Top Issue 1-2024

11 June 1998 Edition

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Sportsview: Reggae Boyz Abu!

The World Cup has kicked off and in the fine republican tradition of standing up for the underdog, An Phoblacht is not concentrating on the so-called classier or biggger sides. The commercialism and big business stranglehold has not failed to dampen my enthusiasm for the beautiful game's biggest showpiece.

The South Africans and our Celtic brothers in Scotland deserve our support in the absence of an Irish team, but An Phoblacht is throwing its weight behind the boys from the Caribbean - The Reggae Boyz from Jamaica. With English premiership players - Derby's Burton and Wimbledon's Robbie Earle - and Brazilian manager Rene Simones, they are expected to add to the spice and flavour of the tournament.

We will be following their progress from their first match, against Croatia on Sunday. They have a reputation for being over-physical, but they could get results against the Japan and, possibly, Croatia. Their game against Argentina on Sunday week should be a cracker. Watch this space for their progress.

Championship


The view from Hill 16 last Sunday was far from pleasant if you were a Dubs' supporter. The atmosphere was dull in an overcrowed Hill 16, as was the entertainment, from both sides.

Dessie Farrell was one of the few bright sparks from a Dub's point of view, with Kildare's sheer bad luck and misdirected free kicks leaving them again wondering if they'll ever make the breakthrough. The replay should see the Dubs through, but all-Ireland glory looks remote for the metropolitans.

There were celebrations in Waterford as they finally made it back into a Munster Hurling Final. They defeated Tipperary in front of 30,000 at Pairc Ui Chaoimh by 21 points to Tipp's 2-12.

`Simple minds' still controlling Paradise


And so to Celtic Park. The ongoing furore after Wim Jansen's departure over who controls the club goes on. Last week Jim Kerr, of Scots rock band Simple Minds, let rip in the Daily Record on the situation, lambasting Fergus McCann and `Joke' Brown, for among other things replacing the club traditions with a corporate logo.

They (McCann and Co) have reportedly offered any new manager a miserly £4 million to spend on players in order to compete in the Champions League next season. It is estimated that a club like Celtic would have to spend at least £12-15 million to compete seriously.

The problems a lot of Celtic fans have with McCann and Co are well documented in this colunm. Jim Kerr is a Celtic fan through and through. He has the interests and traditions of the club at heart. He wants Celtic given back to the fans, and knows the average fans in the stand have not got the sort of money needed to buy out McCann when he leaves, after making a handsome profit.

Here are some of Kerr's comments: ``I believe the spirit of Celtic FC is in a state of paralysis - warped, bent, out of shape. I find it a sad place, joyless and mean-spirited. It's a result of a love-hate relationship between the club's controllers and the club itself... For me and my generation our identity was wrapped up in the team. And that's why we will not be told what to sing... McCann doesn't tell us what to do. Who is he? Somebody who's in for five years and will be paid handsomely... We are Celtic people with Celtic blood.'' Let's hope Kerr's bid to put together a consortium of people - reportedly Bono and Rod Stewart have been approached - with money to save the traditions and soul of Glasgow Celtic Football Club.

And what about Rangers' keeper and Billy Wright fan Andy Goram? Andy has, reportedly, been `carrying on' with a `top UVF man's' wife, while the the `top' loyalist is being held at her majesty's pleasure. He has allegedly threatened to kill poor old Andy.

BY CIARAN HEAPHEY

An Phoblacht
44 Parnell Sq.
Dublin 1
Ireland