IRISH SOCCER FOLLOWERS HAVE A MOST EXCITING AND INDEED TENSE FIVE DAYS AHEAD AS WE PREPARE FOR THE GAMES AGAINST ITALY AND MONTENEGRO.

We can finish first or second in our World Cup group. Italy are favourites to win the group as they currently lead by four points, with Ireland according to all the pundits, likely to finish second. But, beware, Bulgaria are still in the mix, and we will have the extraordinary situation next Saturday of knowing the result of Bulgaria’s match about 10 minutes before kick-off between Ireland and Italy.

If Bulgaria are beaten, Ireland will finish second in the group so we will go into the play-offs. That will give our team a huge incentive to beat Italy and go into our last game against Montenegro, whom we have already drawn with, only a point behind Italy who have a tough final game against Cyprus.

I am not optimistic that Italy, the world champions, will drop the ball at the very end and it is asking a lot for Cyprus to beat them. Much more likely we’ll finish second in the group and be faced with the play offs.

The play-off situation has been very seriously manipulated by FIFA to make sure the big teams go through. They will be seeded, which means that we will be drawn the likes of France, Russia, Portugal or Croatia who will all be favourites to beat us. However not over yet thus it means that we will have a hugely exciting four days and two games ahead. So it’s a rare occasion when something involving Ireland goes right down to the wire. It will be sweaty but let’s enjoy it!

OKEY DOKE thats it for now folks. I’ll be back after the weekend,

Bill O’Herlihy