Paul Doolin Appointed Ireland U18 & U19 Manager

[Stuttgart88]

It's not a positive. It's something that should be taken as read. It was Givens' stated objective to develop players for the senior team, taking priority over results. If that attitude was tolerated by the FAI then it's possible it was also tolerated for levels below U21. At least now there is no doubt that the Givens "escape scrutiny clause" is not being adopted by Dollin. That's positive.

[pineapple stu]

Hm. See where you're coming from alright, but I still don't think we should be openly calling it "positive". It's like saying -50C is warm compared to -100C. It's better, but not necessarily warm.

[osarusan]

Hm. See where you're coming from alright, but I still don't think we should be openly calling it "positive". It's like saying -50C is warm compared to -100C. It's better, but not necessarily warm.

You're right, but I think the point is that, considering Givens' reign, seeing the value of winning games was apparently not 'taken as read' in the FAI. Doolin, as well as developing players (which presumably is the primary aim), wants to win as well. It's not much, but it's better than before.

[Dodge]

The "hoof ball" accusations are leveled at Bohs and Rovers all the time. The only logical conclusion is that the LOI is so awful that the only way to win it is by whacking the ball up to giants like Paddy Madden and Gary Twigg.

Thats not a logical conclusion at all.

[Predator]

Doolin, as well as developing players (which presumably is the primary aim), wants to win as well. It's not much, but it's better than before.It is a better attitude than the one that Givens had and to me that's a positive.
However, I'm not sure how much of a player's development can be attributed to underage international managers, considering that most of the development will be overseen at club level.

[Dodge]

It is a better attitude than the one that Givens had and to me that's a positive.
However, I'm not sure how much of a player's development can be attributed to underage international managers, considering that most of the development will be overseen at club level.

I agree 100%. Doolin will get at most 20 training sessions a year with the lads. While there's no doubting his role requires a fair bit of coaching skill (as he has to get players drilled and organised ina short time frame), the vast majority of work is done at club level.

The more talented players at that level quickly move up the ranks anyway as the senior team "poach" them.