Mikey Stafford reports for TheScore.ie from Fortaleza
‘TWAS ALL JUST a Midwinter Night’s Dream. Sitting on the promenade in Fortaleza opposite a man wearing an Ireland jersey with Marc Wilson’s name on it I allowed myself to think, “this could be us.”
Except he was a German called Marcus, here to support the team that beat us 9-1 on aggregate in qualification for the World Cup.
This could be Irish fans wandering through the stalls of religious curios and various traditional Ceara arts and crafts, except we did not have the craft to beat anyone but Kazakhstan and the Faroe Islands in 10 qualifying matches.
This could be my pasty compatriots ill-advisedly challenging the locals to a friendly night-time game of foot volleyball, except we could not put up a significant challenge to Austria and Sweden, home or away.
This could be Irish journalists asking our players to comment on the 12,000 tickets sold for tonight’s Group G clash with Ghana, except our fans have nothing more to look forward to than an Aviva Stadium friendly against Oman before qualification for Euro 2016 kicks off in Georgia.
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This could be our manager warning against complacency after an 4-0 win over Portugal in our opening game, except we were the pre-tournament punching bag Ronaldo and co put five past in Philadelphia.
This could be our pre-match press conference veering into lazy stereotypes as players and manager alike describe their African opponents as big, strong athletes, except our last competitive fixture against a CAF opponent was a 1-1 draw with Cameroon at the 2002 World Cup, 12 years ago.
German coach Jogi Löw checks up in Lukas Podolski during training in Fortaleza on Friday. Matthias Schrader
Matthias Schrader
This could be our squad emerging slowly into the suffocating humidity of the Estadio Castelao for a light and untaxing training, except our players are on the beach, contemplating a return to pre-season training with their clubs.
This could be an Irish fan queueing for the toilet, marvelling at the similarities between a Brazilian pop song and one of the most famous tunes by our national treasure Johnny Logan, except it’s a German fan marvelling at the similarities between the Brazilian pop song and a famous tune by their national treasure Johnny Logan.
This could be our supporters wandering home along the beach in the early hours through a cluster of dustmen napping on park benches, except our World Cup dreams were consigned to the dustbin nine months ago.
It could be our players hoping to conserve energy in the tropical climate ahead of their final group game against the United States in a sweltering Recife, except we could not handle the heat of qualification.
Ghana's fans will be hoping for the result that can reignite their Group G challenge. Dolores Ochoa
Dolores Ochoa
It could be us arriving on charter flights this afternoon in our thousands from our resort bases further south, except we would never follow our team in such a sensible fashion.
It could be our coach weighing up which Champions League-winning defender he should play in place of an injured Champions League finalist, except our top-ranked representative in Europe’s elite competition this season is back in Glasgow waiting for the second qualifying round draw to be made on Monday.
It could be one of our players forced to defend a man with eight goals in seven World Cup matches against the ridiculous criticism of Jose Mourinho, except our record World Cup goal-scorer is training in Los Angeles ahead of next weekend’s fixture away to the San Jose Earthquakes.
It could be us giddily contemplating a second round encounter with Belgium, Algeria, Russia or South Korea, except we were two places and six points away from securing even a play-off.
Justin,
You stole the words from my mouth. Pointless article really. Maybe if thee was some suggestions on how we can make a better effort for the next World Cup, it would be a productive read.
In my opinion, Irish players need to seek top flight football in foreign fields and not just with our neighbors. I’m not suggesting Italy and Spain although it would be fantastic if there was a player or two in those leagues.
Mikey, while you’re over there and based on the above script, struggling for a story, get your ass down to see one Mr. Conor Hartnett from Corcaigh who’s training young street lads in the art of football down in one of the favelas. Now that’ll give you a scéal to romance about on the score @favela_help #romeo
This could be us if parents got their kids out on the road with a ball rather than hours with a iPad. This could be us if the fai got its act together at grass roots and started to introduce some new ideas This really could be us
I was at the Costa Rica match yesterday and it was hard not to get up in the passion of the whole thing. Plus the fact that they kept on chanting ole ole ole – you couldn’t help close your eyes and imagine the boys in green there! 20 years on from giants stadium as well. Bora copa Costa Rica!
Between 1988 and 1994 the FAI had this country in the palm of its hand..but they proved themselves one of the most useless sporting organisations in the world..how they manage, promote and coach the sport in this country is a shambles!!..be along time before we see a World Cup unfortunately!
Looking at how fantastic Costa Rica have been and although going out I’ve been surprised by the likes of Australia who have done themselves proud , it gives optimism for the future, that less talented teams can reach these tournaments and do well. The most important lessons to take from these smaller teams is playing football the “right way” and of course being tactically prepared for each game as they come and not a one size fits all 4-4-2 wack it up in the air approach . Maybe changing this and changing the players mentality and reaching major tournaments might just be a bridge to far for O’Neil especially with a team in crisis with little in the way of genuine talent coming through the ranks . But lets at least be positive and hope in his time here O’Neil can light a fuse within our junior ranks and instil a football philosophy that can be a template for future Irish teams to adopt
How could you say its pointless?? The few lines about johnny logan alone made it worthwhile! Can just imagine the germans arguing over which of his eurovision hits were better and why in,a reasoned methodical manner. Its only a lighthearted piece and personally mickey would like to say keep up the good work!!
Enjoyable muse of the lament about the missing Irish at the World Cup. Ironically the sun has been shining in Ireland while the world watches the World Cup. Blooming where one is planted.
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Jaysus that’s some moan
Great World Cup all the same
Justin,
You stole the words from my mouth. Pointless article really. Maybe if thee was some suggestions on how we can make a better effort for the next World Cup, it would be a productive read.
In my opinion, Irish players need to seek top flight football in foreign fields and not just with our neighbors. I’m not suggesting Italy and Spain although it would be fantastic if there was a player or two in those leagues.
No room for any romantic wistfulness with you lot, huh?
It is a wonderful World Cup, I totally agree.
Mikey, while you’re over there and based on the above script, struggling for a story, get your ass down to see one Mr. Conor Hartnett from Corcaigh who’s training young street lads in the art of football down in one of the favelas. Now that’ll give you a scéal to romance about on the score @favela_help #romeo
If we won instead of losing, this could be us!
If my aunt had balls………..
This could be us if parents got their kids out on the road with a ball rather than hours with a iPad. This could be us if the fai got its act together at grass roots and started to introduce some new ideas This really could be us
I was at the Costa Rica match yesterday and it was hard not to get up in the passion of the whole thing. Plus the fact that they kept on chanting ole ole ole – you couldn’t help close your eyes and imagine the boys in green there! 20 years on from giants stadium as well. Bora copa Costa Rica!
Brilliant piece. Absolutely top drawer. Have enjoyed all the letters from Brazil! Great stuff!
Between 1988 and 1994 the FAI had this country in the palm of its hand..but they proved themselves one of the most useless sporting organisations in the world..how they manage, promote and coach the sport in this country is a shambles!!..be along time before we see a World Cup unfortunately!
If only we had Messi, Ronaldo, Suarez, Pele, Puskas, Maradona,George Best, the old Arsenal back four and the 1998 juventus midfield, damn!!!
Did I just dream this
Looking at how fantastic Costa Rica have been and although going out I’ve been surprised by the likes of Australia who have done themselves proud , it gives optimism for the future, that less talented teams can reach these tournaments and do well. The most important lessons to take from these smaller teams is playing football the “right way” and of course being tactically prepared for each game as they come and not a one size fits all 4-4-2 wack it up in the air approach . Maybe changing this and changing the players mentality and reaching major tournaments might just be a bridge to far for O’Neil especially with a team in crisis with little in the way of genuine talent coming through the ranks . But lets at least be positive and hope in his time here O’Neil can light a fuse within our junior ranks and instil a football philosophy that can be a template for future Irish teams to adopt
How did Australia do well?
How could you say its pointless?? The few lines about johnny logan alone made it worthwhile! Can just imagine the germans arguing over which of his eurovision hits were better and why in,a reasoned methodical manner. Its only a lighthearted piece and personally mickey would like to say keep up the good work!!
Enjoyable muse of the lament about the missing Irish at the World Cup. Ironically the sun has been shining in Ireland while the world watches the World Cup. Blooming where one is planted.
Yes because our players are able for that heat like Costa Rica are….