Erin Go Bragh Edition

Saturday is St. Patrick’s Day (and the birthday of one A.W. Pickard, so if you see him buy him a green beer). In the spirit of the celebration, we’ve put together a 4-4-2 line-up of Irish writers, historical figures, and Bono.

GK – Peter O’Toole – Our inspirational leader and captain, his presence is a steadying influence in times of crisis, and his voice can rally the troops when a goal is needed. Our squad members don’t come for money, they come for him.

LB – Wolfe Tone – I admit I’m not entirely sure how his history as an Irish revolutionary would make him a tremendous left back, but isn’t that a badass name?

You better believe he's the first name on the team sheet.

CB – Saint Patrick – Technically speaking, not every one of this team’s attacks start with him. But it sure can seem like it sometimes.

CB – Daniel O’Connell – The other rock at the center of Irish history; no one loves the team more than he does.

RB – Patrick Pearse – A natural defender of his home turf, he only runs into trouble when he pushes too hard for freedom in his role.

LM – W.B. Yeats – Once a center midfielder, but was moved out to the flanks after it turned out the center could not hold when the team relied on his tackling ability to stem the blood-dimmed tide of the opposition’s assault.

CM – Samuel Beckett – Sometimes criticized for his lack of forward passing and drive, but there’s no denying that he sees the game in a completely different way from other players.

Joyce is the only member of our midfield who doesn't have a Nobel Prize. That's quality.

CM – James Joyce – A maddening perfectionist on the pitch, but on his day it seems he can dictate the game down the last detail.

RM – George Bernard Shaw – Endlessly versatile – he won a Nobel Prize, an Oscar, and cofounded the London School of Economics for Pete’s sake – the man tracks back on defense one minute and goes bombing forward the next.

CF – Michael Flatley – And you thought Cristiano Ronaldo’s feet were fast. Dazzles in the attacking end with his rapid-fire combinations.

CF – Bono – May lack the urgency he once felt, but still has his moments where he can overpower and outperform any competition.