IF THE KNOWING smiles from Giovanni Trapattoni and Robbie Keane at the Gdansk pre-match press conference are to be taken at, literal, face value, then it seems highly likely that the captain will start as the lone front man against Spain.
But, given the tenor of some of the debate, it seems that may well prove an unpopular decision.
As such, we’ve decided to go through the pros and cons of Keane’s place in the team.
For
- With 53 goals, Keane has scored the same amount of goals as the rest of the Irish squad put together. What’s more, many of the goals have come in the country’s biggest occasions: the 2000 trip to Amsterdam, the 2001 play-off against Iran, the 2002 World Cup match against Germany, the last-minute penalty against Spain, the two play-offs under Trapattoni. If Ireland do get a rare chance against Spain, who would you want it to fall to?
- Whatever way you look at it, Keane remains the most famous name in the team. And, although this is football as opposed to show business, this can have a subconscious effect on opposition defenders. It creates a fear factor, a reference point. Even if it means defenders paying him a bit more attention, that frees space elsewhere.
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Against
- At what point does a milestone become a millstone? Look at Raul. He was Spain’s top scorer but it wasn’t until Luis Aragones made the brave decision to drop him that the team changed direction and embarked on this incredible winning run. What’s more, how much is a past record a guide to future success? At 31 and not quite as mobile as he used to be, Keane hasn’t scored in five games. It’s his longest drought for Ireland since 2001. Of late, too, the likes of Shane Long have looked sharper in front of goal. The legitimate question is, if Keane isn’t offering goals, what is he offering?
- This is the real point with Keane. He’s always been an individualist; never fully fitted into a system. Again, that was a compromise worth accepting when he was scoring goals. Now that he’s much less mobile, however, it’s effectively like playing with 10 men. The other forwards in that squad are much more used to the bustle necessary to play as a lone front man. Surely they’re more ideally suited?
Great game of football. Unfortunate mistake by Patton but what a joy to watch Murphy. This Dublin team will go down as the greatest ever and so could Murphy
@Shaun Gallagher: Murphy nowhere near greatest ever. Laughable.
@Jack Ronan: didn’t think it was funny but suppose everyone is different
Joe Brolly some dose, rte don’t make many good decisions but shafting him was spot on
@Ronny Phelan: he’s a joke, he’s become a Dublin fanatic rather than an analyst for the game. Donegal lead for 60 mins, they pegged back a 3 point deficit to a single score before the fulltime whistle went. If it went another 3 mins either side could have won it or end on a draw. Brollys acts as if we watched a Liverpool 5 nil trashing of city. Yes Dublin are good, yes they did 5 in a row, but bloody well analyse the game that was there. If monaghan beat mayo tomorrow their last 5 years performances won’t be mentioned.
@RJ: Yeah because they didnt win the last 5 all irelands and are a bunch of bottlers
@RJ: Why would anyone mention Monaghans last five years ?
Good game could have gone either way. Again time keeping inconsistencies, game stopped for nearly 2 and a half minutes for the Murphy Small sending off yet only an extra minute played.
@Gareth Keenan: refs can’t win when it comes to this.dubs cute out when the chips are down, you have to hand it to them.
@Fr Romeo sensini.: yeah definitely the GOAT.
@Fr Romeo sensini.: Refs can’t win? It’s a Flipping clock. Not a discretionary process. What a senseless comment. Over 2 mins stopped = 2 mins at least added. But I guess there was no need, Dublin had the lead
@RJ: you try doing it and dealing with 10 to 15 lads wrestling with each other at the same time.
John Small is some pantomime villain.
@Robb Stark: Oh no he isn’t
More cynical play to get Murphy sent off.
@raymond flynn: Murphy is no angel but Small is always at it.
@raymond flynn: didn’t see too many of the yahoo’s in blue running in to fight ter this evening!! But few weeks back they wer very tough trying too beat a few young Kerry players!!!
@raymond flynn: Murphy is well able to get himself sent off
@Yusufmc: grow up.
@Yusufmc: are you drunk?
@GrumpyAulFella: wish I was watching that throw ball! Thx god for hurling!!!
@Phil O Stine: what did he do to get himself sent off.
@Brian: watch the game
@Phil O Stine: he got man of the match. I guess you are 1 of those blinkered bitter supporters.
@Brian: he should have been sent off in first few minutes . He went in on Davy Byrne with his elbow. Do you are right the refs can’t do the job
To be fair the second yellow card John small received should have been a red card
@Conor Brick: To be fair, you’re talking shyte, Murphy started the handbags and dragged him to the ground. What’s he meant to do?
@Ciarán: To be fair the first yellow Murphy received should have been red
@Conor Brick: Every second yellow is a red bud ….
I suppose the refs are playing to the letter of the law but between the club final and these few league games, congress could be looking at bringing in a ladies football or rugby style clock to reduce the amount of injury time