We discussed before what was needed in the Spain and Italy games in order for Ireland to qualify, well let's pick it up from where we left off.
Spain 5pts
Ireland 4pts
Italy 4pts
Croatia 3pts
So we qualified from a group that left Luka Modric and Andrea Pirlo shaking their head in Stephen Ward's general direction. Beating Italy with a goal to spare thanks to Hunty's exuberance and supreme lack of vision. What next? Well John Delaney immediately called a press conference in the main square in Poznan after the final whistle, there he announced that Sepp Blatter had agreed to his demands for special dispensation for the Irish fans and as a result Trap's men were allowed call up any player of any nation, creed or talent. As the crowd go crazy with chants of "Delaney always a bollox but can sure buy a round of drinks" the Waterford man declares that he has chosen Clinton Morrison as their designated player. The man himself is flying across, as we drink, in a Denis O'Brien customized learjet. Manuela is seen quickly leading Trap away and in the direction of yet another Polish wedding, somehow scheduled for the middle of Euro 2012.
At the Friday morning press conference ahead of the match up against the auld enemy, as Trapattoni declares that he has no idea who this Clontin Norrisey is, one sport hack turns to another celebrating Trap's accidental pronunciation of Clinton's name in the old sensible soccer format. Manuela then explains that despite the effect of the subs in the last game, the team to face Roy Hodgson's side will be the same that lost to Croatia, with the exception of Stephen Ward, who will be playing as captain, celebrating his 16th cap. "Jal-mes McClean ignore the old ways and has experience none" Trap responds to yet another call for the Derry native's return to the first team.
Back in Dublin, Enda Kenny announces he was due to fly over on that learjet but Clinton took his seat, now he will instead cycle in a peloton led by Mick Wallace. John Delaney holds another impromptu press conference when back in Sopot on Friday afternoon, it is a plea for the return of at least one of his 6 missing pairs of trousers, his hotel, he says, have run out of room keys and have refused him access to his facilities and wardrobe of ties.
The nation is still holding its breath, two flag making companies based on Crow street, Temple Bar have successfully floated on the ISEQ and are worth more than double that of the Irish banking sector. Finance minister Michael Noonan declares funny slogans as the clearest path to lead us out of the economic slump, David McWilliams disagrees and points to the major banner crash of the mid 90s in Buffalo NY, plus ca change..
Less than 48 hours till Ireland play John Terry, it's not real, but would it feel real, even if it was?
