Big time Charlies

[Malzheimer]

If the attached story is true (no reason why McGrath would lie) and some kids were denied autographs this is a disgrace and the culprits should be lynched publically! Imagine what the poor kids thought when they met their heroes!?

It touches on another issue in international football that the players don't put their heart and souls into playing for Ireland as half of them are not even Irish and just wrap themselves in cotton wool for the benefit of their clubs. Hopefully Trap brings them back down to earth and instills some pride into them when pulling on the green shirt.

http://www.eleven-a-side.com/boysingreen/news.asp?n=32476

[The Pernicious One]

Bit of a disgrace that.
Wonder which players it were?

[Liverpool-law]

Fair play to McGrath! No harm in bringing this out in the open, they might cop themselves on a bit.

[MrsStevieG]

Thats disgraceful. Imagine refusing to sign an autograph for a 10 year old kid - jumped up little pups whoever those players are.
Well done to Paul McGrath for making it public knowledge. Have a lot of respect for him as a man - anyone who has read his book I'm sure will feel the same. I'm a bit too young too remember his playing days properly but I really admire him

[The Chanter]

As a young lad, I can remember going into the players lounge in Lansdowne Road after a few of Big Jack's games. McGrath and his teammates were always approachable and willing to sign autographs... and those internationals in the 80's/90's were more successful than today's bunch.

[marathonman]

I can remember as an eleven year old asking Alex Higgins for an autograph and been told to **** off while his opponent Steve Davis went out to the foyer and sat at a table and signed everything that was put in front of him.Gentleman.
Wouldn't mind but Higgins beat Davis that night.Wouldn't liked to have heard his reply if he had lost.

[Rover 609]

Hope it becomes public whoever they are...........Prima donna c***s,In truth what i seen of that match the so called higher profile players need as many fans and autograph hunters as possible because the fat lady about to call time on there wonderful careers.
Slightly off topic does anyone else think Brian Kerr a sad and bitter c**t.Completely out of his debt in charge of the national team and totally alienated the players,now doing anything he can to pick holes in the TRAP era.

[wonit5times]

Thats a bit out of order alrite. How fooking busy were they that they cudnt sign some autographs???
It prob wudnt have taken 2 mins... the lousy sh!ts

[Gerry]

Bad form indeed, typical of some of the spoilt brat behaviour of some of the modern players, Im sure robbie keane will get the blame for it as he seems to be the cause of all that is wrong in some peoples eyes !

I knoe one ireland international that every year sponsors a football tournament in the area he grew up (and turns up to present trophys to the kids) and is also this season buying gear for a whole football club, providing changing facilities and paying for coaching, so this would suggest that they are not all bad !

[CHARMAC]

In all honesty I think they should be named and shamed, the attitude of some
of these players is appalling as Paul Mc Grath says they forget were they came from
that sort of behaver from a person who is looked up to as a role model just
shows a lack of respect for people that are not as fortunate as themselfs
time to take a good look at yourself fellas

[Bren100]

Fair play McGrath for saying it publically, mind you the players involved probibly wont hear of it.

I was in the Glenview Hotel Gym in Wicklow when I heard that Owen was leaving Liverpool, I was glued to it on SkySports News on a small tele in the changing rooms. A voice came over the my shoulder saying "what do you think of that", I responded and I spoke to the bloke in the gym for a minute or two about the Owen transfer without looking from the TV. Eventually when it went to an add, who I was taking to only Paul McGrath! I couldnt believe it, he was so polite, we sat there for another 5 or 10 mins talking about the Premiership etc.

Real gentleman when it comes to the fans. Id like to say model pro, but you know yourself ;)

[Molby Is a Legend]

Heard a story before pretty much the same. My father in law was manager of a local under 12 side and manged to get them all tickets for an ireland game and Lansdowne and tickets to the players lounge when they asked for autographs Duffer and Robbie keane just ignored them. I was really suprised when i heard that thought more of these 2