Volume 1 (1999/2000)
Issue 1 (March 1999)
Issue 2 (Nov. 1999)
Issue 3 (Dec. 1999)
Issue 4 (Feb. 2000)
Issue 5 (March 2000)
Issue 6 (April 2000)
Issue 7 (May 2000)

Volume 2 (2000/2001)
Issue 1 (Sept. 2000)
Issue 2 (Oct. 2000)
Issue 3 (Jan. 2001)
Issue 4 (March 2001)
Issue 5 (April 2001)
Issue 6 (May 2001)

Volume 3 (2001)
Issue 1 (Sept. 2001)
Issue 2 (Nov. 2001)

Categories
Sport: 1 2 3
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Commentary: 1 2 3
Review: 1 2 3
Writing: 1 2 3
Event: 1 2 3

Up and Coming Stars

John Rodgers,
Ballincollig CS, Cork

If Ireland is to emerge from their group among the likes of Portugal and Holland, they have to rely on their youth - players such as Ian Harte, Richard Dunne, Robbie Keane, Shay Given and Stephen McPhail of Leeds United. The Irish football team have entered a new era and generation where we won't have to rely on 'Our Cas' (Tony Cascarino) to get his head to a long ball, nor can rely on the defensive qualities of Paul McGrath anymore. There are still some veterans, such as Niall Quinn, on the squad whom we still rely on to set up goals and we still see Roy Keane as our most influential player for both his passing and tackling abilities.

The young stars which I can see making a difference in this campaign include Richard Dunne and Matt Holland. In our last game Ireland was 1-0 down and never looked like scoring. Mick McCarthy made two substitutions bringing on Damien Duff who set up Matt Holland, the second sub, with a wonder strike which shot into the top right hand corner from at least thirty yards. Ireland drew the game to scrape a point in Lisbon. Since then we have beaten Estonia.

I believe that, if we want to qualify, we have to introduce more strength in defence and midfield. Overall if Ireland can take full advantage of their up and coming stars I feel they will deservedly qualify for Japan-Korea in 2002 and will go on to do very well in the highest level of international football.

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