Promising Irish League Youngsters

[Predator]

Since there's a thread for the LOI, why not?

Two names I've heard of are from Derry-based Institute F.C., Philip and Paul Lowry. Philip is a N.I. youth international and Paul has apparently been very active at inter-county level.

[Gather round]

Crues' Martin Donnolly is already in the NI B squad to play Scotland next month. Seems a bit premature, as you can't realistically see him anywhere near the first team next season. But still an honor.

[EalingGreen]

Crues' Martin Donnolly is already in the NI B squad to play Scotland next month. Seems a bit premature, as you can't realistically see him anywhere near the first team next season. But still an honor.
Donnelly has since been withdrawn from the squad, due to the Crues being in the Irish Cup Final four days later.
Anyhow, I saw him when he came on as Sub for the U-21's vs Ukraine recently and he certainly looked to have talent - great left foot. And someone I was talking to there who's seen him play for the Crues raved about him. His exact comment was that "if they can develop him right, he'll pay for their new stadium on his own!"
As for playing for the "B" team, Nigel Worthington looks to have a policy of "fast-tracking" young players (McGivern, McGinn, Little), presumably with the long term in mind.
It's becoming ever more evident that NW is not a mere "1st team coach" like Sanchez, but takes a close interest in developing all the teams in every age group.
In particular, the appointment of Steve Beaglehole as his U-21 Coach, who's already inititiated a very professional scouting network etc, is proving highly productive.
And on a more pragmatic note, NW is also conscious that he's got an end-of-season friendly in Italy, where most of his senior players are liable to be withdrawn etc. Therefore he's holding this out as an extra incentive to his "B" squad:
http://www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/sport/football/international/northern-ireland-players-can-seal-date-with-italy-worthington-14279947.html

[EalingGreen]

Crues' Martin Donnolly is already in the NI B squad to play Scotland next month. Seems a bit premature, as you can't realistically see him anywhere near the first team next season. But still an honor.
Donnelly has since been withdrawn from the squad, due to the Crues being in the Irish Cup Final four days later.
Anyhow, I saw him when he came on as Sub for the U-21's vs Ukraine recently and he certainly looked to have talent - great left foot. And someone I was talking to there who's seen him play for the Crues raved about him. His exact comment was that "if they can develop him right, he'll pay for their new stadium on his own!"
As for playing for the "B" team, Nigel Worthington looks to have a policy of "fast-tracking" young players (McGivern, McGinn, Little), presumably with the long term in mind.
It's becoming ever more evident that NW is not a mere "1st team coach" like Sanchez, but takes a close interest in developing all the teams in every age group.
In particular, the appointment of Steve Beaglehole as his U-21 Coach, who's already inititiated a very professional scouting network etc, is proving highly productive.
And on a more pragmatic note, NW is also conscious that he's got an end-of-season friendly in Italy, where most of his senior players are liable to be withdrawn etc. Therefore he's holding this out as an extra incentive to his "B" squad:
http://www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/sport/football/international/northern-ireland-players-can-seal-date-with-italy-worthington-14279947.html

[Predator]

I watched 19 year old Philip Lowry play in the Milk Cup last year- he was a solid player and this season he has been consistently in the 'Stute first team. I think he has had a few trials in England and Scotland recently too.

Paul Lowry, who is also 19, is a reserve player currently, but I've been told John Gregg holds him in high regard. The young Derry man has played in numerous Foyle Cups and has represented Co.Donegal in an All-Ireland inter-county youth cup. Apparently he was part of the successful U.U.Jordanstown team which won the All-Ireland Harding Cup and were beaten semi-finalists in the All-Ireland Collingwood Cup.

[WeeRed]

Liam Boyce and Mark Patterson at Cliftonville. Both have had junior call ups I believe.

[EalingGreen]

Liam Boyce and Mark Patterson at Cliftonville. Both have had junior call ups I believe.
Liam Boyce:
http://www.irishfa.com/squad-profiles/2408/under-18-schools/liam-boyce-forward/
http://www.irishfa.com/the-ifa/news/3889/st-marys-belfast-win-carnegie-schools-cup/
The NI Schools FA U-18 team is not the same as the IFA U-18 team, which mostly draws its players from English/Scottish clubs' (Academies etc); however, they do co-operate closely.
Boyce played in all four Centenary Shield Games (vs ROI, Eng, Scot & Wales) this season, NI sharing the trophy jointly with England:
http://myweb.tiscali.co.uk/nisfa/Internationals%202008-09.htm

As for Mark Patterson (son of C'ville manager, Eddie, I believe), I know he played for NI U-19's when at Ballyclare Comrades. Anyhow, he's not included in the current squad details (mostly players from across the water), though that could be because he's now too old (20 in October)?
http://www.irishfa.com/squad-profiles/squad/3/under-19/

[Graemerz]

Michael Carvill, best young player in the league by a country mile. Robert Garrett and Billy Joe Burns are also good players. The latter has been very unlucky with injuries this year.

[Predator]

Just heard that Philip Lowry signed for Linfield instead of going to England. Fair play to the lad. I wonder what kind of money the guys in the IL would be on?

http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/irish/8053395.stm

[Steve Bruce]

Just heard that Philip Lowry signed for Linfield instead of going to England. Fair play to the lad. I wonder what kind of money the guys in the IL would be on?

http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/irish/8053395.stm

Our full-timers are on around £500-700 a week. Definately no more.

[mrtndvn]

The only promising player Linfield have is one that promised the Spanish police he would return to answer a few questions a couple of years ago.

[Steve Bruce]

The only promising player Linfield have is one that promised the Spanish police he would return to answer a few questions a couple of years ago.

:rolleyes:

Your not very funny and this has nothing to do with the thread in hand. if you have something to say, say it in the relevant place.

[mrtndvn]

You're
:rolleyes:

[Umberside]

Michael Carvill, best young player in the league by a country mile.

Quality player. I saw him in action before and I can tell you that he's nearly (if not) better than Billy Dennehy and the lad has a huge future ahead of him.

[Predator]

You're
:rolleyes:


hahaha!

Seriously though SB, that's still big money. Are Linfield even full-time?

[Steve Bruce]

hahaha!

Seriously though SB, that's still big money. Are Linfield even full-time?

No fully no. We do have full-time players and they are on the higher wages that has been noted. The part time players would be on considerably less money.

Our wage bill is over 600k a year. That includes players, coaching staff and administration staff. So in comparison to LOI our budget isn't that big.

[Mr A]

That would be a pretty serious in LOI terms this year. Obviously it wouldn't be the biggest but it would certainly have you challenging.

[Aaron]

Liam Boyce and Mark Patterson at Cliftonville. Both have had junior call ups I believe.

Anything to Jim and Eddie?

[EalingGreen]

Anything to Jim and Eddie?
Not aware of any family connection between the Boyces, but Mark is Eddie's son (see my post #7, above)

[Steve Bruce]

That would be a pretty serious in LOI terms this year. Obviously it wouldn't be the biggest but it would certainly have you challenging.

We are looking to reduce it by £150k