Himself, with Maradona and Roy Keane in The Galway Advertiser, in advance of the Cúirt International Festival of Literature
Posts under ‘Soccer’
Maradona, Keane and Me
Major League Soccer
It has begun. The Major League Soccer season, with an all-Canadian clash – Vancouver Whitecaps 4, Toronto FC 2. Well done the Vancouver lads. Best moment: Dunfield disappearing into the Vancouver moshpit. A great match. From here on comes pain, heartbreak, glory and ignominy. Herewith, the heartfelt Red Patch Boys Hard Chorus.
Football of soccer?
The eternal argument: call it “football” or “soccer”? That arises immediately in the Comments on this History Of Soccer video, in which the very, very tired author of The World is a Ball makes an appearance…
Whither soccer in North America?
An excellent, lucid explanation in ROB mag, some points same as those made in The World is a Ball, some points known to many, some not…And, Good Luck Vancouver Whitecaps.… Continue reading
TFC confirms Klinsmann hiring
The World is a Ball fears that even Juergen Klinsmann might find things at Toronto FC a little daunting. Continue reading
What is a “professional” football player?
In The World is a Ball somewhere there’s a rant about how, in England, being a “professional” football player means something vastly different from what it means in Italy. Or Spain. Or Germany.
Toronto’s M.L.S. Team Is Testing Patience of Its Fans
TORONTO — In a sports bar one recent night, the bartender was giving away collectible beer glasses bearing the Toronto F.C. logo and motto, “All for One.” For some, those words are hard to swallow right now.
These are desperate days in Toronto. Within a month, it seems, Toronto F.C. has gone from a beloved team to the focus of bitterness and anger. There is an interim coach and, at 8-13-7 before Saturday’s game, no possibility the team will make Major League Soccer’s playoffs. Ticket prices are rising. Some players have been invisible on the field, and others want more money. Continue reading
Good luck in Slovakia
Ireland moves on shakily after loss to Russia in Dublin. Backs to the wall, boys… Continue reading
Football writer wins Nobel Prize for Literature
Which is kind of like the World Cup in the writing racket. About our man Mario Vargas Llosa – “To assuage his lifelong passion for football he has written about the game for El País.” Continue reading
Coming Friday…
Euro 2012 Qualifying. Ireland vs Russia. In Dublin. Oh Lordy. Continue reading
Andy Keogh says Hello
In The World is a Ball I tell the tale going to Bari in Italy to see Italy play Ireland in a World Cup qualifier. In the post-match mixed zone I talked to young Irish player Andy Keogh, a shy lad. Out on loan at Cardiff now, he scored the last minute winner against Millwall yesterday… Continue reading
The saddest story ever told
Liverpool on its knees. Thoughtful analysis here… Continue reading
Tweet from great Jason de Vos
Recently alerted to a mention by the great Jason de Vos about The World Is A Ball. Back in June, jasondevos Tweeted: Met John Doyle, author of The World Is a Ball, this morning. Interesting stories. Really enjoy reading his unique perspective on the game. Continue reading
Help us, Special One. Please help!
Portugal asks Jose Mourinho to take charge for 2 games. They needs him. Continue reading
Toronto FC cleans house
And about time too. Toronto FC clears out the duds. (Well done Paul Attfield on the early morning scoop.) Continue reading
Who put the ball in the Barca net? Valdez! Valdez!
A football story straight out of Dickens… Continue reading
Bend It Like Carlos
You’ve heard of Bend It Like Beckham. Well check out a bending ball kicked by Roberto Carlos of Brazil in 1997. Now, science says it’s no fluke, this kind of artistry…
Toronto FC moves on
Well done the lads! Congratulations Toronto FC…. Continue reading
I’ll be back
Maradona to the world: “I’ll be back.“ Continue reading
