottish intercept, he “And then if the chance comes viewpoint on things. They read George Horne’s mind to race up, happy days.” have the same access. I see no issue with it.” 18 ...... Monday, March 5,5, 2018 1RG 1RG Monday, March 5, 2018 ...... 19 GOALS SSE Airtricity League in association with
STANLEY ABORAH’S life as a family when he first moved to Amsterdam. return to the Dutch top flight, scoring the FA Cup. Aborah said: “I enjoyed it And Aborah has no difficulty in accepting three times in eight starts and seven there. The club was big, we won the footballing nomad began early. NEIL some of the blame for that. substitute appearances. league, the team-mates were good and Where The son of a Ghanaian interna- By He said: “I was good enough but I made Aborah said: “I thought football was Paul was an interesting character. tional of the same name, he moved mistakes. All of a sudden you get more gone for me and I was so grateful for that “He used to be a player, he knows the with his dad to Belgium when he attention. opportunity and gave it my all.” dressing room. He put everyone at ease. signed for Cappellen. O’RIORDAN “People try to be your friend and get But what followed was, in retrospect, “Of course players were disappointed if Stanley Junior recalled: “I was three close to you. You’re in a bit of a bubble one of his bad career moves. He turned they weren’t playing but everyone was years old. I saw snow for the first time. I Chief Sports Writer and you don’t understand what will hap- down a two-year extension from Vitesse relaxed, there was no tension.” would ya was in shock. I was freezing cold and it pen when the bubble bursts. and instead signed for NS Mura. When a deal to go to Oman fell through was totally different from Ghana.” der Vaart, went on to play for Holland in “I fought with a lot of important people After finishing third in their first season he joined Waterford, knowing little about The father, who helped his country the 2010 World Cup final. at Ajax and they got fed up of me in the Slovenian top flight, the club had the League of Ireland other than that two reach the final of the 1992 African Cup of Against Heerenveen, he traded places because I was making too much trouble. just gone on a run to the play-off round of his ex-Notts County team-mates, Ronan Nations, also went on to play in South with the France international Julien “I went to lower leagues to try to come of the Europa League, where they lost out Murray and Graham Burke, were here. Korea and Germany. Escude, who broke his nose in the infa- back up but then I would get injured for to Lazio. It seemed like a good move and He added: “I didn’t know what the level get it? But the son — who joined Waterford mous play-off against Ireland for that six months, come back, get injured for he still has friends from his time there. would be but I’ve been quite surprised.” before the start of the season — has tournament in South Africa. another six months. But he revealed: “It was the wrong So far, the newly-promoted Blues already clocked up more air miles. He also played alongside another 2010 “That happened for four years and choice. I didn’t get paid for six months.” have lost to champions Cork City either Aborah told SunSport: “I have no prob- World Cup finalist, Nigel de Jong, and it’s very hard to get back to where you On he went to Ferencvaros, where he side of impressive home wins over Derry WHITE IDEA . . . lem travelling as long as the prospects are Maxwell, who went on to win league titles started. I made some mistakes in won the Hungarian League Cup during City and St Pat’s. Costello (left) and the good but it’s not something I planned to in Italy, Spain and France as well as choosing clubs and I wish I knew another six-month stay. Aborah said: “I think you saw we are rest of the snowman do, go from one club to another. Some- Holland, not to mention the Champions what I know now, but there is no He said: “It was great and living in not the type of team that has come up to team at Dalymount times you have no choice.“ League with Barcelona. point in looking back.” Budapest was very enjoyable. I could have struggle. We want to finish in the top five.” Now 30, he has no problem acknowledg- Although Zlatan Ibrahimovic left just His philosophical attitude is helped stayed longer but the negotiations didn’t Next up they go to Sligo Rovers on ing that, almost 12 years on from leaving six weeks before Aborah’s debut, this by the fact that he thought his pro- work out so I went to Kuwait instead.” Friday after the Beast from the East saw Ajax Amsterdam, he would not have was serious company he was keeping. fessional career was over by the age The year with Al-Salmiyah was differ- the trip to Bray postponed. envisaged a League Two title with Ports- Aborah recalled: “Whenever Ronald of 24 through a combination of ent. He admitted: “It wasn’t hectic like How long Aborah will stay put this time, mouth being a highlight to date. Koeman came to see me for the reserves groin and abdominal injuries. football elsewhere but if we lost, the three or play on, not even he knows. Because at Ajax, he looked like someone I played well. Those injury-afflicted years had or four professional players brought in He added: “If you come through the destined for great things. “You gave that little bit extra because taken in two spells with Den Bosch, from outside were to blame. ranks at Ajax and play well over a long He moved there aged 15 and was soon you knew there was an opportunity. either side of a stint with Dender in “If we won the credit belonged to the time, you can plan for two or three years, captain of their reserve team. “When it came I was nervous but also Belgium and a two-month stay with whole team and the coaching staff.” think about when you might go to a club Ronald Koeman liked what he saw and, pleased because my hard work had paid Gillingham. A year and a half with Notts County in a bigger league. in the space of six weeks, the 17-year-old off. I was at the level I wanted to be at.” After that he moved home, app- followed before a move to Pompey in Jan- “I don’t have the luxury of that. But, midfielder clocked up five first-team He was not there for long. As his CV lied for university courses and uary last year. He did not feature often until I left Ajax, I never had injuries. appearances, one of them in a Champions would indicate, things did not exactly go played for Cappellen, now an ama- and was released at the end of the season. “And since those bad four years, I have League tie against Maccabi Tel Aviv when to plan. teur club playing in the fourth, region- But he was impressed by ex-Sligo Rov- not had injuries. he came on for Rafael van der Vaart. His only remaining link to Ajax is alised tier of Belgian football. ers boss Paul Cook, who last month got “Hopefully it can stay that way, I can In a league game against NEC Nijmegen, the clothing company, PARTE, that he He did enough to catch the eye of the better of Pep Guardiola when Wigan crack on, see what I can do and play on Athletic knocked Manchester City out of for as long as I can.” he replaced Wesley Sneijder who, like Van has set up with the son of his host Vitesse Arnhem and made a successful Athletic knocked Manchester City out of JOE’S LARK IN THE PARK POLITICIANS were out in force last week to help people deal with the weather conditions — and there is no shortage of photos showing their altruistic actions. But not every snap that reaches the public I’ve made domain is the result of a carefully-crafted communications strategy. Some are just politicians having fun. Take Labour’s Joe Costello. He was first elected to Dáil Éireann as a Dublin Central representative in 1992, though he lost his seat in the 2016 election. And with a constituency office on the North Circular Road in the capital, he is well known around the Phibsborough area and to those associated with Bohemians. On Friday, he was in the locality when he bumped into a few Bohs fans. They were on their way to a snow-covered Dalymount Park. After learning they were going to make a mistakes snowman, Costello asked if he could tag along. Once the snowman was done, the obligatory photograph was taken. But there was no social- media expert present to advise Costello to roll up his sleeves and show he is a man of action. Instead, it only became public when the photo slipped out of Bohs circles through the football grapevine and, eventually, on to social media.
AB FAB . . . Aborah got Champions League experience when he “Pantastic started out at Ajax Offer, this but there’s week only.” — Shamrock Rovers take advantage of the ‘Great bread shortage of 2018’ by offering a free
slicedlic pan with eeveryvery season tticketicket s soldold last wweek.eek. no point “What’s he on about? What’s he smoking? Kenny can say all he wants STANDINGS but he should talk P W D L F A Pts
Cork City . about his own team, ...... 3 3 0 0 9 3 9 Waterford...... 3 2 0 1 4 3 6 not ours.” — Bohemians
Dundalk...... 3 1 2 0 8 0 5 boss Keith Long won- Shamrock Rovers .....3 1 1 1 7 3 4
DOESN’T STAN STILL . . . having played far Bohemians ...... 3 1 1 1 4 3 4 ders why Derry boss
and wide across Europe and beyond, Stanley Limerick FC ...... 3 1 1 1 2 9 4 Kenny Shiels thinks Derry City ...... 3 1 0 2 3 4 3
Aborah is helping Waterford make a fine St Patrick’s Athletic 3 1 0 2 4 6 3 part-time Bohs are early impression in the Premier Division Sligo Rovers ...... 3 1 0 2 3 6 3 actually full time looking back Bray Wanderers ...... 3 0 1 2 1 8 1 and title chal- lengers. 52 ...... Wednesday, October 11, 2017 1RM 1RM Wednesday, October 11, 2017 ...... 53 WORLDWORLD CUPCUP PLAY-OFFSPLAY-OFFS THETHE ROADROAD TOTO RUSSIARUSSIA
GREGO-COX . . . praise BELLAMY AT A LOSS WITH O’NEILL ARTER . . . buzzing IT IS said there are incredible man. You knew where you asked the Derry man about a high Reece is stood with him. If you played well for press, the chances are he would tell Harry’s no secrets in football NEIL him, the confidence he’d give you, the you it is where the treats were kept anymore. By way he could make you feel, you’d in the kitchen to keep them out of I can’t tell The thinking is that just want to run even more for him the reach of children. banking analysis has reached such a O’RIORDAN afterwards. It is not because he does not game of “If you didn’t, he was brilliant at understand the tactics or the thinking level that there is nothing a Chief Sports Writer being able to tell you and the way he behind it but because he sees it as a coach does not know about his could go for you after the game was fad, a buzz word to describe a way of on a loan own team or the opposition. more than anyone else. But there was playing that has been there all along. a lifetime might not. It builds up the trust that But there is still one great inscruta- when he picks the team, he has total no rocket science.” For all the game has seemed to By JOHN FALLON ble in the modern game, how Martin faith in them and the boys, when he And the less-than-scientific change, O’Neill is resolute in his belief By OWEN COWZER O’Neill’s managerial career continues brings them on, that they’re going to approach has led to some viewing that nothing is fundamentally different. REECE GREGO-COX admits to bear fruit. O’Neill as a dinosaur. During the 2014 World Cup, when HARRY ARTER savoured he will have to quit QPR do the job for him because the mes- beating Wales, admitting Just when people are convinced he sages are clear beforehand.” Despite their frequent clashes, the Louis van Gaal was lauded for using to pursue his ambition of has run out of road, he pulls another That account of their preparations esteem — shared by his assistant Roy a three-man defence and making a he has never experienced breaking into the Ireland rabbit out of the hat and delivers a sounds a little different from Bel- Keane, another former player — in goalkeeping substitution as a penalty anything like it in football. senior squad. result few would have predicted. lamy’s version of his time in Glasgow. which he held his former Nottingham shootout loomed, O’Neill pointed out Ireland saw off the The striker’s hat-trick in you why A place in the World Cup play-offs Bellamy said: “His teams are always Forest manager Brian Clough is clear. on ITV that he had done both at Dragons in Cardiff Monday’s 4-0 trouncing of is just the latest example. brilliant with set-pieces but I never Not overcomplicating a simple game Leicester City two decades previously. on Monday night to Israel brought his goal Craig Bellamy formed part of Sky worked on one with him. Never. is a central tenet of their philosophy. In the same studio, he reminded Sports’ team for the Group D show- As club managers, Clough, O’Neill secure a play-off spot that tally at Under-21 level to “He just expects you to attack the both Patrick Vieira and Fabio Cannav- has the Bournemouth ace down in Cardiff on Monday. ball in their box and your box.” and Keane all earned a reputation for aro that, while they had impressive five — just three short of Not only is he a former Wales taking a hands-off approach in the dreaming of reaching the Robbie Brady’s record. Taken out of context, the former CVs, he had two European Cup win- World Cup. international but he played for O’Neill striker’s comments could be viewed early part of the week, leaving much ners’ medals from his playing career. He has six more during a loan spell at Celtic. of the coaching to others, before But he admits just beat- qualifiers in this Euro as highly damaging but Bellamy And if Clough’s approach was good He provided an insight into the way acknowledges that O’Neill’s methods making their presence felt closer to enough to deliver that sort of success ing the Welsh in a must- campaign — starting with O’Neill goes about his work, some- have worked, even if he is just as the match. win game was one of the a trip to Norway on for a club like Forest, there is some thing many others have alluded to confused as the rest of us as to how It is a way of working which has sense in adopting at least some of his highlights of his career. November 14 — to but perhaps not quite so frankly. that is the case. not just become unfashionable but methods. Arter said: “When that become a history-maker. Bellamy recalled: “As we go Bellamy said: “I can’t tell almost unheard of with the tai- That includes a belief that players final whistle went it was a The striker declared for through coaching and managing, and you why he does well, lored suit, V-neck jumper should not be spoon-fed because if feeling that I’ve not had Ireland through his grand- he does a lot of stuff we get taught, you can but it’s just and clipboard bri- they are playing at this level, they they are playing at this level, they too many of in football. mother from Co Clare. just throw it out the window. He does something about gade who regu- should be capable of making decisions the complete opposite. the guy, he’s larly incur “In football you have a He said: “I’ve been in on the pitch. lot more lows than highs. and around the QPR first “There were times you would turn just an O’Neill’s It means his side can look rather up on a Friday, and you wouldn’t incredi- scorn. less well-drilled and organised than, So you really want to take team for over three years, ble, less well-drilled and organised than, so maybe the time is know what formation you’re playing ble, If you say, Northern Ireland under Michael moments like this in and on a Saturday, he’d just read a list. O’Neill. realise how special it is. coming to move on. “I’d have to look at Neil Lennon and “After I scored in Azer- But maybe that empowerment of “You have a moment to ROAR APPEAL . . . ask, ‘What formation are we playing?’ players enables them to seize control yourself in the changing baijan, the gaffer had lots There was no information whatsoever.” of praise when I went Martin O’Neill pulled when they find themselves in a spot room and you do have off another amazing And that has not changed. After of bother on the pitch. that feeling of pride back to QPR. He’s going Ireland scored a late equaliser to draw It has resulted in the delivery of big to hear positive things with world champions Germany in for yourself and for result on Monday moments in the second half of games your family who are about this hat-trick too. Gelsenkirchen in October 2014, Aiden against Germany (twice), Bosnia, Italy, “The last year has been well but McGeady said: “He kind of just read watching — it’s nice to Serbia, Austria and, now, Wales. up and down with injuries out the team and we were trying to O’Shea — who has had a peripheral make them proud. — from a lack of football figure out where everyone was playing. role since being dropped after the 3-0 “And it sets up a lovely more than anything. “A few of the lads were saying, ‘Are defeat to Belgium in the Euros — fixture next month.” “I’ve been moving you playing off the striker?’ and I said: “Ever since he became involved Ireland will find out next between the Under-23s was like, ‘I think I could be’.” in the Irish team, we have been able Tuesday who they face in and first team, which have Confirmation came later from Steve to get these kind of results. a play-off, though as an Walford. “The key word here is faith, the unseeded team, they are different tempos. Normally a winger, McGeady strug- “That constant move- faith he has in everyone. When he sure to be underdogs. gled in the more central position and selects players, they know they have But that suits Arter who ment, and trying to adapt, the same happened when Jeff Hen- to do a job for him. took its toll on my body. drick was deployed behind lone striker “Through the two campaigns we reckons that any opponent “Trying to remain at will be fearful of facing Jon Walters against Austria in June. SHAKE ON IT . . . Craig have been missing players, but lads one level is what I need it’s just In both instances, O’Neill came have stepped up, we’ve found goals. Martin O’Neill’s men, who — so a loan move first under heavy criticism from pundits Bellamy with Martin “There have been a lot of late goals keep getting results when would be best.” who argued that if a player was O’Neill at Celtic in 2005 which come down, firstly, to the boys’ the stakes are high. The age profile of Mar- going to be given an unfamiliar role, conditioning but also to their The midfielder added: tin O’Neill’s senior squad, then they needed to know more than character. They have that belief and “We’ve played against especially his strikers, a couple of hours before kick-off. trust in the players around them. Italy in a game where we means places may be up Asked about this, John O’Shea — “For our goal you saw Jeff pressur- had to win. for grabs in the next Euro who had previously worked with ising, forcing the mistake, Harry Arter “We’ve played against campaign. O’Neill at Sunderland — said: “He running into the box and stepping gives the players the belief, he gives over it and then James McClean bury- Germany where we’ve had them responsibility and trusts them. ing it with his right foot. That’s trust.” to win — and Wales. “He names the team late. Some So in Martin we trust, then. We are “I think this group Tom kids might know they’re playing, some just not sure why. always responds to big games and occasions, this something is just another one. “It’s the determination the tops to want to win. “I’m not saying Wales didn’t have that but you Ireland U-19...2 go through the whole Serbia U-19....1 team and they’re putting their heads in places IRELAND’S Under-19s have that others wouldn’t topped their group to necessarily. reach the Uefa European “The management team Championship elite round have got a great way of after victory over Serbia about the motivating players but in Waterford’s RSC. most importantly we’ve The visitors took the got that team spirit that lead yesterday in the 29th A DEFEAT in Scotland IRELAND’S fine start no matter who we’re minute with a brilliantly- followed by home to the World Cup playing, we will never struck Luka Ilic free-kick. draws with Poland and group began to fall accept defeat. Within 15 minutes of the Gordon Strachan’s apart after Séamus “Monday was a huge restart Lee O’Connor side left Euro 2016 Coleman’s leg was game and a tough game headed a leveller for Tom qualification hopes broken in the home and we came out victori- Mohan’s side. hanging by a thread. game with Wales. ous. We’ll definitely attack Then in the 70th minute But as Ireland got That was a draw, as the play-off games with Neil Farrugia put Lee back to winning ways were the next two confidence. O’Connor’s knockdown against Gibraltar and games, and defeat to “It’s a tournament that’s past Aleksandar Popovic. guy, he’s Georgia, a shock Serbia made Russia obviously only every four Mohan said: “Serbia are Scotland loss in Tbil- look unreachable. years and for a nation like always a top side in under- isi was further pun- Victory over Moldova Ireland to qualify would be age European football. ished the next month WITH Italy already through to the last 16 of ended the rut but Ire- land still had to win in a massive achievement. “For our boys to go 1-0 with victory over the the Euros, Ireland had to win to join them. “To be part of a group down and come back world champions. Martin O’Neill rang the changes in Lille and Wales — and they did just that when Harry that could do that would shows the spirit and the Shane Long latched new captain Séamus Coleman set the tone be something that I’d be character in the group. on to fellow sub Dar- for an intense effort. When Wes Hoolahan Arter stepped over Jeff ren Randolph’s punt Hendrick’s cut-back ever so proud of. “We dominated the fluffed a late chance, the game looked up. “They’re dreams that second half, our boys con- upfield and steered it But moments later the midfield schemer and James McClean past Manuel Neuer. smashed home. you have as a young kid, verted our chances when picked out Robbie Brady to head the winner. to play in a World Cup, so we created them.” of course it would be IRELAND: Travers, Carroll, Wilson, something that I’d be O’Shea, T O’Connor, L O’Connor, Molumby, incredible McKenna, Bolger, Afolabi, Farrugia. excited about.”