The people of Northern Ireland, in my own long experience, take unkindly to advice from outside This Wee Country Of Theirs.
Shades of green: Northern Ireland should respect McClean’s Republic of Ireland choice
James McClean
James McClean, pride of Sunderland (and Derry), secures Euro 2012 place
No doubt James McClean will excuse Salut! Sunderland for its earlier spot of fun at his and the rest of the Lads’ expense, suggesting the double-winning Sunderland Women’s Football Club squad might be sent on to face Man United on Sunday …
Salut!’s Sunderland Players of the Season: three winners so far
Salut! Sunderland’s collective votes in the London and SE branch of the SAFC Supporters’ Association poll have been counted and duly cast: Stéphane Sessegnon emerged from your votes as our player of the season, with overwhelming support, while Jack Colback won a close contest with James McClean as Young Player of the Season.
Luke’s World: hailing James McClean, Sunderland, Irish Republic, signing of the season
On Saturday, as we stuttered unconvincingly to 2-2 draw against relegation-haunted Bolton Wanderers, important eyes were focused on one man. The Irish team manager Giovanni Trapattoni is preparing to name his squad for Euro 2012 and was again having James McClean closely watched ahead of his final decision on whether to include him. Reports from Dublin quote the boss as saying our man’s chances are 90 to 99 per cent. And he scored a cracker against Bolton. Luke Harvey continues his personal reflection on the season just ending with an assessment of McClean’s impact at the SoL …
Salut!’s Week: Newcastle build-up, SAFC’s international parade and Jake’s genius
On Facebook yesterday, I wrote: “Forget the hysteria of Leveson and the Scotland Yard ‘burglars/muggers/killers’ delight’ investigation of reporters having pints or lunch with coppers. The Tyne-Wear derby, Newcastle v Sunderland, is on Sunday at noon. Elegant, witty, informative and impeccably fair tribalism is to be found at https://safc.blog/
Fraizer, England and fatherhood; Larsson, Sweden and goals; McClean, Ireland and romance
SO it was quite a proud night all round for Sunderland players on international duty, and 79 was a magic number.
Salut!’s week: cup fever, Niall’s farewell, map to Newcastle, McClean/Campbell glory
This has been a week of great happiness – beating Arsenal to reach the FA Cup quarterfinals, welcoming Fraizer Campbell’s inclusion in the England squad and James McClean’s Irish call-up – and much sadness, Niall Quinn’s decision to end his links with SAFC. Oh, one more happy bit: Salut! Sunderland reached ninth, its highest ever position, in the Soccerlinks hit list (though we may have fallen by the time you click on that link) …
Ireland and Sunderland: the link that brings sadness and joy on the same day
Niall Quinn ended his Republic of Ireland career on 92 full caps, having scored 21 goals in international appearances. James McClean is about to start his.
Martin’s Musings from Peterborough: it’s a real positive to get the win
Martin O’Neill is satisfied, in the end, with a comfortable win at London Road and progress to the next round of the FA Cup. And in his post-match e-mail, the boss makes special mention of the blossoming talent of James McClean …
James McClean: Derry City, Sunderland and ‘a language we all understand’
The quote is adapted from Phil Coulter’s song about Derry and the Troubles, The Town I Love So Well (he also co-wrote Puppet on a String but we bear no grudges). The language supporters of SAFC and Derry City understand is football, played in red and white stripes …
When Steve Bruce brought James McClean from Derry City for the the amount of money top players earn in a fortnight, our own Pete Sixsmith posed the question in an article at Salut! Sunderland: “Is he our new Johnny Crossan?”