Fitting finale to international career of Irish football's "Golden Generation:"



Duff & Keane:  Big in 2002

"It'd be disrespectful to walk away from Ireland now," - Robbie Keane on why he chose his nation over the Major League Soccer Final        



            Friday night at the A. La Coq Stadium in Talinn was a special place to be for any Irish football fan, particularly so if your name is Richard Dunne, Robbie Keane, Damien Duff or Shay Given.  Whilst these four are of course grizzled Irish players (not fans); one feels if they were not on the pitch on Friday night that they would be in the crowd. 
            Such is Robbie's dedication to the cause that he in fact turned down a request from his club;  LA Galaxy to play in the MLS (Major League Soccer) Final this Sunday, to stay with his national team:  "At this stage; it'd be disrespectful to my national team to walk away.  It'd be a tragedy if we didn't make it through at this stage, but anything can happen in football and I don't want to walk away from my team-mates now," - one suspects - many players - Robbie's namesake included, would not be so dedicated to his nation.

ALWAYS IMMENSE: Given and Dunne

            Having been the new kids on the block at the 2002 World Cup;  Keane, Duff (and to a lesser extent; Given and Dunne) are now hardened veterans, with Given Ireland's record cap holder and captain Keane all-time leading goalscorer.  For this quartet; the politics of the 2002 World Cup will have somewhat overshadowed the enjoyment of that event.  Having grown up watching Ireland qualify for major championships;  2002 was probably something of a letdown for these patriots, but 2012 will make up for that and be a fitting swansong for the spine (Given - goalkeeper; Dunne - defender; Duff - midfield and Keane; attack) of an Irish side which will forever be remembered.