Oh dear. This final World Cup qualifier ended in accusations and counter accusations. Liam Brady and Robbie Keane even got a mention. But in a good way.
"I'd rather they were singing about the players to be honest, I'm a bit embarrassed," said Ireland manager Stephen Kenny of the jubilant travelling support. "I'd rather they were singing come on you boys in green or whatever about the players.
“I appreciate it, it’s great but at the end of the day it’s about players and it’s always about players. The spirit and camaraderie in the group is really great now. That is why we have kept four clean sheets in a row. The players really want to come into camp.”
But that is not what was lingering in the air as Luxembourg manager Luc Holtz rounded on the Republic of Ireland staff in the aftermath of last night's 3-0 defeat. Holtz would not explain specifically what the problem was but he made unsubstantiated accusations of "bad sportsmanship" by Kenny's team immediately following the game.
It was suggested that Kenny was angered by accusations of a “British style” long ball approach by Ireland ever since Luxembourg beat them 1-0 in Dublin last March.
Holtz refused to speak in English despite doing so at length pre-match. The translator stated repeatedly that the Irish are in fact British.
“The coach wants to say that he is very disappointed with the behaviour of the Ireland staff,” said a translator, sitting beside Holtz. “This evening they behaved like the big guys. In Ireland when we won they immediately disappeared into the dressing room.
“It is not fair play and very disappointing. We are not used to that from British teams.”
Again, when it was pointed out that calling the Irish a British team is like saying people from Luxembourg are from Belgium, he reiterated an accusation of "unsportmanslike behaviour."
“I never actually seen him,” said a confused Kenny. “We never exchanged any words. He is a good football coach but maybe he should look at his psychology. We are disappointed that he denigrated all the great players that have played for Ireland.
"John Giles, Liam Brady, Paul McGrath, Mick McCarthy, all of these players, Robbie Keane, Damien Duff, Roy Keane, and it is wrong to say we just go for second balls for 100 years. That is more of less what we said. It is wrong to suggest that. It was unacceptable to degenerate all the ex-Irish players."
National hero Chiedozie Ogbene rose above all the pettiness.
“I didn’t hear those comments, I try to stay in the zone.”
“I’m delighted to score again and get on the scoresheet,” said Ogbene. “But I owe it to the team. A three nil win, to keep a clean sheet as well away from home against a strong team, the game plan worked out well and everyone dug deep.
“I was happy to get the goal, obviously [Jason Knight]spotted me and slid it back, credit to him. He came on and he changed the game for us, he accelerated the game, it came from the backline from the goalkeeper to build up the play. Just to keep a clean sheet and get three goals away from home is incredible.”
