POL
15-02-2006, 03:16 PM
Letter in todays Examiner:
Dear Sir,
I'm writing in the wake of our shameful display against France last week. Despite the revisionism about winning the second half, I think most right-thinking people would have to accept that France were so bloody tired from accepting gifts from our crowd that they just had to take a break!
More seriously, we are in serious trouble at international level, and it is glaringly clear that Eddie O'Sullivan has "lost the dressing room", to use that charming phrase. Some may feel it is too late into next year's World Cup to replace him, and in any case there are no obvious replacements.
Far from it. Most new coaches enjoy a honeymoon period during which players respond to the novelty of an unfamiliar voice and show a willingness to try different things. As for the second problem, that will be resolved shortly. Followers of football across the water will note that Southampton Chairman Rupert Lowe is only barely hanging onto his corner office, and when he goes his director of football is bound to go also.
Appointing Sir Clive Woodward as Ireland head coach has much to recommend it: he's familiar with most of our players, he knows how to take on the likes of France, Scotland and Wales, and he's a proven winner. If nothing else, his after-match interviews wouldn't send anyone to sleep!
J Wilson, Limerick
Dear Sir,
I'm writing in the wake of our shameful display against France last week. Despite the revisionism about winning the second half, I think most right-thinking people would have to accept that France were so bloody tired from accepting gifts from our crowd that they just had to take a break!
More seriously, we are in serious trouble at international level, and it is glaringly clear that Eddie O'Sullivan has "lost the dressing room", to use that charming phrase. Some may feel it is too late into next year's World Cup to replace him, and in any case there are no obvious replacements.
Far from it. Most new coaches enjoy a honeymoon period during which players respond to the novelty of an unfamiliar voice and show a willingness to try different things. As for the second problem, that will be resolved shortly. Followers of football across the water will note that Southampton Chairman Rupert Lowe is only barely hanging onto his corner office, and when he goes his director of football is bound to go also.
Appointing Sir Clive Woodward as Ireland head coach has much to recommend it: he's familiar with most of our players, he knows how to take on the likes of France, Scotland and Wales, and he's a proven winner. If nothing else, his after-match interviews wouldn't send anyone to sleep!
J Wilson, Limerick