Ireland vs Macedonia - Thoughts

Don't worry. Its all over. You can now breathe a sigh of relief. Those last 10-15 minutes were unbearable but we did, in the end, get the job done. Just. That first half performance just about did it but we were looking edgy towards the end of the game.

The first half was one of our better performances in recent times. The way we passed the ball about - almost Barcelona-esque at times - made us look invincible and after 21 minutes we had two goals to show for it, partly aided by Macedonia's shaky goalkeeping. We kept the tempo up for much of the first half but we were undone by some slick Macedonian play which saw our own Richy Dunne turned inside-out and they halved the deficit to just 2-1 minutes before the break.

Much of the same was expected of us in the second half but we looked a different team when the Irish came out of the tunnel for the second half and not in a good way. We began to look weary and gave away a lot of unnecessary free-kicks in innocuous parts of the pitch. We became sloppy. We allowed Macedonia to play football and us Irish basically invited them to have a few pops at goal which could have proved costly in the end if Westwood hadn't denied goalscorer Trickovski, we'd have been in real trouble.

Coach Giovanni Trappatoni had named the line-up on Friday afternoon and in it, he included the names of three Irishmen who were to make their first competitive starts in an Irish shirt. Kevin Foley was employed at right-back, Darren O'Dea at centre-back and Kieran Westwood was covering for the injured Shay Given. In my opinion, they all did what was required with Westwood making saves when called upon. Kevin Foley, the Wolverhampton Wanderers right-back came across as an exceptionally comfortable individual on the ball and O'Dea performed solidly making it hard for the Macedonian's to break down the Irish wall of defence.

The only negative of the night was the injury to current FAI Player of the Year Kevin Doyle, who took a knock on his knee meaning he was subbed inside the 20 minute mark. Tony O'Donoghue reported pitch side that Doyle would be missing the match against Uruguay on Tuesday and the injury is sure to upset Wolves boss Mick McCarthy who has depended heavily on Doyle this season to make sure Wolves maintain their Premier League status.

We also saw the end to the on-going fiasco that surrounded James McCarthy as he FINALLY made the competitive appearance that see's him officially become an Irish player. McCarthy came on as an 86th minute substitute for Robbie Keane and he put the bed those rumours of his club coach Roberto Martinez claiming that he still hadn't made up his mind of who to play for when he came on late in the game. McCarthy stated both this week and last week that he had his mind set on becoming an Irish - and not Scottish - player and when he came on he was met with an enormously gracious response as the Irish showed they welcomed him into the clan with open arms and we're glad he's here to stay.

I'd also like to commend Robbie Keane on his record-equaling 40th match as captain. That in itself is an achievement and he now draws level with Andy Townsend for most times captaining Ireland. Even though he may be past his prime he showed tonight that he still possesses that strikers instinct with an ever-instinctive finish that saw Ireland match Russia and Slovakia's table topping 10 points from 5 games.

Here's to more of the same from Keane and hopefully he can surpass Townsend's record and with it, bring Ireland into the Euro Championships in 2012.

The Curious Case Of Darron Gibson

This was supposed to be Gibson’s year. The year that Gibson starts to challenge regularly for a United shirt. The year he becomes a hero. In the past he’s only been known for his memorable long-range efforts. This season he wanted to prove his doubters wrong and deliver a message that would immediately signal Sir Alex’s attention and get him to insert the Irishman into the first team. But that plan has failed and as a result he finds himself wandering aimlessly in the reserve side, constantly waiting for a call-up to the first team which is usually for a game of a ‘dead rubber’ standard. He was given the green light by Ferguson to reassert his presence in the first team when United played Crawley Town in the FA Cup, a team which has beaten the likes of Derby and Torquay on their way to a memorable draw against the Premier League leaders.

Gibson only ever plays dead rubbers/non important matches now for United as I've previously stated. Don’t you deny it. When he plays there’s a constant need to give the ball away on his behalf. It’s what gets him thrown back to the reserve side. However, on this occasion, Gibson seemed to have matured as a footballer and was one of the better United players on the pitch on Saturday, but let’s keep in mind, it was Crawley Town United were up against, a non-league side for pete’s sake.

Gibson had been picked up by United when he was just 14 years of age. He gracefully advanced through the United setup with considerable ease and was playing regularly in the reserve side at 19. Spells at Royal Antwerp and Wolverhampton Wanderers aided his first team aspirations and by the age of 21 he was given his debut by Sir Alex in a Premier League match vs Stoke City. Gibson continued his progress on his way into the United squad and made several more appearances over the next couple of seasons, making a total of 14 apps in 2008/09, 23 in 2009/10 and 13 so far in the current campaign.

He’s undoubtedly made his mark with the finesse in which he scores his goals. Usually long efforts, Sir Alex has praised Gibson in the past claiming that Gibson could be the new Paul Scholes and also stated that “Who is to say if Gibson had been playing all the time where he would be in terms of goals?” Sir Alex seems confident in the young star and let’s remember, he’s only 23 so there’s still plenty of time to improve and its fair to say he’s come on leaps and bounds since his introduction to the squad of Manchester United.

This season Gibson has been involved in quite a few games for the Red Devils and although he doesn’t always start, there’s a sense of when he shoots, he’ll probably score. But then there’s the problem that he’s “no Paul Scholes” as the Guardian’s Daniel Taylor stated earlier this week after his lacklustre performance against Marseille. Gibson was shockingly chosen ahead of Paul Scholes to start the Marseille encounter but his lack of creativity once again brought up questions of why he continues to play. There’s no doubt Gibson can pass the ball but he lacks inventiveness – the kind that Xavi possesses. The only quality United fans have ever seen is his shooting range. Never, has he impressed the United faithful with his ‘passing’ or ‘overall commitment’.

We can’t forget Gibson’s Irish dilemma. Gibson is keen to play for Ireland as we all know but on several occasions Giovanni Trappatoni has expressed a desire for the young lad to gain football with a move away stating that “He can do more. He has a big potential. If I was Gibson I would go to another group where I always play.” Gibson, having reacted to a similar comment from his elder back in November, was reluctant to speak out this time.

For me personally, Gibson is a player to keep an eye on. I’d always thought that Gibson would become an indispensable player of the squad sooner or later and although you may all deny it, I’m backing Gibbo all the way to the end.

Who Is Conor Sammon?

Forget the madness that went on surrounding Liverpool, Chelsea and Manchester City during this January’s past transfer window and focus your attention to Lancashire, Wigan to be exact. Wigan arguably, got a bargain (£600,000) for Kilmarnock’s goal machine Conor Sammon. The Irishman had been playing for the Killies in Scotland’s SPL and had been in superb form this season scoring 18 in 27 games. But it wasn’t always this rosy for the Dublin native.

Born and bred in Dublin, Sammon had developed an uncanny ability to play football from a very early age and was recruited by UCD’s LOI team (University College Of Dublin) at the age of 19, was employed by Pete Mahon as a central striker. Sammon wasn’t initially successful playing in the League Of Ireland – partly due to the lack of creativity on the team’s behalf, but earned a name for himself among the UCD faithful, humorously dubbing him the ‘Sammon Of College’. Sammon completed two seasons for UCD with a return of 13 goals in 69 appearances for ‘the College’ before Derry City came knocking in 2007.

The move to Derry was arguably the worst of the Irishman’s career to date, as he was unable to nail down a first team place at Brandywell. The Dubliner found life in Derry City uneasy and when Kilmarnock came for him out of the blue he grasped the opportunity with both hands. He signed for the Killies in 2008 after a torrid time for Derry and was immediately asserted into the Scottish outfits first team, leading the line for Kilmarnock.

In his first full season for the Killies, Sammon was told by manager Mixu Paatelainen that he was going to be playing wide on the right. Sammon disappointed for the Scottish side out on the wing and it resulted in him netting just 7 times in his first two seasons for the club. Paatelainean then tried employing Conor in the centre of attack and from that moment on he set the SPL on fire. The 2010/11 season was the year that Sammon began to become noticed on a national scale.

Partnering Manuel Pascali up front, Sammon began to tear it up in the SPL and scored 18 goals in 27 apps for the Killies, a return which saw Derby County, Scunthorpe and Wigan all take considerable interest in the Irishman. January 2011 proved to be a testing time for the club from East Ayrshire and bids came left right and centre for the Irish native.

First up was Scunthorpe who displayed an interest in Sammon but that rumor was squashed when the Killies striker ruled out any move to the Championship stating that he was happy and that he felt that there was more development to come at Kilmarnock for himself.

Derby County were next to test the patience of Killies and were heavily linked with the striker as deadline day loomed. The Rams’ proposed bid of £425,000 was subsequently turned down and that ended any hope of a stint in Derby for Sammon.

It seemed Sammon would be staying at Kilmarnock until the Summer transfer window arrived but out of nowhere, as deadline day was coming to a close, Wigan Athletic emerged as favourites to sign the Irishman, having had a bid of £600,000 accepted for Sammon Monday evening.

The paperwork was completed and Sammon became a Wigan Athletic player by the time the window had slammed shut at 11:00 GMT.

Sammon isn’t exactly the most gifted player but he makes up for it in determination, quite Tevez-esque, you could say. That’s what’s made him the player he is today. There are doubts, however, that Sammon may lack the intensity to revel in the Premier League. Sammon has now become Roberto Martinez’ 4th signing to come from Scotland, having previously signed Steven Caldwell, James McCarthy and James MacArthur.

It’s a move that could potentially land Conor Sammon in the Ireland squad soon enough, with Robbie Keane’s time surely coming to an end.

Richard Keys Apologises To Many, Slams Even More On Talksport

Richard Keys today shed his views on the current situation regarding his future after a latest video surfaced late last night of him making lewd remarks of a previous girlfriend of Jamie Redknapp's.

Talksport confirmed they would be interviewing Keys this lunchtime, and the Sky Sports presenter continually reiterated his apology throughout the show, saying it on numerous occasions.

Keys also, halfway through his interview had slammed Rio Ferdinand, The Sun newspaper and also  expressed his desire to potentially resign as Sky Sports head pundit.

Regarding the Sian Massey situation, Keys said:

“I rang Sian on behalf of Andy and myself and made it an official apology, which she accepted.

“She and I enjoyed some banter together and we left on very good terms. She was in very good spirits and I explained that I was misguided. There was no excuse for anybody to make any excuse for anyone. It was wrong.

“I wanted to apologise on Monday, but was told I couldn’t. There are some dark forces at work.

Dark forces, eh? Surely we couldn't have the return of the dreaded Darth Vader? Better get the 3D glasses out.

Keys then continued to apologize for his actions, this time to Karen Brady but his calls were ignored.

"I tried to ring Karren twice on Sunday night. "There was no answer on Karren's phone and there is no answerphone on it. I texted her in case she did not know who was trying to call and asked her to ring me back.

"I tried to ring her to say sorry but she did not take my call."

Keys switched the tables on his apology seminar and slammed Manchester United defender Rio Ferdinand, after his "prehistoric banter" comment sparked fury among Keys.

Keys responded swiftly and attacked Ferdinand verbally saying that:

"Rio, are you telling me it doesn't take place in the Manchester United dressing room?."

oooooh the tension..

Then the subject was changed to Keys' career, a career which he has surely just flushed down the toilet, no second thoughts incurring.

Keys has been at Sky for over 20 years and has pondered about resignation as of late, publicly stating on Talksport that:

“I have to seriously consider resigning. My mate has been sacked. The view of the majority is that he should have been sacked. We got it wrong. Bad.”

“I have got to ask myself, do I want to carry on without him? And that is something I have been doing, obviously."

Adam Hammill Makes The Move To Wolves

Wolves have completed the signing of Barnsley wizard Adam Hammill on a three and a half-year deal.

Hammill has scored eight goals for the Championship side this season and has been linked with the likes of Liverpool and Blackpool over the course of last week.

Hammill seems to be delighted with the move as he told the Wolves website:

"I think my ambitions go hand in hand with the club," he said. "I'm really keen to play in the Premier League and the club are keen to establish themselves at this level."

He added: "I'm really excited about the prospect and Wolves are a massive club. I'm looking forward to playing my part for the rest of the season."

Hammill also praised Wolves manager Mick McCarthy's work ethics:

I've heard the manager is honest and will tell you things you don't want to hear at times. But he's straight down the middle and fair which is what everyone wants as a player."

McCarthy also got in on the scene and he was delighted with the signing of Hammill:

"I'm really pleased that we've managed to bring Adam in.

"He is a creative player who can provide chances for others but can also score goals and has done that wherever he has been.

"He is a very good player who will add to our competition for places and prove a valuable addition to the squad."