BS: World Cup(Soccer) Irelands nightmare

Subject: World Cup(Soccer) Irelands nightmare
From: Big John
Date: 29 May 02 - 09:17 PM

Oh Lord its so hard to be humble when your'e perfect in every way
I called Mick McCarthy a wanker, now that English whore won't let me play
There wasn't a ball or a jersey when we turned out to play in Sai Pan
I spoke up alone now I'm heading home while the rest of them go to Japan.

There's 22 other players, I can't tell you one of their names
I carried them all right through Europe, on my own I won all of the games
I play with Manchester United, the fans there all treat me like God
But I'm brought down to Earth when I can't wear the shirt of Ireland my Ould Mother Sod.

I'll buy a field in Athenry and there I'll build my own Bertie Bowl
I'll have Teflon and floodlights and play 5 asides at night
And Mick can stick the World Cup up his hole.

Oh Lord its so hard to be humble when everyone knows I'm Roy Keane
I've cause to be grumpy, just ask Eamonn Dunphy, his book will explain what I mean
McCarthy is left with the losers and the debt ridden poor Irish Fan
I let down the side but I still have my pride while Paddy heads off to Japan.

I'll buy a field in Athenry, Build a Bertie Bowl with Covered roof and stand
I'll have Teflon and floodlights and play five asides At night
And we'll export Mick McCarthy to Japan,

This is for the Irish Mudcatters who had a traumatic week in the run up to the World Cup when Roy Keane, the Captain and star player had a slight argument with Mick McCarthy, the manager and was sent home to Ireland.

line breaks added by a
joeclone

Subject: RE: BS: World Cup(Soccer) Irelands nightmare
From: Liz the Squeak
Date: 30 May 02 - 12:26 AM

Omit the country and you have it for quite a lot of the English speaking world.....

LTS

Subject: RE: BS: World Cup(Soccer) Irelands nightmare
From: michaelr
Date: 30 May 02 - 12:52 AM

So Ireland did qualify, then?

Michael (ducking for cover)

Subject: RE: BS: World Cup(Soccer) Irelands nightmare
From: Nigel Parsons
Date: 30 May 02 - 04:36 AM

If it wasn't for the opening line I might have missed the fact that this is a parody (of Mac Davis). Can some kind "Joe Clone" please add line breaks ?

Subject: RE: BS: World Cup(Soccer) Irelands nightmare
From: GUEST,Bullfrog Jones (on the road)
Date: 30 May 02 - 04:38 AM

It's a real shame that a footballer as talented as Roy Keane should be such an arrogant prat. It's interesting to compare his attitude with the way David Beckham has matured and grown into the role of national captain, carrying himself with (for most observers) surprising dignity, with none of Keane's bullying and petulance. I suspect that all the other Irish players will be making a superhuman effort to prove that they can perform without him, and I hope they do!

BJ

Subject: RE: BS: World Cup(Soccer) Irelands nightmare
From: Bert
Date: 30 May 02 - 05:14 AM

Now just exactly why does this episode remind me of Harvey Smith?

Subject: RE: BS: World Cup(Soccer) Irelands nightmare
From: Declan
Date: 30 May 02 - 05:17 AM

Nice one John. I asume the three line verses are sung to the air of The Fields of Athenry. Come up and sing it for us sometime soon.

Subject: RE: BS: World Cup(Soccer) Irelands nightmare
From: greg stephens
Date: 30 May 02 - 06:46 AM

Is the World Cup happening soon? I'm surprised there hasn't been any publicity.

Subject: RE: BS: World Cup(Soccer) Irelands nightmare
From: donal
Date: 30 May 02 - 07:41 AM

Gotta profoundly disagree with Bullfrog here. How a player like Roy Keane can not be playing for us in the World Cup beggars belief. It simply isn't credible.

Sure, he is a difficult player to manage but then that is a managers job. Many of the worlds best sports stars have had a self-destruct button that needs to be controlled (John McEnroe, Jimmy Connors, George Best, Ian Botham all spring to mind). That is the managers job. Consider alex ferguson for a moment - at one stage he was handling Beckham, Cantona and Keane - all on the one team !!! - now thats management.

Neither Mick McCarthy nor Roy Keane are any great loss to the Diplomatic Corps but McCarthy had one job to do - to get our best team out in the World Cup Finals. In this job he has failed miserably.

BTW I hope to god Greg is displaying his finely honed sense of irony !!!

C'mon Cameroon

Donal

Subject: RE: BS: World Cup(Soccer) Irelands nightmare
From: Nigel Parsons
Date: 30 May 02 - 08:28 AM

Donal: can't find you in the members profiles, but would your cheer be for Cameroon:
A: because they're not English
or B: Because with a first name like Donal your family name is some variation of Cameroon ??

Nigel

Subject: RE: BS: World Cup(Soccer) Irelands nightmare
From: GUEST,Mikey joe
Date: 30 May 02 - 08:49 AM

Nigel

donal is an Irish name (for Daniel) I think he is joking as Irelands opening game is against Cameroon on saturday

Subject: RE: BS: World Cup(Soccer) Irelands nightmare
From: donal
Date: 30 May 02 - 08:55 AM

Only half joking guys....I live here in Cork where Cameroon jerseys are selling like hot cakes.....It is seen as a protest against the FAI and Mick McCarthy. Don't think that I could ever go that far but I can understand the emotions.....especially as Roy is a Cork man...

Donal (think my profile is donalh)

Subject: RE: BS: World Cup(Soccer) Irelands nightmare
From: Nigel Parsons
Date: 30 May 02 - 08:59 AM

Donalh: but the 'h' is silent, like the 'p' in bath!

Subject: RE: BS: World Cup(Soccer) Irelands nightmare
From: GUEST,sophocleese
Date: 30 May 02 - 11:01 AM

What! I've been spelling bath all wrong these many years? Good luck to all the teams in the cup this year. I intend to spend many hours glued to the telly.

Subject: RE: BS: World Cup(Soccer) Irelands nightmare
From: Bullfrog Jones
Date: 30 May 02 - 11:10 AM

Donal, from the reports coming out of the training camp, Roy Keane would have been taking on Cameroon by himself, 'cos the other 22 players would have refused to play alongsied him!

BJ

Subject: RE: BS: World Cup(Soccer) Irelands nightmare
From: donal
Date: 30 May 02 - 11:27 AM

Absolutely bullfrog......he was completely marginalised - interesting study in group dynamics huh ? Picture this.....Mick McCarthy at the training session "h'okay lads....u can support me 100% or u can fuck off back home like...what's it to be ?" dont need to be the brain of britain for that one !!

He was hung out to dry - had to organise all his own filghts out of Sai Pan. Sat alone in his bedroom as he heard his teammates outside getting on the bus...no support for him - except 10000 miles away - the whole of ireland supports him.

Subject: RE: BS: World Cup(Soccer) Irelands nightmare
From: mooman
Date: 30 May 02 - 11:28 AM

My puntsworth!

I think Roy Keane is an arrogant prat and disruptor full of his own exaggerated importance. It all reminds me of the Cantona fiasco and the fact he wasn't selected for France for similar reasons.

It speaks volumes that the rest of the squad don't want him back and I think they will make a superhuman effort to prove they can play without him. Probably it's the best thing to have happened to unite the team.

Good riddance to him and I'll be cheering the boys on win or lose and I'm sure they'll provide a good account of themselves.

I quite agree with Bullfrog Jones..one just has to look at David Beckham and how he has matured into a superb role model for all. Mr Keane ought to learn something from his Man U teammate.

(rant off)

Good luck to all the teams involved even though I'll be supporting Ireland. I'm hoping (one can live in hope!) for some truly excellent football and an absence of prima donnas.

All the best,

mooman

Subject: RE: BS: World Cup(Soccer) Irelands nightmare
From: donal
Date: 30 May 02 - 11:37 AM

Guys......a little perspective here !!! What has Keane done ? Did he hit someone ? Was he caught in a brothel ? Was he taking drugs ? No he was not - his only crime was to complain about the preparation of the FAI 1) There were NO balls to train with 2) Their gear had not arrived and they had to train in their clothes !! 3) The pitch was, literally, an old car park - far too hard to train on. As Roy said "this failure to prepare was preparing for failure" Ok - he lost the plot while he was complaing but itwas in NO WAY a sacking offence. God....he was trying to get better facilities for HIS team.

WRT the rest of the team making a superhuman effort.....name one other player fit to lace Roys boots and I will personally fly you to Japan for the finals!

Go Cameroon !!!

Subject: RE: BS: World Cup(Soccer) Irelands nightmare
From: Declan
Date: 30 May 02 - 11:40 AM

This is another (unattributed) parody that I was sent today on the same subject.

The Fields of Angry Roy

-1- By a lonely Geisha Girl We heard a mad Roy calling Michael you have led the team astray For you let the goalies sit Whilst me and the team were getting fit. Its not this bad when Man United play .

Chorus (All together. . . )

Bon-zai the Fields of Angry Roy Where once we watched the opposition fry. Duff was on the wing we had Keano's name to sing It's so lonely 'round the Fields of Angry Roy.

-2- By a lonely Geisha Girl I heard a mad Roy calling Nothing matters Micky when you're Me, Against the Germans and the rest You'll be without your best Now try and raise the spirits draped in Green .

Chorus (Right. . . )

Bon-zai the Fields of Angry Roy Where once we watched the opposition fry. Duff was on the wing we had Keano's name to sing It's so lonely 'round the Fields of Angry Roy.

-3- By a lonely Geisha Girl The team will watch our flags unfurl Behind them more than ever we will be And even without Keane The risin' sun will soon turn Green It's so lonely 'round the Fields of Angry Roy.

Chorus (One last time. . . )

Bon-zai the Fields of Angry Roy Where once we watched the opposition fry. Duff was on the wing we had Keano's name to sing It's so lonely 'round the Fields of Angry Roy.

Subject: RE: BS: World Cup(Soccer) Irelands nightmare
From: catspaw49
Date: 30 May 02 - 11:51 AM

Considering the amount of carping going on about the new ball, maybe his point of not having any to practice with was justified.

Spaw

Subject: RE: BS: World Cup(Soccer) Irelands nightmare
From: mooman
Date: 30 May 02 - 12:20 PM

What did he do...?

As I understand it (I wasn't there of couse!) is that he %$#@*&&%#ed and *&%%#@@$%&&ed and slagged off the manager in a most rude and provocative way, thereby undermining Mick McCarthy (...not even &%@$ing Irish according to Mr Keane adding a racist element wonderfully lacking in the days of Jack Charlton).

Now I know what would happen if I complained about my working conditions and aired such an opinion about my manager in front of all of the other "staff"!

Get real Roy! You're a fine footballer OK but your recent behaviour has been a disgrace. If you had just eaten a little humble pie things might have been different. Or perhaps you just want to do Mr McCarthy's job as well?

mooman

Subject: RE: BS: World Cup(Soccer) Ireland's nightmare
From: McGrath of Harlow
Date: 30 May 02 - 01:01 PM

"...in Cork where Cameroon jerseys are selling like hot cakes....." - now, if it had been the neighbouring country Cote d'Ivoire that Ireland had been up against, it would have been really confusing for the shirts, and even more so for the flags. Have a look...

The people who must really be squirming about this is An Post (the Irish Post Office, with their new set of stamps that's only just gone on sale featuring four Irish Soccer Heroes, featuring Roy Keane. Though maybe this will jack up the sales.

So the rest of the squad are just pretending they are glad to see the back of him because they are scared, Donal? After he's been sticking his neck out fighting for them? Couldn't it just be they really are glad to see the back of him, and they didn't see it that way at all?

Football's a team sport,and if the team are really that set against him, they'll be better without him.

Subject: RE: BS: World Cup(Soccer) Irelands nightmare
From: GUEST,Den
Date: 30 May 02 - 01:48 PM

I've followed this sorry scenario from start to finish and I think at the very least McCarthy has to shoulder atleast half the blame. First off he should have let things go after Keane and he met in private to discuss preparations eg no balls, no training kits including footwear, no medical equipment (which would have been handy considering the condition of the training pitch) and none of the special fluids that were neccesary for the players to drink during training because of the heat. Many of the players had complained and joked about the shoddy preparations and all this after a milk run flight that saw them change planes four times (I think I'd have been cranky too).

McCarthy called a meeting in front of all the players and things didn't get out of hand until he accused Keane of faking injury so as to not have to travel to Iran for the return play-off leg. Now anyone who really follows the game will know that Keane dragged himself through the first match because of his on-going knee problems. At the end of that game he met with the Irish physio and they discussed his injury. Apparently after that game Keane's knee was very swollen and it was decided that it would be too risky to involve him in the return match. The Irish team staff McCarthy included felt that 2-0 was a good enough result to bring to the second game. Keane was thanked for his contribution and told to return for treatment to Manchester. According to Keane he didn't call McCarthy an English anything. That would be unusual since he plays with and against Englishmen all the time. He admitted to calling him a fucking wanker and a crap manager.

Lets face it folks Roy Keane is one of the best midfielders in the world. So lets not compare him with the likes of David Beckham. Beckham couldn't lace Keane's boots. No one player in the history of either Manchester United or Ireland has contributed so much to his team. The man never quits. His only crime is that he sets high standards and he expects that of those around him.

And to be honest if I had been Keane and a second rate player/manager had called me a liar I think I would have popped him one on the nose aswell.

Subject: RE: BS: World Cup(Soccer) Irelands nightmare
From: alanabit
Date: 30 May 02 - 02:11 PM

A manager that backed down in front of his players after being insulted would have lost the confidence of all of them instead of just one. I can understand Keane's annoyance, but when he slagged off the manager in front of the players, he was demonstrating lack of self control - the very opposite of leadership. Keane is a damned fine player, but to say that Beckham comes nowhere near is nonsense. If you saw the way the latter carried his team against Greece, you know very well that he lacks nothing in either commitment or talent. I wish Ireland the best of luck.

Subject: RE: BS: World Cup(Soccer) Irelands nightmare
From: Bill D
Date: 30 May 02 - 02:29 PM

I have about had it up to ^here with celebrities who think that talent excuses them from being civil--be they sports stars, movie stars, musicians..or whatever.

This is a GAME, and no matter whether folks in parts of the world have their souls and national pride invested in it, it will remain a game!

The man went WAY too far in his ranting, and I wish the rest of the team well in carrying on without him.

Subject: RE: BS: World Cup(Soccer) Irelands nightmare
From: GUEST,Den at work
Date: 30 May 02 - 02:44 PM

He didn't have to back down. All he had to do was meet one to one with Keane and air the particular differences. McCarthy had an agenda and so far its working. When Ireland don't make it out of their group though (and believe me I hope that I'm wrong) McCarthy can explain his actions and I hope that the useless FAI have the balls to send him packing and hire a professional.

I did see the England Greece game by the way. Greece were very unfortunate they played the better football. One free kick from David Beckham doesn't qualify in making him a better player. It meant a lot to England but Keane puts in performances like that all the time without the British media hype.

Subject: RE: BS: World Cup(Soccer) Irelands nightmare
From: ard mhacha
Date: 30 May 02 - 04:11 PM

According to Liam Brady,after all his time in football Keane hasn`t a friend in the game. I thought sport was all about enjoyment and sportsmanship, Holland a member of the Irish Team stated that from the moment they arrived Keane was moaning, the first week was to consist of light training and relaxing,Keane and the rest of the side were made aware of this before they left. Good luck to the Irish side. Ard Mhacha

Subject: RE: BS: World Cup(Soccer) Irelands nightmare
From: alanabit
Date: 30 May 02 - 04:18 PM

It wasn't just one free kick! Greece were indeed the better side. Without Beckham's contribution throughout the whole game, England would have been dead and buried long before his superb free kick. Keane is also very highly rated by the UK press. Beckham is not the brightest of blokes, but he sure does have the knack of making less enemies...

Subject: RE: BS: World Cup(Soccer) Irelands nightmare
From: Nigel Parsons
Date: 31 May 02 - 03:18 AM

Ireland gave us Guinness & Keane. I think we're still ahead.
Being Welsh, I'm supporting Ireland (with or without prima donna "Superstars"

Subject: RE: BS: World Cup(Soccer) Irelands nightmare
From: McGrath of Harlow
Date: 31 May 02 - 05:21 AM

Are there any of those Welsh Paraguayans in the Argentine side?

Subject: RE: BS: World Cup(Soccer) Irelands nightmare
From: ard mhacha
Date: 31 May 02 - 05:54 AM

Surely it`s Welsh Patagonians. Ard Mhacha

Subject: RE: BS: World Cup(Soccer) Irelands nightmare
From: gnu
Date: 31 May 02 - 07:22 AM

Kickoff in less than ten minutes. It's going to an exciting tournament anyway, whether Roy got carded for his temper in the dressing room or on the field. Go Ireland.

Subject: RE: BS: World Cup(Soccer) Irelands nightmare
From: McGrath of Harlow
Date: 31 May 02 - 07:51 AM

Quite right Ard Mhacha.

Subject: RE: BS: World Cup(Soccer) Irelands nightmare
From: Jon Freeman
Date: 31 May 02 - 09:26 AM

And go Senegal!!! What an opening match!

Jon

Subject: RE: BS: World Cup(Soccer) Irelands nightmare
From: Big Mick
Date: 31 May 02 - 09:45 AM

I don't have the cable where I live, so I canna watch the matches. How about posting results here, folks.

And sorry for exporting the "superego" syndrome to the rest of the world. I never heard of Pele doing this shite.

Mick

Subject: RE: BS: World Cup(Soccer) Irelands nightmare
From: Rt Revd Sir jOhn from Hull
Date: 31 May 02 - 09:57 AM

What a shock! red hot favourites, and current world and european champions France have just been beaten 1-0 by outsiders Senegal.

Subject: RE: BS: World Cup(Soccer) Irelands nightmare
From: catspaw49
Date: 31 May 02 - 10:00 AM

Off to a good start!!!

Spaw

Subject: RE: BS: World Cup(Soccer) Irelands nightmare
From: Big John
Date: 31 May 02 - 10:14 AM

Whats the difference between Roy Keane and God? God doesn't think he's Roy Keane.

Subject: RE: BS: World Cup(Soccer) Irelands nightmare
From: GUEST,Big John
Date: 31 May 02 - 03:43 PM

Donal, a chara, I can understand the frustration in Cork. Of course its easy to defend Roy. The problem is that after the initial row had been patched up he gave an interview to the Irish Times criticising his teammates. I know that he was still angry at that stage. Funny thing, I dont blame Mick or Roy but I do blame the arseholes in the Irish Time who wanted their"EXCLUSIVE" and printed it in the full knowledge that it would f**k up the whole sytem. CONGRATULATIONs TO THE IRISH TIMEs, "Publish and be damned".

Subject: RE: BS: World Cup(Soccer) Irelands nightmare
From: McGrath of Harlow
Date: 31 May 02 - 08:13 PM

If the man chose to give an interview to the Irish Times, it'd have been unprofessional of the paper to suppress it. It would in effect have been a kind of lie, and a breach of trust with the readers.

It's not the job of a paper to censor the news because it might upset people. They do often enough, that's true, but they are wrong when they do it.

Subject: RE: BS: World Cup(Soccer) Irelands nightmare
From: Bluebeard
Date: 31 May 02 - 09:55 PM

Sorry but Ireland are better off without that dirty bastard. He is no sportsman and not as good as he thinks he is. Obviously he is still pissed off that Man Ure failed to win anything this year. Good riddance. Erin Go Bragh !

Subject: RE: BS: World Cup(Soccer) Irelands nightmare
From: mooman
Date: 01 Jun 02 - 04:26 AM

Cameroon 1 - Ireland 1!

Well played lads...you did us proud!

Erin Go Bragh!

mooman

Subject: RE: BS: World Cup(Soccer) Irelands nightmare
From: alanabit
Date: 01 Jun 02 - 05:30 AM

Really? Then bloody well done Ireland!

Subject: RE: BS: World Cup(Soccer) Irelands nightmare
From: donal
Date: 01 Jun 02 - 07:40 AM

Hey Bluebeard....we can all do without the dirty old bastard bit....Well done to Ireland today - the country is starting to cheer up a small bit. I feel a bit like Ross in Friends when out of frustration he used to shout at Rachel "WE WERE ON A BREAK" - only in my frustration I shout "IT WASN'T A SACKING OFFENCE". Roll on Germany,

Life goes on,

Donal

Subject: RE: BS: World Cup(Soccer) Irelands nightmare
From: Tam the bam fraeSaltcoatsScotland
Date: 01 Jun 02 - 10:16 AM

When Ireland drew 1-1 with Cameroon, then who needs such a big headed eejit like Roy Keane anyway.

Mind you They play Germany next and they won their game 8-0 againest the Saudis.

Subject: RE: BS: World Cup(Soccer) Irelands nightmare
From: gnu
Date: 01 Jun 02 - 02:45 PM

SHITESHITESHITESHITESHITE !!! Ireland plays in fifty minutes on my TV. I just finished a hard day of work in sweltering (for here, anyway) humidity, went for coooold beer, fired up the barbie, and made the mistake of reading this thread when I should have realized that the time difference means the game was taped and someone might mention the score herein. Well now. I just f***ed up my highlight of the day. Back to work I guess.

Subject: RE: BS: World Cup(Soccer) Irelands nightmare
From: katlaughing
Date: 01 Jun 02 - 02:54 PM

You all should be providing running "colour" commentary for this whole thing! I've never had the least bit interest in any of it, never watched it, but you've all made it sound so interesting...I can't wait to read more of your postings!*bg*

Subject: RE: BS: World Cup(Soccer) Irelands nightmare
From: McGrath of Harlow
Date: 01 Jun 02 - 08:00 PM

"It's nice to be walking away without being beaten," said McCarthy.

I like that - it's such a contrast to the hyped up way everyone is suppose to talk in football management, and most other kinds of management too. It's sane and balanced and cheerful.

And I suspect that was the attitude that got up the nose of Roy Keane.

Anyway, here's the BBC footie site on the subject.

And here's the FIFA one

Best bit so far was the dance the Senegal players did when they scored against France. The scorer took his shirt off, and they all danced around it on the pitch. It could catch on.

Subject: RE: BS: World Cup(Soccer) Irelands nightmare
From: Escamillo
Date: 02 Jun 02 - 12:13 AM

McGrath, Ard: I asked my advisor (Andrés Jr., age 19) and he says that there is no Welsh-origin player in the Argentina team. Instead, may be that the Hand of God has been included this time, because it is so absent from the rest of Argentina affairs...

Un abrazo - Andrés

Subject: RE: BS: World Cup(Soccer) Irelands nightmare
From: alanabit
Date: 02 Jun 02 - 10:06 AM

More joy for the Irish. England lost! Well, the scoresheet said 1-1, but the result effectively ends England's chances in the tournament.