Dear Roy,
I'd like to take you to task on your recent criticism of the Irish national team in the Sun so here goes.
Perhaps the margin of defeat against Spain was lamentable, yet what
cannot be denied is the lack of quality, which you highlight yourself
at the beginning of your piece. I think this was more to blame than either effort or
the coach which seems to be your main bone of contention.
When I look back on the Irish team
of the late 80s, early 90s and perhaps even in 2002, there was a lot more quality
on offer than I realised at the time. Bonner, Given, Irwin, Kelly,
Staunton, Lawrenson, McGrath, you yourself Roy, Houghton, Aldridge,
Robbie Keane, O'Leary, Kevin Sheedy (who I wasn't going to include
then recalled that sweet left foot which was most evident against
England at italia 90), Moran, Whelan, Beglin and many more. These players should
be reaching the knockout stages of major tournaments. St Ledger, Long
and Cox should not.
Secondly, your dig at Keith
Andrews for saying that Ireland will play for pride in their last game
is harsh. What is he supposed to say with a microphone shoved in his
face following the thrashing by Spain (they're not the first or the last
to receive such a beating from arguably the best international side of
all time).
Nevertheless, you are always a great
read/listen which cannot always be said of some of your peers. Chris
Waddle, Alan Shearer, Mark Bright and Robbie Savage spring to mind. The
latter who's opinion is solely based on his friendship, or lack of, with
the individual he's analysing (ie Roberto Mancini, Mark Hughes).
This criticism could never be aimed in your direction so keep the forthright opinions coming. A football world without these comments would be a very dull one indeed.
Yours sincerely,
John Silk
To read Roy Keane's article in full go to http://www.thesun.co.uk/sol/homepage/sport/football/euro2012/4377157/Euro-2012-Roy-Keane-says-Republic-of-Ireland-should-dump-em-all.html
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