2010 FIFA World Cup: Ireland Poor Against Mexico

They failed to take advantage of Uruguay, and then they lost the plot against a rampant Mexico team.

At the 2010 FIFA World Cup in South Africa, things have gone from bad to worse for Ireland, the team who sailed through their qualifying campaign with ease and virtually no controversy whatsoever.

Back-to-back wins against Giovanni Trapattoni and France in the playoffs meant a place in the World Cup finals, and the chance to claim another world title 12 years on from their heroics on home soil.

But, at the moment, it seems like it is not to be, and so here we shall have a look at the Irish team who have again failed to live up to their nation's expectations under Roy O'Donovan.

Hugh O'Leary

Poor old Hugh O'Leary in between the sticks for Ireland.

He saves shots when he needs to and does what is required of him, but was unlucky not to be helped out by his defense against Mexico, where he saw his hopes of a clean sheet washed away by Manchester United new boy Javier Hernandez, and grand-dad of the Mexican team, Cuauhtemoc Blanco.

The Lyon shot-stopper has done all he has needed to do for Ireland. It's a shame his teammates have been playing tiddlywinks these past two matches.

Brandon O'Sagna

He may have a foreign-sounding last name, but Arsenal fullback Brandon O'Sagna is about as Irish as they come.

His decision making in recent days has been poor, and after a long stroll down the pitch, O'Sagna can neglect his defensive duties, instead trying to fly away with the fairies.

However, when he decides to defend, Brandon can put in tackles that would make his best mate, Glen Whelan, proud. Shame he didn't do that against Mexico and help out his under-fire manager, Roy O'Domenech.

Willie Gannon

When not gracing the pages of Bleacher Report, Willie Gannon likes to play Premier League football as a center-back for Arsenal.

He also likes representing his nation, and is a mainstay in the Ireland back four.

At the moment however, contract talks and moves to other clubs are distracting him from his World Cup duties.

*Willie is looking for a new club. To find out more, contact him here:

http://bleacherreport.com/users/45660-willie-gannon

Eamon McAbidal

Simply put, him and Willie need to sort it out, pronto.

Paddy Evra

The talented full back switched the glitz and glamour of County Mayo for the backstreets of the not-so-beautiful Manchester.

He immediately immersed himself in English culture, ditching the Guinness for a good pint of local bitter instead, and swapped the Irish stew for good ol' fish and chips.

However, when it came to preparing for a World Cup, the Ireland captain failed to acclimatise to South African culture and weather.

His performances were subsequently affected.

Jonjo O'Toole

Brilliant for the Lions in League One, but poor for Ireland when it matters most.

He fails to mop up the mess left by the attackers, leaving poor old Willie Gannon and company at the back to clear up the damage.

And they wonder why Mexico had it so easy...

Alan Doherty

Reading this slideshow, one thing really has become clear, hasn't it?

Arsenal manager Aidan Whelan has a lot of Irish players in his squad!

Alan Doherty is one other such man, who has been brilliant in the two matches so far this World Cup, but has been let down by the likes of midfield partner Jonjo O'Toole et al.

Frank O'Reilly

After a great season with Bavaria's finest, Bayern Munich, Frank O'Reilly has failed to "write the future" in this World Cup like sports company Nike had hoped he would.

The Ireland playmaker hasn't really been making play happen, and perhaps has felt low throughout the World Cup after getting tackled by England's Wayne Rooney in that Nike advert.

On a side note, if you want a word of advice from Nike, here it is: Just "Roo" It.

Seamus Gallagher

Again, he's yet another player for Ireland who, at the moment, can't even score in a brothel.

Just 10 goals in 50 games for Ireland says it all really.

Farrell Maguire

He has it all, does Farrell Maguire. The pace, the trickery, the technique, the flair, the passing, the creativity, the dribbling skills, and even the shooting accuracy.

Chelsea and Ireland winger Maguire has had a brilliant season in West London for the Stamford Bridge club, winning the Premier League and FA Cup.

It's just a shame he's playing alongside incompetent cretins, like Gallagher and O'Reilly, who can't help him out at all.

Perhaps he should change his name to Florent Malouda or something foreign like that, ditch his Irish passport for a French one, for example, and then play for a better country like France, a team who actually have dignity and can win football matches.

Nicholas O'Neill

Most people reckon all-time great and FC Barcelona forward Terry McHenry should've started ahead of Chelsea's Nicholas O'Neill.

Let's leave it at that.

Name and Shame for Ireland

Here's a list of some other poor performers in the Ireland World Cup squad:

Yoann MacCarthy
Matthew O'Brien
Gary O'Clichy
Andrew McGignac
Djibril Callaghan (moved from France).