Oh, Shane.
After not covering himself in glory following Ireland’s win over the All-Blacks, getting confused about the Kearney brothers and releasing a statement which congratulated ‘Dominant Puspure’ – not Sanita Puspure – for her gold medal success at the World Rowing Championships in Bulgaria recently, the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport has provided a few more ‘colourful’ quotes on the Irish football team.
In an interview with Newstalk, Minister Ross was asked about the FAI’s decision to hire Stephen Kenny as the Ireland U-21 manager with a view to the former Longford Town, Derry City, and Dundalk manager taking over the senior job after Mick McCarthy’s tenure comes to an end.
“I think that’s why Shane Kenny has been appointed,” said Ross.
At this point, the host interjected to correctly state that Ireland’s newly-appointed U-21 manager is in fact, Stephen Kenny.
Later on in the interview, Minister Ross was discussing Ireland’s famous 1-0 win over Germany at the Aviva Stadium when Shane Long’s goal past Manuel Neuer gave Martin O’Neill’s side a famous win over the then world champions.
The Minister for Sport got confused regarding the identity of the goalscorer, mixing up Shane Long with Shay Given.
It should be noted that Darren Randolph was the Irish ‘keeper on that famous night.
“It’s not that long ago that we saw Shay Given score and assist Shane Long with that fantastic goal against Germany,” said Ross.
The TD then shared his own views about the FAI and how the organisation is perceived by football fans around Ireland.
“My own experience on the ground, weekly experience on the weekends, is that the fans are very enthusiastic about what the FAI are doing. They think the FAI are doing a very good job,” said Ross.
He added: “I don’t hear people giving out, I read about it in the press alright. There’a a lot of criticism about John Delaney, my own experience is that when I go to these local games in the constituency on the ground, is that I see John Delaney and representatives of the FAI all the time.
“They’re always on the ground doing things, relating to those really important things that young people are doing.”
