Updated at 18.57
- Paul Fennessy reports from Versailles
MARTIN O’NEILL SAYS Ireland have decided to forget about the controversial Thierry Henry handball incident that ultimately proved pivotal in the team’s 2010 World Cup play-off defeat against France.
The infamous moment, in which a clear Thierry Henry handball went unpunished in the lead up to William Gallas’ extra-time goal, is bound to be a talking point as the two sides meet again for the first time in a competitive fixture since that unforgettable game in Saint Denis, as they prepare for a Euro 2016 second-round match on Sunday.
However, O’Neill downplayed the incident at today’s press conference at the team’s base in Versailles, and also seemed less than pleased that France will get an extra three days recovery, having last played in the 0-0 draw with Switzerland on Sunday, ahead of the big match.
It does seem a disproportionate amount of time that one team has to recover from another,” O’Neill said. “That might become very important.”
The 64-year-old coach continued: “I understand that, as the host nation, you should get some favours. If the competition was in Ireland, I would do exactly the same myself. Teams that play Ireland would play every single night and we wouldn’t have to play for a year.
The Thierry Henry (incident) is still probably causing some controversy, maybe more in France than it is in Ireland. I think we have decided to forget about it. That’s something coming from Ireland. It will be a talking point obviously, but I don’t think it will concern us when we play the game.”
The Ireland boss, meanwhile, was highly complimentary when asked about Didier Deschamps’ side.
“France have some individual talent that is mesmerising — very, very good players. The little lad (N’Golo) Kante in the midfield has had a sensational season for Leicester City. (Paul) Pogba is a really good player. I don’t know the ins and outs of what they’ll do with the team, but as the home nation, playing in front of the home crowd, they will have the vast majority of the tickets so it will be a tough afternoon but we’re ready for it.
We would have to play in the manner which we did last night. We would have to play with the same confidence, intensity, and if we can do that, we can cause them problems.”
As O’Neill alluded to, France will certainly be at an advantage in one respect, with the FAI today confirming that the vast majority of tickets for the game in Parc Olympique Lyonnais, Lyon would go to home supporters. Currently, a total of approximately 4,600 tickets have been allocated to Irish fans for Sunday’s game.
In addition, the Ireland boss said that both Stephen Ward and Jonathan Walters were hopeful of being available for this weekend’s crucial encounter.
Walters has not played since struggling through 64 minutes of Ireland’s opening Group E encounter against Sweden.
Ward, on the other hand, picked up a knock in last night’s historic win over Italy.
Of his thoughts regarding the starting XI to play France, O’Neill said: “Stephen Ward picked up an injury, his ankle has blown up. He’s desperate to play obviously. He played very well last night, continuing on. So we’ll have a look at him.
Jon Walters is trying to make an attempt to get fit as well. He’s been a major part of our campaign. It’d be nice to have him in contention if possible.
“We’ll see how they come out of it first and then take the energy levels into consideration again. They put an amazing amount of work in last night. Someone like James McClean could sleep for a week after the effort he put in.”
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What really grinds my gears about the handball was that he handled it twice. That’s even a foul in volleyball!
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If the constant memes of “Thierry….we’re coming for ya…!” on Facebook are anything to go by, Irish people definitely haven’t forgotten….and why the hell do people still think he’s playing?!
They don’t. He’s just an icon, a symbol.
Isn’t Thierry Henry on BBC’s panel? Will be interesting to hear what he has to say for himself on Sunday.
for once…
Most of the people putting these memes up haven’t a clue about football I notice
I forgive and forget. But I can’t forgive and forget that
This has actually little to do with this article but it is related. Being from the north it is difficult to get across the fact that I am as Irish as the next man whether he be from Cork or Kilkenny. During this match though if ever anyone needed persuading then it would have been interesting to say the least if a hidden camera had been trained on me. When the goal went in, well what can you say? The thing is though, I know of one famous sportsperson who has a similar background to myself and for the life of me I really cannot figure out how he could get the same sort of satisfaction from the success of the Norn Irn team as I did from this win last night. The same applies to the lads on the Norn Irn team once again with the same background as myself. It is just the way it is. Last night was just one of those moments.
Well said!
Gus, i see where you are coming from and i fully respect that. What i would say is that religion should not be politicised and used to define an individual’s identity. Mutual respect
A slight rewording of an old Irish ballad before Sunday’s game (and here is the original for those who don’t recognize it! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PSjmHXzboxk)
Oh father dear, I oft times hear, of World Cup Twenty Ten
Twas played down in Africa, during the Great Recession
You had Spain and Japan, the Netherlands, North Korea were there as well
But why did we not qualify, the reason to me tell
Oh son we had a decent team, a battle-hardened troop
Our four wins and six draws gave us second in the group
And against France, we had a chance, under Trapattoni
We just had to stop their striker, some guy called Henry
We lost at home in Dublin, so off to Paris we all set
But we came out with purpose & Robbie stuck it in the net
We could’ve had four, we didn’t get any more, so extra time it would be
But we didn’t know what awaited us, at the hands of cruel Henry
Oh well do I remember the hundred and seventh minute
Their ball was going wide & I was sure we were gonna win it
But someone didn’t play nice, he handled it twice & all France cheered with glee
And we were out, without a doubt, coz of cheating Henry
There was uproar in the aftermath and talk of a replay
We asked FIFA to get involved, in the name of fair play
This they did, gave us a few quid, but said there would be no team thirty three
And that meant no World Cup for us, thanks to Thierry Henry
Oh father dear, the time is near, for your anguish to be gone
We’re playing the French on Sunday, in the city of Lyon
And behind O’Neill & Keane, wearing green, in the stands we will proudly be
And loud and high, we will raise the cry “revenge for Henry!”
Jaysus thats not half bad, bit long though!
6 verses to match the version of Skibberreen I learned!
I will never forgive or forget how he carried the ball in his hand from the halfway line whilst holding back the Irish defence with an AK 47.
It will be the media who will keep on about the handball
It is seven years ago all of that happened and let’s get over it
People seem to forget that game would have only gone to penalties if that goal had been disallowed and who knows what would’ve happened there
So all of that should have no bearing to the buildup and a match for Sunday
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