By Cian Duffy
April 29 2002

We’ll, it’s been a while, and a lot of things have happened to McCarthy and the lads. Carr IS ruled out for the World Cup,... We’ll, it’s been a while, and a lot of things have happened to McCarthy and the lads. Carr IS ruled out for the World Cup, Russia, Denmark and the USA have all fallen at Landsdowne, and Stadium Ireland looks no more likely to come on stream anytime soon. The Euro 2008 joint bird with Scotland hasn’t progress much until today, as it now seem Russia may pull out their bid.

Well, the Nigeria match isn’t far off, and with Roy Keane looking certain to be fit for it, chances are good. After that, it’s a period of rest between the end of the domestic season and the kick-off with Cameroon is Japan.

In the Eircom (I know its not really my remit, but I may as well), the registration problems seem to have been temporarily sorted out. Shelbourne have been declared Champions, as St.Pat’s didn’t regain their 15 points. The FAI is having an inquiry, as apparently the registration difficulties do exist at many other clubs. At the other end of the Eircom, Longford Town, who you may remember as competing in the UEFA cup, are fighting for survival in the promotion/relegation playoffs. They play Finn Harps at Finn Park tonight, having taken a 1-goal lead from the first leg at the Flancare. In case you don’t understand the system, the last place in the Eircom Premiers goes down, and the first in the Eircom First goes up. Then the 2nd last in the Prem. and 2nd in the 1st play off. If the 2nd last in the Prem. win, they stay up. If the team from the 1st win, they go up, and the Premier League team goes down. Complex or what?!?

WORLD CUP MATCHES:

GROUP E:

June 1st
Rep. Ireland v. Cameroon, 07.30 Irish Time
June 5th
Germany v. Rep. Ireland, 12.30 Irish Time
June 11th
Saudi Arabia v. Rep. Ireland 12.30 Irish Time

Second Phase:

June 15th
Game 1: Winner Group E v. Runner-up Group B 07.30 Irish Time
OR
June 16th
Game 6: Winner Group B v. Runner-up Group E 12.30 Irish Time

Quarter Finals:
June 21st:
Game C: Winner Game 1 v. Winner Game 7 12.30 Irish Time
OR
June 22nd
Game D: Winner Game 6 v. Winner Game 8 12.30 Irish Time

Semi-Finals
June 25th
Semi-Final 2: Winner Game C v. Winner Game D 12.30 Irish Time

Third Place Play-Off
June 29th
Loser Semi-Final 1 v. Loser Semi-Final 2 12.00 Irish Time

FINAL
June 30th
Winner Semi-Final 1 v. Winner Semi-Final 2 12.00 Irish Time.

Don’t forget to vote in the poll or post on the message board. My World Cup predictions will either be posted or have been posted as a story