Just saw the whole official press conference live on skysports news. He came across as a really nice guy. He was confident, funny, passionate and really did seem to know the Irish football scene inside out. He seems to have the press in his pocket as he got a fantastic reception from the gathered journalists. It looks good for Irish football.
I listened to the press conference on Newstalk 106 www.newstalk106.ie He was excellent. I think he will be a very good manager and will get us to the WC 2006, whatever about EC 2004 - which is a very tall order now. He will try and get RK back into the team. Hopefully if RK decides not to play for Ireland again then his supporters will be able to live with that and support Kerr and the team 100%. I can not wait to see his squad for the Scotland game.
I saw it too I was very impressed with the way he handled the media and any questions that were posed. I think (even if only to base it on what I saw today) that we are in better hands now then we have been for many a yaer. Evene if roy does not return I am happy that all that could be done to get him back has been done and it was up to him in the end. Roll on the Scotland game for a preview to the Euro qualifiers
There was an article in the Irish News about his father being a champion boxer from West Belfast in the 1930s. He then moved to Dublin and settled there.
Re: Re: Brian Kerr: I love him already (press conference) I remember reading something similiar saying that his family is originally from Belfast.
Very impressive confrence, he has the media eating out of his hand. At first I wasn't sure about him but the more I see and read from/about him the more convinced I am this is a very good choice.
I think Roy will play for Ireland again, for two reasons: A) I think he wants to, because he does love his country and he wants to represent it well and win. B) How could he resist the prospect of getting a standing ovation from the home supporters, in an ultimate F-You to Mick?
I dispute the first contention based on his behaviour in Saipan and afterwards. I also dispute the second contention - there are many many people who are more than a little pissed off with him because of his behaviour and while he wouldn't probably be booed, he also wouldn't probably get a standing ovation either. I don't dispute the fact that he might keep the grudge with McCarthy going well past eternity. McCarthy, on the other hand, might find such stuff tedious and petty.