Irish hoping for better as England scrape into Euro 2012 with tiny Montenegro securing play-off berth:

JOB DONE: but Ireland need to improve or face elimination

Some say Euro 2012 would be a better event with Armenia in it and not Ireland.  I can understand that argument.


           The Irish soccer side did what they had to do tonight with a dull 0-2 win over minnows Andorra.  The Pyrenees principality are joint bottom of the FIFA rankings alongside American Samoa and San Marino, but they put 11 men behind the ball tonight and in the end (even 30 minutes before the end);  Ireland were saving themselves for the battles to come.

SAY WHAT? Does this man deserve his current €4million salary?

           Ireland deservedly went 0-1 up through the effervescent Kevin Doyle and were two ahead before the 30 minute mark through an own goal off the home captain after good work from man of the match McGeady.   As has been the case so often during the tenureship of Giovanni Trapattoni as Ireland manager, Ireland shut up shop thereafter.  A 0-4 scoreline probably would have been a fair result, but this game was a damp squib long before the final whistle as the cries of  "C'MON YOU BOYS IN GREEN"  faded into the night mist long before the 90 minutes had elapsed with both sides wanting the game to be over.  

Armenia will fancy their chances of upsetting Ireland in Dublin

           Russia effectively sealed their qualification from Ireland's Group B; overcoming Slovakia 0-1 in Bratislava, whose prospects of qualifying are now over.  Armenia won 4-1 against FYR Macedonia and the Soviet satellite are in top form heading into their pivotal qualifier against Ireland in Dublin on Tuesday.  Ireland only need a draw to secure a play-off spot, but playing for a draw against this exciting side would be asking for trouble.  There are those would argue that the Euros would be a better event with Armenia and not Ireland.  This viewer can see where that argument is coming from.