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Irish fans deserved better Posted: Tuesday June 18, 2002 8:45 AM
TOKYO -- There’s something very strange at the moment about Tokyo’s vibrant nightlife -- the distinct lack of Irish. And in my view that’s a crying, needless shame. A place in the last eight is the very least they deserved. And when I say “they” I mean the supporters rather than the team itself. Sure Ireland played well but I’ve already lost count of the number of times I’ve heard the claim “we deserved to win.” But that’s what must be so hard for the players and their followers to accept. They did play well and finished much the stronger side. Spain for all their quality were a beaten side -- a team on its last legs, shattered by Irish spirit and desperate for the match to go as far as penalties. When they look at the lineup for the last eight, it’ll be with a deep sense of frustration and disappointment because deep down I suspect this squad knows it’s blown its best chance of reaching the quarters at the very least. Instead, it’s another second round exit. But it could and should have been so much more. Ireland’s magnificent support witnessed their side bow out on penalties. It was a shootout in which too many players lost their nerve. Casillas’ saves were nothing more than routine. How many fans honestly believe their side fulfilled its potential at these finals and advanced as far as they could? And all this without their most influential player. There’s no doubt whatsoever that with Roy Keane in the ranks Ireland would have beaten Spain in regulation time. They wouldn’t have needed another last-minute goal to salvage the game. To those who say the Keane saga is in the past couldn’t be more wrong. Now the tournament is over the fans want answers. They want to know exactly what happened, why he was allowed to leave the side when at the peak of his playing powers. Steve Staunton filled in admirably as captain but the Irish midfield so badly lacked the calming yet awesomely powerful sight of the Manchester United skipper. This Irish side has so much potential but its die-hard supporters shouldn’t be forced to settle for just the second round, especially when lesser sides have already made the last eight. Ireland desperately needs Roy Keane to spearhead the campaign for the European Championships in Portugal in two years time. This needs to be addressed immediately, unless of course everyone’s happy enough with what’s been achieved here.
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