Almost five years on, the fall-out from Ireland's humiliation in Nicosia seems to go on. That
galling 5-2 hammering at the hands of Cyprus signaled the end of the international road for three
of the starters that night. Clinton Morrison has only appeared once in a 40-man provisional squad
since, whilst sliding down the divisions in England, currently scoring occasionally at League One
Sheffield Wednesday.
Valentine's Day 2011 saw an announcement anticipated but met with sorrow around the football
world and mourned with open grief in his native Brazil. Ronaldo Luís Nazário de Lima stated at a
hastily arranged press conference in Sao Paolo that he was retiring from the sport. The 34-year-old
was clearly distraught and broke down several times as he explained the reason he can no play
longer the game so dear to him.
Keys soaks up the abuse coming his way
The two totems of Sky Sports football coverage have left the building. While Andy Gray had his
£1.7 million per-annum contract terminated by Sky, partner-in-crime Richard Keys resigned from his
post as the station's main anchor. It seemed like a case of leaving before he was pushed.
James Richardson kept us up to date with all the Serie A news
Back in the 1990s, it was fair to say we on the west of Europe had something of a love affair
with Il Calico. Serie A was the most glamorous league in the world. Our appetite for Italian
football was satisfied by Network Two's highlights show of a Tuesday evening, supplemented by
Channel Four's live match coverage Sunday afternoon.
This year's Carling Cup third round threw up a more than its fair share of surprises.
Liverpool lost to League Two Northampton Town on penalties in front of the Kop, neighbours
Everton suffered a slightly-less humiliating exit away to Brentford and Chelsea's mix of second
and third-string lost at home to Newcastle's reserves.
Adkins in reflective mood.
There really is nowhere to hide for poor, helpless Scunthorpe. Vultures the length and breadth
of the United Kingdom, predators are lying in the overgrowth, waiting to pounce on Scunny's crown
jewels. With giants Glasgow Celtic from the north of the isle snapping up star striker Gary Hooper
for a £2.
New beginnings at Anfield under Hodgson?
For man who prides himself on doing his job with the minimum of fuss, the first two months of
Roy Hodgson's reign as Liverpool manager have been a flurry of activity. Whilst the blame for the
boardroom wrangling cannot be laid at the door of the affable Hodgson, he seems to be unusually
flustered in his dealings.
Twigg grabbed a first-hald brace
Shamrock Rovers 4-1 Bray Wanderers
To be withdrawn before half-time is usually the ultimate humiliation for a footballer. He
is not given the opportunity to defend his lame display of the past 45 minutes in the confines
of the dressing room.
- McBoro's recurits from Scotland
An accusation one could not level at the NPower Championship, is that it is predictable.
Whilst last season's top two, in Newcastle and West Brom, were streets ahead of the field, the
reminder of the division was a topsy-turvy mix of teams doing the opposite of what was expected of
them.
So that's it for another four years. And after a month of infighting, dancing, tears of joy
and sorrow, the time has come to choose my team of the tournament. Too often, these types of teams
are picked in a lop-sided manner (I'm looking at you Gareth Crooks), with pundits filling the side
with attacking players and forgetting that defending in a rather important component of the
game.
Van Bommel offers his condolonces
The quarter-finals in World Cup 2010 brought four unique types of drama. All four venues hosted
matches that each provided their own types of intrigue and excitement. It ranged from the collapse
of the favourites in Nelson Mandela Bay, to heartbreak in Soccer City for Africa's last hope of
glory.
Pele and Moore: Mutual Respect
World Cups always throw up images that get ingrained into the history of football. Whether it be
Pele and Bobby Moore swapping shirts, Marco Tardelli's manic celebration, or Paul Gascogine
blubbering, each edition of the tournament provides iconic moments that will be forever remembered
and for the most part cherished.
He really is injured, honest.
Over the past few weeks, the anticipation is reaching unprecedented levels as the 2010 World Cup
edges ever closer. Unfortunately, there have been an unusually high number of injuries to numerous
high profile stars. The African teams have been particularly hit with Chelsea duo Michael Essien
and Jon Obi Mikel absent for Ghana and Nigeria respectively, and Ivory Coast talisman Didier Drogba
struggling with a suspected broken elbow.
Macken: Faultless
When someone mentions the RDS, my mind immediately wanders to a sport that rarely enters my
thoughts. The mercurial world of show-jumping. After all, the initials RDS stand for Royal Dublin
Showgrounds. Where better to see the legendary Eddie Macken steer an immaculately groomed mare
around a litany of fences and various water hazards in the quickest possible time?
Zakumi: 2010 World Cup Mascot
It's so close we can almost smell it. The 2010 World Cup is just weeks away and football junkies
the world over may rejoice. 64 games crammed into a 32 day schedule and the best players on the
planet strutting their stuff on the grandest stage of all. But it is not only the Messis and
Cristiano Ronaldos of this world who get the chance to display their talents.
