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Euro 2012 I : Betrayed

U Rowe

Thursday, June 7th, 2012

1 Leave a comment on verse 1 0 Part of the original 23
Who’d have seen this coming?
The fans already on their way
Hitching, hiking, thumbing!

2 Leave a comment on verse 2 0 A young man wounded by…
An elder statesman of some repute;
A stab in the back?
A decision to dispute?

3 Leave a comment on verse 3 0 Normally a man of his word
The likeable Trappatoni;
Despite his reliance on Manuela
You wouldn’t call this chap a phoney

4 Leave a comment on verse 4 0 So it was with much surprise
When he backtracked at the deadline;
“It’s McShane – not Foley!”
Reads the disbelieving headline

5 Leave a comment on verse 5 0 Not that we really expected
The Wolves lad to feature;
But that Paul McShane
Is a much mistrusted creature

6 Leave a comment on verse 6 0 For the infamous Hand of Frog
Was partly of his making;
Just clear it for a corner –
But still we’re bellyaching

7 Leave a comment on verse 7 0 The fans however are loyal and true
They travel for the craic;
But if the Polish smile too sweetly
We may never see them back!

© Ulick Rowe, 7th June 2012

Notes

Rattling a few skeletons there – without even mentioning Saipan!

Anthony Foley originally selected, then de-selected in favour of Paul McShane, as added centre back cover.

I still maintain
that Paul McShane
could’ve hacked the ball away before it even reached Thierry Henri’s hand.

Irish Emigration alluded to.
Plus long trips abroad in times of austerity.
Ireland haven’t had a tournament to join in with for 12 years until now.
And Trap’s over-reliance on Manuela Spinelli, his interpreter.

PS
Had the absolute pleasure of meeting Paul McGrath today at a Q&A session.

Absolute legend.

And a Chelsea fan too!

Only Richard Dunne from today’s current crop is anywhere near qualified to lace Paul’s boots!

Source: http://footballpoets.org/poems/euro-2012-i-betrayed/