The Georgian lesson

national | miscellaneous | opinion/analysis Thursday February 12, 2009 17:50 by [email protected] paulosullivan01 at gmail dot com

Sixty-five thousand people in the cold, lots of vilis but only one Robbie Keane. But it's important to say it like it is, in football and politics.

Last night had all the hallmarks of an 80’s-early 90’s Irish soccer night; sub-international standard football against the backdrop of economic difficulties; a nation willing their representative eleven to lift their spirits, if only for the night, out of recession depression; a performance as reassuring as crevasses on a glacier.

By the 38th minute it was nearly time to shopping for yellow pack goods, for old time’s sake.

But the eighties have to be left behind. Much time has passed since the glory days of remortgaging houses just to stay and watch the previously unimaginable Irish green against the host’s blue. Dare to dream and look what happens.

And several players reminded us of that, often with impressively deft skill and consuming appetite which is showcase stuff in an Irish soccer jersey.

Correctly assessing Ireland’s favourable group position Graeme Souness suggested we savour the moment. Mr. Trapattoni has done extremely well with a group of ‘mediocre’ players according to Mr. Souness, who enjoys being a pundit in Ireland for the freedom of speech.

Mr. Dunphy is well acquainted with this liberalism. Perhaps he is even the reason for its existence. Listening intently he looked gravely at his co-panellist then turned away. Clearly, he held an alternative opinion.

Divergent views do not go unnoticed when Bill O’ Herlihy is around. That’s why people without a morsel of interest in football watch RTE Sport. An Englishman, admittedly a football fan, who moved to Dublin last year told me he watching Irish punditry of the Premiership was like Match of the Day’s boisterous, belligerent cousin.

So, little wonder that the attention focus was rapidly drawn to the contrasting attitudes between Mr. Dunphy and Mr. Souness.

And Mr. Dunphy said it like it was. Whatever your opinion, there is no denying he usually does when his judgement is uncoloured by personal involvement.

No, mediocrity is not something to be associated with this group - there are some real emerging stars among them.

No, the manager has not undertaken his job with shrewdness – two key players are still absent.

No, we should not kick back and savour – we beat a poor team with the intervention of a zany refereeing decision (if Lobjanidze’s action was a penalty then Robbie Keane’s header was most definitely a free out - level playing field and all that).

No, recapitalising banks without knowing their bad debts is not accpetable.

For the love of Ireland, literally, let’s not hark back to the days of old. Celebrating at the faintest scent of glory ultimately leads to low expectation and deep disappointments. Why not walk through life with some self-esteem, not accepting the downright unacceptable.

Yes, Ireland won. Yes, fortune played the biggest part. Yes, the omens are good. But substance counts. And if we’re willing to accept looping defensive headers, abysmal passes from midfield and a government that can’t do its job, then the road will only go so far.

Imagine, a well deserved place in the World Cup Finals and fresh voices and ideas in the Dáil.

Put your foot down and dare to dream.