Sometimes folks ask per email if Shay is fit, etc. and is that the reason why he’s not getting back into the Aston Villa team, etc. but he is ‘top-fit’ and raring to go if and when he’s called upon. We @ shay-given.com hope of course with Shay that that moment won’t be long now. Isn’t that what the ‘Monkey said, when the train ran over its tail?’… “It won’t be long now”. My headmaster in school used to always tell that one, and I honestly never got it till I was an adult. Okay, please keep comments about my IQ to a minimum here. Thanks.

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Click here to view the video interview online

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Shay gave some more perspective to his retirement from international football here.

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Kenny Dalglish: “I remember speaking to his dad, who told me he’d be a top-class goalkeeper. We felt he had a chance of achieving that,” Dalglish said.

“His dad must have been an even better judge than us, because he was exactly right. He saw Shay’s potential earlier than we did. At that point we only thought he had a chance, his dad knew he’d make it and told us so. ”Shay was absolutely brilliant for Newcastle for a long, long time,” “He was brilliant when I was there and he was brilliant long after I’d gone. He’s a legend at Newcastle. I don’t think any manager could ever complain about his effort or performances. He’s honest, genuine and straightforward. He’s lively around the training ground too, he loves joining in the banter.”

Full story here from THE INDEPENDENT

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“It’s so lonely round the fields of Athenry”. Shay called time on his 16 years service to Ireland today announcing on Twitter the end of an era: “After a lot of thought and consideration, I have made the most difficult decision to retire from international football. It’s been a great honour and privilege to play and on occasion captain the team. I shall remain a huge fan of the team as I have been all my life. I wish them every success for the future. I wish to thank all the players, managers, staff and most importantly the most wonderful fans in the world. Finally I would like to thank my wife Jane, my 2 amazing kids and my entire family for their unwavering support over the 16 years and 125 caps.”

Interestingly what Shay didn’t say but what appeared on the FAI website was “Given also continued to show his support and dedication to the squad by saying that should there be an emergency, he would happily return to assist with goalkeeping duties. Giovanni Trapattoni and Marco Tardelli have said that they are extremely grateful that Given has said that he would make himself available should they need him. Trapattoni said, ‘I understand the difficult decision that Shay had to make, and appreciate all of his efforts during his international career. He is a strong player, with a great character and his love of playing for his country always shone through. It has been a pleasure to work with him during my time with the team.  I wish him the very best in his future.”

So maybe we MIGHT just MIGHT see Shay play one last game sometime in the next years? Who knows. But no matter what Shay, you’ve done us proud, given us 16 years and 125 games of football in the green and white. You’ll be missed.

Shay holds 125 caps for his country making him the highest capped Irish player in history!

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I can’t imagine what it must’ve been like to see James Nolan’s (21) coffin leaving the church with the ‘fields of Athenry’ being sung. It must’ve been difficult for anyone, especially Jame’s family and friends. The Independent wrote: “Tears streamed down the faces of mourners and Shay Given’s face crumpled with emotion as the sorrowful strains of ‘The Fields of Athenry’ accompanied the removal of the coffin from the church, as all recalled the spirit of the Irish fans throughout the championships and how amongst them had stood James Nolan.” Story link here

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Check it out, something positive for Shay to chew on after a bitter European Championship in Poland. Link here

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I honestly felt that Ireland were going to have a bit of luck this time and grab something from Spain, but the pattern of losing a goal after 4 minutes repeated itself again, when Torres stole the ball rounded 2 players and battered it high into the net over Shay’s head. It’s the worst start Ireland could’ve asked for apart from getting someone sent off in the process but it seriously dampened Ireland’s hopes of getting anything from the World Champions. The Irish singing the ‘Fields of Athenry’ at the end was the highlight for me as an Irish fan. What a response to a 4:0 defeat. Incredible.

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Shay’s trainer Terry Gennoe is convinced that Shay is as good as anybody at the Euro’s. Read it here.

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We all hoped for at least a point from the Croatia encounter but Croatia obviously had other ideas. A second goal before half-time and then after the start of the second-half were hammer-blows to the Irish team and it was hard to get chances from a resolute Croatian defence too. Ireland were denied 2 penalty shouts which of course would’ve given hope and bite and luck was not on Shay’s side either for the third goal with it hammering against his head as it came off the post, giving Croatia the 3 points and goals. Now it’s miracle time in the Irish campaign as Ireland have to take points off Spain and Italy to go through to the knock-out stages. But you ‘never know in football’ and the Irish never chose the easy path before.

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