REPUBLIC OF IRELAND v POLAND

With seven games down and one to go, the Pool 4 fixtures list did not make for good reading if you were an Irish supporter......

Match 1:  Wales 3 - 3 Ireland

Match 2:  Ireland 2 - 1 Armenia

Match 3: Ireland 2 - 1 Czech Republic

Math 4:  Poland 1 - 0 Ireland

Match 5:  Ireland 1 - 1 Wales

Match 6:  Armenia 3 - 0 Ireland

Match 7:  Czech Republic 2 - 0 Ireland

Match 8:  Ireland ? - ? Poland

Pool 4 of the EURO Championship Qualifiers was there to be won after such a tremendous start. A battling draw with the early favourites Wales and solid wins against Armenia and the very dangerous Czech Republic were enough to convince a lot of Irish fans to book their flights to next seasons EURO Championship Finals nice and early. So where did it all go wrong?

A measly one point scraped from the previous twelve available left a lacklustre Ireland squad hanging onto 3^rd place in the group by the skin of their teeth. With only the top 3 progressing to the EURO Championships (along with the slim possibility of being one of the two highest finishing 4th place teams), the Irish camp knew this shocking run had to end. Level on points with Armenia and only one goal ahead on goal difference, surely nothing but a home win would suffice for under pressure manager Athletico Teabag.  Worst case scenario, if Wales could finally manage to get a win on the board against 4^th place Armenia in their final match, and the Irish were to lose, all 3 Countries would finish on 8 points and the final qualifying spot would be decided on goal difference... but more disturbingly, so would last place in the group!!

Rumours were rampant that the FAI bigwigs in Merrion Square had already lined up Teabags replacement should he fail to secure all 3 points, with a 5^th Division manager favourite to take the Irish reigns.  One unnamed source within the FAI was quoted as saying “Between you and me, if they don’t win tonight, Manchester City Blues will be in charge by Monday morning at the latest. It was between him and Irish Wolfhounds :) but the idea that Shay Duffy  would become Irelands first choice striker, despite the season he just had, scared the s**t out of us!”

With Poland’s qualification already secured, perhaps they would take their foot off the gas against the Irish. However, with 1^st place in a very tough group just 3 points away, surely they would still have something to prove to the footballing world.

One major positive to take into the game was the Irish home form. Galtymore had been a fortress during the campaign, with underachieving Wales the only country capable of taking a point away.

Worryingly, Poland’s own form had been very consistent, the White and Reds still undefeated incompetitive games since the last time the two countries met.  In the reverse fixture, the Poles were reduced to 10 men but still managed to defeat the Irish by one goal to nil, the winner coming from a wonderful long range effort courtesy of talented OMC  Adam "Mercury" Braun just 3 minutes in. A similar result this time round and the Green Army could kiss their qualification hopes goodbye. 

Nervous faces surrounded the stadium as kickoff approached.

The home side lined up in a defensive 3-5-2 formation utilising two holding midfield players in an effort to stifle the Polish midfield. The Poles, as suspected, were clearly going for the win with a much more attacking minded 3-5-2, a menacing four player attack stuffed with talent, ready to stretch the weakened Irish defence.

Silence around Galtymore... finally broken as the referees whistle sounded and the 33,639 fans erupted into a deafening wall of sound.

The Polish attacking threat was felt early on but “The Cat” made easy work out of a speculative long range effort after 2 minutes. As his teammates struggled to get to grips with the pace of the game, Andy Glynn capped off a poor opening 5 minutes for the Irish with an early yellow card. Nerves were clearly getting the better of the Irish.

Teabag was barking orders from the sidelines and it finally seemed to wake his players from their slumber. Yellow card put to one side, Glynn showed a glimpse of what makes him one of the most gifted players to wear the green when he floated a longball forward with pinpoint accuracy only to see his Askeaton teammate Daragh McDermott head straight at the keeper. It was a good signal of intent that the Irish were here to play though... a signal that wouldn’t last long unfortunately.

Ireland cheaply lost possession high up the pitch and Poland broke away with a lightening quick counterattack. A deep hanging cross was launched towards the Irish box and Adam "Mercury" Braun once again broke Irish hearts as his looping header nestled neatly in the corner of "The Cats" net. Another early goal for “Mercury” against Ireland, another early panic attack for Irish coach Teabag.

14 minutes gone... Ireland 0 – Poland 1.

A few minutes later Teabag had panic attack number 2 of the night. Michael Fitzpatrick threw himself into a wild tackle but overstretched the mark and ended up in heap on the ground. Possibly a pulled hamstring, but whatever it was, it was bad enough to end his night and 21 year old Shane O’Brien was brought into the 3 man defence for only his 2^nd senior cap. Not the ideal time for a reshuffle but Ireland soldiered on.

A lack of communication in defence nearly gifted the Polish a second. Another quick breakaway easily dissected the Irish defence and Kielbowicz was unlucky to see his shot smothered by “The Cat”. Poland were now looking good for their lead and the crowded Irish midfield were causing little trouble for them.

Poland had been here before. They held a 1 goal lead for 87 minutes last time around to get the win and solid passing movements coupled with constant pressure when Ireland had possession allowed them to sail through the remainder of the first half.

Irelands players look weary, unimaginative and beaten.

The half time whistle went followed by a chorus of boos from the home fans... and rightfully so.

Word was spreading around the ground about the other vital Pool 4 match. Wales and Armenia were also at the half way point in their match, the score 0-0, so Irish hopes were not dead yet. Teabag would have to earn his shillings with this latest team talk.

HALF TIME SCORE: IRELAND 0 – 1 POLAND

Whatever he said, worked. Simple as! Teabag emerged from the tunnel with a scowl as hard as rock, leading his troops into battle. They say it’s a game of two halves and the Irish were about to prove it!

Instant pressure from the word go resulted in a freekick 25 yards out.

Andy Glynn stepped up and blasted a blistering shot only inches wide. The Irish fans groaned in unison.

“The Cat” sent a huge long ball up the pitch, McDermott’s control was impeccable and the Polish keeper struggled but successfully managed to keep out the well timed shot.

McDermott then turned provider as he danced his way through the Polish defence and sent a cheeky ball back towards Peter “The Key” Keys. Keys took the ball in his stride, majestically powering into the box and firing a thunderous shot goalwards. Polish stopper Konopka pulled off a wonder save to keep the score at 0-1... but it was all Ireland.

Anticipation was growing. There was belief once again.

“COME... ON... YOU.... BOYS IN GREEN, COME ON YOU BOYS IN GREEN...”

The Irish fans had suddenly come to life. Wave after wave of green attack building on the pitch. Surely a goal wasn’t far away. ..

The atmosphere in the crowd suddenly deflated. Word was spreading and spreading fast. Armenia had just scored two goals in a minute and with 20 minutes remaining, were on course to pip Ireland to the coveted 3^rd place. The fans mood leaked onto the pitch, the Irish players sensing the inevitable and the Polish players took great advantage. A sustained period of solid possession took the sting out of the Irish revival. With 10 minutes to go Armenia scored the killer 3^rd goal against Wales. It was game, set and match for Teabags Ireland.

A few minutes from full time, out of what seemed like sheer frustration, David O’Callaghan took control of the ball on the left wing, cut inside and unleashed a breathtaking shot from all of 40 yards. The strike took everyone by surprise and sailed into the Polish top corner.... 1-1. It was a goal worthy of winning any game, a goal worthy of qualification to any tournament... but here , it was merely consolation.

The full time whistle blew.

IRELAND  1 – 1 POLAND

The Irish side deserved their point tonight but in the long run, it is hard to say they deserved qualification. Some dodgy performances earlier in the group ultimately cost the side the chance to play in the EUROS next season. What started off as a fairytale romance between Teabag and the Irish supporters has quickly turned into a nightmare for the LOI veteran. Will he continue in his role or step aside... only time will tell.

On another sour note, shocking news emerged shortly after the end of tonight’s game. Armenia were dominant throughout as they dismantled Wales 4-0 in the other vital group game... but it turns out it was a great win against a Wales team which was thrown together with fringe players who were also played out of position. How a manager with the experience of Two-Tors Town can fail to field a full strength squad for such an important fixture (Wales still had a chance of going through themselves after all) and end up costing another country the chance to progress is a mystery.

Ironically, Ireland face Wales in a friendly next Saturday... but after tonight’s efforts, I can’t see there being anything friendly about it!!