There's More To Life Than Victory (But Not Much More)

Last Sunday was an historic day for me. It was the the first time, that I can remember, that I missed an Arsenal game by choice. No contact at all, no TV, no radio, phone switched off.

I decided instead to venture to Loughtagalla Park for an end of the season derby game in the North Tipp League Division 1, Thurles Celtic against Borroway Rovers.

I should explain that the Borroway Rovers Manager/Coach is my good friend and fellow Gooner, Bernard 'Bomber' Keane, and I wanted to see football from his point of view.  Football with all the glamour, hyperbole and filthy lucre stripped out. Football being played for the sheer love of the game, victory for victories sake,without baubles and financial baggage. Our game, the game we've forgotten.

The goal for Borroway was simple, win and automatic promotion to the Premier division, draw meant a play off place. An unthinkable loss meant stalemate, still, no disgrace for a team that had just been promoted. Thurles Celtic were playing for pride, a victory over their rivals with whom they shared the ground.

As the teams kicked off in the glorious sunshine, it struck me straight away how difficult it is, at pitchside, to work out the formations teams employ. We are so used to the elevated stadium or zoom in TV view of the action that we miss this elemental football, this uncut heave ho!, grunting tackle and sheer heft of the action. Anyway, I eventually twigged that Borroway were playing a 4-5-1 with Wayne Keane doing a sterling job as the lone striker, holding up the ball and getting the Borroway midfield quickly up in support at every opportunity.

Thurles Celtic's strategy seemed to be to hoof it up to their pacy front men and rely on their mobility and skill to cause Borroway problems, but Rovers had their own Tony Adams (Shane Ryan) at the heart of the defence who cleared every ball whether on the ground or in the air, if only Arsenal had a centre half like that with that kind of commitment and that kind of prescence.

With two goals from Wayne and one from Shane (an Adamsesque header from a corner), Borroway were cruising towards half time when Celtic pulled one back from a poorly defended throw in, cue all sorts of panic until the blessed relief of the half time whistle.

So half time, and the players took on much needed water and nicotine (I kid you not) to sustain them for the run in, followed by the most bizarre half time team talk I have ever witnessed. First, came instructions and words of encouragement from the Coach, then more or less the same from his assistant, followed by the Captains thruppence worth and then the supporters instructions!!

" Keep it tight! We're not safe yet! Game of two halves! Remember thou art mortal!"

Second half kicks off and Celtic score again 3-2!! Squeaky!!

There is a phenomenon in football no matter what level its played, from schoolboy to professional, that I call 'herding'. You know what it is, when a team are tired and trying to hold onto a lead, they invariably start to defend deep and clump together, leaving huge gaps down the flanks for the opposition to exploit. Sure enough Borroway started to 'herd' and Celtic launched attack after attack!

Ah but then Bomber pulled his masterstroke bringing on Borroways own Theo, Damian Troy, a skillful and speedy winger who pushed back the Celtic full back, and completely shattered their strategy. Suddenly they were the ones hanging on, and frankly the final score of 3-2 flattered them somewhat.

So back to the Pub and finding out the Gunners had dispatched Blackpool and I could finally unclench my buttocks, what a great day.

I spoke to a few of the Borroway players in the pub and what struck me was their humility. No triumphalism, no gloating, just satisfaction at a job well done, respect for their opponents and a deep, deep, camraderie for their team mates. If Arsenal had half of these guys team spirit we would be unbeatable, maybe we are fettered by ego and money and fear of failure. I leave the last word to Bomber a football legend, a man who gives everything to it, who truly epitomizes 'eat, drink, sleep, football'.

Clockend5: Well, bomber, start of the season, newly promoted, what was your target this season?


Bomber: To stay in the 1st division.


Clockend5: And now you're in the Premiership, what are your targets for next season?


Bomber: To stay in the Premiership.