Sunday, February 17, 2008

Joe Trapattoni’s waiting

Too long we’ve been sitting here on our own,
Waiting for a hero to pick up the phone. (ooh)

A match in Croke Park can become a bad dream,
People think we have a world-beating team.
Great expectations can lead to a fall
Playing’gainst Cyprus and drawing two all

Joe Trapattoni’s waiting, talking Italian (talking Italian)
Marco Tardelli’s waiting (talking Italian)
Joe Trapattoni’s waiting, talking Italian (talking Italian)
Marco Tardelli’s waiting (talking Italian)

With Joe we think we can go all the way
Odds on we’ll be bringing home Jules Rimet (ooh)

Nobody cares if the football is dull,
Winning our games will keep stadia full.
This is our only escape from it all
Seeing our name on that chart on the wall.

Joe Trapattoni’s waiting, talking Italian (talking Italian)
Marco Tardelli’s waiting (talking Italian)
Joe Trapattoni’s waiting, talking Italian (talking Italian)
Marco Tardelli’s waiting (talking Italian)

A match in Croke Park can become a bad dream,
Joe is the man who can raise our esteem.
And when the World Cup is heading our way
We’ll celebrate in the Tardelli way

Joe Trapattoni’s waiting, talking Italian (talking Italian)
Marco Tardelli’s waiting (talking Italian)
Joe Trapattoni’s waiting, talking Italian (talking Italian)
Marco Tardelli’s waiting (talking Italian)

Saturday, February 9, 2008

Ireland 0 Brazil 1

Their goalie barely sees the ball,
The team’s so forward-driven,
But in their hist’ry few recall
A keeper like Shay Given.

Their centre backs can read the ball
And spot the midfield runner,
But few would have the wherewithal
Of someone like the Dunner.

They’ve players who can spread the ball
Like all great players can,
But frankly you may keep them all
For we have Kev Kilbane.

Their love of getting on the ball
Oft borders on the greedy,
But seldom do these players enthral
Like Miller or McGeady.

Their forwards pounce on each loose ball
With joie de vivre latino,
But how Brazil would love to call
On Kevin Doyle and Keano.

But where Brazil are on the ball
Is in their whole approach
That teams improve if you install
An international coach.

Monday, February 4, 2008

The language barrier

Some like which way the penny flips,
Some say it’s all baloney,
But the latest name on people’s lips
Is Signor Trapattoni.
While many rush for betting slips,
Some think the news is phoney.

Giovanni can’t converse, they say.
His English is too broken.
The Irish players are not au fait
With Italian, as it’s spoken.
Communication is the way
Our passions will be woken.

But don’t dismiss him out of hand,
Though fears might need allaying.
He’s one of just a tiny band
Who’s worth the cash we’re paying,
And very few could understand
What Jack or Stan were saying.

It isn’t right to make a fuss
Of lack of English, is it?
Don’t board the xenophobic bus –
Invite him for a visit,
For English might well be a plus
But it’s hardly a requisite.