What’s fast becoming a traditional end of season international at Craven Cottage can be deemed a success not least because there were no injuries but also because it afforded Giovanni Trapattoni the opportunity to blood six new caps.
The one all draw with Nigeria was creditable, but whether it has any bearing on next week’s crucial clash with Bulgaria in Sofia remains to be seen.
Usually for a Republic of Ireland match I would be in the ground a couple of hours before kick off checking on teams and formations, doing radio bulletins or appearing on the Six One News. This time was different.
The pre match package for the news was edited at the RTÉ London Office at Millbank in Westminster and, having collected accreditation at Fulham’s homely ground earlier, we made our way back to West London at a much more leisurely pace.
There was a time when I hated the Tube, when travelling on London’s dark and dank underground transportation system meant you couldn’t afford a cab. That was the Eighties. Welcome back to the recession, if you’ve just joined us.
However a journey on the Tube on a sunny Friday evening when the District and Circle lines emerge into the light at Earl’s Court and the train is packed with people of every race and creed makes you realise that London, like New York, belongs to the world.
My carriage was packed with Irish ex Pat’s and their kids eager to bring a sense of home to England’s capital. Many Nigerians too had the same idea, as fans mingled freely at Putney Bridge station and made their way the kilometre or so along the Thames through the Park and onwards towards the Cottage.
The sunshine, the flies, the smell of burgers, of onions and hash reminded me more of a trip to Glastonbury’s World Music Stage than to a football match.
The noise too, of music and drums and eventually, as we got close to the ground the rather annoying PA system, made for an altogether surreal experience. I explained to a Nigerian friend that the ‘Ole’ Ole’ Ole’ song the Irish sing was actually an ancient mating ritual when I was growing up and Ireland’s football success was sexy.
That the game didn’t disappoint following the preamble was something of a surprise perhaps for the ten thousand people in the ground, a lot less than last year but still a good show in a neutral country.
Three of the Irish back four were making their first starts and Kevin Foley, Sean St Ledger and Eddie Nolan can each be pleased with their night, although Foley will be disappointed with the Nigerian goal when he seemed to lose concentration at the crucial moment. The ‘leetle details’ as Trap might say. St Ledger in particular could force his way into the plans sooner rather than later.
Liam Lawrence found it hard to get to the coalface too often and had little enough opportunity to deliver on his set piece promise. He will learn from the outing and the excellence and fancy footwork of some of the Nigerian players including his Stoke team mate Seyi Olofinjana and the excellent John Utaka.
Upfront Leon Best worked hard and could have had a couple of goals on his debut and the willingness of Robbie Keane to play him in was instructive.
The Ireland and Spurs captain has had a traumatic year with the move to Liverpool and back again to London, and of course the birth of his first child. He seems to be in a very good place physically and mentally right now which is a measure of the man considering the treatment he got at Anfield.
Through it all he always turned up for Ireland and has now scored seven goals in a year for Trapattoni and an incredible 39 in all. What's the betting he won't add to the season's tally in Sofia?
Barcelona would have been proud of the Ireland equaliser with good pace and movement from Duff and Miller and Andrews before Keane made his run and kept his cool. One of the better Irish goals, and hopefully a portent of what’s to come next Saturday.
Keith Andrews grew in stature as the game wore on, and looked the real deal in midfield, a deserved man of the match and a certain starter in Bulgaria even if Darron Gibson is fit?
Shane Long was bursting with energy and strength and pace when he came on and could have grabbed a winner with an audacious lob late in the game and with Kevin Doyle injured he could provide an alternative, especially if Caleb Folan is doubtful.
It’s such a pity that Dean Kiely wasn’t given a run and has left the squad, probably for the last time. The West Brom keeper should have been given a half along with Keiron Westwood and Ireland’s number one Shay Given should have been told to relax and rest his hip. Cap collecting isn’t the priority, qualification is.
Kiely threw the rattle and has gone and it really is such a shame. Ireland can’t afford to go to a World Cup without players like Stephen Ireland, Andy Reid and now Dean Kiely whose experience, ability and humour will be missed.
One thing is certain; when the fans started the Mexican Wave at Craven Cottage, Kiely would have waved back.
Tony O'Donoghue is RTÉ Soccer Correspondent
