The ONLY After Hours thread about the European Championships.

Wibbs · 15-06-2012 09:25AM

Preusse wrote: »

Many German fans loved how the Irish fans sang their way out of the competition. You couldn't hear the winners at all and the commentaries on fan websites (e.g. Borussia Dortmund site etc) speaks volumes about their admiration for the attitude of the Irish fans.

+1. I've heard similar from non Irish football fans on my travels. I'm not into the footie or rugby for that matter, but regularly feel pride for the quality of our fans overseas whichever sport is involved. Hell when we won that Cricket match a while back the few Irish fans there were cheering up the whole place and you could see the locals getting into it with them.

kfallon · 15-06-2012 09:28AM

What we should have got in Russia last year we got in Poland last night, it has been coming!

Dyr · 15-06-2012 09:43AM

IrishAm wrote: »

Up until very recently(early 00s in my case), once a player reached his mid teens, he was forced to choose between GAA and soccer.

It still goes on with some GAA clubs and its bollix of the highest order. A young lad should be encouraged to play the sports he enjoys, not forced to pick and choose.

The GAA and the FAI have will gain an awful lot more by working with each other, instead of the current scenario of trying to one up and score petty victories against one another.

Look at it this way, you have a stinky pants tramp who blew all his vast fortune on coke and hookers and now wants the more sensible guy to "share" with him for their "mutual benefit". F**k that.

Soccer was ENORMOUS in this country for most of the 90's due to the international team and the birth of the English premiership, there should have been a massive stream of soccer talent coming online in the last 5-10 years but there wasn't and you can blame the spivs and cornerboys in the FAI for that. Now the GAA and IRFU have completely stolen their thunder by investing in their respective sports. Couldn't happen to a nicer bunch.

Davidth88 · 15-06-2012 09:45AM

ok, question for AH !

I am English married to Irish living in Ireland . My daughters are Irish.

We have English flag and Irish flag flying outside our house.

When should I take the Irish flag down ?

I think we should keep it up until after the Italian game

Thoughts ????

Dravokivich · 15-06-2012 09:45AM

fullstop wrote: »

So you propose playing with a winger at left back, one centre mid, 2 wingers and 3 strikers? I'll have some of whatever you're smoking.

Must be a tried and tested tactic in Football Manager. :pac:

bnt · 15-06-2012 09:49AM

Ahead of the game with England, the Swedish tabloid Aftonbladet has mocked up tomorrow's Daily Mirror headline, with taglines such as "don't blame (the manager), we were all sh*tty" and "Black Friday as Sweden Destroys Us".

So the Mirror did their own version, with even more shocking allegations, such as "IKEA is nearly bankrupt" and "ABBA are actually Norwegian". Now, that's not very sporting ...

Report with pictures at The Media Blog.

ancientoracle · 15-06-2012 09:57AM

It was hard to take watching the game last night, but credit to the fans, they gave it everything, and hopefully the Italian game will be as equally lung bursting.

Keep reading posts about how it was embarrassing and sad, that the players were terrible, and how the fair weather fans went over just for the party. If we were embarrassed and sad, could you imagine how the players felt. To be so completely outclassed throughout the game, I'd say all they wanted was for the game to end and get to the solace of the dressing room.

For the fans to boo or jeer them would only have made it worse, and to hear them singing the way they did I'd say gave them some comfort at least. I've heard the Fields sings on many terraces, ,but that sent a chill down my spine last night. My wife is Slovak and even she said she had never heard anything like it.

I hope the fans enjoy the last few days, and go out and give the lads the vocal support they did last night when they take the field against Italy, because its support that they need.

books4sale · 15-06-2012 10:01AM

I'm as disappointed as many Irish fans are

....... but shame on those so called 'irish fans' who are slating Roy Keane, he served his country for many years and dragged us kicking and screaming into manys a tournament.

Short memories and all that.

awec · 15-06-2012 10:02AM

Every single one of the Spanish subs would start for Ireland.

I don't think there is a single Irish player who would get on the bench for Spain.

Herein lies the difference.

Elmer Blooker · 15-06-2012 10:09AM

carvaggio wrote: »

The idea that we have the greatest football fans is a bit much even though it may appear so in the large tournaments with the world watching. During qualifying games the support is rarely if ever like this, the fact is that these tournaments are treated as a big party (and why not) a lot of the fans are as interested in drinking and singing as the football, the idea that our fans are somehow superior to others is a bit false me.

Some of the individuals I know who have traveled to Poland I would very dubiously describe as fans of the Irish football team.

Excellent post in my opinion.
I saw Roy Keane make those comments on ITV last night and he said it in a matter of fact way, he wasn't in any way nasty or malicious towards the Irish fans, he just said it's about time the Irish raised their standards.
What's wrong with that?

Mint Sauce · 15-06-2012 10:13AM

We need Pacino for the Italy game.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3bzK8r4c6Xc

Lord Bafford · 15-06-2012 10:26AM

Any takers?:pac:

"18.06 Italy-Ireland Cat. 3 restricted view - 2 tickets - 110 euro (or 450 pln) / each

Secure, hand-to-hand transaction. Collection of tickets possible in Poznan or Wroclaw.

Contact: irlita2012@yahoo.com"

LOLzer

SHOVELLER · 15-06-2012 10:38AM

Happyman42 wrote: »

Yes it does need a complete make-over. but the last thing that needs a make-over is the fan or supporter.
The bull**** arrogance that allows you to sneer at a supporter is the problem with 'football in Ireland'
If the LOI had the brains to call in somebody from the GAA or the IRFU and studied their structure they might have a chance at building a decent infrastructure themselves. I live in a town of 4 or 5 thousand people and the soccer club is still playing on an unlevel cow pasture and togging out in a lorry trailer. What kid wants to get involved in that tacky set up?
But of course they won't actually do anything to change things themselves, they just wait in the long grass to whinge at others when they get the chance. Usually when people praise the supporters they vainly crave.
Time for them to get off their arses and bring the game into the modern era.

The first thing that needs a makeover is the mindset of the Irish football fan. Going to the pub on a sundayto shout at one english club playing another is not supporting Irish football. We are the only nation that refuses to support our own league. Yet James McClean is now a hero to the masses.

Bar a couple of examples the LOI clubs are an embarrassment but they are run overall by the FAI. But sure isnt John Delaney great craic altogether cos he goes on the piss with fans?

EDudder wrote: »

I honestly don't know what some people expect. Do you really think the LOI can become something like the premiership?? Look at the size of our country, and we are (these days) quite consistently making it to these tournaments in a manor that Scotland and Wales aren't.

And to people who are giving out to the fans, I'm glad you're in the minority. If I ever seen our fans boo the team off the pitch I would be mortified. It's not what we should aspire to.

IMO, one of the things that actually stops us from reaching our full potential as far as soccer goes is that soccer is competing with one of the nations most nurtured sports (for good reason) GAA football for the same pool of potential players. But this is something you can't change.

Comparing with the premiership is pointless. Look at the size of other mid level countries whose clubs are participants in the Champions League e.g. Denmark with FC Copenhagen. They are there because of proper structures and fans that support the club.

Saying players are being lost to the GAA is a smokescreen.

Darius.Tr wrote: »

Wow...the last 7 minutes of the game were amazing....I'have never seen supporters of the loosing team being louder than the winning team. Simply amazing...

Common on the continent.

carvaggio wrote: »

The idea that we have the greatest football fans is a bit much even though it may appear so in the large tournaments with the world watching. During qualifying games the support is rarely if ever like this, the fact is that these tournaments are treated as a big party (and why not) a lot of the fans are as interested in drinking and singing as the football, the idea that our fans are somehow superior to others is a bit false me.

Some of the individuals I know who have traveled to Poland I would very dubiously describe as fans of the Irish football team.

The same fans that packed Lansdowne to cheer an english club beat a LOI selection 2 years ago. Where's my inflatable hammer?

prinz · 15-06-2012 10:38AM

Preusse wrote: »

Many German fans loved how the Irish fans sang their way out of the competition. You couldn't hear the winners at all and the commentaries on fan websites (e.g. Borussia Dortmund site etc) speaks volumes about their admiration for the attitude of the Irish fans.

+1, got a lot of messages from Germany last night/the morning about the fans.

MonkieSocks · 15-06-2012 10:39AM

fryup wrote: »

what are the irish fans chanting in this news report 25sec in??

Uachtarán Uachtarán Uachtarán

Dyr · 15-06-2012 10:39AM

awec wrote: »

Every single one of the Spanish subs would start for Ireland.

I don't think there is a single Irish player who would get on the bench for Spain.

Herein lies the difference.

Lets say you lined up this whole groups starting eleven players for a schoolboy tournament, croat, spanish, italian, irish. You have four captains taking turns picking players. The first eleven players to be picked would probably all be spanish. The last 10 players to be picked would all be irish, shay given being the sole exception.

kfallon · 15-06-2012 10:42AM

Davidth88 wrote: »

ok, question for AH !

I am English married to Irish living in Ireland . My daughters are Irish.

We have English flag and Irish flag flying outside our house.

When should I take the Irish flag down ?

I think we should keep it up until after the Italian game

Thoughts ????

When you have to hang up the Xmas decorations

Happyman42 · 15-06-2012 10:58AM

SHOVELLER wrote: »

The first thing that needs a makeover is the mindset of the Irish football fan. Going to the pub on a sundayto shout at one english club playing another is not supporting Irish football. We are the only nation that refuses to support our own league. Yet James McClean is now a hero to the masses.

No it doesn't, the mindset of the 'supporter' is just fine. 'Give us the product and we will follow you to the death'.
We don't 'refuse to support', cop yourself on. Look at the passion a GAA game can arouse, where is that in the LOI.
The FAI and LOI have to take a long hard look at what they offer to aspiring talent.
The 'supporters' are the least of their problems.
The generation who watched as children from '88 on have been totally let down by the organisation. Poor investment, divisive policy and no vision, the age old problems of the organisation. I have never ever witnessed a marketing campaign run by the LOI in the way that Rugby and GAA will market their games. The FAI and LOI never entered the modern age when they should have, they are paying the price and will continue to pay it for the forseeable future.

And btw, John Delaney is the cheif executive of FAI, it's up to those inside the FAI and LOI to change that.

dr.bollocko · 15-06-2012 11:31AM

After hours is now adopting Poland as our home nation.

kfallon · 15-06-2012 11:33AM

dr.bollocko wrote: »

After hours is now adopting Poland Germany as our home nation.

Happyman42 · 15-06-2012 11:35AM

Just to add.
Compare and contrast the two schemes below, instead of capitalising on the desire to play the game, and thereby inculcate support and a sense of ownership the FAI see it as way to 'financially' capitalise.
It starts at that age group, no point trying to change adult 'mindsets'. Huge investment of money and the right kind of committment is required. The FAI and LOI need to take a huge big swallow and realise that others do it better and learn from that.

Almost twice the price? The rot is deep!

http://www.kelloggsculcamps.gaa.ie/

http://www.summersoccerschools.ie/

Dyr · 15-06-2012 11:43AM

dr.bollocko wrote: »

After hours is now adopting Poland as our home nation.

Polskis for the finals but I want Spain to win.

Elmer Blooker · 15-06-2012 12:09PM

winner group C v runner up group D ?
I would love to see Spain v England in the quarter final to see how England would cope with Spain's possession football.

Marcin_diy · 15-06-2012 12:10PM

kfallon wrote: »

If... we win with Chech on Sat we will meet with Germany in Gdansk..

Last game with them was draw 2:2, but do we have any chance to win with Podolski and Klose now?

I can't wait...

stovelid · 15-06-2012 12:18PM

SHOVELLER wrote: »

The first thing that needs a makeover is the mindset of the Irish football fan. Going to the pub on a sundayto shout at one english club playing another is not supporting Irish football. We are the only nation that refuses to support our own league. Yet James McClean is now a hero to the masses.
?

Why even bother with them?

They can't see the disconnect between completely ignoring domestic football here (be it league of Ireland or junior football) to pump money into the English game and then being outraged when the poverty of the technical development of many of our our young players is exposed at international level.

You're pissing in the wind. Just enjoy the tournament.

I mean a small country will never produce quality players. Look at the Dutch. 16 million people and nation of football donkeys with pub teams like Ajax.

Mint Sauce · 15-06-2012 12:18PM

dr.bollocko wrote: »

After hours is now adopting Poland as our home nation.

LOL!!!

You'll all be supporting England, go on, admit it, I will be.

Wallets supporting the Dutch though.

flanno_7hi · 15-06-2012 01:01PM

God, you could almost hear people jumping off the bandwagon last night. Well I'm off to Poland Sunday to wathc the Italy game and I'll be getting the Season ticket for the singing section later this month.
Trap is a legend for gettting this squad to the finals. Anyone remember Stan and the Cyprus game? We've come a long way.

starbelgrade · 15-06-2012 01:05PM

books4sale wrote: »

shame on those so called 'irish fans' who are slating Roy Keane, he served his country for many years and dragged us kicking and screaming into manys a tournament.

Short memories and all that.

I have nothing but the utmost respect for Keane as a player. He is without doubt, Ireland's best ever central midfielder & one of the best ever central midfielders to play European club football.

However, he is a very bitter man.

I've no problem with him having a go at the Irish team as there is no doubt that the Irish team under-performed in this competition, but there is no need for him to take his frustration out on the fans who travelled hundreds of miles to support their team.

And support them they did, through the thick and thin. You can't ask any more of supporters than that. And they showed something which Keane has never been able to show - which is dignity when you are losing.

When Keane played for United, he slated the "prawn sandwich" brigade for not getting behind the team at the matches at Old Trafford. Now he's slating the Irish fans for getting behind their team. It seems that he's not the only one suffering from a short term memory loss.

The problem is that you can't win with Roy Keane. He aims to be the best at everything, but whether greatness is achieved or not, he is never happy. Even when United won every major trophy in 1999, he admitted himself that he couldn't enjoy the moment & walked off the pitch thinking "well, that's that".

I think the Irish fans did us proud in Poland. There's nothing worse than fans who only sing when they're winning. And even if we were winning, Keano would still find something to moan about.

kfallon · 15-06-2012 01:12PM

irish-stew wrote: »

LOL!!!

You'll all be supporting England, go on, admit it, I will be.

Wallets supporting the Dutch though.

Time for a new wallet :P

Elmer Blooker · 15-06-2012 01:19PM

Not a huge fan of Roy Keane but this stuff about the fans is nothing new.
It started when Ireland threw away a two goal lead to draw 2-2 with Holland in Amsterdam in a WC qualifier in 2000. He was disgusted and had a go at the Irish mentality which is "ah sure we'll have the craic and a good sing song whether we win lose or draw" - I can't really disagree with that.
If I was in Gdansk last night I wouldn't be singing when it was 4-0, I think I would be holding my head in my hands.
PS He wasn't bitter on ITV last night, he just stated his opinion about the Irish mentality.

The *ONLY* After Hours thread about the European Championships.

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The ONLY After Hours thread about the European Championships.