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

Well, that's the end of that! Decent enough performance in the second half from Ireland... just a pity we couldn't get a result at this competition - 3 games lost, 9 goals conceded, 1 goal scored.

It was never going to be easy for us - not in a group with Spain and Italy, and the Croats were never gonna be a walk over either. I suppose the biggest disappointment is that we didn't perform up the level we can - admitedly that level was never gonna be good enough to get us out of the group, realistically speaking, but we didn't do the basic things that we normally for the most part, get right.

As for the knee-jerk reactions...:

1. Shay Given. He had a howler of a tournament, but he definitely wasn't match fit & with the season he had at Villa, when he saw 50 goals fly past him, it was always going to be a big ask to get him to perform to the levels we know him for. He's been an exceptional goalkeeper for Ireland and an inspiration to many young goalies. It's sad to think that he may well retire on such a low note... but I for one, don't hold anything against him - I have nothing but admiration for the player - a true Irish footballing legend.

2. Trap. He was hired to get us to a major tournament. He got us there. Job done. When we got there, we underperformed and maybe he could have done more tactically, but I really don't think he could have done all that much more. With the imminent announcement of the retirement of several of the squad, it's time to re-build and I see no good reason why the manager who took us to our first Euros in decades shouldn't be at the helm for the World Cup qualifiers.

3. Robbie Keane. Anyone who questions how good Keane has been for Ireland is an idiot.

4. Retiral time. I think it's safe to say that a good part of this squad will be gone soon. And like Given, it'll be sad to see them leave on a low note... but they have all been great players for us - let's not forget that.

5. I think it's high time we retired "The Fields of Athenry". Jeezuz H Christ, that song does my fucking head in.

Did anyone see that ludicrous display last night?

Elmer Blooker wrote: »

I saw that, car crash telly!
It's like the Euros were a substitute for cancelled Oxegen this year, the main objective is "craic" which means you have to get as ossified as possible and remember very little of the event that you paid to see
What percentage of punters go to Oxegen to see bands? What percentage of punters in Poland were genuine football fans?

It must have been more painful for the genuine fans in Poland /Ukraine to see up close then us sitting watching at home and I think the chanting of 'ole ole ole ole / you'll never beat the Irish ' / Fields of Athenry ' to a world wide audience is very appealing to the 'only here for the craic' element of supporters ,some who wouldn't always be clued in to what's actually happening football wise . Considering events on the pitch in all 3 matches , it was all totaly irrelavant and it's one occasion when you could forgive the country for been anesthetized in drink .

SHOVELLER wrote: »

That is a stupid point. They can wear rangers tops for all I care as long as they go to a LOI game. If you saw Dutch fans in Poland none of them were wearing Bayern Munich jersies.

How do you know that? All the Premiership have high sales of merchandise overseas. Mechandise supports the team as do all those subs from pubs that show games for those awful barstoolers.

Your entire argument is a nonsense. The destruciton of LOI football is from within. People will pay to be entertained if the entertainment is of a high enough standard. If you have been keeping your world class entertainment secret, prehaps you need to hire a PR company! :rolleyes:
It's the classic result of a vivious circle of no investment and a rampant blame culture with nobody taking responsibility.