February 16, 2011
By Staff Reporter
By Sean Creedon
The FAI are facing a logistical problem if, as seems likely The Republic
are involved in a play-off for the World Cup Finals. FIFA have set aside
November 10 and 14 as the play-off dates, but there are Rugby games at
Lansdowne
Road three Saturdays in November. The problem for the FAI is installing
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the so called ?bucket seats? for a Wednesday game and removing them again
for a Rugby international on Saturday. ??We won?t know until October 6
whetherwe will be in a play-off, but we are already making contingency
plans,??
said FAI General Secretary Brendan Menton. Those ?plans? including FIFA
for permission to play at home in the second leg of the play-off, but of
course the opposition may not agree to this.
Meanwhile on the playing front the good news is that Niall Quinn came through
his first game of the new season for Sunderland at the weekend. Quinn, our
only target man, who missed the end of last season, played for half of
Sunderland?s
friendly against Mansfield. ??I want to play every game, but I have had
a good think about things over the Summer and I know I have got to be more
careful,?? said Quinn.
*****
Semple Stadium, Thurles, which has been overlooked for all big hurling games
this Summer, will stage one of the four All-Ireland football quarterfinal
on August 4 when Kerry meet Dublin. This is the most attractive of the four
pairings and revives memories of the seventies and eighties which produced
some memorable games between the counties. It will be the first championship
meeting between the counties since the 1985 All-Ireland final. Kerry as
All-Ireland champions will be favorites, but The Dubs have a strong squad
and if they all click, could cause an upset. The game will no doubt be
labeled?The Trip to Tipp? by Dublin supporters and they will have no worries
about
?going to the country? as they beat Cork at Pairc Ui Chaoimh in a semifinal
replay in 1983.
*****
Bohemians are improving the image of the Eircom League in Europe. For the
second season in a row, The Gypsies have got through to the second round
of the Champions League qualifiers. After beating Estonian side Levadia
Maardu, they now take on Swedish club Halmstads, with the first leg at
Dalymount
Park this evening (July 25).
Meanwhile the popularity of Monday night football will be tested in the
new Soccer season. Shamrock Rovers will play their homes games at Tolka
Park on Monday nights until their new stadium in Tallaght is ready. And
Dublin City (formerly Home Farm Fingal) have also opted for Monday night
games. They will share Dalymount Park with Bohemians.
*****
Mick O?Dwyer is going to fulfill his contract with Kildare. The Kerryman
is going to persevere with the Lilywhites for another year. Many people
though that Micko would quit following Kildare?s defeat by Sligo in the
All-Ireland qualifiers.
*****
Former Republic of Ireland goalkeeper Packie Bonner has been appointed
National
Goalkeeper coach. The Donegal man, who has been part of Mick McCarthy?s
backroom team for the past five years, has got a two-year contract.
Ends++++