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Soccer Banter

Celtic Chrimbo Champions League Preview

12/5/2012

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“Buy that man a drink, I wouldn’t have a bad word said about him." Yup, expect to hear those festive greetings today at around half two.  I have a crisp $20 bill and I will not be leaving the bar till it has disappeared. Go ahead raise your hands all those who thought we'd be on the brink of qualifying?? Yeah I didn’t think so, but don’t worry I’ll be nice to y'all as Santa is watching and I’ve had me chimney swept this year too. It is the Christmas edition here of love, peace, and harmony. I wish you all a very merry chrimbo and a happy and prosperous new year as I’ve spent enough time with you, so pull those Christmas crackers, fill up on yuletide trimmings and eat, drink, and be merry.

I remember the European odyssey beginning and watching the Joe Ledley header/chester v the Finns in August and feeling like my lungs were about to explode in a sparse Donaghmede Inn one Wednesday evening.  It was the middle of summer and who would have thought then what I think now? We only have to beat and or do better v the Russian billionaires than the eagles must do in the snooze camp v Barca. I would have bitten your hand off for this scenario back in August. Beating Barcelona last month and not qualifying would be like seeing Santa over your house and then seeing him not being able to squeeze down your chimney.  I can’t even contain my excitement for this afternoon. I will have my usual pre match routine, but this time I may have to change routines a little.  I can already feel my ticker racing along like an early Pogues booze drinking session in the wee hours filled with all sorts of debauchery: heavy smoke filling the air, Spider Stacy on banjo and Jem Finer leading the charge. 'If I should fall from grace' is still my favorite Pogues disc and I may just play it later to calm my nerves. The Vaughans Public House ‘player of the year’ goes to the Kenyan fenian, Victor Wanyame; the ‘goal of the year’ to Kris Commons v Helsinki (simply for its importance); ‘most improved’ goes to Georgie superstar Samaras, looks like a woman and all that jazz; “clubman of the year’ to Charlie Muldini; and ‘biggest too’l goes to Charlie Nicholas, Liam Miller and or Joey Barton…pick your poison folks.



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We should do the business today folks and I expect to see our troops in green and white crawling like fallen battle worn soldiers late this afternoon, We are 90 minutes away from bringing the real thunder back and putting Celtic on a stage few would have gambled on. To those who did, I commend you on truly keeping the candle lit. It’s do or die, sink or swim and paint or get off the ladder stuff. Stand up, play for the cause and I'll be happy.  We've lost some good folks this year, in no particular order, Whitney Houston, Paul McBride QC, Maureen Vaughan.  I’ll be lashing the gargle out of it today…definitely on the Portuguese white port and will be spreading some festive cheer in the west end of Hartford. I hope I run into some of you before Christmas as I always enjoy your company and true friendship. To me drinking has never been about drinking, it’s about the companionship, banter, and memories. You have all shared in mine and for that I thank you and wish you and yours a very merry chrimbo. I'm hoping to be back in February, if the hoops do the business today. Remember it’s the most wonderful time of the year, so throw your arms around the world, it’s Christmas time. I just cant enough so merry chrimbo folks...c’mon the hoops


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    John Vaughan

    Vaughan is originally from Dublin, Ireland and came to America to play college soccer at Central Connecticut State University.  Vaughan graduated with a degree in Journalism, but now can be found most days at Vaughan's Public House in Hartford, CT. 

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