Yap About Football

Where to from here for Ireland?

On the 18th June 2012 on a balmy evening in Poznan Cuneyt Cakir blows his whistle to end the Euro 2012 group C match between Italy and Ireland. Italy have won 2-0. This is Ireland’s final game at the championships. The record is played three, lost three, goals scored one, goals conceded nine. How did it come to this? The cynics may say that Ireland were fortunate to end up in a somewhat soft qualifying group for these championships where Russia...

The true value of a player - The story of Andy Carroll and Shane Long

Just before the Premier League January transfer window of 2011 closed Liverpool paid Newcastle United £35 million for striker Andy Carroll.At that time Carroll had only a half a season top flight experience behind him but Liverpool were still prepared to fork out a fee that would make Carroll the eight most expensive...

Trapattoni gets good return from available resources

On Friday evening in Tallinn the Republic of Ireland will be 180 minutes from qualifying for their first major tournament since 2002 and only their second ever appearance at the European Championships.Regardless of whether qualification is achieved or not the performance of manager Giovanni Trapattoni will be...

Trapattoni’s destination trumps the journey

Two games left, two points behind the group leaders and one point clear of second place. Ireland’s passage to a play-off spot is now in their own hands. If that scenario was presented to Giovanni Trapattoni and most Irish football fans last September when Ireland started out on this qualification campaign it...

Ireland’s destiny in their own hands

With just Tuesday’s friendly in Liege against Italy to negotiate before their Summer break, Giovanni Trapattoni’s Republic of Ireland squad can feel satisfied with their weekend’s work. With six games played and four left to contest in their campaign in Group B of qualifying for the 2012 European Championships...

Manchester United in Pole Position to Claim Premier League Title

Five points clear with eight games remaining. That is the enviable position Manchester United find themselves in as the Premier League gears up for action this weekend following the recent International break. Granted second place Arsenal do have a game in hand but Manchester United must be clear favourites...

Ireland fail to get the best out of McCarthy

After 65 minutes of Tuesdays international friendly against World Cup semi –finalists Uruguay at the Aviva Stadium James McCarthy was withdrawn from the action. It had been a frustrating night for McCarthy who was deployed as an advanced midfielder playing behind front man Shane Long.All too often McCarthy dropped...