Robson’s Irish Future in Doubt

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Robson’s Irish Future in Doubt - Sports Digest

The former England boss, now 74, has been fighting cancer throughout his two years as Stephen Staunton’s advisor.

Robson, speaking ahead of this Wednesday’s game with Cyprus, admitted, “I’m fighting, which is as good as I can say. I’m fine, doing as well as I can, making progress, but delighted to come over for these two matches.

“I’ve been on chemotherapy, so that dragged me down a little bit, and I have to think about the future. I’m here to see the campaign out. It was important I should come and I’m looking forward to Wednesday, and I shall certainly take in the Wales match next month.

“Then I will overlook it. I’ve not been told to stop but it’s something I must discuss with Stan and John Delaney and see what’s in store for me.”

Robson, meanwhile, has defended Irish boss Staunton against growing media pressure and urged the FAI to let the Dundalk man see out his four-year contract.

“Stan has had two years in the job and he needs another two years — another campaign. That’s my opinion,” said Robson.

“His first job was an international job. He was a rookie manager and has learned over the last two years; learned about training, tactics, players and what system to play. He’s had two years in the job and he needs another two.

“I said to John Delaney, ‘Let him get on with the job — you’ve given him the job, you’ve thought about it before you’ve given him the job. We’ve got new players and solid players — a good nucleus — so now we’ve got to find some little square pegs for square holes.’

“We’ve played 10 games in this Euro 2008 qualifying group and I would say there were only two where we were poorish. Certainly, Cyprus away — we were dreadful that night from what I gather — and then in San Marino.

“Now, in the rest of the campaign, I think we’ve done reasonably well. Not great, but not poor. We haven’t been smashed and against the two teams that everyone in the world thought would qualify, Germany and the Czechs, the difference has been minute. Two draws and two one-nil defeats. It can’t be narrower than that.

“We’ve got to insist from the players that they are more consistent and don’t be afraid.”

Come Back, Ireland
RICHARD Dunne has urged Manchester City teammate Stephen Ireland to make a return to the Irish camp as quickly as possible after the Cobh-born midfielder claimed he wasn’t mentally strong enough to feature against Germany or Cyprus this week.
Ireland was at the center of the infamous Grannygate story last month when the FAI flew him home from Slovakia for the funeral of a granny who hadn’t died.

It later transpired that Ireland’s partner had suffered a miscarriage, but Dunne insists there is no problem with his club mate returning to the international fold.

“At Man City, what I see is what everyone else sees. That he seems to be happy enough. You ask him how’s things but, obviously, at the moment he doesn’t feel that it’s right that he comes over and plays for Ireland,” said Dunne.

“If and when he comes back he would be welcomed. My advice to him would be to get back as quickly as he possibly can. The quicker he comes back, the quicker the whole situation is forgotten about. While he is not here, people will always speak about him.”

Fans Jailed
A DERRY judge jailed four Bohemians fans after they wrecked a bar in the city’s center before last week’s eircom League Cup final defeat at the Brandywell, and his actions have been welcomed by the Dublin club’s board of directors.

A statement from Bohemians read, “The board of the Bohemian Football Club condemns unreservedly the actions of the individuals charged and convicted of criminal offences in Derry. The board welcomes the sentences of the court in these cases. They send a clear signal to those intent on causing trouble.”

Club president Gerry Cuffe said, “We are sure we speak for these supporters and all genuine fans and reflect the deep sense of anger felt within the club by condemning totally this mindless minority.”

Soccer Shorts
THE Irish Football Association have met with FIFA in Zurich to present their case against Manchester United midfielder Darron Gibson playing for the Republic. They claim that Gibson, capped in Slovakia, is only eligible to play for Northern Ireland under FIFA statutes, while the FAI argue that the Good Friday Agreement gives Gibson the right to declare for the Republic of Ireland . . .

CELTIC have been fined $50,000 by UEFA for the incident involving Milan goalkeeper Dida at the end of their recent Champions League win at Parkhead with the Brazilian banned for two games for his over the top reaction after a fan invaded the pitch and pushed him following Scott McDonald’s late winner . . .

PAT Fenlon has been confirmed as the new manager of an Ireland under-23 side for the UEFA International Challenge trophy which kicks off against Slovakia at Dalymount Park next month. The side will be made up of eircom League players.

CELTIC’S Irish under-21 defender Darren O’Dea has been handed a £400 fine by Glasgow Sheriff Court having been charged with a speeding offense in the city last April when he was caught driving at 94mph in a 50mph zone on April 26 . . .

READING striker Shane Long (injury) and suspended duo Lee Carsley and Richard Dunne were all ruled out of Ireland’s European Champion-ship qualifier against Cyprus at Croke Park . . .

BOHS will host Cork City and Longford Town will travel to UCD for the semi-finals of the FAI Cup at the end of the month.

Dispute Rages
THE dispute row over the decision to seed the draw for the 2008 Munster Senior Football Championship is continuing, with Limerick football board chairman John Galvin expressing the opinion that several of his country’s top stars will boycott next season’s championship.
The Limerick players refused to play for Munster in the Inter-Provincial Champion-ships last weekend and Galvin warned, “It won’t surprise me one bit if a fair number of players express a desire not to play for Limerick in the Munster Championship next year.

“Five lads have already made it known how strongly they feel about the seeded draw by not taking up an invitation to play for Munster. And I feel it’s on the cards they won’t want to have anything to do with next year’s Munster championship.

“If that happens they would well be joined by other lads on the Limerick panel.”
Ironically Inter-Provincial Champion-ship sponsor Martin Donnelly has backed the stance taken by the Limerick footballers when they stayed away from last weekend’s Railway Cup game.

“The inter-provincials are the nearest time-wise, the most immediate thing, and they are actually representing the province that made the decision to change the system,” said Donnelly.
“I don’t feel it is being used as a political football. I do feel the Limerick players will be missed. I am disappointed but I see where they are coming from. A lot of footballers in Clare, Waterford, Tipperary would feel the same.”

Football Draw
THE draw for the 2008 provincial championships has been made with All-Ireland favorites Kerry and hopefuls Dublin both receiving the luck of the Gods ahead of next year’s Munster and Leinster campaigns.

Kerry will face either Waterford or Clare in their opening game of the Munster SFC, while reigning Leinster champions Dublin will face Louth in the Leinster quarter-finals.

New York will commence their Connacht championship bid at home to Leitrim.

The draw for the 2008 football championships is: Munster SFC QFs, Limerick vs. Tipperary; Waterford vs. Clare. SFs, Waterford/Clare vs. Kerry; Limerick /Tipperary vs. Cork.

Leinster SFC, first round: Kildare vs. Wicklow, Meath vs. Carlow, Longford vs. Westmeath. QFs, Kildare/Wicklow vs. Laois; Meath/Carlow vs. Wexford; Longford/

Westmeath vs. Offaly; Louth vs. Dublin. SFs, Kildare/Wicklow/Laois vs. Meath/Carlow/
Wexford; Longford/

Westmeath/Offaly vs. Louth/Dublin

Connacht SFC, preliminary round: New York vs. Leitrim; London vs. Sligo; Galway vs. Roscommon. SFs, Mayo vs. London/Sligo; Galway/Roscommon vs. New York/Leitrim.

Ulster SFC, preliminary round: Antrim vs. Cavan. QFs, Fermanagh vs. Monaghan; Donegal vs. Derry; Tyrone vs. Down; Armagh vs. Antrim/Cavan. SFs, Fermanagh/Monaghan vs. Donegal/Derry; Tyrone/Down vs. Armagh/Antrim/Cavan.

Hurling Draw
KILKENNY will begin their defense of the All-Ireland hurling title with a Leinster semifinal against Offaly or Laois while Munster champions Waterford will face Clare in the provincial quarterfinals next year.

The draw for the 2008 hurling championships is: Munster SHC QF, Clare vs. Waterford. SFs, Cork vs. Tipperary; Clare/Waterford vs. Limerick.

Leinster SHC QFs, Dublin vs. Westmeath; Offaly vs. Laois. SFs, Wexford vs. Dublin/Westmeath; Laois/Offaly vs. Kilkenny.

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