Keith Fahey

[Sheridan]

Truth 'urts, innit blud.

[paul_oshea]

Truth 'urts, innit blud.

Oh ya thats right, especially when its logical.

[Cosmo]

I must be one of those 10/12 LOI supporters who reckons fahey is worthy of a call up so :D

When deciding if a player is worthy of a call up, whilst stating the obvious, its important to compare him to whats in teh squad. Personally id have fahey in the squad over millar or whelan (and thought that when he was playing with pats too). The lad is a class act.

Always thought doyle shouldve been in the squad when he was playing with cork.

On the otherhand, never thought murphy, bennett or mooney were worthy of a call up!!

[tetsujin1979]

Always thought doyle shouldve been in the squad when he was playing with cork.Doyle was in the U-21's when he was at Cork.

[Stuttgart88]

I think both Whelan & Andrews have adapted very well to the Premiership and both are probably better players now than 7 or 8 months ago.

I'd have no problem whatsoever with Fahey ahead of Miller.

[seanfhear]

I think both Whelan & Andrews have adapted very well to the Premiership and both are probably better players now than 7 or 8 months ago.

I'd have no problem whatsoever with Fahey ahead of Miller.
Whelan had a few great shots at goal against Hull yesterday.

[zenokelly]

http://www.independent.ie/sport/soccer/fahey-earns-his-promotion-1734577.html

Very good article.

Believes he isn't:
a Trapattoni-type player so there'll be no holding of breath when squads are to be announced. He has a chance, he thinks, but no more than that.

[Stuttgart88]

I reckon the best thing for Fahey is to take a good rest prior to pre-season. If Trap likes him maybe he can be called up for some light training with the squad to get a look up close before the Nigeria game, but with his extra-long season over I reckon it'd be unfair for him to be asked to stay match fit until end-May.

I wonder what Foley & Keogh are being advised to do re-fitness.

[the doc]

I reckon the best thing for Fahey is to take a good rest prior to pre-season. If Trap likes him maybe he can be called up for some light training with the squad to get a look up close before the Nigeria game, but with his extra-long season over I reckon it'd be unfair for him to be asked to stay match fit until end-May.

I wonder what Foley & Keogh are being advised to do re-fitness.

What! Trapp calling up in form players! Now that would be a first!

As for the likes of Foley and Keogh, I think their club would be quietly telling them to rest and prepare for the Premiership next season instead.

[Buller]

Doyle was in the U-21's when he was at Cork.

Are you having a laugh? Kevin Doyle played for Cork 75 times and scored 25 goals over 2 seasons...

Long was in the U21's at Cork.

[Colbert Report]

Are you having a laugh? Kevin Doyle played for Cork 75 times and scored 25 goals over 2 seasons...

Long was in the U21's at Cork.

Maybe he means that Doyle played for the U-21 national team when he was in Cork?

[Buller]

Maybe he means that Doyle played for the U-21 national team when he was in Cork?

Ah sorry. My bad!

I think Fahey is worthy of a call up. It all depends on how he performs next season at the highest level. I do think he will excel though as he has most of the qualities of a great attacking midfielder.
That said, he's not Trapp's type of player... He's not going to get stuck in like Whelan or Andrews would, but I think his general quality on the ball is far superior to either of them. He both a creator and a goal scorer.

I never actually thought Doyle was worthy of a call up at Cork, though I wasn;t watching him consistently enough to rate.

[Stuttgart88]

What! Trapp calling up in form players! Now that would be a first!
Yawn, give it a rest.

Here's a thought: St. Ledger played a blinder (again) on Friday and scored another important goal. Rather than your usual bitching & sniping here, why not actually take the time to report on his positive showing on the Sean St. Ledger thread or the Irish Players Abroad thread, and throw in some comment on the other Irish on the pitch?

Or would that be too positive or multi-dimensional for you?

Three exclamation marks in three sentences? Doc must be a girl.

[Stuttgart88]

Maybe he means that Doyle played for the U-21 national team when he was in Cork?I found that hilarious.

[paul_oshea]

I found that hilarious.

i completely missed both.....

[geysir]

No worries Paul, just rest assured, that if you tell an average enough joke, Stutts will be the one on the floor in paroxysms of laughter.

[Stuttgart88]

I'm a man of simple tastes.

Come on though - in context of LOI players being overlooked by FAI:

Tets: Doyle played for the U21s when he was at Cork.

Buller: that's krap, Doyle was in the Cork first team, Long was in the U21s.

Tets & Colbert Report: The Irish U21s!

Buller: oops, my bad


That was funny.

[Buller]

I'm a man of simple tastes.

Come on though - in context of LOI players being overlooked by FAI:

Tets: Doyle played for the U21s when he was at Cork.

Buller: that's krap, Doyle was in the Cork first team, Long was in the U21s.

Tets & Colbert Report: The Irish U21s!

Buller: oops, my bad


That was funny.

I know! I laughed too... Now lets say no more about it!!

[paul_oshea]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xVEI0JOpMU4

[paul_oshea]

Ya I understood that but i didnt find it funny?! :confused: I assumed there was something I was missing, stutts do you find it funny in a reggie perrin-esque way or what?

[jbyrne]

the reason LOI supporters can get annoyed is that none of these players are given a chance to be involved in any way until they move across the water. They arent tested in friendlies or invited to train with the squad to see what they are capable of. Nobody is suggesting that many LOI players should be involved but what is to be lost by calling up a stand out performer from the LOI such Fahey or Brian Murphy to squads such as the 40 man one before they move across the water???????


didnt fahey himself say he struggled at first as he couldnt get up to the pace of the game in the championship? he has subsequently adjusted well and thats why he possibly justifys selection in the upcoming squads. i'm not having a go at the LOI when i say that players, even of faheys quality, simply dont get the chance to 'acclimatise' in such a way until they move to play in a higher standard lge

[paul_oshea]

good post,natural progression and all that, rather than being thrown in at the deep end. Thats probably partly why managers dont give them a chance at international level knowing this.

[Stuttgart88]

We have a deal Buller.

[Razors left peg]

didnt fahey himself say he struggled at first as he couldnt get up to the pace of the game in the championship? he has subsequently adjusted well and thats why he possibly justifys selection in the upcoming squads. i'm not having a go at the LOI when i say that players, even of faheys quality, simply dont get the chance to 'acclimatise' in such a way until they move to play in a higher standard lge

very good post.Im a LOI fan and there is no way I would be in favour of having players going from playing against Bray, Galway United, Sligo etc to be put into a team expected to compete well against the likes of Italy. No matter how good the player is he has to be playing at a level higher than LOI consistantly to be sharp enough for International football

[Buller]

very good post.Im a LOI fan and there is no way I would be in favour of having players going from playing against Bray, Galway United, Sligo etc to be put into a team expected to compete well against the likes of Italy. No matter how good the player is he has to be playing at a level higher than LOI consistantly to be sharp enough for International football

I think that is probably true for outfield players. It's just frustrating when you see they have the ability and must move away to prove it. Fahey opened up a top Bundesliga side, spreading passes all over the place and making fun of some of their players on one occasion (nutmeg) He certainly didn't look out of his depth anyway! But yeah, if he was selected he would of had to adjust to increased tempo.

While I'm reluctant to open up another debate, I just want to point out that on the goalkeepers side of things it's a different story. If can save a cracker in LOI, you can save it in any league. Brian Murphy for Bohs should be at least 4th or 3rd choice keeper. He has been absolutely fantastic whenever I've seen him and we are very lightweight in this position at the moment apart from Shay. If we are employing keepers from League 1 I do think that he should be at least considered a call up. I know Brian Murphy could make it at any Championship side if given an opportunity.

[DmanDmythDledge]

There's no way Murphy should be in the top 3. Can't comment after that as I haven't seen enough of other keepers but he's definitely not better than Given, Kiely or Westwood.

[Buller]

he's definitely not better than Given, Kiely or Westwood.

I never said he was better than best keepers in the world or Kiely...

[DmanDmythDledge]

Brian Murphy for Bohs should be at least 4th or 3rd choice keeper.
.....

[Buller]

At least 4th or possibly 3rd. Not 1st. Not 2nd.

Anything else while you're at it?

[DmanDmythDledge]

Well you've conviently edited your post that I responded too. Pretty quickly in fairness though.

[Buller]

Well you've conviently edited your post that I responded too. Pretty quickly in fairness though.

Yes, before you responded!

The edit was to take out a wink as shown here:
http://foot.ie/forums/posthistory.php?do=compare&p=1158461


Can you please quit while you're ahead?

[DmanDmythDledge]

You originally said "I never said he was better than any of those keepers." #631 in case there's any confusion.

[Stuttgart88]

Given, Kiely & Westwood are definitely the top 3.

I remember Murphy from the Youth WC in UAE in 2003. He alternated with Henderson I think because the manager (Smyth?) couldn't choose between the two. I thought he was good - commanding, good shot stopper and great kick. I was suprised he didn't make it in UK. I hear he's been great at Bohs.

[NeilMcD]

Have not seen much of Westwood but Murphy is class but like anything else goalkeeping is about how you deal with it and the highest level and the atmosphere etc. Technically Murphy is a great keeper and I would be happy to see him in an Ireland squad.

Neil

[Drumcondra 69er]

Have not seen much of Westwood but Murphy is class but like anything else goalkeeping is about how you deal with it and the highest level and the atmosphere etc. Technically Murphy is a great keeper and I would be happy to see him in an Ireland squad.

Neil

Murphy is class alright from watching him regularly.

However, it's a moot point whether he's better then Westwood who has looked top quality in the few games I've seen him play and is playing better teams week in week out so he's there on merit at present.

[Buller]

Murphy is class alright from watching him regularly.

However, it's a moot point whether he's better then Westwood who has looked top quality in the few games I've seen him play and is playing better teams week in week out so he's there on merit at present.

That's great news. I have yet to see Westwood play but it's great to know there'll be a good keeper to take up the reigns when Given does eventually retire. (hopefully no time soon!)

[Dodge]

So we're all agreed then Fahey is the 5th choice Irish keeper?

[SunderlandBohs]

Just to clear up this Murphy-Westwood thing.

Brian Murphy is one of the best Irish keepers around. But he plays in the LOI and would only get praised on here if he was warming the bench up in Falkirk like Supple or playing in League 2 for Hereford or Darlo. Maybe if he was English and his great great Granny drank a pint of Guinness once.

As for Westwood. He's English but a good Catholic boy!! This is a pi$$ take. In other words, 'I'll never get a game for England so I'll dust down my first communion medal and call crisp tayto and pledge my future to Ireland.'

Keith Fahey deserves to be in the squad along time ago. He's exactly what we need. A ball winner in the middle of the park, someone who can create things, dead-ball specialist and someone who chip in with a goal. I'd have him over Gibson, Whelan and Andrews anytime.

[elroy]

Keith Fahey deserves to be in the squad along time ago. He's exactly what we need. A ball winner in the middle of the park, someone who can create things, dead-ball specialist and someone who chip in with a goal. I'd have him over Gibson, Whelan and Andrews anytime.

IMO Whelan is the most improved Ireland player in the last six months or so, has gone from a regularly unused sub at stoke to a solid first team starter and I think there is more to come from the lad. Def think that Fahey deserves a call up in the friendlies at least, he surely is ahead of the likes of Miller in the pecking order now.

[tetsujin1979]

Brian Murphy is one of the best Irish keepers around. But he plays in the LOI and would only get praised on here if he was warming the bench up in Falkirk like Supple or playing in League 2 for Hereford or Darlo.Nope, he's been praised quite a bit on the site. Personally, I think his time in England (released by Man City and Swansea) have coloured my opinions of him, but I'm open minded enough to accept that if enough people on the site think he's that good, then he's worth a look. Supple hasn't played for Falkirk in over a year. Hereford are in League 1. Get your facts right before you go on a rant.

As for Westwood. He's English but a good Catholic boy!! This is a pi$$ take. In other words, 'I'll never get a game for England so I'll dust down my first communion medal and call crisp tayto and pledge my future to Ireland.'
Westwood put the record straight on that quote some time ago.
From http://www.sundaymercury.net/midlands-sport/midlands-football/coventry-city-fc/2008/06/21/coventry-city-new-boy-keiren-westwood-aims-to-set-record-straight-66331-21135286/ (http://www.sundaymercury.net/midlands-sport/midlands-football/coventry-city-fc/2008/06/21/coventry-city-new-boy-keiren-westwood-aims-to-set-record-straight-66331-21135286/)(dated 21 June 2008)
"Someone just asked me after some bookie had slashed my odds on an international appearance and I said that I could actually play for Ireland because I've got an Irish grandmother. That was it really"As a bit of a joke I said I'm a good Catholic boy and it seemed to have got taken out of context by somebody at some point. Now I would like to address it. "At that stage I didn't even think I would get anywhere near an Ireland call-up, it was tongue-in-cheek and me talking to a local reporter in Carlisle, a bit of banter.
"Obviously it has been blown out of proportion and I've taken some stick for it. I'm very proud and privileged to be called up and it's not something that I would take lightly."
He's recently been voted into the Championship team of the season, so he's obviously a decent keeper

Keith Fahey deserves to be in the squad along time ago. He's exactly what we need. A ball winner in the middle of the park, someone who can create things, dead-ball specialist and someone who chip in with a goal. I'd have him over Gibson, Whelan and Andrews anytime.
I'd argue that central midfield is one of the few areas that doesn't need to be changed. Instead of the revolving door of previous regimes, opposition teams are being forced to go out wide to generate goalscoring opportunities. Central midfield has been cast as the second line of defence, and because of that, central defence has been much stronger. I'd certainly have Fahey in the squad, but I wouldn't play him in central midfield. He doesn't play there for Birmingham, and I'm a big fan of not putting square pegs into round holes.

[SunderlandBohs]

[quote=tetsujin1979;1159339]Nope, he's been praised quite a bit on the site. Personally, I think his time in England (released by Man City and Swansea) have coloured my opinions of him, but I'm open minded enough to accept that if enough people on the site think he's that good, then he's worth a look. Supple hasn't played for Falkirk in over a year. Hereford are in League 1. Get your facts right before you go on a rant.

Hereford Utd were relagated to L2 this season after one season in L1. Supple didn't play much in Falkirk anyway!! So he's warming the bench at 'Roy Keane's Ipswich Town' instead. The point I was making is people will trip over themselves to talk about player playing in reserve teams or L1 or L2 clubs in England or a SPL side. But when someone menitions a LOI player he's instantly not good enough for the national side.

[shaneker]

Can someone give me a shout when this bo**ocks is finished so I can get back to keeping tabs on a very promising looking player who I haven't been able to see much of?

Thanks.

[youngirish]

Hereford Utd were relagated to L2 this season after one season in L1. Supple didn't play much in Falkirk anyway!! So he's warming the bench at 'Roy Keane's Ipswich Town' instead. The point I was making is people will trip over themselves to talk about player playing in reserve teams or L1 or L2 clubs in England or a SPL side. But when someone menitions a LOI player he's instantly not good enough for the national side.
Not true. I think people get more excited about decent young players as the statistics show they are far more likely to improve than players in their mid twenties and this opinion is entirely justified and logical imo as nearly all our top players (Finnan, Keane, Duff, Dunne) have played in league 1 or the championship earlier in their careers often not setting the world alight while there.

[Dodge]

as nearly all our top players (Finnan, Keane, Duff, Dunne) have played in league 1 or the championship earlier in their careers often not setting the world alight while there.

Only Finnan played lower than Championship and Dunne never played outside the Premier League. Duff played a couple of season in the championship but had been a regular (and highly touted player) in the Premier League for two years before hand. keane too was very highly regarded when he started with Wolves

[youngirish]

Only Finnan played lower than Championship and Dunne never played outside the Premier League. Duff played a couple of season in the championship but had been a regular (and highly touted player) in the Premier League for two years before hand. keane too was very highly regarded when he started with Wolves

Dunne played in the Championship with Man City and didn't set the world alight.

Duff also wasn't particularly brilliant in the relegation year at Blackburn or their first season in the Championship. There was no guarantee he was going to be a top class player. Kevin Kilbane was even keeping him out of the Ireland team.

[NeilMcD]

The way I see it is, Sunderland Bohs reads the forum and only sees people ravin on about lower league players playing in England and not LOI players. Youngirish reads the forum and only sees people raving about LOI players. I think lads you should swap which posts you are reading and we will all be happy.

[republicofwhite]

This LOI blind patriotism thing is completely infuriating. I haven't nailed my colours to either mast but in fairness, a year on after Westwood's initial call up ahead of Murphy, the argument is actually VERY clearcut. Westwood was apparently a raw and exciting talent at Carlisle(incredible shot stopper for one) who has rapidly improved his game at quite a step up in the Championship, and indeed as someone has noted was voted into the Championship team of the season. Week after week in the Observer fans(Coventry and their opposition) are raving about his ability and how he is constantly improving and getting MOM's. Added to this he is testing himself against much better opposition and is obviously quite busy for an average Coventry side. Spurs were heavily linked with him along with other Premiership sides, he's easily regarded as one of the top Championship goalkeepers, and is still very young Keeper wise, which makes his rapid progress all the more exciting. In contrast, Murphy(no matter how good he is) is in a comfort zone for Bohs, not getting tested to the same extent or playing against teams of a higher calibre week in week out. Thats not up for debate. If he wants to progress and contest for a squad place, he needs to grow a pair and move to level where he will be tested more, and given the appropriate scope to develop and compete with Westwood. I'm sure he has the ability, just being in a comfort zone will hinder that development. That should be end of story, now it should be back to Keith Fahey, how quality he is and hopefully how is cultured style will seamlessly adapt to the Premiership!

[tetsujin1979]

Dunne played in the Championship with Man City and didn't set the world alightKeegan praised him to the hilt in the Championship (then Division One) on more than one occasion said he was the best defender in the division

[tetsujin1979]

Only Finnan played lower than Championship and Dunne never played outside the Premier League. Duff played a couple of season in the championship but had been a regular (and highly touted player) in the Premier League for two years before hand. keane too was very highly regarded when he started with Wolves
Stephen Hunt played in League One with Brentford, Kilbane played there with Preston, Whelan played there with Sheffield Wednesday, Andrews spent 2 seasons in League 2, Keogh was in League 1 with Scunthorpe.
All playing Premiership football now, well Keogh will be next season.

[Dodge]

Yeah, sorry forgot that Man City were relegated around then...