Joe Callaghan

Roving sportswriter | Journalism lecturer @UL | Cancer survivor | Now: Ottawa/TO. Then: Sligo/Dublin/Melbourne/Rio/Glasgow | Lover of Sligo Rovers + dogs.

[Joe Callaghan @JoeCallaghan84]

Suicide found the PGA Tour this week but it wasn’t its first time finding Shane Lowry. He’s lost three Clara schoolmates to it. Lowry stopped and reflected on “the lowest place in the world” and plenty more, in typically raw fashion. For @ExaminerSport
https://t.co/aiok9eNT3E

[Joe Callaghan @JoeCallaghan84]

Mason Melia's late burst into the Canadian box had locals in Montreal fearing the worst. It could have completed one hell of an Irish turnaround. "Black and white for me," said Hallgrímsson. "How good we can be and how bad we can be." For @ExaminerSport
https://t.co/qWPL8svlRK

[Joe Callaghan @JoeCallaghan84]

Heimir Hallgrímsson's Ireland chose the most bilingual city in the world to turn in two halves of football where they spoke wildly different languages. After seeing his side almost spoil Canada's party Hallgrímsson had words of praise. For @IrishTimesSport
https://t.co/FRJBA96yaF

[Joe Callaghan @JoeCallaghan84]

They then looked to have removed a bunch of other Tricolours too.

[Joe Callaghan @JoeCallaghan84]

As Ireland were equalising against Canada here in Montreal, a member of Stade Saputo security removed a Palestine flag hung behind the goal by Ireland fans.

[Joe Callaghan @JoeCallaghan84]

Just an altogether better first-half from Canada here in Montreal compared to Edmonton. The crowd brought the World Cup noise and maybe Crepeau's tears were the sign that the team felt it. Almost every facet of what's likely to be the starting XI next Friday looked better.

[Joe Callaghan @JoeCallaghan84]

Canada go 1-0 up here and it's something that Jesse Marsch has craved: a set-piece goal. Jake O'Brien turned the ball into his own net after Troy Parrott flicked Steph Eustaquio's corner across the face of goal. Marsch immediately turned to set-piece coach Nicolas Gagnon.

[Joe Callaghan @JoeCallaghan84]

Canada creating a lot more early openings than they did in Edmonton, Millar and Buchanan lively on both wings. But the backline was just undone with a lot of ease, Troy Parrott feeding Dawson Devoy for a shot that Cornelius almost turned into his own net.

[Joe Callaghan @JoeCallaghan84]

That may have been the best rendition of O Canada I’ve heard at a men’s international since early 2022? Montreal is, as ever, a proper sports town. Okay, Richie Laryea vs Seamie Coleman about to keep us all entertained.

[Joe Callaghan @JoeCallaghan84]

We are very much running on Montreal time tonight!

[Daniel McDonnell @McDonnellDan]

Getting a press box education on Canadian kickoff times from @JoeCallaghan84

Most local communications, Canada soccer website, emails etc list the game as 7.30 but the true KO time is 7.45

Doesn't matter much when you're here but those 15 minutes mean a lot at home..!

[Joe Callaghan @JoeCallaghan84]

So much love in Montreal for Moïse Bombito. He’s out there but just for a gentle workout with Ali Ahmed. He’d spoken about how emotional it could be to play in front of his hometown this week. What a pity for him.

[Joe Callaghan @JoeCallaghan84]

In belatedly settling on Maxime Crépeau as his No.1 Jesse Marsch got a big decision right. But directly in front of Crépeau are more dilemmas for the coach. Tonight is the last chance to settle some Canadian jitters. For @TorontoStar/@StarSports
https://t.co/kePhvJBksV

[Joe Callaghan @JoeCallaghan84]

Jaden Umeh will round off one hell of a first Ireland camp with his first start tonight. Heimir Hallgrímsson has added Umeh and so many new names to his database this past month. "That is good for us, to have questions answered." For @ExaminerSport
https://t.co/Dktbcj0Lg0

[Joe Callaghan @JoeCallaghan84]

In a city that pulled out of the World Cup because of costs but then spent $870m on a new roof for its empty stadium, not all things make sense. Heimir Hallgrímsson is trying to make Ireland's Montreal trip make sense, by looking to future @IrishTimesSport
https://t.co/XQzzolvGq7

[Joe Callaghan @JoeCallaghan84]

Jesse Marsch (finally) names Max Crepeau as Canada's starting GK for the World Cup and calls it "the hardest decision I've had to make in my coaching career".

[Joe Callaghan @JoeCallaghan84]

This was from yday, as Alphonso Davies’ World Cup status floated up, down and every other way. After training here today he tried to reset the tone again. It’s a fluid situation and Jesse Marsch, alas, is hoping for patience and chill at a tricky time.
https://t.co/8n4HNDWVCA

[Joe Callaghan @JoeCallaghan84]

Canada have joined Ireland in Montreal as World Cup hype and noise builds here. Mason Melia wasn’t the only member of the Irish squad to tell us today that being here makes them all hungry to ensure they’re at the next one. For @ExaminerSport
https://t.co/S147XnLdbS

[Joe Callaghan @JoeCallaghan84]

John O’Shea welcomed Mason Melia to media duties in Montreal today as follows: “The striker’s here. Hot stuff!” Since he joined Spurs in January Melia’s got both broader and taller. He’s enjoying this growth - in all its forms. For @IrishTimesSport
https://t.co/tammGl65eS

[Adam Crafton @AdamCrafton_]

Scandalous how few questions fifa’s executives have taken on the ticketing fiasco, outside of very softball Gianni appearances on stages at expensive conferences. If he wants to act like a head of state, he really ought to take the scrutiny that comes with it.

[Joe Callaghan @JoeCallaghan84]

I’m not as down on the 1st half vs 2nd disparity. Uzbekistan a sturdy side and were biting into it early. That energy subsided (and they weakened) after break so feels natural that Canada grew. But still some rust to be flaked away Friday against Ireland.
https://t.co/C4BVP2ZJNW

[Joe Callaghan @JoeCallaghan84]

Four days for Canada to dry off. Should be just about enough. Through the Edmonton deluge there were World Cup flickers, not all positive/pleasant. Moïse Bombito walking away “sore” was significant. Nelson, David(s), LDF all gave Marsch lots to ponder.
https://t.co/C4BVP2ZJNW