The Keano edge

Well, what a game! I know I’d tipped Ireland to beat Holland in my hotpress column, but as kick-off approached and I saw all that Dutch talent warming up on the Lansdowne pitch, serious doubts started to creep in! It wasn’t until Roy Keane put his foot on the ball – and Marc Overmars! – that my confidence returned. I honestly don’t think that Roy went out with the intention of clattering into him in the first few minutes, but there’s no harm letting someone like that know you’re there. And the fact that Patrick Kluivert got so wound up about it may have contributed to him missing his early chance. Certainly, if Keano hadn’t been there to slow it down and lead by example, I reckon we’d have gone in at half-time a goal or two down.

It’s been forgotten in the post-match euphoria, but the game started with us making silly mistakes and hoofing the ball to safety. Another crucial point in that first 20 minutes was when Zenden needed to lift the ball over Shay Given, but misjudged his lob. There was a tangible sense, at that point, of the Dutch swagger disappearing and frustration setting in.

The feeling you get watching Holland is that there are too many highly-paid stars, and not enough grafters who are willing to give their all for the team. If you look back at previous World Cup finals, there always seems to be some bust-up or behind the scenes drama a week or two before they fly out. It’ll be a poorer tournament without them – and possibly Brazil and Germany to boot – being there, but nobody has a divine right to qualify.

I have to say my language was a bit choice when Gary Kelly was sent off. Being up against an in form Marc Overmars is no picnic, but I thought Gary was a wee bit naïve in the way he tried to play him. When he got the earlier booking, I thought, “If you go near him again, you’re history”, and sure enough he got his marching orders. As so often happens, though, being down to 10 men seemed to give everyone a boot up the backside, and our work-rate during the final half-hour was phenomenal.

There was a nervy moment when Stan did his backheader but, overall, I thought he was magnificent. The same goes for Shay Given who did a great job of making it look like he was going for the ball and not the player! He was helped by the fact that, rather than staying down, Van Nistlerooy tried to get up and the reach the ball. But it was that honesty and endeavour which was apparent throughout the team that swung things Ireland’s way.

I’m normally quite cool on the terraces, but when Macca scored, the mad fella I was next to, Frankie Mullen, got the hug of his life! I was in the airport the next morning with Jason, and the look on his face as everyone came up and congratulated him was wonderful. Hopefully being in the shop window like that will get him the move away from Blackburn that he so desperately needs and deserves.

I knew when he took off Mark Overmars – their best player up till then – and replaced him with Hasselbaink that Louis Van Gaal had lost the plot. I honestly believe that if the Dutch had stuck to their original plan, rather than pumping the ball wide to the right and crossing it into the box, it would have been very hard to stop them getting their equaliser. Instead, the inventors of Total Football were reduced to playing the long ball game, which suited us fine.

At the same time, you had Damien Duff holding the ball up superbly and winning important free-kicks. I doubt if he’ll play as well as that again and not win ‘Man Of The Match’, which rightly went to Roy Keane. My reaction when the full-time whistle went was more shock than celebration. In fact, I still can’t believe that we beat one of the best teams in the world with 10 men! It was a marvellous result for Mick McCarthy, who didn’t let all the “if they lose he should resign” nonsense get to him, and psyched the lads up brilliantly. That’s one of his main strengths – motivating people.

The Cyprus vs. Portugal games wasn’t available live in England, but I saw the highlights and was disappointed that Cyprus’ finishing wasn’t a bit better! If that lad had converted the chance they had at the start of the second-half, we’d probably be on our way to the World Cup already. It highlighted the fact that we need to avoid complacency and treat Cyprus with respect. As well as Matty Holland slotted in, having Mark Kinsella back will be a huge boost and I think we can win it with a couple of goals to spare.

While I wouldn’t profess to being an expert on Uzbekistani football, I’d far rather meet an Asian team in the play-offs than somebody like Slovenia or the Ukraine. There’s been a bit of talk about Iraq and the Saudis not allowing away fans, but sometimes a hostile crowd can work to your advantage. I played in Turkey when they were baying for our blood, and loved it that we were able to shut them up.

Even more unlikely than our result was England’s demolition of Germany. Suicidal defending by the Germans – but the way England took their goals was world class all the same. He’s a bit to go before he’s as complete a player as Roy Keane, but potential-wise Stephen Gerrard is in a class of his own. As an Irishman, I find it a lot easier to be happy for England now that Sven-Goran Erikkson is in charge! There’s a dignity about the man, which is impossible not to warm to, and I genuinely hope that they beat Greece and qualify.

The only disappointing thing about the 5-1 scoreline was that Brian Moore wasn’t alive to enjoy it. He was one of football’s true gentlemen and will be sorely missed.

Finally, I’d like to urge everyone who can to get along to the Sport Against Racism In Ireland Festival, which is taking place in the grounds of the Law Society, Blackhall Place, Dublin on September 22nd and 23rd. The situation on the pitch has definitely improved since I was a player, but more needs to be done to make football – and other games – all-inclusive.