Jack Grealish

[CraftyToePoke]

(On a side note, it's also ridiculous that there's far more sensible and circumspect opinions to be found on an internet forum than from RTE's highly paid panel of experts)

This is it, I come on here to find informed and considered comment far more than most mainstream Irish media sources.

Dunphy on this is being dangerously ignorant, rabble rousing nonsense at best, MON may not be able to make a move which wins this battle at present, but he doesn't have to go all in and lose it either.

If Grealish was not a dual national & just qualified for us, would you put him in against Scotland having never trained in our system, met the squad, up to that point ? Its still touch and go for me if I'd favour it even in those circumstances. Its the biggest game for Ireland in a while, that comes first. And we can well do without any 'Grealish shuns Ireland' for days on end in the papers before it.

[Charlie Darwin]

(On a side note, it's also ridiculous that there's far more sensible and circumspect opinions to be found on an internet forum than from RTE's highly paid panel of experts)
I've heard there is one forum in particular that has the most sensiblest and circumspectest opinions of all internet forums, and its members go to away matches and everything.

[paul_oshea]

Any truth in this?what's the point if he will just refuse

http://m.independent.ie/sport/soccer/international-soccer/jack-grealish-to-get-ireland-call-for-england-clash-31214385.html

[TrapAPony]

If he is called up you would imagine that Jack would know beforehand. If he turns us down then we know exactly where we stand.

[Deckydee]

Examiner says he wont be called up: http://www.irishexaminer.com/sport/soccer/martin-oneill-to-resist-bringing-jack-grealish-into-ireland-squad-330040.html

[TrapAPony]

Squad to be announced around 12pm allegedly.

[Park_Lane]

If he is named in the squad I imagine he will withdraw saying he is 'not ready' or get a mysterious injury and withdraw. Don't see the point in trying to force his hand, the guy is going to play for whoever he wants end of. If he wants to get 5 caps for England then good luck to him, its his choice.

[TrapAPony]

He's to be named in the squad according to the Independent.
http://www.independent.ie/sport/soccer/jack-grealish-to-be-named-in-ireland-squad-31214996.html

[Stuttgart88]

I can only assume he'll be called up if he has given his consent. Otherwise it'd be another unnecessary media sh1t show. Any competent national association would understand this. (Maybe I should change "assume" to "hope to Jaysus".)

[GypsyBlackCat]

Couldn't he not play the first half for Ireland and the second half for England?

[zero]

Not included

ah. has the squad been announced then?

[TrapAPony]

Apologies. I'm jumping the gun. Just a lot of rumours floating about.

[zero]

Apologies. I'm jumping the gun. Just a lot of rumours floating about.

no worries - i'd say it's 50/50 he'll be included. can't seem to even find out when the announcement will be - so we wait.

[TrapAPony]

Squad announcement was meant to be at 12 but O'Neill arrived in the building at 12:30. Press conference still hasn't begun as O'Neill is meant to be doing some last minute negotiating. Grealish is not in according to Tony O'Donoghue. Supposedly O'Neill wanted Grealish in but he declined saying he wanted more time to think.

[TrapAPony]

O'Neill still hopeful he will play for us.....

[Deckydee]

https://twitter.com/Corktod/status/598093090054905856

Not named in squad

[TheOneWhoKnocks]

O'Neill still hopeful he will play for us.....

Wish in one hand, sh*t in the other. See which one gets filled first.

[Wolfman]

Bye bye Grealish.

[paul_oshea]

Does anyone honestly think he would get away with rejecting a call up to the England squad like he has done to us ?

[TheOneWhoKnocks]

http://www.independent.ie/sport/soccer/international-soccer/jack-grealish-decides-not-to-take-up-martin-oneills-ireland-squad-invite-31215083.html

Press conference delayed so O'Neill could indulge Grealish's father. It indicates a last minute "change of heart" on the Grealish side. I would say it was more likely that O'Neill included Grealish in the squad and the Grealish's contacted him to say they don't want to be involved.

Hopefully people will stop prattling on about O'Neill & Keane not doing enough now. They have indulged this spectacle long enough. Let the man and his father decide if and when they want to play for Ireland, whether it is in September of this year or the year after.

We keep going on about English born players having to take the initiative. It's about time this man did it. And being a "kid" is not a crutch. He is almost 20 years old.

[nigel-harps1954]

It's getting pretty annoying at this stage. He's already said he's waiting until September. Why are people giving out and comparing him to Stephen Ireland? FFS, the lad is 19 and is being tossed around the media like a rag doll. It's a bloody disgrace. He's said September, and I expect September. If he refuses call-ups in September, then get annoyed with him, but as of now, cop yourselves on.

[Stuttgart88]

At least we can now say he has declined a call up.

[Stuttgart88]

Does anyone honestly think he would get away with rejecting a call up to the England squad like he has done to us ?
We are a more humane bunch though.

[Charlie Darwin]

We should have listened to Paul O'Shea all along.

[TheOneWhoKnocks]

At least we can now say he has declined a call up.

Again.

[Fergie's Son]

Time to move on. It does a disservice to the other players to be seen to be chasing him. Thanks for your service to the underage teams and all the best in your career. Now let's focus on Ireland.

[TheOneWhoKnocks]

Comment: You either want to play for Ireland or you don't, Jack

http://www.independent.ie/sport/soccer/international-soccer/comment-you-either-want-to-play-for-ireland-or-you-dont-jack-31215816.html

"Grealish was even offered the olive branch, according to O'Neill, of just playing in the friendly against England, but not the competitive game against the Scots. That would not have tied Jack to playing for Ireland forever. But he refused that too".

[TrapAPony]

I think it's fairly obvious who Jack wants to play for. In the mean time I'd say he's loving fuss that has been created over him.

[TheOneWhoKnocks]

Transcript in full: http://www.the42.ie/martin-oneill-jack-grealish-transcript-2098583-May2015/

[GypsyBlackCat]

I reckon he's wanting to see if he gets called up to England's U21 side for the Euro's. Well you can't fault MON for trying, he picked him and he declined. I think it's time we cut our losses and move on. If he wants to play for England then let him. We should have more pride in ourselves than to wait around to see if we our his second choice.

[IsMiseSean]

Today has been an absolute farce. The lad should have been left alone to make up his mind over the summer. Trying to force his hand has made us look like right mugs.

[SkStu]

What was the goal here in trying to pidgeon hole him into a green jersey against England and Scotland? It was never a proposition he could never, as a player plying his trade in England and the subject of such intense scrutiny by the English media, have accepted.

And who the f*ck leaked the news? Amateur hour again from folks within the Irish set-up (I am not blaming the management team).

Anyway, it is pretty clear that we should be kissing Grealish goodbye as one of ours. The kid is clearly not placing us first.

[DannyInvincible]

I don't know why this has been brought up again today. It shouldn't be an issue. He's on an international break and said he hopes to be back in September. I thought that agreement was being respected? If he goes back on his word then, OK, make an issue of it then, but it shouldn't be an issue now. Now he's being accused of "turning his back on us (http://www.rte.ie/sport/soccer/2015/0512/700586-grealish-courted-but-closes-door-for-scotland-game/)". Nonsense. He was placed in an unreasonable situation that was in breach of what was agreed previously. If we were going to try and bring him in now, it should never have been made known to the media/public. Now we look like we've been trying to pressure him, contrary to what was agreed, and he's won enemies up and down the country for having done absolutely nothing wrong and simply having stuck to his word. What were we expecting?

[zero]

I don't know why this has been brought up again today. It shouldn't be an issue. He's on an international break and said he hopes to be back in September. I thought that agreement was being respected? If he goes back on his word then, OK, make an issue of it then, but it shouldn't be an issue now. Now he's being accused of "turning his back on us (http://www.rte.ie/sport/soccer/2015/0512/700586-grealish-courted-but-closes-door-for-scotland-game/)". Nonsense. He was placed in an unreasonable situation that was in breach of what was agreed previously. If we were going to try and bring him in now, it should never have been made known to the media/public. Now we look like we've been trying to pressure him, contrary to what was agreed, and he's won enemies up and down the country for having done absolutely nothing wrong and simply having stuck to his word. What were we expecting?

i think for purely footballing reasons - i.e. o'neill wanted him in the team/on the bench for the scotland game because he thought he could make a difference.

[TheOneWhoKnocks]

Today has been an absolute farce. The lad should have been left alone to make up his mind over the summer. Trying to force his hand has made us look like right mugs.

It's difficult to know what way to handle it. I would say MON and Keane are doing about as well as could be expected in that regard.

It's pretty aggravating having to be dealing with this carry on at this juncture of a qualifying campaign.

Coming up on 8 months and there is still no decision on what country he is going to declare for. The closest we have come to getting any clarity on the issue is that he hinted at playing for the U-21 national team again in September, so he can prolong the issue further.

I know there is no loyalty or sentimentality in this sport, so I am not going to whinge about him showing no reciprocation for the loyalty and time invested in him all through the underage levels, but he needs to start showing a bit of maturity and respect, and clarify the issue in a few months time.

Either go forward with England, or stick with Ireland, and everyone will respect the decision.

If he starts playing for the U-21's again while continuing to snub the senior team, it is only going to - rightly - wind people up.

It really is a sad state of affairs that this has to be a contentious point when we are fighting tooth and nail for Euro Qualification. A decision could have been made at the awards, but we had to settle for a bit less ambiguity.

I'm getting sick of the indulgence of them and having our country's football team taking a back seat to this melodrama TBH.

[TheOneWhoKnocks]

http://www.independent.ie/videos/sport/video-martin-oneill-betrayed-by-his-instincts-with-failed-jack-grealish-call-the-expert-view-31216321.html

The "expert" view from McDonnell and Hyland.

[GypsyBlackCat]

Today has been an absolute farce. The lad should have been left alone to make up his mind over the summer. Trying to force his hand has made us look like right mugs.

I think the media are making a mountain out of a mole hill. We called him up and he turned us down. That's the long and the short of it. In fairness I kind of see the lads point of view. He probably chose us as an easier option of playing international football but now things change. Now he has a chance to play for England and let's be honest, England have a higher profile and a better chance of playing in major tournaments. Imagine if it was club football and we were Norwich and England were Spurs. You would forgive a player for wanted to weigh up his options. This isn't any different from players from Northern Ireland deciding to play for the Republic of Ireland.

IMO I think he is holding out for England and that's the frustrating part. Most people just wish he'd give an answer. It's the waiting we can't stand. I think it's best if we move on and forget about it. If he decides in September it's us they well and good, if not, we'll move on.

[back of the net]

Is it fair to suggest that IF England called him up today , that Jack would have given them the same answer that he gave MON?

[TrapAPony]

Interesting that Hyland says in TOWKs video above that if Jack commits there is a good chance Patrick Bamford will also. So it looks like we either get zero or two.

[jbyrne]

Interesting that Hyland says in TOWKs video above that if Jack commits there is a good chance Patrick Bamford will also. So it looks like we either get zero or two.

these "experts" have no better idea than the rest of us as to how this will pan out

[zero]

if we don't beat scotland now at least we won't have people saying 'if only o'neill had called up grealish' for the match.

which will be of little comfort!

[GypsyBlackCat]

these "experts" have no better idea than the rest of us as to how this will pan out

It was the same with Dunphy blaming MON for not getting Harry Kane?!

Did he ever think that maybe the likes of Kane and Bamford have no interest in playing for Ireland?:confused:

[back of the net]

i think for purely footballing reasons - i.e. o'neill wanted him in the team/on the bench for the scotland game because he thought he could make a difference.

Whether that be the case or not - Grealish clearly stated to all concerned that he wouldnt be returning to INTL football until september - so he should have been left well enough alone until then


It looks like we are trying to pressure him into choosing by trying to call him up now - he should be left alone until september

[MeathDrog]

I don't really see the big deal as far as MO'N and his management is concerned. O'Neil will call up the best players available to him and Grealish currently fits that bill. Up to him whether he accepts it or not. I personally still think he will play for Ireland.

The British media are running with this. BBC already have the headline 'O'Neil disappointed with Grealish', erm, that's not what he said...

[dr_peepee]

Right. It's done. He's going with England. I give him my blessing in the gloating knowledge that consequently, he's consigned himself to Adam Johnson's career now.... (Less the, erm, "unpleasantness".)...

[back of the net]

I don't really see the big deal as far as MO'N and his management is concerned. O'Neil will call up the best players available to him and Grealish currently fits that bill. Up to him whether he accepts it or not. I personally still think he will play for Ireland.

The British media are running with this. BBC already have the headline 'O'Neil disappointed with Grealish', erm, that's not what he said...

But the point is....jack wasn't available for selection. He said so himself. ..that he wont be back until September so he shud have been left alone till then.


I also still think he will play for us but only time will tell

[MeathDrog]

But the point is....jack wasn't available for selection. He said so himself. ..that he wont be back until September so he shud have been left alone till then.


I also still think he will play for us but only time will tell
I do agree that it could have been handled better. He should have been asked privately whether he wanted to play.

[Drumcondra 69er]

I do agree that it could have been handled better. He should have been asked privately whether he wanted to play.

If O'Neill tried to force his hand without talking to him firs as McDonnell and Hyland suggest then it's appalling management. I'd be amazed if the first contact was this morning. The leak from 'a senior FAI siudxs' is farcical as per usual. .

[Drumcondra 69er]

I reckon he's wanting to see if he gets called up to England's U21 side for the Euro's. Well you can't fault MON for trying, he picked him and he declined. I think it's time we cut our losses and move on. If he wants to play for England then let him. We should have more pride in ourselves than to wait around to see if we our his second choice.

He's not eligible for their 21's for that tournament, played for us in the qualifiers.

[the doc]

I find all these goings on both pathetic and disrespectful.

Can't believe some of the posters on here making excuses as to why he hasn't declared, show some pride for your country and stop pandering to someone who is clearly using us as his second choice.