Lessons from Liege

Normally I wouldn’t cross the road to watch a soccer or rugby match. However, Ireland away days make for a good bit of craic so since moving to Belgium I’ve gone to see the ruggers in Paris and Rome while Stuttgart and Paris were visited to follow the soccer team and last night Liege was added to the list.

With the next tournament in Frankfurt just four days away you might consider cancelling training so we could all head south to watch the soccer match as a little bit careless. Or maybe a visit to see Traps charges would provide some unexpected lessons?

The man himself says that if you want to see a show then go to the theatre. The enjoyment derived from watching the current team’s style of play is reflected in the derisory attendances at the Aviva. However, when a defence containing O’Dea, McShane, the wonderfully named St. Ledger and Ward stand firm against a barrage of Italian attacks, orchestrated by the Milan magician Pirlo, you must stand back and wonder what it’s all about.

Trap get’s a ferocious amount of abuse because of the defensive nature of the team’s play but in sport, results are all that matters. Italy created barely any clear cut chances. The defence moved in unison. Andrews was pointing and talking throughout. For anyone who appreciates good defending, there was plenty to take in.

That said, there was a moment in the second half when Ireland won possession just inside our half and the player burst forward towards the open spaces before turning sharply and playing the ball all the way back to the defence. Even though it goes against some of their natural instincts, they’ve bought into Traps systems and are beginning to reap the reward.

That was the collective but in Stephen Hunt you had the individual lesson. Hunt was a journeyman footballer earlier in his career but now he is an established Premiership footballer. The man is an irritating bundle of energy and shows all the qualities I’d like to try bring to a G.A.A. pitch. His running and harrowing was relentless.

So if the sizeable Belgium G.A.A. contingent was paying attention then it may have been as valuable as any training session. Timely lessons as we head to Frankfurt down two of our defensive lynchpins. Keeper Brendan has returned to Ireland. Crusher can walk again after the incident in Budapest but is a while away from playing. In addition to that, Olof will have to wait another month to build on his player of the tournament performance in Amsterdam.

It gives Eoin a few headaches but also solves a couple of problems. Despite a stream of lads moving on, we are still maintaining big numbers. There’ll be over 30 fellas heading by car, bus and train at the weekend.

The likes of Ross and Paddy Power, who did well on the first day out, come back into selection contention, as does Andrew Shorten.

Competition is certain to be tough. Amsterdam travel with two teams for the first time while The Hague will be eager to join ourselves and Luxembourg by getting their first win of the year. That combined with the fact it’s our first time going to Frankfurt should make it a great weekend. Hopefully it will be a joint celebration; victory in Frankfurt and Conan and Aine’s recent engagement.

And fingers crossed the ladies will make it a hat-trick by winning in Barca. They too are down a few players but should have enough strength in depth to be knocking around towards the end of the day. Good luck to them.