It’s do-or-die. Giovanni Trapattoni’s Ireland take on third-placed Armenia at the Aviva Stadium. Get in contact by emailing adrian@thescore.ie, find us on Facebook or tweet. Let’s do this.
Full-time: Ireland 2 Armenia 1
Good evening everyone and welcome to what will be… an eventful night at the Aviva Stadium, no doubt.
Tom Dunne is interviewing Marco Tardelli and Country & Western star Robbie Keane on the big screen, the team is warming up and the Armenians are starting to file in. It’s go time.
As Ireland seek a mere point to secure a play-off spot, one staff member here has already told me he’s back 3-1 to the visitors in the bookies. I’ve gone for a stress-free scoreless draw. How are you feeling out there in, computerland?
So this was the view from my seat when I landed in. That may or may be certain RTE pundits eating their pre-game chips on the live feed.
So we’re around 30 minutes from kick-off. Let’s have the teams – and more interestingly the Irish subs, eh?
Here’s the team, which we learned yesterday and prompted such debate since.
Ireland: Given, O’Shea, Dunne, St Ledger, Kelly, Duff, Andrews, Whelan, McGeady, Doyle, Cox.
The bench looks like it has a few game-changers though…
Subs: Westwood, O’Dea, Coleman, Walters, Long, Hunt, Fahey.
The ‘n’ button on my keyboard is acting up and there’s a couple of spell-check busters in the Armenia side. Liam Brady in the RTE studio fancies Mkhitaryan and Pizzelli to make an impression here.
Chippy also admits to being very, very nervous. He’s not the only one tonight.
You may have notice we’re having some technical issues with twin liveblogs running at the moment. It’s been explained to me using the metaphor of the Ghostbusters crossing streams.
It’ll be sorted post haste.
Here’s the team-sheet, I’m not typing that out…
The teams are out on the pitch but the stadium is maybe half empty. Or half full depending on your point of view I suppose.
Mary McAleese is out on the pitch to meet the players. This could be the president and Trap’s last game!
But we’ll be okay won’t we? Won’t we?
Just saw a great flag hanging from one end of the stadium, depicting Richard Dunne in Soviet headgear with the tagline: The Iron Curtain.
I’d buy that t-shirt.
We’ve had the anthems and, dear me, the place has filled up quickly and found its voice. It’s go-time.
First bit of action is from Ireland; Cox and Duff combine neatly down the right but the Fulham man’s cross is over-hit.
Armenia get their first little sight on goal through the danger man – Mkhitaryan.
He scampers across the face the box and drags a shot wide of Shay Given’s goal.
A scuffed clearance from Sean St Ledger gives away a corner. Pizzelli wins another through an Andrews header but the third is cut out by Doyle at the front post.
Russia are gone one up though Dzagoev in Moscow. So it’s all set up for a memorable Andorran comeback.
Nice little passage from Ireland. Whelan wins it, Duff feeds an overlapping John O’Shea and his intercepted cross results in a corner.
The next phase of play results in Cox and then Doyle almost getting shots away inside the box. This isn’t bad.
Not to jinx anything but the excellent OptaJoe tweets:
The Republic of Ireland have not conceded a goal in 12 hours & 49 minutes of international football before tonight. Crunch
Phew! Given came a long way out to close down Movsisyan who was through on goal, though going wide. A less experienced keeper might have taken the player out and ended up sent off. Goal kick.
And I thought Donegal was Dana country:
Pic: INPHO/Morgan Treacy
Funny old game. Roman Berezovsky is acting the goat after he was challenged, under a high McGeady cross, by Simon Cox.
The West Brom man turned the ball in and acted surprised when it didn’t count. We may have found our panto villain in the visitors’ goal.
RED CARD! Berezovsky is off. Simon Cox was through on goal and in between the two centre halves. He tried to lob the keeper who was outside his box, but he handled it – allegedly.
Petrosyan is on and will face a free kick from the edge of the box.
McGeady flashes the free kick a foot over the bar. The Aviva Stadium crowd sit down for a bit.
So, where are we? There’s 30 minutes on the clock, a young Armenia side are down to 10 men in a game they have to win away from home, and Ireland are playing maturely, to use a favourite word of Trap’s.
To throw it away from here would be impressive.
Pizzelli gets under shot away from outside the box but it curls wide. One of those nestling in the bottom corner would make it interesting.
How are we all feeling about Simon Cox’s inclusion now by the way?
Well, they always said Trap was a lucky general.
First that sending off, and then they give Ireland a goal. Duffer drilled a cross in which Doyle tried unsuccessfully to back-heel (!) before the defender turned it in.
It’s a lot less tense here now, let me tell you. Those who streamed out early for a well-earned drink will have missed the Armenian sub keeper pick up a yellow card for a handball of his own.
There’ll be two minutes of added time.
So there goes the whistle for the break.
Let me know what you think while I cut the half-time oranges. Not a euphemism.
Which of you ordered the reality check? Our Saturday soccer colleague Miguel Delaney tweets:
Denmark beating Portugal… so could be Portuguese in play-offs. That would be just Ireland’s luck after using it up tonight.
We’re up and running, with 45 minutes and 10 Armenians between Ireland and those play-offs.
Cox did really well there to turn his man right on the endline, before teeing up Doyle. The Wolves striker drove his shot into an Armenian.
There’s been a lot of debate about the first-half sending off. This is the best pic I can find so far.
Harsh? And if so, do you care?
Ireland are really making the extra man tell now. After some lovely, crisp passing on the edge of the Armenia box, Stephen Kelly found himself through but he really didn’t fancy the shot and the danger is snuffed out.,
Andrews arrows one this much wide subsequetly.
One of our readers, Dave, has tweeted to explain that Doyler thought he was Darran O’Sullivan:
You may need to refresh for YouTube clips to embed
The first Oles of the night ring out, prompted by that goal by Dunne.
McGeady crafted it on the right with some nifty footwork. His cross was spilled by the sub keeper and Dunne bundled it in.
Why is it never easy, Lord? Given lets Mkhitaryan’s strike under him at his near post. We have one hell of a half hour in store for you, folks.
You want to good news or the bad news, reader?
Bad news: Aiden McGeady just tried to toe-poke the ball tamely into the net as it yawned at him. Bah.
Good news: Stephen Hunt is on for McGeady.
Meanwhile, Our TheJournal colleague and my favourite mathlete Gav Reilly tweets: “Ireland went 851 minutes without conceding an international goal. It had to end sometime.”
Kevin Doyle will miss our next international game – a play-off hopefully – as he’s booked.
There’s over 20 minutes left and it’s all Armenia, baby.
Keith Fahey is warming up on the little piece of real estate in front of the bench, by doing what can be described as the Mr Whippy. You know what I mean.
Ireland are on the ball and going forward for the first time in a while now. How are we all feeling?
Kevin Doyle is penalised as he and the defender tumble. Jon Walters is warming up now; maybe he’d mix it up a bit at his stage.
In fact, he’s on for Cox, who’s played well. Will I get Fantasy Football points if Walters scores by the way?
It’s 10 v 10 now, Bill.
Doyler picks up a second yellow for leading with the elbow under a high ball. His first was stupid. That was perhaps justified.
There’s around 10 minutes left and Armenia need two goals.
Stephen Hunt is in the thick of it. He first made a mess of a good chance and then wins a corner as the crowd demand a spotter after he goes through. Walters is the fulcrum of everything though.
Less than five minutes left. This is frantic stuff.
Armenia were on the march then after the ball surely crossed the sideline, Trap is freaking out – technical term – on the lino.
Walters is running riot since he came on. He’s just dragged a shot wide after Hunt played him through again. He doesn’t have any real support but is winning plenty of dirty ball as they say in another code.
The stadium has again found its voice, by the way.
Simon Cox wins man-of-the-match. Trap can feel smug.
As the PA announces the fact there’ll be four minutes of added time, the Armenians force a save from Given from close in. This is not ideal.
Full-time – the ref blows it up to more relief than joy.
There’s some remonstrations with the ref, Sean St Ledger and officials in the centre circle.
Marco Tardelli drags a few Armenians to their feet and offers a manly embrace in consolation.
So, it’s job done. You want proof? Here’s the final table:
The draw for the play-offs will be made on Thursday. The ties will be played on November 11 and 18.
It’s immaterial however, as Dunphy has just guaranteed Ireland won’t qualify. Do you agree?
Bosnia are 1-0 up on France with 44 minutes gone. That game will have a big bearing on our seeding or otherwise, so we’ll keep an eye on that.
Getting France again would be some laugh.
In the meantime, keep the comments coming, I’ll head down to see what Trap has to say for himself in a sec.
It’s a joke, the FA are a bunch of clowns anyway
O take your punishment you sulky overpaid idiot. You knew exactly what you were doing with that goal celebration. Definitely knew it would be controversial.
even if that were true and i am not saying it is,you are suggesting being controversial is a punishable offense and at that with a 5 game ban ???
Yes because he knew what he was doing.
well mike punishing someone for being controversial is one of the most stupid things ive ever had the misfortune to hear and tell me how does such and ambiguous offense get defined and who decides ?? is it decided by mass hysteria on the internet ?? i disagree with the fact that he knew it would cause such a stir too,the vast vast majority of people outside france had never even heard of the gesture or the comedian until after anelkas celebration
I completely agree with it. Players can’t be allowed celebrate whatever way they want especially when it can cause controversy. The people in power as always are the people who decide. He will appeal and get the ban reduced as always. Rooney was banned for cursing in to the camera but that particular curse is part of 99% of people’s daily lives. I agreed with that ban too.
The FA should take a leaf out of the NFL’s book and ban all goal celebrations.
Gerard if that is one of the most stupid things you have ever had the misfortune of reading you must have lived a fairly simple and sheltered life up to now. Welcome to the real world!!
I’m glad the great Johnny Giles agrees with me. I would take what he has to say more seriously than what you have to say on the matter Paddy. Go read his article and you might understand the significance of what he did. You must be a big WBA fan to support him. I still find it laughable that you think it’s the must stupid thing you ever read.
can you not answer a simple question mike,who decides what is controversial and how do they define it ?? ” the people in power” is not an answer you might as well have said “holy god” !!!
It’s not up to me to decide who punishes players for incidents like this is it? I’m not involved in the FA. Do you acutally not know who punished him? Have you had your head buried for your whole life? The same people in the FA dish out all the fines and bans to players and managers. Go research it on the internet if you want further information as I’m not going to waste my time explaining it. You are either a wum or you know absolutely nothing about soccer.
Did you read the John Giles article like I said? You probably don’t even know who he is considering you don’t know who hands down the bans to players. Who hands down bans to any player in any sport?? The fans? The club shop worker? The burger van worker outside the ground? Or in this instance just possibly maybe the FA!! You probably don’t know what FA stands for.
Guess you just don’t like Monsieur Anelka, Mike
I only dislike any player who does a stupid needless goal celebration that could cause any kind of controversy. To do something that caused a lot of anger and disgust in your own country is disgusting. It’s nothing got to do with disliking a player it’s got to do with their lack if common decency
i will try one last time mike,you are testing my patience but i know you cant help it but HOW IS CONTROVERSY TO BE DEFINED ??? and you slow slow man who is to decide it as in because iabunch of sad people take to the internet to get hysterical does that then make something punishable by a 5 match ban or does everyone have to write a letter to the fa !!! tell me mike you vague ambiguous clown of a man
O Gerard are you getting a bit hot under the collar? Are you Anelka or a relative of his?
The people in the FA decide what controversy is and they called it spot on here. His gesture caused outrage in France. He knew his gesture would cause this. He will deny it the same way anyone will deny any wrongdoing. If there were not places like courts and sporting organisations to hand out prison sentences and bans etc. nobody would get punished for their actions.
What did you think of the John Giles article Gerard?
see first of all i didnt think you were talking to me because you said “paddy” my name is gerard,were you using a derogatory name for irish people ??? i had presumed you were irish second of all insulting me isnt the best way to get me to comply generally and lastly i am well aware of who charged him with the offense but its not because the english FA themselves personally found it controversial,they arent the kings of soccer in england,i will ask you for the fourth time,who decides its been controversial and more importantly how is controversial to be defined ??? if you dont know thats ok just say so !
I’m not here to teach you the workings of the FA Paddy. Go on the internet, if you know what that is, and read up about who decides. I’ll give you a hint it has the letters F & A in it. If that hint doesn’t help you along I think it would be best for all if you put your head back into that hole. Obviously you are not cut out for the real world as you are easily upset. Imagine getting upset about people having choice words to say about Nicolas Anelka. You must be either him, a friend, a relative or that idiot comedian.
hahahaha “paddy” oh im really insulted now,did you come up with that on your own ?? who’s a clever boy.id say you make your mother realy proud,the irony of saying i get too easily upset is almost too much for me,thanks mike ive had a great laugh at your expense mind yourself and remember to wear your helmet :-)
Ok Paddy no bother. Try enjoy your day. Keep the tissues close by to dry your weeping eyes!!
hahahaha paddy,say it again for me,it hurts me so bad !!!!! hey ive a question for HOW ARE THEY TO DEFINE CONTROVERSY ???? bet you cant answer !!!! ahhahahahah i love you mike
Say hello to Nicolas for me Paddy and give him a nice kiss. Ye will be able to spend lots of time watching DVD’s of yere comedian friend whilst he serves his much deserved ban for causing such controversy. Naughty boy that Nicolas. Ooops I hope that comment doesn’t upset you further, hope you took my advice and kept the tissues close by, give Nicolas a few too!
A dictionary is good for finding the definition of words, maybe you might use that in your quest to understand the word controversy. Although I’m not too sure you will understand what a dictionery is and you will need a dictionery to figure out what a dictionery is!!! Oooooo you live in a confused world!!! Poor baby
HOW IS CONTROVERSY TO BE DEFINED ???? imagine not being able to answer a simple question about the point you made,its like you dont even understand yourself !!! hahahahaha and the paddy is more clever,that must sting HOW IS CONTROVERSY TO BE DEFINED???
still cant answer my question ???ill give you another chance,im sound like that HOW IS CONTROVERSY TO E DEFINED ????
Poor Paddy doesn’t know what a dictionery is! Ah well to be fair I suppose not everyone had the good fortune to be educated.
If you did have a dictionery I’d say you would find a picture of your boyfriend Nicolas under the word controversial. Ah maybe that’s it, maybe you don’t want to look up the word in the dictionery as you know your boyfriend will be pictured there and you can’t come to terms with the fact he’s controversial. He probably will have a sulky face on him in the picture as usual
hahahahahahaha mike you legend !!! :-0 hey i have a question for you,HOW WILL THEY DEFINE CONTROVERSY ??? imagine a paddy who doesnt know what a dictionary is being smarter than you !! must sting,bit like your mothers vag !! hahaha go on mike keep it coming (again your mother springs to mind)
This might shock you Paddy but there is a dictionery that can fit in your pocket, it’s called a pocket size dictionery. Imagine you could have this in your pocket to help you when you get stumped by the definition of words. You could use it in the special school you obviously attend and you could become the star pupil. Imagine, Paddy of all people becoming the teachers pet after all the years of not understanding words and having your head buried in a hole, are you an ostrich by any chance? I don’t think you are unless Nicolas is dating an ostrich! I suppose he could be considering he likes doing controversial things. I hope one day you can figure out the definition of the word controversy special Paddy. Maybe ask the teacher in the morning and he/she might give you some help with it. I suppose it’s not fair to abuse thickos like yourself but it’s funny so why not, it passes cold January days!
Paddy do you know what an apostrophe is? Maybe that lesson hasn’t come up in that special school yet.
what is this apostrophe you speak of ??? is it the philosopher ??? we dont do philosophy in my special needs school.hey her’s a question for you HOW ARE THEY TO DEFINE CONTROVERSY ???
O Paddy Paddy Paddy you are even thicker than I thought. Don’t worry there is a place for people of all intelligence or lack of in this world. Ye make the world a funny place and give us intelligent people something to laugh at.
Proper order. I dont buy his stupidity defence at all. He is paid eneough to behave – no place for politics or racism in sport whichever way you interpret the gesture.
Well said James, fair play
it wasnt political nor racial,he did it in support of a comedian
He did but he knew it would cause outrage in his country as that comedian had already caused outrage because of things he said and did similar gestures. It’s not like he was doing a gesture in support of a comedian that had never got in trouble and it was taken up the wrong way. The soccer pitch is not the place to do any kind of gesture to support anyone.
so you cant answer ??? hahahahahahhahahaha ok ok,here’s an easy one for you HOW ARE THEY TO DEFINE CONTROVERSY ????
is that your way of sayin you dont know ????? :-0 hahaha go on the paddies we’re so smart and witty !!!!!! :-) hey ive a question for you mike HOW ARE THEY TO DEFINE CONTROVERSY ???
Paddy where are you gone? I thought we were friends!!!
Mike i dont know what your nationality is but you are one of the intelligencia in your country the God help your nation
With a head on you like that god help your nation and any future kids!! Good lord