Sport

On this Day in the Irish News: October 10 1996

Tony Cascarino scored twice for Ireland against Macedonia in October 1996
Tony Cascarino scored twice for Ireland against Macedonia in October 1996 Tony Cascarino scored twice for Ireland against Macedonia in October 1996

World Cup Qualifying Group Eight: Republic of Ireland 3 Macedonia 0

from Alex McGreevy at Lansdowne Road

TONY Cascarino showed why he is still very much part of Mick McCarthy’s new Irish international era with two vital world cup qualifying goals against Macedonia at Lansdowne Road last night.

And while the 34-year-old international veteran led by example, 25-year-old Jason McAteer came of age when he sent the Irish on their way to the top of Group Eight with a well-taken eighth minute goal – his first in an Irish jersey.

It was a great performance by McCarthy’s squad of young and not so young, six points in the bag and confidence aplenty for next month’s visit of Iceland.

Cascarino was named man of the match after his two-goal blast and he declared: “I am hoping I will still be around for the World Cup finals in France.”

The 34-year-old former Chelsea, Celtic and Aston Villa striker would be treading familiar territory if that is the case as he now plays his club football for Marseilles.

“I think I still have something to offer because going to France has made me a better player,” he said.

“The men mark you so tight over there in the French League and you have to learn how to find space. I believe I am doing that better now than at any time in my career.

“Macedonia are not a bad side. They did quite well in the first half, but once I had got my first goal their heads went down a bit.”

World Cup Soccer: SCOTLAND must wait until November 7 before discovering whether they will be awarded three points for their abandoned World Cup qualifier against Estonia.

The Estonian team failed to appear at the Kadriorg Stadium in Tallinn yesterday for the group four game after FIFA agreed to Scotland’s request to bring forward the kick-off because of insufficient floodlighting. And FIFA’s regulations for the World Cup qualifying competition suggest the Scots will be awarded a 3-0 win by default.

But Scotland will have to wait for FIFA’s organising committee for the World Cup to study reports from Yugoslavian referee Miroslav Radoman and FIFA match delegate Jean-Marie Gantenbein, as well as considering a protest from the Estonian Football Association about the kick-off switch.

FIFA revealed last night that the reports will be presented to the committee by October 20 and that a decision will be made at the committee’s November 7 meeting.

FIFA spokesman Keith Cooper hinted strongly that Scotland would be awarded the match, saying: “Scotland can bear in mind what our (FIFA’s) regulation (article 6 paragraph 8) states about these circumstances.

“It says that if one team does not report for a match, it shall be considered as having lost and the three points shall be awarded to their opponents with a score of 3-0.”

Gaelic Games: MATT McGleenan comes out of retirement and straight back into the Tyrone team for Sunday’s National League opener against NFL champions Derry at Celtic Park.

Attacker McGleenan, who has not played for Tyrone for more than a year, is called up as an emergency midfielder, after Jody Gormley hobbled out of Tuesday night’s stiff training session with a damaged ankle.

The big attacker’s move to midfield will raise a few eyebrows among Tyrone supporters, for he has invariably figured in the full forward line in the past.

New manager Danny Ball’s first team selection also hands a comeback to defender Noel Donnelly, tempted back into the squad after more than four years out of the action, having called it a day in 1992 due to injury. He plays at full-back.