Northern Ireland 0 Greece 2 (Anellos Charisteas 2, 55) Red cards: James Quinn (Northern Ireland) 39, Keith Gillespie (Northern Ireland) 69 att: 7196 http://sports.yahoo.com/sow/news?slug=reu-euronirelandresult&prov=reuters&type=lgns What is wrong with Northern Ireland? They have some decent players, but I don't think they have scored a goal in over a year. It seems like the players can't put together a solid performance with the national team.
I have to be honest - I'm Greek, so I'm glad that Greece won. Looking at things from the side of the Ulstermen, I would suggest that Neil Lennon be brought back into the team. But I get the feeling that certain paramilitary groups and other loyalists would not like the idea. This, of course, is why he cannot be on the team now. Geez, if only they could bring back Norman Whiteside (who is not quite 38 yet), Pat Jennings, and even Georgie Best!!! I know, I know, that's going WAY off the deep end! But seriously, if tensions weren't so high, I would have thought that Martin O'Neill would get the N.I. head coaching job at some point. But if he coaches any national side in the future, I would think it would be Eire. I'm speculating that once his contract with Celtic is over he just might take that job, if not the one at Man Utd when Sir Alec steps down. Pressure is on Sammy McIlroy now. Then again, what could NI do playing down two men?
Jesus, Norn Iron couldn't hit a cow's arse with a banjo . Maybee if Lennon was to return then it would lift the gloom resonating around the Northern Ireland fans. They wan't Lennon back too. Such a shame the Loyalists hold the people of Northern Ireland (Protestant and Catholic alike) to randsom.
Unfortunately the schedule doesn't get any easier for Northern Ireland. June 4 at Italy (friendly) June 11 vs Spain Sep 6 at Ukraine At this rate, I think Northern Ireland would be fortunate to get one point out of the next three games.
They can't get any points out of the Italy game! But Spain and Ukraine will definitely go through to the big dance, although I suspect it will be the latter that will make it through the repechage. I wonder if the FIFA "grandfather" rule could benefit the Ulstermen the way it did the Republic when Jack Charlton was in charge. Maybe they'd want to look into that.