For the second time in a week, I'm getting emotional in a cafe on Northcote High Street in Melbourne at 9am. This time it's Kenny McLean scoring from the halfway line against Denmark. The commentary is incredible. Liam McLeod, Steven Thompson and James McFadden absolutely nail it. McLeod: "They've given it away." Thompson shouts "SHOOT, SHOOT." McLeod: "He's gonna shoot" as McFadden grins wildly.
The fixed camera on Thompson and McFadden is joyful – two grown men jumping up and down like 10-year-old boys. They are just so happy. The commentary takes me back to standing in the centre circle at a university old boys match in 2001, listening to Alan Green's iconic call as David Beckham scored from the edge of the box.
Fast forward to Dublin airport, where Caoimhín Kelleher shares an Instagram story with his teammates after scoring a hat-trick for Ireland. And then there was Troy Parrott, who also netted a stunning late winner in Budapest against Wales. Ray Houghton's commentary is perfect – Darragh Maloney and Ray Houghton's RTÉ coverage has everyone jumping up and down.
What makes these moments so special? It's not just the skill and athleticism of the players; it's their humanity, too. Football bloody hell is an obsession that can make us cynical, but what this article reminds me is that we're humans too, and we feel things deeply.
Even when we don't know a player in a blue shirt kicking a ball into a netted rectangle, something inside moves us – perhaps it's just our love for the game. Whatever it is, I feel so fortunate to have fallen in love with this beautiful chaos that is football.
The fixed camera on Thompson and McFadden is joyful – two grown men jumping up and down like 10-year-old boys. They are just so happy. The commentary takes me back to standing in the centre circle at a university old boys match in 2001, listening to Alan Green's iconic call as David Beckham scored from the edge of the box.
Fast forward to Dublin airport, where Caoimhín Kelleher shares an Instagram story with his teammates after scoring a hat-trick for Ireland. And then there was Troy Parrott, who also netted a stunning late winner in Budapest against Wales. Ray Houghton's commentary is perfect – Darragh Maloney and Ray Houghton's RTÉ coverage has everyone jumping up and down.
What makes these moments so special? It's not just the skill and athleticism of the players; it's their humanity, too. Football bloody hell is an obsession that can make us cynical, but what this article reminds me is that we're humans too, and we feel things deeply.
Even when we don't know a player in a blue shirt kicking a ball into a netted rectangle, something inside moves us – perhaps it's just our love for the game. Whatever it is, I feel so fortunate to have fallen in love with this beautiful chaos that is football.
... they're supposed to make life easier, but are they really? I mean, who needs automation when you can just watch a player like Kenny McLean score from the halfway line and feel that rush of emotion? That's what makes football special - it's not just about the technology or the stats, it's about human connection. And let's be real, those commentary guys are just as much part of the experience as the players themselves 
. Give me a good old-fashioned match with some passionate fans and decent commentary any day!
! What I think makes it special is the way sports can bring people together and create a sense of community. It's not just about the individual players, but how their achievements make us feel - we're all in this together! 
And you're right, it's that emotional connection that makes football so much more than just a game. The commentary, the excitement, the pure joy... it's all so infectious and reminds me why I love watching matches with friends and family 
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I'm totally with you on that 
It's not just about the skill, it's about the passion and emotion of the players. And when the commentators get it right, man... it's like they're speaking straight to your soul 
. I've had my fair share of crazy football moments over the years, but nothing beats that feeling of community and shared excitement with fellow fans in a crowded stadium or cozy cafe 
️. It's what makes this beautiful game so special – it's not just about winning or losing, it's about the journey, the highs and lows, and the human connection that comes with it 
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2001 was a wild time for aussie footy but hearing those commentators bring back memories of standing in the centre circle like, wow what can you say about a moment that takes you way back to your childhood 
and football is just this one thing thats got everyone connected regardless of age or background 
these young lads are scoring goals left right and center and it's infectious 
and yeah its more than just the skill or athleticism, its our humanity too we feel things deeply and that's what makes it so special 
u r right!! 
those commentary guys R absolutely on point! 
Liam McLeod, Steven Thompson & James McFadden bring back soo many mems for me too - i was at a uni match with my mates in 2002 & we were all screamin' our heads off when Alan Green said David Beckham scored 
. even when u dont no anyone on the pitch, somethin just clicks & gets us hyped! 
i feel lucky 2 have fallen in love w/ this beautiful game too 
And you're right, it's not just about the skill of the players, but also their passion and dedication to the game. It's what makes football so special – it's an escape from our daily lives, a way to connect with others and feel alive 
. The article is spot on, by the way! 
like i know its just their job but they genuinely make me feel things like no one else can! 
. and then there are moments like kenny mclean's goal where even as a neutral observer you cant help but smile at the joy on their faces 
! You can't even put your foot down without a few grammatical errors 
... anyway, what's up with the excitement around these matches? I mean, it's great to see players having fun and sharing that energy with their teammates 
. Whether I'm watching a match or not, there's just something beautiful about the chaos and unpredictability of the game 
like is there a coffee subscription service or something? 
, but it's the nostalgia and sense of community that comes with it. i mean, who needs personal relationships when you have a decent commentator to share in your excitement 
What really gets me is how the commentators, especially Ray Houghton, just bring out the emotions in you. You can feel the excitement and joy through the mic 
. Anyway, what really gets me is how much the commentators add to the experience. Those guys are like having a beer with your mates on a Saturday afternoon – they're just so hyped and genuine about it 
. It's like you can almost hear them high-fiving each other in the studio while they're going over every single detail of the match. And can we talk about the fixed camera shots? I mean, I get that it's supposed to be exciting, but at this point I'm just watching a pair of grown men do some adorable keener dance moves 
. Give me a good old-fashioned match analysis any day!
, it's pure joy! What I love about this is how football brings people together, even if you don't know someone on the field, you can feel their emotions. It's all about our love for the game, and that love makes us human. 
. Football has a way of bringing us together and making us feel something deep inside our souls 
their commentary was on point!!! i love how they were all hyped up and jumping around like kids 
! I know what you mean about the commentary, I was screaming at my TV too 
. Football is truly an obsession, but in the best possible way 
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