Like the three other three managers involved in this week’s Semi-Final draw a home tie would provide the first sense of satisfaction. However, in truth it matters little what I want. A draw of this nature is a bit like life itself. One takes the cards one is dealt and then proceeds to make the most possible out of the situation. Indeed Cup football is very much like life in that when opportunity comes your way it is your immediate response that essentially creates the future from the circumstances presented. But is there is also the added possibility that circumstances can be controlled? Are we less dictated to by circumstances than first appears?

Whomsoever Cork City plays in the Semi-final and wherever we have to play matters little if at all. If we are to control our own destiny then we have to have the mental strength and the belief to play to our own high level of performance with the innate belief that the opposition will have to do something special to deny us a place in the Final. And if the opposition prove capable of achieving this then we shake their hands and wish them well in that Final. Skill is very important aspect of success. But it is still only one aspect and in the opinion of many it is not the most important aspect. The expression that will is more important than skill at crucial stages of competition as extremely valid.

The same will occur in Croke Park next Saturday and Wednesday with The Republic of Ireland. But it is Germany who will hold all the aces in the game on Saturday. If the German team plays to its potential and show the proper level of belief The Republic will have a huge task on its hands. The quality and efficiency of the leaders of this particular Qualifying Group have demonstrated quite clinically so far that it is merely a matter of time before they pass the test of qualification. Thus, their level of performance is far more impressive and consequential than anything Ireland has offered so far.

But this is sport. And while we will be expected to best Cyprus on Wednesday anything positive at all that emanates from Saturday will offer beleaguered manager Steve Staunton much relief and hope. Staunton is in a serious situation. The sporting press have little time for Steve at the moment. There is nothing much wrong with this as every manager has to gain this type of experience to really become a manager. But it is the Irish sporting public that I would be more concerned about at this time. Sometimes managers receive unfair criticism. But the fact is that there is little fairness in professional football. If Staunton allows the critics to undermine his confidence then he is finished. Even if he wins this particular battle he may still be finished if he fails to win the hearts and minds of the public at large. So far this public relations aspect of his job has not gone too well. But again this is a crucial part of the experience required to succeed in management in professional sport.
The Semi-Final of The FAI Ford Cup should be won by the team that produces two high level performances over the next few weeks. But even this may not be enough. In Cup football luck will play its own eccentric part and sometimes therefore shocks will occur. The only way to prevent this happening is for the team, players and managers to reach such a high level of concentration and belief those accidents aren’t allowed to happen. Germany has mastered the art in this respect. Ireland may show this to be untrue of course and may prove they have the will to overcome skill. In contrast Cork City will seek to prove that will allied to skill is insurmountable.  

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