NO ONE OLD enough to remember it will ever forget Ireland’s dramatic World Cup quarter-final against the hosts at Italia ‘90.
The game was played in Rome on a Saturday night. We lost 1-0. But it was Ireland’s best showing at that tournament. Indeed it may even have been one of our national soccer side’s greatest ever performances.
I was only a kid watching at home on TV. But I remember the occasion vividly: Getting spooked early on because Jimmy Magee had taken over commentating duties from George Hamilton, who had narrated our progress through the tournament up till then. An early Niall Quinn header going close. The clear sense that we were in it to win.
Then Kevin Sheedy’s fluffed pass to John Aldridge. Roberto Baggio’s burst of pace. His ball to Schillaci, offloaded to Giannini, who knocked it wide to Roberto Donadoni. The AC Milan midfielder was our schoolyard hero in Ballyhaunis. He was one player who every boy I knew idolised.
But Donadoni’s piledriver of a shot wasn’t enough to put Italy in front. A flailing Packie Bonner parried it into the path of Toto Schillaci, who calmly slotted it away into the empty net. Even as kids, our devastation at the final whistle, was tempered by an awareness of how magnificently Jack Charlton’s team had represented this country on the world stage.
Then Charlie Haughey blagged his way onto the pitch and my parents started cursing at the TV screen for reasons I didn’t quite understand.
The following day was a Sunday. Somewhat less memorably, that afternoon, my father drove my sister Una and I to Tuam to see a Connacht football semi-final between Mayo and Galway. I was (and remain) a huge Mayo fan. The previous September, we’d been very unlucky to lose a very closely contested All-Ireland final to Cork.
But after the glitz and glamour of the Olympic Stadium, Tuam Stadium seemed a little drab for my tastes. After one controversial early foul, I remember people around us joking that they wanted to see the slow motion instant replay. They wanted John Giles or Eamon Dunphy to say “stop it there” and go over the incident with magic pens (which were considered cutting edge technology at the time.).
Galway beat us by two points that afternoon. There was no backdoor in those days, let alone a Super 8s. After just 70 minutes playing time, Mayo’s season was over. Yet, somehow, this defeat didn’t seem that big a deal. It was all a bit underwhelming compared to the previous night’s epic drama. Mayo would lose two closely contested All-Ireland finals later that decade in 1996 and ‘97, before Galway broke out of Connacht to win Sam outright in 1998.
Faded memories of that 1990 Connacht semi-final came back to me with a start on Sunday afternoon, when I was en route through Dublin city centre to watch the 2018 World Cup final in the pub with some friends. A family in Galway jerseys got on the Luas at Heuston. In all of my excitement over France v Croatia, the fact that Galway were playing Kerry in the Super 8s in Croke Park that afternoon had completely escaped my attention. I’d barely given the game a second thought, beyond assuming that Kerry’s star forwards would probably give them the edge.
Decades may have passed since Italia ‘90. But one harsh sporting truth remains. In terms of colour, excitement and box office appeal, the GAA’s football and hurling championships simply cannot hope to compete with the draw of a World Cup.
I don’t say that to disparage the GAA. Nothing can compete with a World Cup. Wimbledon can’t. Brexit chaos can’t. Donald Trump colluding with Russia can’t. Hell, even my mother calling to tell me she’s fallen down the stairs and thinks her hip is broken can’t. (Sorry Ma, but there’s still a half hour left in this Australia v Peru game and it really could go either way…*)
Most of us rate sex pretty highly. Right? But when did you last have sex as good as that second half of Belgium v Japan? Be honest here.
But not to worry. World Cups only come around once every four years. And given the 2022 finals in Qatar will be played in November, it will be another eight years before the football and hurling championships will have to compete with one.
After the most exciting World Cup final any of us could remember finally ended in victory for France, the presidents of FIFA, France, Croatia and Russia, plus some guy in a blue suit who looked like Nigel Worthington, all lined up on the podium for the medal presentation. The winners, losers and the host nation had all acquitted themselves remarkably, so (just as Charles Haughey had found in the Olympic Stadium in 1990) there was a lot of reflected glory for the politicians to bask in
The medal presentation in the Moscow rain seemed to go on for hours. While it did, my friends and I debated our favourite moments from the tournament. Ronaldo’s hattrick against Spain. Neymar turning heel. Maradona’s alarming antics in the stand against Nigeria. Michy Batshuayi’s goal celebration against England that rebounded on him harder than an Elon Musk Twitter rant.
Heung-Min Son’s “They think it’s all over… it is now” extra time goal for South Korea against Germany.
Half of Mexico City descending on the South Korean embassy there to celebrate, because that result put Mexico through to the second round.
Mbappe succeeding Messi as football’s reigning superstar literally before our eyes in Kazan. Croatia’s marathon encounter with Russia. Eamon Dunphy’s slightly worrying tendency to repeat the same talking points over and over again. My future grandchildren will probably be born with some basic awareness that Luka Modric’s grandfather was killed in the Yugoslav Civil War and Jesse Lindgard isn’t a regular starter at Man United, so frequently did Eamon inform us of these facts.
Hell, World Cup 2018 was so great that, even the parts I didn’t like, I wouldn’t have changed. France, Belgium and Brazil, arguably the three best sides at the competition, all found themselves on the same side of the draw in the knockout stages. But that was okay, because it facilitated the most riveting storyline of them all, as the tiny nation of Croatia qualified for a World Cup final.
As I walked home through the city centre that evening, I was still encountering pockets of celebrating French and subdued Croatian fans. Then, in Temple Bar, I spotted three girls in Galway jerseys posing for a selfie. I’d forgotten all about that game. I had assumed Kerry would win, but something about these girls body language told me told me that’s not how it turned out in Croke Park.
I rushed home to watch the Sunday Game. It was Tuam 1990 all over again. The game was drab. The conditions were poor. You’d have missed the old VAR. Kerry’s Killian Young got a straight red for an incident off the ball. Did he punch Ian Burke? Honestly, he could have blown the guy a kiss for all I could tell. The cameraman seemed to be filming from a rooftop about four miles away.
Galway won out easily enough in the end. Beating Kerry in Croke Park? That’s no mean accomplishment. I went to bed wondering if Shane Walsh & co might just be a surprise packet to go all the way this year. Hmmm. Mayo knocking on the door for years and then our neighbours Galway walking right on through it? Well, it wouldn’t be the first time.
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N.B. No mothers were harmed in the writing of this column.
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Mr. Wu your organisation is a complete joke
I’m speechless after that
Boxing should be droped from the next Olympics, however to do this we would need a strong IOC, which is a cesspool of corruption so it ties in perfectly with Mr. WU and the AIBA, international committees for sport such as Boxing, Soccer, Cycling and Athletics are at an all time low and are doing damage to their sports, Mr Wu statement is a perfect example of this.
Conlon was ripped off.
Anyone watching the Joe Joyce fight yesterday would be puzzled how he lost on points through every round. Even though it was hinted at by the BBC pundits they took the defeat in a dignified way and said they would reserve judgement of the scoring until later. What else can you do in the situation. The fight was a stitch up.
I have no salary. And nobody has ever attempted to ‘fix’ the outcome of a sport while placing large bets on this, now who would have a reputation and history for doing this…
Boxing should be ‘doped’ in the next Olympics. Sure, one of them tried that trick this time and it did not work out too well!
Does Mr Wu not know we all have eyes in our heads? Joke of an association.
Lol ray. But u are right. Michael trained hard for four years only to be robbed in public at the first hurdle. So I don’t blame him for being hurt and angry.
So basically he’s saying “there’s no need for it but if he hadn’t been so vocal we wouldn’t be looking at potential change. And now we’re going to try to find a way to punish him.”
Mr.Wu your organisation is corrupt too the core by the looks of it.
Well Deborah we all have eyes in our head some need glasses to see clearly AIBAare approaching SPECSAVERS to sponser 2020 Olympics with no salaries etc they probably couldn’t afford to perfect the eye sight. Michael Conlon didn’t humilitate the judges they did that themselves with the eyes of the world on them. We need to Boycott next Olympics until AIBA clean up their act AND it is open and transparent with right of appeal. Need enquiry into this lot of judges and when he cleans up his act we will require our contestants to return the respect. They’re a laughing stock and their medals dubious.
He did not bargain for this scale of a backlash. He sounds like a rambling dictator. Why did the AIBA take a 10M loan from Kazakstan? The OCI is now claiming 2 irish boxers placed bets. If there ever was a strategy to divert attention away from the OCI and Pat Hickey we saw it today. It was no coincidence his solicitor made a statement today….emphasizing his age. They are tryimg to get the media on side. After the THG director was arrested in 2014 and they knew about Brazils anti-touting laws they still went back for the olympics to make a profit. Pat Hickey was central to the whole thing. His arrogance has landed him in jail.
Corrupt or incompetent.
He’s one or the other.
Either way AIBA is a joke.
That’s rich,they have humiliated the boxers and the sport itself.No doubt something will come out in several years time stating what we all already knew.
“People accuse the AIBA of corruption. Please give me the evidence.”
The evidence sir, is the crazy and wrong decisions of your judges. If they’re not corrupt, then they’re utterly incompetent.
How about looking back at every singla e crazy refereeing and judhes scorecard decision in London 2012???
Should that be enough evidence for you?
And how about in order to cease more of these scandals, why not abolish the professional scoring system??
So far, it isn’t working out as well as you would like it to, AIBA.
And ye can feck off. Conlan is right. Amateur boxing stinks.
Ah yes…. The I don’t have an account line….where have I heard that before…..
Sure he won that few bob on the horses
“The money was just resting in my account”………..
So he says there is nothing to see here, but we will review our judging system anyway. Ya right. Also whats the point in reviewing a fight after the fact , if you can’t appeal it.
Will they ban him from amateur boxing. That will really hurt. Do they not think before speaking. . Not just corrupt but inept aswell
An amateur ban would make no difference as he could compete in Tokyo as a professional but he won’t.
Conlan is leaving amateur boxing behind, so he can speak his mind without fear of what disciplinary action will be taken. He can just ignore it.
The other boxers who didn’t complain still have a future career to consider.
If he did the same in a pro match he would be suspended. Some behaviour is just not acceptable.
Shut up Kal. Is the behaviour of the judges acceptable?
Well said Kal.
Sick comeback Ching bro
“Judges have no intentions. Why do (you think) they hate your country? The judges, why do they want it in favour of this (country) over the other one? There’s no reason.”
Because of a financial incentive? Does he take people for morons?
Mr.wu doesn’t like money was he sleeping out under the stars .he might need it to pay a few bills
You stole a medal from Conlan and Taylor, these people got exactly what they deserved.
He doesn’t have an Account, he reminds me of another shifty character who didn’t have an Account, likes the Horses as well I’d say, these lads think they’re just too smart and this lad will be brought back to earth fairly soon as well especially if the rest of the member organisations have the balls to shout STOP.
They never do.
Mr. Wu doesn’t know his arse from his elbow. Is he even a Judge? He played Basketball, thats it! Trying to introduce Pro-Box rules to Amateur Boxing is a major no-go. When was an Amateur boxer ever awarded for aggression? I judged for years and I can tell you for a fact that Mr. Wu’s ideal world of eliminating favouritism in boxing, whether at club level or the Olympics, will never exist. Michael Conlons outburst was a result of having continually witnessed corruption down through the years, and guess what? It took an outburst like this to shake the whole rotten kip up. Wu addresses Conlon’s reaction but not the spark that lit the fuse. If I was Conlon, I’d Fcuk Wu Too.
Seemingly, Wu contested IOC Presidency against Bach so why would he need a bank account when he has the IOC and Boxing paying for everything. Seems to be very popular with the African nations as well! His wiki (and newspaper references) are worth having a look at.
That president is not fit for office Michael was let down badly by the judges on the day he was right to have a go at them ,
Another Sepp Blather!
Well done to Canada it seems as though all other national organisations are content to be dictated to by AIBA. Stand up for your boxers and reject this corrupt organisation who have shamed a beautiful sport.
Hello — the olympics has little to do about the athletes but all to do with associations junkets and gravy train. Just look at Dumb and Dumber (Hickey and Delaney). Whether they are guilty or not they both bleed the sports dry of funds and facilities etc.
I’m not too sure that many pro boxers will fight in the Olympics in future and risk be shown up by amateurs.
Wouldn’t do their profile any good
I thought the AIBA president’s name was Yu Pai Mee…………
How are they going to sanction someone who never wants to fight for them again..
>> A lot of disciplinary action will follow.
Action against a boxer who will most likely never, ever choose to box for you again.
I’m sure Conlan’s bricking himself.
Wu is a plonk.
There’s an Abbott and Costello routine in here somewhere… Who is a plonk?
Wu who?
Michael Conlan spoke the truth. He had the courage to speak about the corruption that exists. I’m sure they probably think he is sh*ting himself about them wanting to discipline him. Well done Michael for saying it as it is. And the best of luck for the future.
Corrupted clowns.
I wonder if Mr Wu has an account with his local bookmaker.The man must be heavily medicated, something’s not right with him to come out with such shite.
You can be sure the lads doing the judging have a love of the folding stuff and have accounts to deposit it in.
His ‘i hate money’ comments are ridiculous and insulting. Where did he stay in Rio and which restaurants did he eat in? Something tells me if the answers aren’t the Travelodge and Mickey D’s.
If the judges were so good why did they suspend some and send others home
WOW. Me thinks the Lady doth protest too much.
This gobs hite has a neck on him! Lies, corruption, cheating and he has the audacity to blame the guy that has been so utterly wronged!!
Agree with all the previous comments however, Conlan’s post fight behaviour was embarrassing.
I disagree, this has created a lot of awkward noise and generated heat on AIBA and they don’t like it one bit. Well done Michael
The only inappropriate thing he did was raise his middle finger, his accusations of cheating seemed fair given what had transpired.
That’s the attitude that organisations like the Aiba play on. The notion that you are some how “above it” if you don’t react with emotion or the Irish thing of, ‘if you have nothing nice to say don’t say it’. Thats bull it lets the organisations in question away with murder.
That’s the problem with protests, the quiet ones rarely get noticed.
Justified, not embarrassing.
Im sure hes terrified of a little “disciplinary”…..
Nikitin couldn’t show his face at the semi-finals!!!!!Battered.
Fuk u Mr.Wu
British lad Joyce robbed of a gold medal yesterday and in another final a Cuban, a reject from the Cuban boxing team won gold for Kazakhstan to equal the gold won by one of his former teammates now fighting for Bahrain.
A complete joke.
Another Pencil Pusher without a Clue and Account to Nobody. They seem to be Everywhere and u all walks of Life. Isn’t it Funny that Only Ordinary People seem to be actually Punished
God my Spelling is atrocious. Accountable and in all walks of life. Ta
Conlan’s response: Go bleep your self, what part of I’ll never fight amateur again don’t ya get?
Poor Michael Conlon, was ‘shafted’ by association, to a person who used prohibited substance….you hadn’t a chance, Michael. See how they treated Shane Ross, in Rio, – a representative of our Government- the arrogant sh…s. They don’t deserve your talents, or loyalty…like the RC church, they- OCI- believe themselves immune…public opinion, could change. They won’t always have a Usain Bolt, to make them ‘look good’.
Another Blatter. Enough already.
Our Elected representatives are VERY quite on this issue. They should be shouting for explanations from the IABA
‘You can go through the right channels..’ to beg for someone to ‘review’ it! Seriously, the option to appeal was taken away. If Conlan didn’t react the way he did they would of just brushed it under the carpet, they have no interest in the integrity of the sport. Hypocrites
Corrupt officials
Who paid that langer to come up with that statement?? Clear as day Michael won the game not sure what that clown was watching but defiantly wasn’t Michael Conlon’s game for sure..
They dropped the ability to appeal judging decisions in this Olympics. Leaving the door open for the corruption to have a free hand. Pat Hickey shouldn’t have been the only one arrested!!!
If only the IABA stood up for their principles???
Mr Wu should get together IABA they both make bad decisions
“INTERNATIONAL BOXING ASSOCIATION (AIBA) President Ching-Kuo Wu has hit out at the behaviour of Michael Conlan at the Rio Olympics.” FOR SPEAKING THE TRUTH.
The INTERNATIONAL BOXING ASSOCIATION (AIBA) is a joke and corrupt in my personal view, it is rotten to the core in my view and many will agree with me on that?
Bertie Wu
Is that man totally delusional? And the Levit fight!!!
It would be interesting to hear Billy Walsh’s take on this aiba statement
Blah, Blah, Blah, Blah, talking rubbish.
Can we all tweet AIBA “Corrupt or incompetent?” . It’s sickening reading their attempt at self defence. Conlan and his cheated counterparts did well not to punch the heads off them
Or in summary ” trust me, there is nothing to see here. Do you know how hard it is being me”. I love the fact that even though there is no problem he had a solution for thing that isn’t a problem. All good from my side
To be fair, he has a point.
Conlan’s choice of language diluted the valid points he was making. There are ways of making your point without effing and blinding like a corner boy – embarrassing.
As I stated in my previous post, I agree with all the sentiments in support of Michael Conlan and his valid accusations, I just feel his choice of language and behaviour were wrong. There are ways of making your point and there are ways that are not. I am afraid Michael’s behaviour diluted his point.
Get away with you Robert. When RTE interviewed Conlan after the fight they must have known what he would say would not necessarily have been for public viewing and what’s more those listening to him would probably have said the same themselves. The decision was scandalous and Conlan is no patsy. It was a heat of the moment thing and Conlan had produced a fabulous performance against a world rated fighter and he knew it. To give him his due though he was interviewed on Newstalk radio the following evening and he gave a brilliant interview whereby he apologised for the language but not the sentiments. He is a winner and for the AIBA to come out with this nonsense says more about their lack of moral decency than anything Conlan has done. When he turns professional he’ll make one hell of a fighter but nothing can make up for the damage done to him by people who wouldn’t know it seems a punchbag from a balloon.
Gus . 100 percent covered.
“I don’t need money… I don’t like it.” Would go ever go and shyte
He should have punched the head of them aswell!
Enough is enough and someone had to call time. The silence of our Irish Boxing Officials and our Sporting Organisations speaks volumes. Why put our young athletes through this. Michael if your worst behavior was giving them the finger and using the F… word openly compared to blatant erroneous marking or ticket touting you have my support 100% at least I’d know where I’d stand
Ching-Kou Wu can F**k-Right Off.
Wu you ain’t got a clue It’s called betting and it’s easy if you know the results
Mr wu Wat a moron they have no reason to hate your country has he never heard of a thing called betting