Ireland Vs Sweden /
Jenny Stapelton giving her impressions from the game

I dunno about anyone else who was at the match last
night but I am seriously suffering from hyperthermia
today . For me it was the usual story arrive at the
ground and join the mass of people making their way to
the different sections of the ground trying really
hard to keep those who your with in sight . The
atmosphere inside the ground was pretty upbeat
considering it was an absolutely freezing night . Made
my way to my seat in the east upper stand or the attic
as I like to call it because your so high up you
would nearly have a nose bleed , tried to get as
comfortable as I could on the plastic seats which
where also freezing (be prepared to hear about the
cold throughout this report because its going to come
up ) . As always, you could still see the shadows of
rugby lines on the pitch despite the grounds people’s
best efforts . The teams began to emerge onto the
pitch , it was the moment we’ve been waiting for the
first game under our new manager Stan (Stephen)
Staunton . It was cap number 75 for Shay which makes
him the highest capped player for Ireland (I think –
somebody correct me if I’m wrong) . The game got under
way I thought it was going to be a quite enough first
half as there weren’t to many chances being created ,
however I was wrong because on 36 mins Reid (Steven)
passed a long ball down which was meet by Duff at the
other end who put it in the bottom corner with his
right foot . I was surprised I was able to jump up as
my body now felt like a block of ice . Sweden had a
couple of shots on goal but they weren’t enough to
trouble Shay into making a save . The only save he did
have to make was that from a shot from Larsson . Then
came half time with the players leaving the pitch in
an upbeat mood . Second half proved to be fairly
lively with Ireland looking a much stronger side then
I have ever seen . Robbie managed to score on 47 mins
with a well taken shot on the edge of the box . Shay
was then substituted on 48 mins for the under 21
keeper Wayne Henderson who was called into action to
deny Larsson with a great close range save . 2-0 and
things where looking good for Staunton and his men but
as they say things can only get better and that’s
exactly what happened with Liam Miller coming on only
to score a cracking goal in the 71st min . it was a
fantastic result for Stan and boys and lets hope it
continues . Craic was good as always in the player’s
lounge after
Managed to catch a few words with Shay who was
delighted with the win . The same was said by Alan
Kelly and Ian Harte although looking at the result its
still hard to believe we would be in Germany this year
. But we have to try and forget the past and
concentrate on the future and getting to the euros in
2008 .