MATCH LEFT A BITTER TASTE IN THE MOUTH
WHEN REFLECTING on Friday night’s World Cup qualifier against Wales, it’s difficult to look past the moment when Seamus Coleman’s game, and season, was brought to an abrupt and shocking end.
In that instant a line was crossed that shouldn’t be crossed in any sport at any level.
Of course, many of us are complicit in it to a degree as we complain that all manliness has been stripped from a game that’s now full of metro-sexuals, man bags and painstakingly-styled quiffs.
We yearn for the testosterone-filled days of yore, when players were men’s men and monikers like Chopper, Psycho, The Butcher and Bite Yer Legs were a badge of honour.
However, times have changed and in the modern game skilful artists like Messi and Ronaldo don’t have to put up with the roughhouse treatment stars of the past like George Best had to endure, when a defender’s primary aim was to kick talented play-makers into row Z.
When Wales manager Chris Coleman claimed Neil Taylor ‘is not that type of player’ he’s obviously saying he’s not some sort of blood-thirsty lunatic who intentionally set out to break Seamus Coleman’s leg.
Thankfully those type of crazed demons are rare in the game, but what Taylor is guilty of is recklessly throwing himself into a challenge that always has the potential to cause real and lasting damage. That’s what he did, so that is the sort of player he is.
I could say the Wales boss is ignorantly clutching at straws and trying to defend the indefensible by backing his man, but I like to be nice and I’m not that sort of journalist.
RTE chose not to show a replay of the x-rated tackle, which I was grateful for, given that I was watching the game with my seven-yearold daughter, who I allowed to stay up well past her usual bedtime for the occasion.
Of course, if Gareth Bale had been shown a red card for his rash lunge on John O’Shea moments earlier it would have nipped it in the bud and Seamus Coleman could look forward to finishing out another fine season with Everton, instead of spending a lengthy period on the sidelines.
When players see others living on the edge in a fractious contest and their actions go unpunished, it’s only a matter of time before somebody goes too far.
Referees have to extinguish the fledgling flames of the fire before it begins to burn uncontrollably, but the problem is, we as supporters would then be quick to accuse the official of being over-zealous or of ruining the contest if an early yellow card led to a red later in the game.
There’s no denying some of the Irish players adopted a physical approach, with Glenn Whelan and Shane Long walking the yellow card tightrope late in the first-half, which could go some way to explaining the fiery attitude of the Welsh dragons after the interval.
However, Wales took it more than a step too far.
Meaty, full-blooded challenges when the ball is there to be won are one thing; going in late when there’s a real chance of inflicting harm is another matter entirely.
High tackles with studs showing have to be completely outlawed from the game, without exception, whether you’re a superstar like Gareth Bale or playing in the local Sunday league.
There needs to be consistency in refereeing if we want to enjoy the beautiful side of the beautiful game, rather than the ugly stuff that reared its head on Friday.
Before kick-off I was relishing watching the Boys in Green going into battle against our Celtic cousins from across the Irish Sea, but despite a point gained all I was left with was a bitter taste in the mouth. Let’s hope the nastiness doesn’t carry over into our final group game in Cardiff in October.
To end on a more positive note, James McClean has been our best player during this campaign and he enhanced his growing reputation as an international who gives everything for the cause with a performance full of guts and energy against Wales.
Given the emotion attached to the occasion following the tragic loss of his former team-mate and friend Ryan McBride, his whole-hearted display was all the more admirable.
Respect.