Recent entries on Betfair Ireland
Ireland v Cyprus Betting: Trapattoni's Ireland arrive in Nicosia.
Daniel McDonnell / 04 September 2009 Free Bet View Market
THE outburst from Richard Dunne which dominates today's papers was the main talking point today ahead of Ireland's five hour flight to Cyprus for Saturday's World Cup qualifier - although events just before take-off ran it close.
As the players boarded the five hour charter flight to Larnaca, it became apparent that seven members of the panel had been seated in economy class with FAI officials, guests, media and a handful of spectators. Unfortunately, the plane booked for this crucial match did not have a first class section big enough to accommodate the elite members of the party.
Giovanni Trapattoni and his assistants were seated in business class, and after ruminations involving captain Robbie Keane amongst others, Liam Brady and goalkeeping coach Alan Kelly left their cushioned seats to swap places with Kevin Doyle and Paul McShane - both recuperating from recent injuries - who were given priority for promotion to the berths with maximum legroom.
Alas, Stephen Hunt, Aiden McGeady, Shane Long, Liam Miller and Andy Keogh were left to slum it out with everybody else. The incident is an embarrassing throwback to the pre-Saipan days when the players always travelled economy while blazers enjoyed the posh seats, with the waft of their meals often filtering back to the athletes whose muscles can't have been helped by their cramped position. Roy Keane changed all of that, with his first outburst fittingly taking place on a trip to Cyprus eight years ago. Since the fall-out from that, the squad have endured no difficulties - until now, although the FAI claim they were aware of it beforehand and stationed the shorter players at the back.
Still, the spirit in the camp is good ahead of Saturday's encounter with Trapattoni's assistant Brady sensing that confidence is high with just three games remaining in Group Eight.
He is also optimistic that there will be good news on the double on Saturday. While Ireland are engaged in Cyprus, group leaders Italy travel to Tbilisi to take on Georgia who have proved difficult to beat on home soil. Brady believes the 'proud' Georgians are capable of giving the Azzurri a rough ride.
Current Betfair Odds
Cyprus [4.60]
Ireland [1.98]
Draw [3.55]
Georgia [12.5]
Italy [1.37]
Draw [5.1]
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