Republic of Ireland V Nigeria - Friday, 29th May 2009 - Friendly - Craven Cottage

[tetsujin1979]

Is Noel Hunt injured or was he dropped from the squad? Was just thinking its a big drop from sub in Italy to out of the squad.Injured, fractured a bone in his ankle against Barnsley: http://www.teamtalk.com/football/story/0,16368,1786_5232803,00.html

[shakermaker1982]

is there a Foot.ie meet then this Friday? I'm rolling into the big smoke for 2pm. Got a hotel next to Putney Bridge. 79 quid.

[Duggie]

wouldnt mind long getting a good run out. bit worried this friendly is so close to the bulgaria game. God forbid we got a few injuries. id nearly rest duff, mcgeady and esp robbie.

[paul_oshea]

shakermaker ronnieB, tets and a good few of my mates over here are heading down to Brogans. I wont be out to play till 5.30 though

[shakermaker1982]

sound Paul. I'll be in there from 3!

[RonnieB]

Did I hear the clinking of pint glasses?

[paul_oshea]

shakermaker ok keep out for a teddy bear and a guy in a pink tracksuit with orange runners, thats where tets and ronnieb will be.

[elroy]

So whats the concluded starting XI?

Westwood

Foley Dunne St Ledger Nolan

Lawrence Whelan Andrews Duff

Keane Best

I think this is reasonably close, althou Im not sure about Nolan or Foley, I think McShane will start somewhere and probably Kilbane too. Maybe McGeady instead of Duff. Havent seen anything of Best if im honest, but wouldve thought long or even Morrison (not in the squad i know) wouldve been just as good an option?

[RonnieB]

shakermaker ok keep out for a teddy bear and a guy in a pink tracksuit with orange runners, thats where tets and ronnieb will be.

:eek:

[tetsujin1979]

shakermaker ronnieB, tets and a good few of my mates over here are heading down to Brogans. I wont be out to play till 5.30 though
it'll be 5ish when I get there

[paul_oshea]

I like the differing 2 responses above, Ronnie don't worry I meant you in the pink, not the teddy bear.

Btw i love the way people ask is there a foot.ie meetup etc, as if its only going to be 10 of us in the pub and you never end up meeting eachother. You need to be more specific if you dont know other members!!

[Jicked]

I think this is reasonably close, althou Im not sure about Nolan or Foley, I think McShane will start somewhere and probably Kilbane too. Maybe McGeady instead of Duff. Havent seen anything of Best if im honest, but wouldve thought long or even Morrison (not in the squad i know) wouldve been just as good an option?

Trap has already confirmed that Kiely will start, and would have even before Given's minor knock resurfaced.

[geysir]

sound Paul. I'll be in there from 3!
Make sure you don't follow any of Paul's "shortcuts" on the way to the game.

[Duggie]

did trap mention he was going to start best? i dont know much about him but id rather see long play who has had a good second half of the season. cant really see best having much of a future with us longterm.

[shakermaker1982]

I like the differing 2 responses above, Ronnie don't worry I meant you in the pink, not the teddy bear.

Btw i love the way people ask is there a foot.ie meetup etc, as if its only going to be 10 of us in the pub and you never end up meeting eachother. You need to be more specific if you dont know other members!!

I'll be in my borat swimwear outfit again so not hard to spot :D

[paul_oshea]

Make sure you don't follow any of Paul's "shortcuts" on the way to the game.

You make that sound something seedy geysir, please clear up any possible misunderstandings!!! :p

[richieos]

Trap has already confirmed that Kiely will start, and would have even before Given's minor knock resurfaced.

i thought westwood was going to start?

[Sligo Hornet]

I'll be in my borat swimwear outfit again so not hard to spot :D

We got a photo of you last time shaker!:D

http://i44.tinypic.com/rit6au.jpg

[irishfan86]

Trap has already confirmed that Kiely will start, and would have even before Given's minor knock resurfaced.

The FAI website quoted Trap as saying Westwood would start.

[Jicked]

Really? I was sure I read in the paper yesterday (or was it today?) that he had intended Kiely to start. TBH i'd rather Kiely get the start, he needs the game time with the players in front of him, if Given gets a knock in this campaign we'll need Kiely's experience and not Westwood's potential. Plenty of time to blood a third choice keeper, but wouldn't like to do it now especially when Given has a knock, no matter how minor it is.

[Wexford Delboy]

I think this is reasonably close, althou Im not sure about Nolan or Foley, I think McShane will start somewhere and probably Kilbane too.
Fai website mention trap using a back four of foley st ledger dunne and nolan in a training game so it might just happen

[irishfan86]

Really? I was sure I read in the paper yesterday (or was it today?) that he had intended Kiely to start. TBH i'd rather Kiely get the start, he needs the game time with the players in front of him, if Given gets a knock in this campaign we'll need Kiely's experience and not Westwood's potential. Plenty of time to blood a third choice keeper, but wouldn't like to do it now especially when Given has a knock, no matter how minor it is.

You can see the article in the FAI newsfeed:

http://feeds.feedburner.com/fai-international

[elroy]

Game is only on Setanta Sports 1 :mad:
with highlights later on Setanta Ireland.

Nowt on RTE/TV3.

[tetsujin1979]

list of streams will be here - http://www.myp2p.eu/broadcast.php?matchid=40413&part=sports - from tomorrow afternoon

[EastTerracer]

The game tomorrow is live on Setanta-i (formerly knows as Sellotanta Broadband) in the US (and presumably Canada). I bet we still get Paul Dempsey and Fat Pat though - they should let the Apres Match lads present it instead!

[irishultra]

Stupid Setanta Sports 1. Stupid Eurovox.!!!!:)

[Drumcondra 69er]

Anyone on the 11.30 Gatwick flight tomorrow? Beers in the airport at 10.30 to kick off my stag!! Could be a long weekend.......

[elroy]

Stupid Setanta Sports 1. Stupid Eurovox.!!!!:)

I feel your pain. :(

[geysir]

Really? I was sure I read in the paper yesterday (or was it today?) that he had intended Kiely to start. TBH i'd rather Kiely get the start, he needs the game time with the players in front of him, if Given gets a knock in this campaign we'll need Kiely's experience and not Westwood's potential. Plenty of time to blood a third choice keeper, but wouldn't like to do it now especially when Given has a knock, no matter how minor it is.
As long as Kiely has been training with his club I don't think he needs a game for Ireland (unless its for services rendered) to be more in shape to deputise in case Shay gets injured.
He has entered the goalkeeping vintage dimension, relaxed, confident and agile. He would be 100% ready to be called upon anytime to replace Shay.

[paul_oshea]

agile? he is 37 nearly 38!!

[richieos]

agile? he is 37 nearly 38!!

which is a surprisingly solid age for a goalkeeper, many goalkeepers have their best spells at this age e.g. david james and nigel martyn

[Greenforever]

Anyone on the 11.30 Gatwick flight tomorrow? Beers in the airport at 10.30 to kick off my stag!! Could be a long weekend.......


Neil McD, and a few others, myself and a mate on that flight, will be at airport for 930 in case of queues in the bar :D:D staying in Putney

[Junior]

Match tickets available on the gate tomorrow night.

[Drumcondra 69er]

Neil McD, and a few others, myself and a mate on that flight, will be at airport for 930 in case of queues in the bar :D:D staying in Putney

Will keep our eyes peeled in the airport bar by the departure gates so!

I've been told we'll be meeting some of the 2g London crew in The Dukes Head in Putney actually so will be around there pre match as well.

Staying in Camden though for the weekend so will be heading there from the ariport.....

[Closed Account]

Starting XI confirmed:

Republic of Ireland:
Given,
Foley,
Dunne,
St Ledger,
Nolan,
Lawrence,
Miller,
Andrews,
Duff(or McGeady)
Keane,
Best.

Source: Setanta (http://www.setanta.com//uk/Articles/Football/2009/05/28/Int-Five-debuts-in-Ireland-side/gnid-54878/)


Duff/McGeady may not be decided yet:
Damien Duff (Newcastle United) and Aiden McGeady (Celtic) will share responsibilities for one of the wing positions with each of them playing half a game. The manager said he had yet to decide which of the two will start.
http://www.fai.ie/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=4320

[paul_oshea]

id love to know what miller does in training?!

[rambler14]

Starting XI confirmed:

Republic of Ireland:
Given,
Foley,
Dunne,
St Ledger,
Nolan,
Lawrence,
Miller,
Andrews,
Duff(or McGeady)
Keane,
Best.

Source: Setanta (http://www.setanta.com//uk/Articles/Football/2009/05/28/Int-Five-debuts-in-Ireland-side/gnid-54878/)


http://www.fai.ie/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=4320

So much for all the bullsh!t flying around here during the last few days!

[elroy]

I dont really see the benefit of playing Given here and really think Westwood and Kiely getting a half each wouldve been the sensible thing to do. Happy otherwise with the exception of Miller obviously.

[eirebhoy]

5 debuts in the one game and 3 of those in defense. Wouldn't expect that from Trap. :) Makes it a very interesting match.

[geysir]

Looks like Trap is giving serious thought to which players will be our Full Backs.
McShane will not see the FB position again.

Is KK's reign under some threat?

[Stuttgart88]

I dont really see the benefit of playing Given here and really think Westwood and Kiely getting a half each wouldve been the sensible thing to do. Happy otherwise with the exception of Miller obviously.I suppose the logic is to have an experienced organiser and motivator behind them, as well as amongst them (Dunne). A nervous goalkeeper with 3 debutant defenders might destabilise everyone. I'd have thought Kiely could have provided the stabilising influence though.

However, if Trap is giving serious thought to starting any of those 3 defenders in Bulgariathen game time with Given & Dunne will be useful, essential even.

Still can't fathom Miller. It'll place a lot of responsibility on Andrews to get stuck in in midfield as Miller couldn't get a grip on his willy let alone a bunch of mobile and athletic africans (racial streotyping I know). I suppose Lawrence is more physical than Duff & McGeady so midfield will consist of 2 bigger guys and 2 midgets.

We were overrun in midfield last year vs Columbia when Miller & Whelan started.

Really looking forward to this though, I hope we play well and the newbies impress.

[SkStu]

while i applaud the new faces being introduced in this team by Trap, i feel the team he has picked has, to an extent, set them up to fail. Nolan, Foley and Sledge being protected by a midefield of Lawrence (newcomer), Miller (ugh) and Andrews (inexperienced) sends a few shivers down my spine...

Sink or swim time for the newbies!!!

[youngirish]

Good to see Trap experimenting. I think St Ledger, Foley and Lawrence are valuable additions to the squad and shouldn't be out of their depth tomorrow. I worry though that with Miller, Nolan and Best in the same team the Nigerians will be too good for us if they play a decent strength side (I haven't seen their team maybe they will try a few new players themselves). Miller shouldn't be in the squad anymore while Best and Nolan are not good enough at present to be there imo though I think both have potential. Best in particular has a tendency to blow hot and cold so we'll see if we get him on a good or bad day.

I suppose if things are going badly Trap has shown he has the ability to identify the problem areas and make changes for the better.

If we do get beaten hopefully it doesn't affect our confidence going into the big game next week.

[eirebhoy]

Is KK's reign under some threat?
Is Whelan's? :) Nah he's just giving some new players a game. I don't think Kilbane's place is at threat just yet.

[irishfan86]

Getting excited about this for sure- I've been hoping for Lawrence to be included since his excellent season during Stoke's promotion year.

His direct style and the ability to score goals is really something that could be hugely important for us.

Also looking forward to Foley and Sledge getting involved.

Time to see if all this hype from their promoters Wolves Manc and the doc is justified!

[Plastic Paddy]

agile? he is 37 nearly 38!!

Mate, so am I and I can still throw some rude shapes on the dancefloor! :D


I've been told we'll be meeting some of the 2g London crew in The Dukes Head in Putney actually so will be around there pre match as well.

Davros, late of this parish, has mentioned this in dispatches. I may swing by there first (thence to the Cottage for 6pm) and say hello.

:ball: PP

[paul_oshea]

I suppose the logic is to have an experienced organiser and motivator behind them, as well as amongst them (Dunne). A nervous goalkeeper with 3 debutant defenders might destabilise everyone. I'd have thought Kiely could have provided the stabilising influence though.

However, if Trap is giving serious thought to starting any of those 3 defenders in Bulgariathen game time with Given & Dunne will be useful, essential even.

Still can't fathom Miller. It'll place a lot of responsibility on Andrews to get stuck in in midfield as Miller couldn't get a grip on his willy let alone a bunch of mobile and athletic africans (racial streotyping I know). I suppose Lawrence is more physical than Duff & McGeady so midfield will consist of 2 bigger guys and 2 midgets.

We were overrun in midfield last year vs Columbia when Miller & Whelan started.

Really looking forward to this though, I hope we play well and the newbies impress.



Ah stutts that middle sentence is class, we never see the funny stutts, absoloute quality!!!

try and get in to meet meself, tets and ronnieb, we will be there from 5 or so, even if just for one.

[Superhoops]

Lads, its a glorious day in London. Pints by the river, watch Ireland play, apres match pints. What a great way to spend a Friday :)

[paul_oshea]

ya and im stuck in bloody work looking down the river.....

[Girl in Green]

while i applaud the new faces being introduced in this team by Trap, i feel the team he has picked has, to an extent, set them up to fail. Nolan, Foley and Sledge being protected by a midefield of Lawrence (newcomer), Miller (ugh) and Andrews (inexperienced) sends a few shivers down my spine...

Sink or swim time for the newbies!!!

I agree with this entirely; great to see new faces being introduced i suppose tonights exercise is to get a look at players it's a friendly remember...let's hope no-one gets injured for Wednesday that would be my concern outta tonite. Gutted Kiely has withdrawn I would have had him in as No. 1 for Given should we need him; lets all hope Given is fit.