FAI: Glass Three-Quarters Not Full

Steve Staunton today named his squad to face Wales and Slovakia in the first soccer games ever to be played at Croke Park and the FAI is unstinting in its enthusiasm and optimism, reminding us on its official website that 'Ireland have taken seven out of a possible nine points in their last three group games. Another couple of victories would put them back in with a shout of claiming one of the top two places on offer come the end of the campaign.' A nice massaging of both facts and statistics there, considering that the only team we have been able to get the better of so far in the campaign has been San Marino, and the second time only just. No easy games left in international football. Seanachie will be watching both games despite his unambivalent attitude towards Staunton's stewardship. It brings me back to when I was a wee fellow watching the Irish team die by their Eoin Hand.