How The Irish Fared

IN GOOD FORM: Darron Gibson turned in a polished display for Manchester United against Besiktas in midweek. The Derryman seems to be coming of age at Old Trafford, which can only be good news for Giovanni Trapattoni and the Rep of Ireland. / Getty Images

As Burnley traveled to West Ham and United to Portsmouth on Saturday, there was the little matter of an Ireland v South Africa rugby Test Match interesting fans at Croke Park, the same venue where their soccer counterparts entertained France two weeks previously.

While the enormity of the event may have been lost on some Irish soccer fans as they tuned into what was arguably the least memorable Premier League Saturday in quite some time, the significance of events at GAA Headquarters certainly didn’t get by this writer.

Two things struck me about Ireland’s historic victory over the Springboks. Firstly, doing things the right way in any sport will pay dividends. Ireland were not so strong with the oval ball upto only a few years ago, but have obviously identified their weaknesses, employed the proper coaching and gone from strength to strength.

And secondly, it occurred to me that when the best athletes on the whole island are thrown together they are damn near unbeatable. The Irish rugby team have provided a lesson for soccer fans north and south, one they must learn if they’re ever going to realize the potential they so clearly possess.

Meanwhile the fallout from the daylight robbery at the Stade de France was still with us this week with referee Martin Hansson finally coming out to say his piece.

The Swede put the spotlight firmly on FIFA by insisting that his team of officials was not to blame for last week’s World Cup debacle.

Suggestion in the aftermath of the game were that the referee might have felt pressure not to displease the powers that be in the Playoff second-leg contest, given that he may lose out financially by not being selected for the big tournament next summer. But now Hansson’s refereeing career faces ruin anyway after he failed to spot Thierry Henry’s extra-time handball which ultimately ended the Republic of Ireland’s World Cup dream.

The incident has brought renewed calls for the implementation of video technology – and the Swedish official, who admits he had questioned his own future in the game, would appear to favor a move in that direction.

“It has been a turbulent week. I asked myself if this job is worth all the humiliation I had to face. I was thinking ‘Is this really what I want?” said Hansson.

“But now I realise, after all the support I’ve got, that it wasn’t my fault. It was an unlucky situation with big consequences for Ireland, but it wasn’t our referee team’s fault.”

Meanwhile French coach Raymond Domenech, who, according to rumors, may not be the man in charge when the 1998 champions kick off in South Africa, has expressed his anger over the vilification of Thierry Henry after last week’s World Cup play-off.

Domenech – who insists he will not resign despite calls for him to do so – has leapt to the defence of his captain.

He said: “It made me furious that Thierry can be treated in this way. I have not slept for two days and I’m just starting to get over it.

“Titi is one of the most talented players in the history of French football. For months now, despite injury, he has participated in all our matches at the risk of being yelled at by his club. His reason for living as a footballer is Les Bleus.”

FIFA are scheduled to meet in South Africa on Monday with, according to the authorities themselves, the replay topic being completely off the table. The language emanating from that particular soiree will be interesting to read however, with the suggestion being that a major breakthrough on video technology and/or some much needed help for referees will be forthcoming.

Looking towards the future of the national team there was a quite encouraging performance from Darron Gibson in the Manchester United midfield in midweek, despite the Red Devils’ Champions League loss to Besiktas at Old Trafford.

The Derryman directed traffic for long periods during the game and led a sustained United onslaught after the break until he was removed in favor of Michael Carrick. The England international couldn’t get the job done for the under strength Premier League side who have already qualified from their group.

There were signs however of maturity from Gibson, which can only help Giovanni Trapattoni’s cause for the upcoming Euro 2012 campaign.

One of the big hopes for a bright Irish future was in action this week after a long injury layoff. Youth international Terry Dixon stepped up his recovery with a double celebration.

The ex-Spurs youth player was called into the Irish senior squad as a 16-year-old but was on the verge of retirement a year later following a sequence of serious knee injuries.

He returned to action with West Ham at the start of 2009 and completed his first 90 minutes for the club’s reserves against Stoke City this week.

And the 19-year-old turned in a performance that impressed watching boss Gianfranco Zola, scoring one goal and providing assists for two more as the Hammers claimed