DURING THE WEEK, Sepp Blatter rejected an offer from the BBC and Sky to take part in a live television debate ahead of Fifa’s presidential election and Anthony speculated as to the reason why:
“Maybe Sepp’s invite to take part didn’t come in a brown envelope.”
Any hopes Martin O’Neill had of persuading Harry Kane to play for Ireland were dashed this week as the Tottenham striker was named in Hodgson’s latest England squad but John Connors insists we have enough firepower already:
“We’ve got Connor Sammon anyway we don’t need him.”
It was School’s Cup finals week and Ronan O’Gara tweeted a brilliant picture of his Pres Cork Senior Cup winning team from 20 years ago. There were plenty of familiar faces but some struggled to recognise a former Ireland international:
“Stringer just doesn’t look right with hair.”
U2 made an unexpected appearance in Monaco on Tuesday as the French side knocked Arsenal out of the Champions League. Bono didn’t look overly pleased to be there.
“Bono isn’t depressed by the result, he’s pissed off the young fella leaned over him to get Larry’s autograph.”
Jamie Carragher revealed he was asked by Mick McCarthy to declare for Ireland but reader ‘Desheen’ insists the Liverpool great was no great loss for the Boys in Green:
“Well he’s no Gary Breen but still would probably have made a useful contribution.”
It was a busy week for Fifa as the governing body confirmed the dates for the 2022 World Cup with the final taking place on 18 December in Qatar. The timing of the tournament will disrupt the usual festivities as Paul Tuohy points out:
“Tis gonna play havoc with people’s 12 pubs plans.”
Ireland’s World Cup campaign came to an end at the weekend as defeat to Pakistan send the Boys in Green home. Their performances on the world stage captured the public’s imagination although reader Mick sums up how most people were feeling whilst watching the cricket:
“I didn’t understand most of the above but good luck Ireland. Always good to see an Irish team doing well on the international stage.”
We had Paul Ince in The42 office during the week and naturally Roy Keane came up in conversation with ‘The Guv’nor’ insisting he would take his former United team mate down in a scrap.
Oisín O’Connor was quick off the mark to point out it would be an uneven fight given the weight difference:
“I’m afraid you’re in a different weight class now Incey.”
Yes and yes. Was also great to see Tom Parsons on last nights panel.
@Sam Walsh: Be it on the Sunday Game last night or at the last Mayo match or on Off the Ball, every appearance he’s made since the injury would make you admire the man and his positivity. A tireless battler on the pitch and clearly the same off it.
@EnKy: a honest player.
Shane Walsh was the best player on the pitch in the Hyde by a country mile. There was no other contenders.
I thought John conlon would get it, his having a great year so far, a man with the strenght of 2 horses as buff egan would say !!!!
Tony Kelly for me, drove Clare on in the second half.
Shanahan had a great game no doubt but it’s easy look good as the spare man. Saw it a lot over the last few years with Waterford sweepers picking up heaps of man of the match awards. Conlon for me for consistency over the game. If Kelly could consistently play for 70 the way he did in the second half he’d never fail to win a MOTM again
@Ciarán: Bill cooper all day long. Won the match for Cork nearly on his own.