ISSUE 3 Ireland v Switzerland wed 12th October 2005

JASON MCATEER
YBIG: What’s your fondest memory in an Ireland jersey?
JASON: Probably captaining the side against Finland, that was probably my proudest moment, and obviously like playing in the 94 World Cup, hearing the National Anthem, and in Japan as well, they were special. And obviously the Holland goal. I think the top moment was just walking the lads out really.

YBIG: Worst moment on the pitch?
JASON: You would be looking at the Turkey game in the play-off. (Just as Jason answered, I uttered the word Macedonia!!.) I forgot about that when I got sent off, thanks for reminding me! Although I did win the ball fair and square! That wasn’t one of my favourite moments and eh, I put my foot through the door after that, that hurt a bit. But it was probably the Turkey play-off game.

YBIG: Best atmosphere?
JASON: Aw the Holland game (without a moments hesitation). Without a shadow of a doubt. It was a pretty good atmosphere when we went to Iran but that wasn’t for us, all the stands chanting at each other, that was pretty good. But the Holland at home was special.

YBIG: Role model when you were a kid.
JASON: Dalglish. I went to watch Liverpool and Man City and I was right by the touchline, he seemed to be on my side all the time.

YBIG: Which family member played the biggest role in your development as a footballer?
JASON: My mam and my dad, we were from a boxing family so me dad had these values like never giving up, we had that fighting attitude and stuff. He thought me to always fight to win and always give a 100 percent, always give your best and you will never be questioned after that.

YBIG: Funny moments with Ireland?
JASON: Loads I can’t tell you about. O ye when we’ve come out against Brazil to warm up. My first game after being out for a year and a half through injury. I’ve come out on the pitch to warm up and everything, and as I’ve come out running towards the stand opposite and all the fans started clapping and cheering.
And I’ve stood there giving it all that (clapping hands etc) and when I turned around Brazil had just run out behind me, they were all cheering for Brazil players.

YBIG: Who was the joker in the pack.
JASON: Gary Kelly. Myself and Kells probably used to get up to no good.

YBIG: And Phil Babb.
JASON: Not so much Babb, he was a bit more serious.

YBIG: Best player you have ever played with.
JASON: Robbie Fowler. I have to say Roy as well. The only time I fully appreciated Roy was when I played in the middle with him. When you are out on the right, you know he is a great player, but when you are in the middle with him you are right alongside him and you really see it then.

YBIG: If he walked in here now would you have a pint with him, no bad blood?
JASON: What goes on on the pitch goes on on the pitch and if he walked in here now he would be man enough to shake my hand. I’d shake his hand, there is no hard feelings. I’ve got so much respect for him as a player. What goes on outside the football pitch has got nothing to do with it, it’s got nothing to do with anyone else except him.So if he walked in here now I’d be happy enough to shake his hand and have a pint with him.

YBIG: FA Cup suit (96), Where is it now?
JASON: That was taken off me by helen Chamberlain of Soccer AM, but they have actually called off the wedding. But em. she asked me for the suit for her fiance cause he was going to get married in it but the wedding had been postponed now.

YBIG: Where is it now?
JASON: Probably in his wardrobe still. He must be a nice athletic lad!

YBIG: You have already mentioned the Holland game, it must have been an unbelievable feeling to score that winning goal?
JASON: One of them occasions really, I was in the right place at the right time. You know I always say, it wasn’t just down to that goal, we had to stop Holland scoring and you need 11 players to do that. As much as I get credit for that game and stuff. I think Kells, you know Overmars was a big threat that day and I know Gary got sent off but he did really well against him so he deserves credit for that.

YBIG: You have always been a passionate player, how disappointed were you when you had to be taken off in the play-off defeat for Tranmere last year?
JASON: Ye, I really believe we were good enough to win that game and getting to Cardiff would have been nice. I though our chance was then. I got this bump on me head, it was ridiculously big and it was right on me forehead. I remember I got selected vision and my eye started twitching and the doctor came on and he decided to take me off.