Irish hope

PLANET PLAY-OFF:FRENCH SPORTS paper L'Equipegave an indication this week of how it rates Raymond Domenech – over a front page photo of the French manager and the Irish team the heading read: "Leur Chance – C'est Lui!" ("Their good luck – it's him"). In other words, L'Equipereckons Domenech is Ireland's best hope of making it to South Africa.

What they're saying . . .

"This is a do or die situation and I see it as exciting, challenging and, if I am being honest, a little bit chilling." – Yoann Gourcuff on the blood-curdling challenge ahead.

"I'm not saying France aren't the team that they were, because they have so many world-class players, but if this was the France team of a couple of years ago they probably wouldn't even be in the play-offs. They would have won their group." – Aiden McGeady pretty much saying France aren't the team they were.

"Darren Fletcher, who plays for Scotland, tells me we'll spend the summer together. The joking has to stop now. We have to qualify." – Patrice Evra, eager to avoid spending June and July building sand castles with his United team-mate.

"Some managers have gone to tarot readers. But I am a believer and I believe in other things. Help yourself and God will help you as well. But I'm not God, I'm not St Patrick, I'm human." – Trapattoni, sounding like Eric Cantona's long lost father.

Trapattoni can only give 101%

THERE WAS never been any doubt about manager Giovanni Trapattoni’s commitment to the Ireland cause – until, perhaps, this week.

“I will alway give 101 per cent in every situation,” he said, leaving some of us wondering what happened the missing nine. Worrying.

French fans not feeling positive

FRENCH NEWSPAPER Le Figarohas a poll on its website asking readers if they believe France will qualify for the World Cup. Last time we looked 46 per cent said "oui" and a whopping 54 per cent "non". Not much confidence there, although it could, of course, be the site has been infiltrated by Irish fans. Remember, vote early and vote often.

Domenech less than inspirational

IT COULD be just that the French camp defines “upbeat” in a different way to ourselves. Raymond Domenech, for example, issued this stirring rallying call to his players the other day: “If they’re not motivated and prepared, if they don’t have the desire . . . well, I’m sorry, there is nothing to add.”

Meanwhile, Patrice Evra revealed his Manchester United team-mate John O’Shea “promised me it will be hell at Croke Park”, but still reckoned that “if the Irish reproduce the sort of crowds they had when we played in Paris in 2004, then maybe it would be better playing both games in Dublin.”

As for Nicolas “chirpy” Anelka – while reflecting on missing out on 1998, 2002 and 2006 he somewhat mournfully concluded that “maybe it’s written in the stars that I won’t be at the World Cup finals.” Spirits are high, then.