Arsenal Irish

**Peadar** · 07/12/2004, 9:15 AM

An amazing goal from Anthony Stokes proved decisive as Arsenal Reserves beat Tottenham 2-1 at Barnet FC on Monday.

The home side already led through Patrick Cregg’s 60th minute opener when Kerrea Gilbert sent the 16-year-old Irish striker scurrying towards the corner flag. He kept the ball in play, dodged past Calum Davenport on the byline, muscled his way through Marcel McKie before somehow squeezing his shot past keeper Marton Fulop and into the far corner.

It broke the heart of a Tottenham team who had matched Neil Banfield’s young side most of the way. They gained some consolation when Jamie Slabber charged down a clearance from keeper Chris Wright with seconds remaining. But Arsenal held on to put themselves back into contention for the Premier Reserve League title.

Full story: Arsenal.com

Two young Irish lads for the future, I hope.

**Stuttgart88** · 07/12/2004, 11:55 AM

Everything I read about this Stokes guy makes him sound pretty special. There's a photo of him celebrating his goal. Hard to believe, a talented Irish forward over five foot five!

I followed the Arsenal link and went through the teams. Mark Yeates played for Spurs and Stephen O'Donnell for Arsenal.

The Arsenal squad list included a few other Irish guys and one guy who has to be Irish somehow - Shaun Clohissy.

**Bowsy** · 07/12/2004, 12:27 PM

Enjoyed every word of that match report.

This lad looks a superb talent. Bound to get a good run in next year's league cup.

**Peadar** · 07/12/2004, 12:47 PM

Cregg came on against ManUre in the Carling Cup.
Not an easy game to come into but at least Wenger is aware of him.
He had also been a sub against Everton in the same competition.
He was on the bench against Manchester City but didn't feature.

**Peadar** · 07/12/2004, 12:56 PM

Originally Posted by Stuttgart88

The Arsenal squad list included a few other Irish guys and one guy who has to be Irish somehow - Shaun Clohissy.

Shaun Clohessy was born in South London but he could very well have an Irish connection.

18 year old Matthew Connolly is a centre half who is another possibility.
19 year old Stephen O'Donnell is a midfielder and an Ireland youth player.
17 year old Sean Kelly is a midfielder from Kerry.
Stokes is a Dub

**Bowsy** · 07/12/2004, 1:15 PM

Originally Posted by Peadar

Stokes is a Dub

And the inference is what there, Peader?

**Peadar** · 07/12/2004, 1:21 PM

Originally Posted by Bowsy

And the inference is what there, Peader?

That he's from Dublin.

**tetsujin1979** · 08/12/2004, 4:15 PM

Yeah, my brother taught him last year, supposed to be a fantastic talent, was stopped from playing in the Munster final for the school team by one of the Irish underage coaches, who called him up for a game later that week.

**tetsujin1979** · 08/12/2004, 4:24 PM

yep, he did, however did you guess??. I know the coach, anything would set him off

**Peadar** · 15/12/2004, 12:33 PM

Neil Banfield's Arsenal Reserves made an ideal start at Selhurst Park, taking a third-minute lead when Quincy Owusu Abeyie's pass was hammered in by Stephen O'Donnell.
Sean Kelly was replaced after 81 minutes.

Originally Posted by Arsenal.com

"Neil Banfield described the Gunners' performance as their 'worst of the season' afterwards. In the circumstances, it was a point gained rather than two dropped."

"Arsenal could not have wished for a better start. Just two minutes had elapsed when Quincy span away from his marker and raced towards the penalty area.

He spotted O'Donnell's run and played a perfectly-weighted ball inside the full-back. The pass deserved a good finish and O'Donnell didn't disappoint, drilling his shot into the roof of the net."

**Peadar** · 20/12/2004, 12:27 PM

Another fine performance for the Irish lads in the 3-0 victory over Crystal Palace to reach the 4th round of the FA Youth Cup.
Full report here.

**Donal81** · 20/12/2004, 1:45 PM

Who's this Matthew Connolly lad? The captain of the youths?

**Peadar** · 20/12/2004, 2:08 PM

Originally Posted by Donal81

Who's this Matthew Connolly lad?

He's an 18 year old defender.
I expect that if he was eligeable he'd be in an Ireland youth squad by now.
Don't know much more about him.
Haven't heard of him in any England youth squads.

**Plastic Paddy** · 20/12/2004, 2:09 PM

It never ceases to amaze me that people moan about the "Irishness" or otherwise of certain players and then spend their time scouring websites for lads with Irish-sounding names just in case they could be eligible to play for us.

Just an observation, like...

PP

**Peadar** · 20/12/2004, 2:12 PM

Originally Posted by Plastic Paddy

It never ceases to amaze me that people moan about the "Irishness" or otherwise of certain players and then spend their time scouring websites for lads with Irish-sounding names just in case they could be eligible to play for us.

If I was one of those people who complains about "Irishness" then I'd say you were correct. With Liam Brady involved at youth level for Arsenal we can take an interest in the youth teams there.
Stokes, Kelly, Cregg and O'Donnell are Ireland players.

**Plastic Paddy** · 20/12/2004, 2:51 PM

Like I said Karl, just an observation. I'm not in a mud-slinging mood today.

PP

**Donal81** · 20/12/2004, 3:10 PM

Either am I. I read a very Irish surname and wonder is this someone who's playing for us that I haven't heard of. Just an observation...

**Peadar** · 20/12/2004, 3:14 PM

Originally Posted by Plastic Paddy

I'm not in a mud-slinging mood today.

You must have been in a Guinness-slinging mood on Thursday because Karl said his pink shirt was covered in the stuff.

**SaucyJack** · 14/01/2005, 7:32 PM

there was a link on another site, the Crawley town site, with the vids for the 4 goals Stokes scored against them, but the link is dead now and I can't find the vids, but on the Crawley message board, one poster said that Fergie offered 500,000 to Shelbourne for Stokes, but he went to Arsenal, never heard that one

500,000

**Superhoops** · 14/01/2005, 11:47 PM

Originally Posted by Peadar

Shaun Clohessy was born in South London but he could very well have an Irish connection.

18 year old Matthew Connolly is a centre half who is another possibility.
19 year old Stephen O'Donnell is a midfielder and an Ireland youth player.
17 year old Sean Kelly is a midfielder from Kerry.
Stokes is a Dub

Originally Posted by Bowsy

And the inference is what there, Peader?

Peader, a bit more to this than 'he's from Dublin' methinks.

Rather dismissive and disrespectful, don't you think? Wouldn't have hurt to say '16 year old Anthony Stokes is a striker from Dublin'.

Had he been from Cork we would have been treated to details of his mother and father, brothers ,sisters, aunts, uncles and cousins, what school he went to and how much money he got for his first communion!

Does it really stick in the craw to give a young lad from Dublin acknowledgement and respect?