Soccer Scene FA’s traditional Irish flavor losing potency

By Joe Behan

The Irish players, some of the biggest influences in the FA Cup for the last 30 years, are beginning to lose out to the influx of foreigners into the English Premier League.

Clubs like Arsenal, once a haven for Irish players, do not buy Irish anymore. The flavor is certainly French these days at Highbury Road, although Gunners legend Pat Rice adds an Irish tint to Arsene Wenger’s coaching staff.

Liverpool, another refuge for Ireland’s talent, nowadays buys everywhere except on the Emerald Isle.

With Leeds and Sunderland out of the cup, the Celtic ingredient has diminished even further.

Players flying the flag in the cup today are Newcastle’s Shay Given and Andrew O’Brien. Fulham’s Steve Finnan has an outside chance to reach the semifinals and many a fan hopes for the return of Stephen Carr for Spurs.

There was a time when footballers like Liam Brady and Ronnie Whelan were synonymous with winning the FA Cup. Their panache had supporters glued to their seats come the big day at Wembley. Families from both sides of the border would cheer on their Irish sons and their teams.

Manchester United was the sanctuary and is still the home away from home for the Irish pro. Players like Norman Whiteside made the FA Cup special for an entire nation. The cup final was one of the biggest TV events back in the 1970s and ’80s. It’s still a big soccer event. Of course, but it’s losing the taste of the green.

The cup competition has weakened for many reasons, among them that the Irish flavor has curdled. Nevertheless, there are a few players representing Ireland, but can they emulate the legends?

The 2002 FA Cup quarterfinal round no longer has the dominating essence of the Irish. However, the spirit of Given and O’Brien are in with a shout for Newcastle to reach the final. Both are playing well in the heart of the Castle defense, though the team still have a long way to go, with Arsenal up next.

The Gunners, of course, were once inspired by the flash of brilliance from such players Chippy Brady, crowd favorite Frank Stapleton, and Pat Jennings, with his one-handed saves. And when they reached Wembley in 1979, they weren’t the only ones flashing their Celtic finesse. Indeed, Sammy McIlroy added to the grace of cup finals in a dramatic 3-2 win for Arsenal over United that year.

Currently, the potential flair that is absent in the cup is Ian Harte’s dead ball, and the anticipated magic of Robbie Keane. Elland Road may be the club to bring back an Irish style to the cup. After all, it was around Johnny Giles that Leeds built a super cup team. Leeds was sensational with the little general in the middle. His trademarks in the center of the park were remarkable passing and vision. The genius of Giles at Leeds was a regular occurrence; for the fans at Old Trafford, numerous Celts were key figures in the competition.

George Best was filling stadiums with cup fever no matter where the Belfast boy appeared. Whiteside’s goal-scoring prowess captured the imagination of the entire country when the Shankhill Skinhead was hailed as the next wonder boy. Flamboyance continued in the cup with Paul McGrath at Old Trafford. The Black Pearl’s simplicity and athletic elegance added a new dimension to cup football, and indeed the League. In the 1990s, Roy Keane did leave his stamp, keeping the tradition of zest in the cup. But recent form has seen Keane and Man. U. fade away from the competition due to Champions League glory.

Liverpool, too, is approaching the FA cup and CL dilemma, but gone are the tri-colors that once splashed across the Kop and indeed Wembley.

Players like Mark Lawrenson, John Aldridge, Steve Staunton and Ronnie Whelan were to dominate domestic and European cups. This Irish group played the best football year in, year out at Anfield. It was a golden era for the fans in cup games and in winning trophies. These legends are tough acts to follow, but the cup always comes up with the extraordinary.

Newcastle United’s Given and O’Brien are developing solidly in their partnership. Their composure was evident in the 1-nil victory over Manchester City. To reach the quarterfinals, the defensive duo produced another clean sheet against the Blues.

United held out against Kevin Keegan’s attacking insistence. The outcome of this exciting game was always going to have an Irish player moving on in the competition. City’s Richard Dunne was to add a familiar twist to the cup. In the 28th minute, Dunne received his marching orders for pulling down Newcastle’s Craig Bellamy as the speedy striker was clean through. It did seem like a professional foul and referee Alan Wiley perhaps had no other option but to red card the unfortunate Irish international.

Kevin Moran received such orders in the 1985 cup final. It was a heart-rending moment for Moran, the first player ever to be sent off in a cup final.

Newcastle United vs. Arsenal is already heating up to be a clash and a half. Wenger’s CL concerns have indicated disappointment at the FA for not giving his side more time to rest. It is a sign that Arsenal is more interested in the CL rather than the FA Cup.

For Newcastle, it’s a matter of getting silverware on Tyneside. The Toon’s Given and O’Brien may be hungrier on the day, and the Gunners will definitely not want a replay. Will Arsenal’s Irish coach, Pat Rice, and his French connection leave a bittersweet taste in the cup for the Irish? The current crop of players may keep the Irish flavor in the cup, but can they go on to win it with a nation behind them? It’s possible, especially with the World Cup around the corner.