Inside Track: Harry is part of Wayne’s World Cup selection

It could be that I don’t know an awful lot about soccer. I don’t attend it, but read about and see plenty of it on telly.

I was of the opinion Harry Maguire wouldn’t make the England World Cup squad, but not only has he been slotted in, an article I read in a Sunday newspaper says he should be included for England’s first match, teaming up in a back four with Trent Alexander-Arnold, John Stones and Luke Shaw for the game with Iran.

Whether or not you agree with that, you’d have to say the writer, Wayne Rooney, knows what he’s talking about, and has a much better handle on the game than me.

He could, of course, be playing the Old Trafford card, having been there for years as one of Man U’s best-ever marksmen; but let’s just say he has more of an idea.

For the record, Rooney’s preferred others are, Pickford in goals, Saka, Rice, Philips and Foden in midfield, Bellingham somewhere between midfield and Kane, who’s up front on his own, at least on paper. Let’s see if Gareth Southgate goes along with him.

I’m more interested in how Belgium line out. Well, not really, more how The Walloons fare out. Their name is on a docket, the odds 18/1, and the wish is I get a better run than on the horses of late. Every multiple bet I write carries one winner, but nothing to go with it.

Roberto Martinez, who used to be on the line with Everton, is running the Belgium team, and like me will be putting his faith in Kevin De Bruyne.

There’s a few other really good ‘uns included on the panel, goalkeeper Courtois among them. He plays for Real Madrid as does Eden Hazard. And then there’s Lukaku, who was at his best in the English League when he was playing with Everton. He’s now with Inter-Milan.

However it results, Belgium look far better value than England at 8/1. Brazil are the 9/2 favourites, and Croatia, at 50/1, might be worth an small each-way tickle.

That was a good win for Derry City in the FAI Cup final. Shelbourne were never really in it as the 4-0 scoreline would suggest. The huge crowd that made it down from the Maiden City was a reminder of what it was like when Derry first played in the League of Ireland.

As well as cramming the Brandywell, thousands travelled to venues all over the country for away games. The 1987/’88 season was the Candystripes’ first in the Premier Division, and the following season they brought off the hat-trick, league, Cup and league-cup - and now stand as the last team to complete this feat.

A number of former Dundalk players were in Sunday’s line-up, just as there were for Shamrock Rovers’ league win.