With
Euro 2012 kicking-off - it's time to profile the countries taking part, from
their footballing beginnings to the present day.
Coach: Giovanni Trapattoni
Play-off Winners
One to Watch: Shane Long
As
we approach the summer of 2012 all of our minds, well most of them at least,
will turn away from the domestic football competitions within our own
countries, towards the International arena for the eagerly awaited European
Championship Finals, to be held in Poland and the Ukraine. At it’s All In The
Game, we shall be profiling each of the 16 finalists who will bid to become the
champions of Europe until 2016.
We
pay a visit to the Republic of Ireland for the next in our series of team
profiles for next year’s European Championships. Formerly known as the Irish
Free State, the footballing nation which is officially known by FIFA as the
Republic of Ireland, first took part in international competition at the 1924
Olympics. As you might expect for such a small country, in which “soccer” is
not a prioritised sport, the Republic of Ireland do not have an illustrious
history in major international football tournaments.
The
Irish have qualified for the World Cup Finals on just three occasions, Italia
90, U.S.A 94, and 2002 when the Finals took place in Japan and South
Korea. In all three instances, however,
they have managed to get out of the group stage and make it into the knock-out
rounds, reaching the quarter finals in 1990.
In
terms of European competition, other than their appearance in the European
Nations’ Cup in 1964, the Republic have qualified for the European
Championships just once, in 1988 when the competition was held in West Germany.
This was the first time that the Irish had appeared in a major international
finals tournament and, although they didn’t make it through the group, they
were very unlucky not to progress.
After
defeating arch rivals England 1-0; Ray Houghton with the headed goal that lives
long in the memory, and drawing 1-1 with the Soviet Union; Ronnie Whelan with a
stunning 20 yard volley from a long throw, the Republic came within eight
minutes of achieving a draw against Holland. A result which would have sent the
Irish through and the Dutch home. As it transpired Kieft scored for the Dutch,
Ireland were out, and Holland went on to be crowned European Champions 1988.
Following
on from that, very respectable, debut on the international stage, the Republic
of Ireland, under charismatic boss Jackie Charlton, went on to qualify for two
successive World Cup Finals. The first of these was at Italia 90, where the
Irish qualified for the second round after three draws in the group stage. They
went on to beat Romania on penalties, David O’ Leary with the famous fifth spot
kick, before losing 1-0 to the hosts in the quarter final.
Four
years later Ireland made it to the second round in America after a famous
victory against Italy in their opening match, Ray Houghton again doing the
business in a 1-0 win. The Ireland squad, which included household names such
as Niall Quinn, Paul McGrath, Steve Staunton and legendary keeper Pat Bonner
amongst others, found the extreme heat conditions difficult to cope with, John
Aldridge famously losing his temper with the officials when they tried to stop
the players taking on water. The Irish went on to lose 2-0 to Holland in the
second round, a mistake from Bonner signalling the end of their tournament.
After
defeat to Holland in the play-off for Euro 96, Jack Charlton retired as
Republic of Ireland manager and was replaced by Mick McCarthy. McCarthy’s
charges were unlucky not to qualify for both France 98 and Euro 2000, losing
out in both at the play-off stage on both occasions against Belgium and Turkey
respectively.
Successful
qualification for World Cup 2002 was followed by a bust up between McCarthy
and, then captain, Roy Keane, which ended in the latter being sent home.
Despite this, the Republic gave a good showing, again making the knockout
stages. This time they were narrowly beaten on penalties, 3-2, in the second
round by Spain. Since then successive managers such as Brian Kerr and Steve
Staunton brought Ireland little success,
however following the appointment of Giovanni Trapattoni in 2008, things have
certainly improved.
The
Italian coach has won just about everything in the game at club level,
including six Scudetto and a European Cup with Juventus alone. However Trapattoni
feels that he still has unfinished business at international level after his
Italian side were knocked out of the 2002 World Cup in controversial
circumstances by, co-hosts, South Korea, before failing at the group stage at
Euro 04.
Trapattoni
or "Il Trap" as he is sometimes known, is over 70 years old but his
appetite for success appears undiminished. He has instilled a solidity and a
belief within the squad and the effect of his experience and class was seen
almost immediately. The Irish were very unlucky not to qualify for South Africa
2010, losing out again in the play-offs, this time after a blatant handball
from Thierry Henry set up the winning goal for France. For Euro 2012 the Irish
finished behind Russia in their qualifying group, gaining 21 points, and losing
only once, they went on to qualify by beating Estonia in a play-off 5-1 on
aggregate.
Looking
at the Republic of Ireland this time around, the one thing that you have to say
immediately is that they are hard to beat. They do not concede many goals, just
seven in ten qualifiers and just two in their last eleven. Looking at their
squad, they’ve got some really good experience with the likes of Dunne, Given,
Robbie Keane, O'Shea and Duff. Within their ranks, Ireland also have some really
exciting youngsters such as James McClean of Sunderland and Shane Long of West
Bromwich Albion.
One
to look out for in the summer is Shane Long, he’s a quick thinking, pacey
goalscorer who has made the step up to the Premier League with aplomb this year.
He plays right on the shoulder of the last defender, similar to the way Robbie
Keane plays, and is always keen to run in behind defences. Long has already
netted seven times in 25 international caps and, although he may start the
tournament on the bench, he is sure to make an impact later on in games when
his raw pace will stretch weary defensive legs. Centre backs beware.
James
McClean has been a revelation in the Premier League this season. Signed from
Derry City, in the League of Ireland, and given his chance by Sunderland boss
Martin O'Neill, McClean has shown that he can more than mix it with the very
best. A quick, direct winger with great determination and an eye for goal and,
having chosen to represent the Republic rather than Northern Ireland, McClean
is another player who could really make an impression in Poland & Ukraine.
Drawn
in group c along with Spain, Italy and Croatia, Ireland face a stiff task to
achieve anything this summer. Spain are, obviously, favourites to win this
group and, despite all their external problems, Italy have a strong, young team
and are well fancied. Croatia possess great quality and, with a bona fide
goal-machine in Jelavic, could well upset the apple cart by sneaking through in
second. Ireland's defensive strength will be key if they are to stand any
chance and key to that strength will be, talismanic centre-half, Richard Dunne
and the excellent, evergreen goalkeeper Shay Given.
The
Republic of Ireland are rank outsiders to progress in the tournament. That will
be of little concern to them, however, as they always are and they have
revelled in their underdog status many times in the past, achieving some
unbelievable results. Who would have predicted the win over England at Euro 88,
the quarter final in 90 and the famous victory over Italy in 94? Ireland are
never just there to make up the numbers and, with the fanatical Green Army
behind them, they won't be giving anybody an easy game when the tournament gets
going.
Under
Trapattoni, the Irish have rediscovered their knack for playing above
themselves as a team, the whole, once more, is greater than the sum of its
parts and, whilst getting out of the group will take a monumental effort, it
would certainly take a brave person to back against it. The key for Ireland is
to take at least a point from their opening game against Croatia.
By Neil Patterson
Email: neil.b.patterson@gmail.com
Facebook: http://goo.gl/MJce0
Twitter: http://twitter.com/Neil1980
