Czech Republic 1 Ireland 0

It's a sickening feeling and I hate it..

It really does feel hollow to hear the Irish fans singing after the match. We lost, and we shouldnt have lost that match. We're as good as dead in the group, and its just so long till the next campaign...

Dunphy and the boys want a new manager in immediately. At this moment it sounds attractive. We can all dream of a Dalglish or Ferguson riding in on their horse to save us from the pain of not qualifying, but we wouldnt get them... You just need to hope that the team grows in the next campaign.

I disagree that the main problem is team selection, although I agree with some of it. Hunt and Reid should have played not Kelly and McEady, but it wouldnt have made a winning difference. It's much of a muchness.

The key problem for me is that we have a fundamental inability to be composed on the ball and to play a passing game. We're like Celtic in the Champions league - old style. The only thing we know how to do well is attact at pace, and we're in danger when we arent doing that. So players either run with the ball, head down, with tricky feet, or else they kick the ball long hoping for the best. All night it happened, like on Saturday against Slovakia. Why cant we just keep the ball and play it across the back? Why cant we probe and hold onto the thing? No composure.

It hurts bad. I've supported Staunton all the way because the media agenda stinks from start to finish. They get it wrong about him all the time in my opinion. However, results are everything, and losing tonight was a bad result. I could accept a draw - you could live with that, but not a defeat. It combines with the Germany and Cyprus results to make 3 defeats, none of which should have happened. Also look at Wales beating Cyprus 5-2 and Scotland beating France 1-0.

It does put Stan under pressure.

Slovakia 2 Ireland 2 (Ireland, Doyle)

Another 90th minute disaster for Ireland. For the last 15 minutes you sensed it could happen. Why cant we keep possession when in the lead or under pressure? I dont understand it... Why does Shay always kick it long, when he could just play it to the full backs to play it around at the back? Long term we need to grow in this area. I was watching Portugal later in the evening, and felt sick with their ability to do this sort of thing. There's a big gap between us and the top nations in this area.

In terms of qualifying the draw makes very little difference. We still have to beat Czech Republic this Wednesday. You just sense the last minute goal is a bad thing morale-wise. It cant help for Wednesday, even if things havent changed much in terms of what we need to do.

I just sense for the first time that for all our improvement and hunger and desire, we look to be a little short in terms of qualifying. No fault of Staunton or the players in my view. We're just short in terms of maturity at the moment. I hate saying that and long to be proved wrong...

Come on boys. Do or die. Lets have no regrets about the performance on Wednesday. Big night...

Denmark 0 Ireland 4 (Keane 2, Long 2) Friendly

Great result and the team continue to progress! Over the moon for Robbie getting his two goals. I commented here on the abuse he was getting after the Welsh game. Fair play to him.

A tough week for Stan with the loss of his Father and I was pleased to see him get some joy. You dont get 100 caps without being a survivor and I still think he will.

The match was an boost at an important time. Great finishing. Good lively play from a bunch of exciting youngsters. In fairness Denmark had chances and it could have been a different score, but look, really, we'll take it! Success breeds success.

Now to two massive games in September. I think the team has the right character to give it a good go. 3 points might be enough if its the Czechs we beat... but why not 6?

Ireland 1 Bolivia 1 (Long) US Cup.

26 May 07
Better opposition this time. Better result so. At the back we looked suspect, but going forward the young lads have been exciting. The crossing from the wings has struck me as really good. Alan O'Brien particularly. Someone tell the Liverpool team about how to cross a ball... you have to curl it so it curves out for the on-coming striker....sounds simple but Liverpool NEVER do it. They float the cross up and then down, so the striker gets no power on it....

I read some criticism today of US based Joe Lapira getting a chance ahead of Eircom League players in the Equador game. My initial reaction was quite positive in my last post so I better defend myself...

If the player is good enough then it doesnt matter where they are from...IT REALLY DOESNT MATTER. If they are not good enough, then it also doesnt matter where they are from... To be honest I dont think Staunton will pick anyone for key games who isnt atleast Championship standard in England. If Lapira proves to be that level then he deserves a chance, but if he isnt, then we probably wont see him again.

Americans generally are honest, determined and athletic in their sport. They have pride. They get a bit gooey about Ireland, and that could be quite attractive if the player is good enough.

Ireland 1 Equador 1 (Doyle) US Cup.

23 May 07
Stayed up late for this one, but what a game! Such a great effort from the young lads. Potter did well in the middle. Hunt and Doyletake great credit for coming along on the trip after such a big season with Reading. Staunton again has shown his commitment to bringing new young players through. The American lad, Joe Lapira from Notre Dame Uni (?!) made an interesting introduction. Surely there are players from the US who would qualify and would no doubt burst a gut for Ireland...

Ireland 1 Slovakia 0 (Doyle)

Absolutely brilliant! What a massive result at the end of a hard week.

Stan and the team responded in the best way possible to the criticism and you never know where this might lead further down the line...

Isnt it funny how things predicted in the press and by sensationalist fans don't happen in the end.....

Just because we lost 5-2 to Cyprus, doesnt mean we'll lose 10-2 to Czech Republic.

Just because we only beat San Marino, doesnt mean Wales will beat us...(a friend of mine predicted 4-0 to Wales last Friday before the game.)

Just because we only beat Wales (how crap are they...?!) doesnt mean Slovakia will destroy us.

Each game is a new game. That's why I always feel that positive is better than negative. Maybe it'll turn around I kept thinking... Maybe the Croke Park effect will work... Maybe Stan will settle into it...maybe the young players will click...
but all the time the media and fans were about the business of destruction...

Well last night I felt just a little bit vindicated. Those young players are great new players. Stan has brought them in, and he's maintained a good team spirit through bad days. Is there any praise too high, given the pressure they were under?

Fair play to him. Tough games ahead in the Autumn, but a really positive way to go into the break now. He could be lucky you know...

PS.
O'Hurlihy: What's your prediction for tonight then?
Giles: I dont know
Brady: I think its likely to be a draw
Dunphy: Slovakia, if they are half decent and if the absence of two players doesnt hurt them, I'd fancy them to win...

...you'd kinda expect atleast one of them to get it right really wouldnt you?

Ireland 1 Wales 0 (Ireland)

I know it wasnt pretty, but this was a huge win. We could easily have drawn the game which would have been a disaster in the group. I put the win primarily down to the sheer quality of the goal. Robbie Keane played the ball through, and Ireland finished brilliantly. In fairness I mention Keane because of the unfair abuse he's getting. He also did well putting Duff through for his chance, and flicked on a beauty of a header for Doyle's crossbar shot. He runs for the team and does more than simply seeking to score goals. He deserves better from the fans.

Staunton is bringing young players through and they are doing well. McShane, Doyle, Ireland, Hunt especially. Others like Stokes, Douglas, McGeady are great prospects. It is amazing how many he's bringing through. Give him credit.

He is also learning from mistakes. Dropping Carsley was a mistake - he corrected it. Ireland at right midfield was a mistake - he corrected it even before half time. Not criticising the team after San Marino was a mistake - he corrected that by being more honest after this game.

In terms of atmosphere, I was there, and it was good. Not wonderful, but throughout the game the fans supported the team. Flick through the video and you'll hear the crowd if you're honest. I've been to Anfield and this compared very well even despite the pressure on the team.

Finally, look at England, Scotland, France and Italy - just for starters... international football is rarely a walk in the park...

A win at this moment is priceless. I sincerely look forward to Wednesday and want the boys to get another win. That would be a massive result and would help with confidence. The abuse in the media is disgraceful and doesnt help. I believe if you want the best from the team (sincerely) then anger and insults will never work.