It is that most rare of occasions, an Ireland international week with a feeling of optimism leading into it. The recent victories over Azerbaijan and Qatar in the last international break have given Stephen Kenny some breathing space and the fact that Ireland finally recorded a competitive victory during his tenure has certainly eased the pressure on the manager. It …
The League of Ireland is known for two things: absolute bangers in every match and some lovely jerseys. While the league itself might not get the recognition it deserves from football fans here or the F.A.I., we here at An Focal are massive fans. So, let’s have a look and see what lovely geansaí’s the pinnacle of Irish football has …
The UEFA Champions League 2021/22 will start on Tuesday 14th September and with fans back it will make this year’s competition a lot better. Let’s look at the main challengers. PSG According to the bookies, PSG are the favourites. The Parisians have never won the competition – they made the final in 2020 but lost out to Bayern Munich. …
Us Ireland fans are no strangers to last-minute losses and agonising draws. Ever since Thierry Henry handpassed the ball to William Gallas in 2009 to crush a nation’s hopes and dreams I have never felt comfortable when Ireland lead in the dying stages. So, when Ronaldo leapt like a salmon to head in the winner in Portugal last week I …
Every football fan watches hundreds, thousands, maybe even tens of thousands of football matches in their lifetime, and for most of them, they’re shit, unmemorable, decent but meh, nothing to tell your friends about, or exhibit moments that hook boys and girls/men and women of all ages into this drug we call football. And every football junkie, constantly looking for …
Chelsea last night banished the demons of their embarrassing defeat to West Brom at the weekend with a competent victory over Porto in the Champions League. The 2-0-win leaves Chelsea in a great position of progressing to the semi-finals for the first time in seven years. The Blues came into the game in full force without any injuries, while the …
The Republic of Ireland lost 1-0 to Luxembourg yesterday evening after a torrid display that summed up Stephen Kenny’s reign thus far. Ireland suffered a sixth defeat in 10 under Stephen Kenny with Gerson Rodrigues’ 85th-minute strike proving to be the thorn in the team’s side. Kenny’s men were wasteful in front of the goal, failing to convert several chances …
“Everything I learned, I learned from him…” When a team kicks into 5th gear and the moment comes when the collective passengers decide that they want to see how fast the car can really go, there is not much that can be done to dry the thirst of the passengers and driver from doing so, once the adrenaline of knowing …
At the start of February, GAA fans had their worst nightmares confirmed with the announcement from the Government that the GAA was not an elite sport anymore. This means that GAA cannot take place under current restrictions. The news was greeted with dismay and anger from players, managers and fans up and down the country after the GAA lit up …
Inter Milan will be hoping for a better result in their second leg away fixture against the Serie A champions Juventus in the Coppa Italia. The first leg of the Derby D’Italia offered fans a close game in which errors from both keepers cost their teams, with Inter’s Handanovic mistake allowing a Ronaldo brace after he hit smashed in a …