IF happy days aren't quite here again, they are certainly on the way. Mick McCarthy's new model Irish team won their first home competitive engagement at Lansdowne Road last night, leaving themselves with a 100 per cent record in their World Cup qualifying group and the commanding position in terms of qualification for the finals in France in 1998.
Whatever transitional pains the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia are hinting at with their none too snappy moniker, things are just fine and dandy here in the former Charlton Republic of Ireland. Two World Cup games' played, two won.
Happy days. Heck, the players whistle while they work.
We don't know too much yet about the Mick McCarthy era. It's quieter and more patient than what went before perhaps ... No more bodhrans. No more kick and rush. Green shirted players cross the halfway line with the ball at their feet and we watch them like we'd watch smugglers bringing welcome contraband through a border crossing. If this goes ...
There was no delirium at Lansdowne Road last night. No chest puffing assertions that you'll never beat the Irish. Macedonia are no world beaters. Two moments of good cheer in a subdued first half nevertheless. The thrill of Jason McAteer's goal after eight minutes and word from Wembley that Poland were leading England by a goal to nil.
McAteer's intervention brought the more enduring novelty. Three passes along the ground before the quick incision. The sort of football that we only heard rumours of back in the noisy Charlton days.
When Tony Cascarino scored the second goal we brightened considerably and didn't even care when news came through that England were leading.
Midway through the second half Cascarino scored again. After many years of trying cameo appearances as a late substitute Cascarino took to the role of happy rainmaker with some aplomb.
And so it stayed. Three goals to nil. Mick McCarthy expressed his satisfaction with the night's business. Lansdowne Road emptied quickly. Football folk rubbed their chins and considered Mick McCarthy's thoughtful brand of football. Could catch on you know, quieter and more patient than what went before perhaps . . . No more bodhrans. No more kick and rush. Green shirted players cross the halfway line with the ball at their feet and we watch them like we'd watch smugglers bringing welcome contraband through a border crossing. If this goes wrong ...
There was no delirium at Lansdowne Road last night. No chest puffing assertions that you'll never bent the Irish. Macedonia are no world beaters. Two moments of good cheer in a subdued first half nevertheless. The thrill of Jason McAteer's goal after eight minutes and word from Wembley that Poland were lending England by a goal to nil.
McAteer's intervention brought the more enduring novelty. Three passes along the ground before the quick incision. The sort of football that we only heard rumours of back in the noisy Charlton days.
When Tony Cascarino scored the second goal we brightened considerably and didn't even care when news came through that England were lending.
Midway through the second half Cascarino scored again. After many years of trying cameo appearances as a late substitute Cascarino took to the role of happy rainmaker with some aplomb.
And so it stayed. Three goals to nil. Mick McCarthy expressed his satisfaction with the night's business. Lansdowne Road emptied quickly. Football folk rubbed their chins and considered Mick McCarthy's thoughtful brand of football. Could catch on you know.