Celtic Cup thread

[seanfhear]

I suppose a british team consisting of players from England, Scotland, Wales and those from Northern Ireland that would wish too could play against an Ireland team (Or Republic of Ireland if some prefer)
This would reduce the number of games (1 home and away= 2) to a practical number and would still be a nice competition between the British and Irish Isles.

Its such a good idea that I am surprised that nobody has thought of it before and it would have the added advantage of having FIFA as a cheerleader:D

[The Fly]

.....

[Gather round]

Just listening to some of the comments on here from the NI fans is confirmation if I needed any that they are not a team which can command my loyalty or support

No problem. You support the Republic, that's fine. If you changed your mind and wanted to support NI too, equally fine.


all this hatred of the South is rather depressing!

What hatred? Three NI fans have posted regularly on this thread (which is basically the same old debate with an occasionally changing name, but more of that below). One of them dislikes the FAI and John Delaney to the extent he's boycotting the tournament to avoid giving therm any money. It'd be a bit thin-skinned to see that as particularly xenophobic, don't ye think?


In general I don't think Republic fans really care that much about the 'IFA team'

I'm sure you're generally right, at least to the extent that our seeing you as a main rival isn't reciprocated. But on this discussion (long-running, as above) you're dead wrong. A good number of your FAI-team-supporting pals enjoy posting the same 'let's take over [the] NI [team], even though the players are no good and the fans nsty sectarian bigots' schtick. Over and over again. In the most deranged case, hundreds of times on the same thread.


There might be more support for it within the North than some NI fans care to acknowledge

There's no support for it among fans of the NI team, because the one thing we can be certain they agree on is that they want to support NI. Not to see that team abolished/merged/sidelined by Derek Dougan's showbiz celebrity XI, however temporarily.


It actually reminds me of when NI were on their worst run ever a few years ago and were only getting a few thousand at their games I remember the news were running items on whether it was time to do away with the NI team

Ha ha. Do you only follow the news media when the NI side is losing regularly? Self-styled shock-jocks like Dunseath and Nolan run that ******** every time either we or the Republic fail to win a game. And sometimes even when we do. The logic seems to be that because we saw off Spain or England, add McShane or Whelan and a World Cup win would be almost guaranteed. If you're dim enough to take anything big Steven says on the subject seriously, you'll believe anything.


All that happens, again and again, is the same arguments, counter-arguments, insults and counter-insults, bulls**t and counter-bulls**t gets trotted out, with nobody ever changing anybody's mind about anything, nor (I'd imagine) having any hope or expectation of doing so

Well, you never know. Of course Ardee Bhoy (to take the most frequent contributor to this issue) isn't likely to drop his 'I'll do anything for a united Ireland except actually live in it' stance anytime soon, but not everyone's that hard core. Of course I take your broader points, but the instinctive reaction to witless abuse is to defend against it. If that bores you, I'm afraid avoiding the thread may be best. But if- like me- you'd really like a gentler discussion of where to meet before the game for a beer etc., shall we grin and bear it?


So maybe, just maybe peoplee could state their position once, and leave it at that

I think not. Given that this thread is just the long-running argument with an occasionally-changing name, the only way you could do that is by banning everyone who repeats themselves.

[ArdeeBhoy]

Of course Ardee Bhoy (to take the most frequent contributor to this issue) isn't likely to drop his 'I'll do anything for a united Ireland except actually live in it' stance anytime soon, but not everyone's that hard core. Of course I take your broader points, but the instinctive reaction to witless abuse is to defend against it. If that bores you, I'm afraid avoiding the thread may be best. But if- like me- you'd really like a gentler discussion of where to meet before the game for a beer etc., shall we grin and bear it?

Except of course, as ever you're wrong on this. Especially on the point of a 'united Ireland', which the likes of you keep claiming will never happen anyway.
More pertinently you could of course take your own advice and avoid the thread....spare us all the nonsense about a 'gentler discussion'.

[SkStu]

fantastic. Another thread to place on ignore.

[gastric]

What are you Aussie Boy, 12? Your own attitudes don't seem to have progressed much since the primordial soup.

Beautiful Gather Around. You win. Resorting to insults is brilliant. I am Irish born and bred by the way. I assume from where you live you are from Birmingham then? Idiot!

[D.24saint]

Tickets for the Ireland game are €35 bit steep for a glorified kick about and I cant understand where the FAI are going with 20 quid for the scotland match it should be the same as the cup final just to get a few extra heads in the stadium there is a real possibility of the Aviva being like a ghost town for this fixture.

[Wolfie]

Although I won't be attending myself, I want NI to win because we have a victorious run to maintain against you lot.

OK, it's only a one match run, but it's important nonetheless.

Hopefully, we'll start to see some football based discussion breaking through.

You'll have to admit EG, we've won more of the formally "competitive" games between the two sides - (Ireland 3 N. Ireland 0, 1989 - Qualifier), (N.Ireland 0 Ireland 4, 1994 - Qualifier), (Ireland 3 N.Ireland 0, 1993 - Qualifier). - (just slagging - not intended in a nasty way, you'll understand)

That said, Belfast, Nov '93 gave us one hell of a fright.

I'd be genuinely interested to hear the Northern lads take on what Northern Ireland line-up they'd like to see for the tournament, some debate as to how the Ireland V Northern Ireland game could fare??

Why not??

[Not Brazil]

I'd be genuinely interested to hear the Northern lads take on what Northern Ireland line-up they'd like to see for the tournament, some debate as to how the Ireland V Northern Ireland game could fare??

Why not??

Unfortunately, I think both line ups will be depleted for the ROI v NI game in May - I think the final games in the Premier League are scheduled for the Sunday before?

Players involved in play offs are unlikely to feature also.

That said, I expect the game to be competitive...a bit more than a "friendly".

With home advantage, and given that we are a PUB team, I'd expect the ROI to run out easy 4 or 5-0 winners.

It will not impair the taste of my Bushmills one iota.

We'll be big underdogs...however, we've been known to surprise some of the "big boys".

[EalingGreen]

I suppose a british team consisting of players from England, Scotland, Wales and those from Northern Ireland that would wish too could play against an Ireland team (Or Republic of Ireland if some prefer)
This would reduce the number of games (1 home and away= 2) to a practical number and would still be a nice competition between the British and Irish Isles.Whilst a single UK team would have greater logic than a single UI team, I can assure you that it would be no more acceptable to NI fans (ditto the Scots, Welsh and yes, England fans)

Or is the unwillingness of football fans to lose their team that difficult to understand?


Its such a good idea that I am surprised that nobody has thought of it before and it would have the added advantage of having FIFA as a cheerleader:DThough I'm sure there are Member Associations of FIFA who resent to a greater or lesser degree the UK having four separate teams. But it really only affects the non-European countries every four years in that the UK theoretically has four opportunities to get a team to the WC Finals. And even that hasn't troubled them recently...

As for Europe, if anything, UEFA is happy for this to continue, since it gives Europe three extra votes at FIFA, rather important when you consider eg that between them, the various Pacific islands and West Indies have nearly as many votes as the whole of Europe. (This also explains UEFA's willingness to allow eg Faroes/San Marino/Andorra etc their own team, and their accomodation of Israel and Uzbekistan, despite their not actually being European)

[EalingGreen]

Hopefully, we'll start to see some football based discussion breaking through.

You'll have to admit EG, we've won more of the formally "competitive" games between the two sides - (Ireland 3 N. Ireland 0, 1989 - Qualifier), (N.Ireland 0 Ireland 4, 1994 - Qualifier), (Ireland 3 N.Ireland 0, 1993 - Qualifier). - (just slagging - not intended in a nasty way, you'll understand)

That said, Belfast, Nov '93 gave us one hell of a fright.Pleased to oblige, old chap.

Anyhow, I take your point about the respective records. It's a shame that we only played you twice* during the period when we were clearly the superior team (1920's, 30's, 40's, 50's, 60's, 70's, 80's). That is, playing you relatively frequently during the period of your superiority (1990 - 2005?) has somewhat skewed the record.



* - When we drew in Dublin, then won in Belfast.


I'd be genuinely interested to hear the Northern lads take on what Northern Ireland line-up they'd like to see for the tournamentAs NB correctly points out, it's impossible to predict who'll be available. But if I were picking the team today, with no injuries etc, I'd play a 4-4-1-1 formation, as follows:

GK - Maik Taylor (Lee Camp of Forest to get a half?)

RB - Gareth Mcauley (Ipswich)
CB - Aaron Hughes (Fulham)
CB - Jonny Evans (Man.U)
LB - George McCartney (Leeds U)

RM - Niall McGinn (Celtic)
CM - Chris Baird - holding role (Fulham)
CM - Steve Davis (Rangers)
LM - Chris Brunt (WBA)

"No.10" - Paddy McCourt (Celtic)

Striker - Kyle Lafferty (Rangers)

Subs: Cathcart (Blackpool), Craigan (Motherwell), Barton (PNE), Clingan (Coventry), Healy (Sunderland) and Feeney (Oldham).

I actually suspect that that would be something like Worthington would pick, too, given the choice, but expect several of those players to be unavailable for one reason or other. He might also decide to experiment with fringe/young players a wee bit, too?

[Closed Account]

GK - Maik Taylor (Lee Camp of Forest to get a half?)

RB - Gareth Mcauley (Ipswich)
CB - Aaron Hughes (Fulham)
CB - Jonny Evans (Man.U)
LB - George McCartney (Leeds U)

RM - Niall McGinn (Celtic)
CM - Chris Baird - holding role (Fulham)
CM - Steve Davis (Rangers)
LM - Chris Brunt (WBA)

"No.10" - Paddy McCourt (Celtic)

Striker - Kyle Lafferty (Rangers)

Subs: Cathcart (Blackpool), Craigan (Motherwell), Barton (PNE), Clingan (Coventry), Healy (Sunderland) and Feeney (Oldham).
Not a bad side, surprised you've had to put McAuley in at right back. Good player but thought you'd have a more suitable option. Maybe swap Hughes and McAuley around, as Hughes has played there in the past?
Baird the obvious choice but probably of more use to you in CM.

[third policeman]

But if I were picking the team today, with no injuries etc, I'd play a 4-4-1-1 formation, as follows:

GK - Maik Taylor (Lee Camp of Forest to get a half?)

RB - Gareth Mcauley (Ipswich)
CB - Aaron Hughes (Fulham)
CB - Jonny Evans (Man.U)
LB - George McCartney (Leeds U)

RM - Niall McGinn (Celtic)
CM - Chris Baird - holding role (Fulham)
CM - Steve Davis (Rangers)
LM - Chris Brunt (WBA)

"No.10" - Paddy McCourt (Celtic)

Striker - Kyle Lafferty (Rangers)




Delighted to see you appear to have reappriased your view on Paddy McCourt. Could this be the man about whom you said:

"Quite simply, he is not fit or strong enough to play full-time professional football to a decent standard"

Of course you may be suggesting that playing for NI is not a decent standard of professional football, but if this a change of mind, who knows what to expect next?

[EalingGreen]

Not a bad side, surprised you've had to put McAuley in at right back. Good player but thought you'd have a more suitable option. Maybe swap Hughes and McAuley around, as Hughes has played there in the past?
Baird the obvious choice but probably of more use to you in CM.McAuley has been our regular RB for the last couple of years. It's not ideal, but it's a bit of a problem position for us and he's actually been OK for us there.

As for Baird, although he started out at RB, Southampton eventually moved him to Centre Back (due to a lack of pace, I assume), in which position he was their POTY.

At Fulham he was eventually moved to holding midfielder (it might have been Sanchez who first tried him there?), which was the position he played virtually the whole of last season for Fulham under Hodgson.

Currently Mark Hughes is using Dickson Etuhu in that role (a v.decent player, imo), with Baird reverting to RB for a few games early in the season. As it happens, Hughes has used 7 or 8 players at both RB and LB (even Damien Duff for one game!), before now settling on Pantsil at RB and Baird at Left Back.

I am convinced holding MF is his best position and with an otherwise attacking midfield, Baird provides much needed balance (imo).

[youngirish]

Unfortunately, I think both line ups will be depleted for the ROI v NI game in May - I think the final games in the Premier League are scheduled for the Sunday before?

Players involved in play offs are unlikely to feature also.

That said, I expect the game to be competitive...a bit more than a "friendly".

With home advantage, and given that we are a PUB team, I'd expect the ROI to run out easy 4 or 5-0 winners.

It will not impair the taste of my Bushmills one iota.

We'll be big underdogs...however, we've been known to surprise some of the "big boys".
Under Trap we'd be lucky to beat an actual pub team by more than one goal. We'd go 1 up after 2 mins and then it would be long balls up the pitch, backs to the wall for the next 88 minutes.

[EalingGreen]

Delighted to see you appear to have reappriased your view on Paddy McCourt. Could this be the man about whom you said:

"Quite simply, he is not fit or strong enough to play full-time professional football to a decent standard"

Of course you may be suggesting that playing for NI is not a decent standard of professional football, but if this a change of mind, who knows what to expect next?And neither was he fit or strong enough to play when I posted that, as evidenced by the fact that Strachan/Mowbray/Lennon (Celtic) and Worthington (NI) all declined to pick him (other than for the occasional few minutes, in the less important games).

I also posted that nothing would please me more than to see Paddy strutting his stuff in an NI shirt, fitness permitting.

And this season he has already played more football for Celtic than in the previous two seasons put together, which indicates that he may finally have found the necessary fitness and strength.

As for NI, Worthington has been true to his word when he formerly declared that Paddy needed to be getting more game time for Celtic to be picked for NI, but that if he (Paddy) should, then he (NW) would reconsider.

Consequently Nigel picked him to start our last game (a friendly v Morocco in November), though in an unexpected position between midfield and attack, Messi-style! And as it happens, he was very impressive there, notwithstanding that he had to sit out the second half, injured.

Therefore on the basis that "when the facts change, I change my opinion", I would continue that experiment, at least in non-competitive matches.

Let's hope his time has finally come, since I could see him torturing the likes of Paul McShane, Alex Bruce or Kevin Kilbane, given the chance! ;)

[EalingGreen]

Under Trap we'd be lucky to beat an actual pub team by more than one goal. We'd go 1 up after 2 mins and then it would be long balls up the pitch, backs to the wall for the next 88 minutes.I'm a bit more optimistic than NB - assuming our starting XI isn't too depleted, I think the game will be hard-fought.

Of course, with home advantage etc, I'd still make ROI favourites to win, but perhaps the "Derby" element might allow us to sneak a draw? After all, it most certainly did in Nov.93, when you had much the superior team, and everything to play for, yet still were just lucky enough to get a draw.

[ifk101]

I'm a bit more optimistic than NB - assuming our starting XI isn't too depleted, I think the game will be hard-fought.

Of course, with home advantage etc, I'd still make ROI favourites to win, but perhaps the "Derby" element might allow us to sneak a draw? After all, it most certainly did in Nov.93, when you had much the superior team, and everything to play for, yet still were just lucky enough to get a draw.

I'd be hopeful that we'd rest players against NI and use the more testing Scotland game as preparation for the qualifier against Macedonia (away). The English season ends just a couple of days prior to the game, so rest for Trapattoni's expected starting line-up for Macedonia would be advisable.

As NI don't have a June qualifer to play, I'd expect them to be more determined and motivated to get a result, all the more so as the game is being played in the Capital.

[EalingGreen]

I'd be hopeful that we'd rest players against NI and use the more testing Scotland game as preparation for the qualifier against Macedonia (away).On what do you base your opinion that Scotland will prove "more testing"?

Their current lofty status at 52nd in the FIFA rankings, perhaps? Though to be fair, it's an improvement of 5 places from a couple of months earlier...
http://www.fifa.com/associations/association=sco/ranking/gender=m/index.html


The English season ends just a couple of days prior to the game, so rest for Trapattoni's expected starting line-up for Macedonia would be advisable.Alternatively, Trap might decide that a full "dress rehearsal" would be more beneficial than a rest?


As NI don't have a June qualifer to play, I'd expect them to be more determined and motivated to get a result,Good man, get your excuses in early.


... all the more so as the game is being played in the Capital.Which one, Belfast or London?

P.S. You've already used up that excuse the last time we played - and beat - you in Dublin. Perhaps you'd better try the "shiny new stadium" excuse this time?

[TrapAPony]

I can see Trap's tactics ensuring a 0-0 dour draw against NI and us putting out alot of reserve players.

[awec]

Well, this thread is full of the usual embarassing and ill-informed muck.

[Lionel Ritchie]

Hang in there awec -it's just swung round to actual football in the last wee while. To whit - NB I suspect you're low-balling as I can't even remember the last time we scored 4 or 5 against anyone. We just don't. We scored three (and let one in) against Andorra.

[Charlie Darwin]

Last time we scored more than 3 was probably San Marino back in Staunton times. The last game at the old Lansdowne if I remember correctly. We got 4 in a friendly against Denmark around the same time.

[ifk101]

On what do you base your opinion that Scotland will prove "more testing"?

I asked Dick Advocaat and Alex Bruce for their opinions.


Alternatively, Trap might decide that a full "dress rehearsal" would be more beneficial than a rest?

Anything is possible however the outcome of different possibilities have varying degrees of probability.


Good man, get your excuses in early.

I merely stated that in my opinion NI will be more determined and motivated to get a result for reasons already stated. It would be incorrect of you to perceive that as an "excuse".


Which one, Belfast or London?

Thinking of a boycott?


P.S. You've already used up that excuse the last time we played - and beat - you in Dublin. Perhaps you'd better try the "shiny new stadium" excuse this time?

Is that "you" singular or plural?

[EalingGreen]

I asked Dick Advocaat and Alex Bruce for their opinions. About Scotland? :rolleyes:


Anything is possible however the outcome of different possibilities have varying degrees of probability.Very Donald Rumsfeld...


I merely stated that in my opinion NI will be more determined and motivated to get a result for reasons already stated. It would be incorrect of you to perceive that as an "excuse". You alluded to the possibility that ROI will be less motivated, since they will be "rested" prior to their ECQ in June, with NI being more motivated due to playing in Dublin etc.
You ignored the other possibility which is that ROI will be more motivated due to their June game ("dress rehearsal", fighting for places etc), whereas NI might be less motivated (on an "end-of-term", nothing to play for basis).
I do not know which will apply, if either, whereas you feel you do. I salute your powers of prophecy.


Thinking of a boycott? My position is quite clear. Whilst part of me always wants to follow NI where possible, and I always like to visit new stadia, another part of me is unwilling to put money in the pocket of the FAI.
My "solution" to this conundrum is that I will be following the team's fortunes as keenly as ever, just not from a seat in the stand. (In taking this stance, I suspect I am in a minority amongst NI fans, btw.)
Meanwhile, I may travel to Wrexham to watch our U-18's play Wales, which falls on the day of the Scot v NI game in Dublin - not decided yet.


Is that "you" singular or plural?Whichever "you" prefer...

[ifk101]

You alluded to the possibility that ROI will be less motivated, since they will be "rested" prior to their ECQ in June, with NI being more motivated due to playing in Dublin etc.

You interpreted my post as making excuses to which I stated that would be incorrect.


You ignored the other possibility which is that ROI will be more motivated due to their June game ("dress rehearsal", fighting for places etc), whereas NI might be less motivated (on an "end-of-term", nothing to play for basis).

You assume that I have ignored this which would also be incorrect. Fielding a second string side for the NI game is not designed to make excuses, and would not necessarily weaken our chances of winning.


My position is quite clear.

Yes I agree. Your position is quite clearly tainted with misdirected bitterness.

[Wolfie]

Unfortunately, I think both line ups will be depleted for the ROI v NI game in May - I think the final games in the Premier League are scheduled for the Sunday before?

Players involved in play offs are unlikely to feature also.

That said, I expect the game to be competitive...a bit more than a "friendly".

With home advantage, and given that we are a PUB team, I'd expect the ROI to run out easy 4 or 5-0 winners.

It will not impair the taste of my Bushmills one iota.

We'll be big underdogs...however, we've been known to surprise some of the "big boys".

Yes - its a little tricky to predict how Trapp will approach these games from a team selection perspective although my hunch is that he'd rest some key players with the Macedonia game in mind.

We need to win the Macedonia game and it will need to be our primary focus.

I expect the Lansdowne crowd to be quite subdued so "home advantage" may not play a huge part. Its not exactly fortress Lansdowne and hasn't been for a long time.

On the pitch, at least, I think this fixture could be lively enough - one or two eagerly contested tackles early on could easily raise the stakes.

Given our conservative tactics, Northern Ireland could easily unsettle us if they move the ball with pace and try and play a bit...............

[seanfhear]

Trap should give some of the new/future players a go in he Celtic cup. It might be just about competitive enough to have a look at some players and see if they can impress Trap.

[Sullivinho]

Trap should give some of the new/future players a go in he Celtic cup. It might be just about competitive enough to have a look at some players and see if they can impress Trap.

I agree. The occasion would be ideal to integrate those making strong claims for themselves. Coleman and Long spring immediately to mind. I'm eager to see Clark and Foley in the green too.

[rebelmusic]

Lads, when's the squad announcement for the wales game? I can't remember

[Closed Account]

Lads, when's the squad announcement for the wales game? I can't remember
Il Trap will be in Ireland on Monday (24th of January) to announce it.
Start a thread there: "Republic of Ireland Squad V Wales 8/2" and we'll see who can get closest to the squad.
There are premier league games before and after so we'll only have 1 full days training before hand.

[theworm2345]

Does anyone know how many subs will be allowed? This is probably only a semi-competitive tournament so I suppose it could be either three like a normal competitive match or six like an international friendly.

[SkStu]

i would say because it is a tournament that tournament rules will apply Worm i.e. 3 subs.

[cornflakes]

Its not an official Fifa or Uefa tournament tho, my money is on 6 subs

[TrapAPony]

Squad for the Welsh match to be named today. Hope to see new faces.

[Closed Account]

Given
Westwood

O'Shea
Clark
Coleman
Dunne
St Ledger
Foley
Kilbane
S Kelly
O'Dea
McShane

Wilson
Gibson
Whelan
Green
Lawrence
Hunt
McGeady
Treacy
Duff
Fahey

Keane
Walters
Doyle
Long
Keogh
Best
Stokes

[TheBoss]

How can he leave Stephen Ward out ?

Also, James McCarthy is back from injury and no sign of him.

[Supreme feet]

Wilson, Coleman and Clark called up again, hopefully they'll get a proper run-out this time. I assume McCarthy is absent for the same reason as Andrews, i.e. match fitness. Both were on the bench for their clubs recently. It'll be interesting to see who Trap calls up in an extended squad when Andrews, McCarthy and Meyler are all back to full fitness. Surprised that Keogh is back in, Stokes gets his reward for good form. Disappointed that Green makes it again.

[TrapAPony]

Why does Keogh, Kilbane, Green, O'Dea and McShane constantly get called up? What work do FAI scouts do?

[irishfan86]

Why does Keogh, Kilbane, Green, O'Dea and McShane constantly get called up? What work do FAI scouts do?

Kilbane gets the call because he can supposedly play left back, a weak position for us.

Green, for all his faults, is the only player in the squad who plays week in, week out at central midfield for his club.

[TrapAPony]

Kilbane gets the call because he can supposedly play left back, a weak position for us.

Green, for all his faults, is the only player in the squad who plays week in, week out at central midfield for his club.

Ward plays left back most weeks in the Premiership but is constantly omitted. Kilbane is playing central midfield for Huddersfield in League 1. Green was an unused sub for Derby at the weekend. Even the likes of Wes Hoolahan who plays week in week out for Norwich would have been a better bet. Too much deadwood in the squad IMO.

[mark12345]

Honestly lads, but Trap is playing with fire by not including McCarthy. I understand the lad is coming back from a long injury and has not even kicked a ball for Wigan, even though he was on the bench on Saturday. And I also understand that Roberto Martinez may not even want him to travel over for the game given his rehabilitation status. But it would have been a nice gesture to include him all the same. He should have been in there ahead of Green and Whelan.

Which leaves us now with a situation where he won't have been tried before the Macedonia game. Do you think Trap will, all of a sudden, decided to pick him for that game just because he has recovered his fitness?
Trap should have taken the gamble. If the boy doesn't see his name in the squad then what will that tell him?

[SkStu]

here we go again.

Why do i even bother getting myself excited over the announcement of Irish squads anymore?

As others have already asked, how in the flamin heck are McShame, Kilbane and Green in this squad ahead of Ward and McCarthy for starters. It is sofa king frustrating.

I really despise Trap and his scouting and selection policies. There, ive said it.

[SwanVsDalton]

Which leaves us now with a situation where he won't have been tried before the Macedonia game. Do you think Trap will, all of a sudden, decided to pick him for that game just because he has recovered his fitness?
Trap should have taken the gamble. If the boy doesn't see his name in the squad then what will that tell him?

Chill out. McCarthy was in the squad for Norway and pulled out through injury, the same injury which keeps him, just, out of this squad. He'll get involved soon enough.

As for Ward, he probably deserves a run but it's by no means a slam dunk since his most eye-catching performances were in advanced roles and Elokobi displaced him for a spell (Ward's been back in because of Elokobi's suspension). We might be desperate but he's not making a cast-iron case. And those who have - Clark and Coleman, Stokes - are getting their reward.

It's not a bad squad. In fairness, including seven strikers for one game indicates Trap is really making it a priority to give all the strikers a go before the qualifiers. A bit less conservative.

[SwanVsDalton]

here we go again.

Why do i even bother getting myself excited over the announcement of Irish squads anymore?

As others have already asked, how in the flamin heck are McShame, Kilbane and Green in this squad ahead of Ward and McCarthy for starters. It is sofa king frustrating.

I really despise Trap and his scouting and selection policies. There, ive said it.

Ward's not made a convincing case, McCarthy's just back from injury. Get over it.

[SkStu]

we will not qualify for the Euros. Get over it.

Seriously, so we have a difference of opinion on a manager (shock, horror) - no need to be so arrogantly dismissive.

[ifk101]

we will not qualify for the Euros. Get over it.

Seriously, so we have a difference of opinion on a manager (shock, horror) - no need to be so arrogantly dismissive.

Maybe if you tone down your comments - i.e. despising of Trapattoni, you wouldn't be getting comments that you perceive as arrogantly dismissive.

[SwanVsDalton]

we will not qualify for the Euros. Get over it.

Seriously, so we have a difference of opinion on a manager (shock, horror) - no need to be so arrogantly dismissive.

Calm down. Your comment on a LB who isn't a convincing LB and an injured midfielder not making the squad is histrionically over the top imo and hardly indicative of despicable 'scouting and selection' policies. Especially since those who have made a great case - Clark, Coleman, Stokes - are all included.

Still my response was equally OTT, so I apologise and replace 'get over it' with 'take a deep breath.'

But in terms of 'here we go again', can we ever engage in a squad announcement (not least one for a friendly) without some marginal call resulting in 'won't someone think of the children?!' style reactions? Lively debate's one thing but it's getting a bit self-parodic imo.

[dr_peepee]

Ward's not made a convincing case, McCarthy's just back from injury. Get over it.

Has O'Dea??


Calm down. Your comment on a LB who isn't a convincing LB and an injured midfielder not making the squad is histrionically over the top imo and hardly indicative of despicable 'scouting and selection' policies. Especially since those who have made a great case - Clark, Coleman, Stokes - are all included. .

Trapp has a history of baffling decisions when it comes to omissions and inclusions. I think McCarthy's omission is a valid concern.

[gilberto_eire]

I guess i share the general sentiments in this thread.

Disappointing to see McShane, Kilbane(no probs with him being there as a sub, but not as a starter, as has been noted he's not even playing LB anymore) and co. still knocking around but at least Clark and Wilson are in, hopefully he doesn't just stick out his usual 11 now(Kilbane, Green, Whelan etc) and gives the new lads a proper run.