Dougal: I know! We’ll lure them into a giant bingo game!
Ted: And how are we going to do that?
Dougal: We’ll print up some bingo cards on our printing press and… oh.
Ted: Yes, it’s the lack of a printing press that lets us down there. Or bingo balls. Or a PA system. Or in fact, any bingo paraphernalia at all.
Dougal: Damn. So near, yet so far.
When Roy Keane weighs in with a spittle-flecked rant aimed at the Football Association of Ireland, you know it’s time to throw in the towel. The same way the sight of a drunk, hiccupping girl weeping in the kitchen marks the end of a house party, his tirade is are the full-stop in a traumatic week for Irish football.
We jumped the shark, as a nation, when a group of men – not even kids – picketed the French Embassy today. It’s beyond a Craggy Island parody. I think now is the time to fold away childish things.
I am however confident we will win the European Championships. Not that I’m overreacting to what was, let’s remember a phenomenal 1-0 win in Paris.
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Ah, Father Ted. Always there in our hour of need.
Jesus, I hadn't heard about the embassy protest. Dear Lord…
When is the last time we beat a decent team away in a match that mattered? Are we counting Scotland in 1987? (We should, I think — they went to the 1986 and 1990 World Cups.) Think about it: in 22 years, taking in the most successful era in the national team's history, we never did what did on Wednesday.
Keane sort of has a point, in that the failings that also cost us should be remembered. (Though if I was on that team and he came into the dressing room straight after the game pointing the finger, as he says he would have, I'd have hit him. Well, no, I'd have sworn at him. Um, well … I'd have looked at him grumpily…) But over 90 minutes, we beat France in Paris in a big, big game. I'm not saying it's a moral victory or any of that crap — we went out, and that's the most important thing — but that is fucking cool, something to be proud of, especially given how things have been for the team since the end of McCarthy's time in charge.
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Yeah, I suppose Scotland would be the last time – I don't even remember that personally.
There's been some great performances and results (Holland, Portugal, Spain away) but this is was something else.
I agree with a lot of what Keano said too – I've a long record of Roy loyalty – but I didn't need to hear it today. Never mind he players. Onwards and upwards or whatever I suppose.
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I can confirm the protest happened – my sister cycled past it. Personally, I'm beginning to suffer from Thierry Ennui…
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@ Eoin I really hope she was wearing a navy-hooped jumper with an onion necklace to complement her beret?
I just read a quote from a 73-year-old retired science teacher who stood outside the place for the day. I hope he wasn't the guy in the green dinosaur suit.
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I can confirm the protest happened – my sister cycled past it. Personally, I'm beginning to suffer from Thierry Ennui…
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Its refreshing that “jump the shark” is understood in various dialects of the English language. It just may be our greatest contribution to the tongue of man
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The Fonz is up there with JFK and Elvis.
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