G'day From Downunder

Let's have a cup coffee this week for a change and give the tea pot a bit of a rest.

All the news reports from the USA shown down here in Australia talk about snow, snow and more snow. It makes the cold war look warm. We are absolutely cooking in over 100 degrees and, would you believe, it could get hotter. Well it can and it did. How you may well ask? It was caused by no other than the arrival of the wonderful charismatic 'Mouth from Louth'. The old onion bag himself Tommy Smyth with a 'Y'. ESPN's Bar of Gold!

They came in their droves, Soccer fans from all quarters; A magnificent cross section of cultures to pay homage to 'Him' who they adore, Him with a 'Y'. They congregated everywhere he appeared to sing their favourite song "with a 'Y with a Y with a Y'. No other explanation required.

Tommy with a 'Y' was here to cover the A-League Soccer Grand Final at Telstra Dome in Melbourne for ESPN who must know by now that this was one of their best decisions the network made, to send The Man from Louth South. No doubt the ESPN executives will be popping the champagne bottles for the next week bathing in their new success that The Smyth with a 'Y' brought to the network.

In spite of his jam packed schedule I did get to spend a couple of hours with the new guru of soccer commentary in Australia. "Tommy you must be pinching yourself? From Knockbridge County Louth with its nine houses to Gaelic Park New York and here we are in Melbourne Australia virtually at the end of the world. What must you be thinking?" "Unbelievable", he modestly replies.

You must know only Statesmen and Rock Stars get this kind of welcome and yet we look out the window and see the multitude of fans singing their favourite song with "with a 'Y with a Y with a Y." Same reply "unbelievable". It's not often this man is stuck for words, but I could see the genuine grateful emotion in The Man from Louth. A pause and then that radiant smile beams, "Its Wonderful, I can't believe so many people know me. "

"I have a huge affection for Melbourne" he tells me," ever since Ireland won four medals at The Olympics in 1956 we all stayed up out of bed listening to the radio to get the results of the Irish lads. Ron Delaney's Gold is well documented then there was the other three Irish boys Socks Burns from Drogheda, Fred Teeth and Jonny Cauldwell who also got medals; it was a great day for the Irish." Touché!

He enthusiastically tells me of his love affair with Gaelic Park and the wonderful community spirit that surrounded it. Many Irishmen turned up there virtually in their socks and straps just after arriving and got a job. It was the true Irish Oasis in New York and no wonder he has a huge fondness for the old park because he met the love of his life there, Treasa, whom he later married. I ask him why the change from commenting on GAA and he tells me he always had a soft spot for Soccer ever since he was a lad in Ireland where his dad and brother supported Dundalk.

He comes from a very close family and loves nothing better than a good Irish Breakfast when he's home in Ireland - Bacon, eggs, sausages black and white pudding. He crumbles his lips. "Absolute magic. I love it!" It only tastes that good in Ireland. It must be the grass.

Tommy, never shy to make controversy, comments "Soccer in Ireland, that is the national team, is not in good shape and badly needs new blood on and off the field, sooner rather than later for there is a fear that the game could easily fall back into the decayed form it was in before Jackie Charlton arrived."

He spoke glowingly of the progress of the new formed soccer A-League here in Australia. Just in its second year and getting huge support going from strength to strength with sell out crowds and now getting huge media cover.

"Tommy, let me ask you this. Next week you are sitting on a bar stool in Eamonns Bar and Grill at 9 East 45th Street or Nevada Smith's on 3rd Avenue, between 11th and 12th, and the guy next to you asks 'Tommy what do you think of Australia?'" Tommy paused for a minute then he wipes his forehead and replies "so, so hot I can't believe how hot it is. I bet hell is cooler than this and I bet heaven is closer to America than Australia. It seemed to take forever for me to get there. Really I am so blessed and everyone was so good to me I'm grateful. What a wonderful bunch of people."

I sympathised with him on the long distance and told him of my regular trips to Ireland, even further than USA, and how I always suffer bouts of jet lag. There is now no denying that Tommy Smyth with a 'Y' is going to move on to Super Stardom in Australia after this visit. I hope that ESPN have enough wisdom to send their New Found Guru Tommy with a 'Y' back to Australia for the 6th of June to commentate on the Australia v Argentina game. It can only add mega value to the ESPN network.

So to all of you north of the Equator, lobby ESPN and help us south of the Equator to experience again on June 6th the magic that Tommy Smyth with a 'Y' brings to the game here.

The final result of the A-League in Australia, was Melbourne Victory 6 Adelaide United 0. The game was played in Melbourne's second biggest stadium to a crowd of nearly 60,000,the biggest ever for any code of football at that venue and Melbourne had no tradition of support for professional soccer. A glorious win for the local team.

Victory made all the better by the commentary of The Mouth from Louth. He did Ireland, USA and ESPN proud.

Hail the new Guru Tommy Smyth with a 'Y'. We agreed before we parted to catch up in May in New York. So keep the kettles boiling - I'm on my way in May. Be good to those who love you!