Anybody up for a bit of summer fun? Ireland Draft idea

[Murfinator]

Bah stole McAteer from me. I better think about this.

[Murfinator]

Problems with injury, fitness and erm guitars? stopped him from ever really fulfilling his potential as of yet but theres no doubt when on song this guy was incredible and one of the greatest ever technical players we've seen in the green. His single handed domination of a gifted German side in Croke Park was a teaser of what might have been with better fortune. Between himself, Steven Reid and Stephen Ireland its slightly depressing how some of our most gifted players in recent times would never get their chance to really shine.

It's Andy Reid

http://i.dailymail.co.uk/i/pix/2009/01/18/article-1121209-01F7049F000004B0-149_468x358.jpg

[tetsujin1979]

scorer of the winning goal in the 1971 Cup Winner's Cup final John Dempsey: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/John_Dempsey_(footballer)

[Metrostars]

I select...

http://i43.tower.com/images/mm112243624/charlie-hurley-greatest-centre-half-world-has-ever-metcalf-mark-hardcover-cover-art.jpg

Charlie Hurley

40 Caps, 2 goals

When the book about your life is called The Greatest Centre-Half the World Has Ever Seen you are either a fictional character or a once-in-a-lifetime footballer. Charlie Hurley was the latter.

A living saint in Sunderland, the Cork-born Irish international is rarely mentioned these days when people talk about Ireland’s greatest ever player but in the eyes of Sunderland fans, and older Irish fans, he has few equals.

Hurley was only a baby when his family moved from Cork to London and after catching the eye of scouts he signed for Millwall in 1953 aged 17. He quickly was thrown into the first team and was an almost instant regular in the side that was battling in the lower reaches of English football.

Life at Millwall is tough now. Back then it was even tougher and Hurley was perfectly suited to it as he was big, tall, tough and fearless, ideal characteristics for a centre-half at that time.

By 1955, word of his performances reached the FAI selection committee and Hurley was called up for a game against Spain. However Hurley was injured while playing in the army as he performed his National Service and he had to withdraw from the squad. It would be almost two years before he got called up again.

In the interim he continued to perform heroics for Millwall in the lower divisions and he got another chance for Ireland in May 1957, when he made his debut for Ireland in a crucial World Cup qualifier against England at Dalymount Park. England only needed a draw to qualify and after they beat the Irish 5-1 in Wembley 11 days before, an easy victory for the visitors was expected.

Instead, Ireland, inspired by an incredibly composed debut by Hurley, produced one of their best ever performances of the era, leading the game 1-0 from the third minute thanks to Alf Ringstead. A late John Atyeo goal secured England the point they needed but Ireland had dominated a team full of the some of the best players in the world including Billy Wright and Tom Finney and the marked improvement from the Wembley game could be largely credited to the Millwall man.

The Irish Independent report of the game notes that “Newcomer Hurley looks at the world from a height and this six-footer did a great job of work against England’s best forward Tommy Taylor”.Taylor was the Wayne Rooney of his day, a truly phenomenal player who scored 16 goals in 19 games for England. Less than a year later he would be killed in the Munich air disaster, aged just 26.

Shortly after this game Hurley would make the move that would define his career, when he signed for Sunderland for £20,000. His signing-on fee was £10. However his start was less than auspicious. Sunderland lost 7-0 to Blackpool and their new centre-half weighed in with an own goal to cap off a miserable debut. Sunderland lost his second game 6-0 to Burnley and the club would be relegated from the top division for the first time in their history at the end of that season.

It would take them six years to regain their status in the top flight, finally achieving it after finishing second in Division 2 in the 1963-64 season. As an indicator of how good Hurley was in that promotion push, he finished second in the Football Writer’s Player of the Year awards behind Bobby Moore that season.

By this point he was a fixture in the Irish team, sharing the captaincy and a role on the selection committee with Noel Cantwell. Hurley would win 40 caps for Ireland, and he scored twice in one game against Norway in 1964 when he was given a shot at centre-forward. He claimed later that if he had his time again he would have been a striker.

Hurley retired from playing for Ireland in 1969, the same year he was given a free transfer by Sunderland, thus enabling him to earn whatever fee he could as a thank you for his years of service. Hurley played 401 games for Sunderland, scoring 26 goals. Most of those goals came from corners that were powered into the net with his trademark bullet headers, and Hurley is often credited as one of the first central defenders to lumber forward to provide an aerial threat from set plays.

The free transfer took him to Bolton for a few seasons and he went onto manage Reading for five years until 1977. Two years later, on the 100th anniversary of the founding of Sunderland FC, Hurley was voted their player of the century. The fact he was chosen ahead of players like Jim Montgomery (who played a record 627 games for the club) and all time top scorer Bobby Gurney (who scored 227 goals in 390 games) confirms the impact the Irishman made.

Another former teammate was Brian Clough, who told the press when he signed for Sunderland in 1961 “Joining Sunderland means two things to me - I'm now at the best club in the North-East and I won't have to play against Charlie Hurley again.”

‘King Charlie’, as he is known around Sunderland, is still revered whenever he visits the Stadium of Light. He was a fan of Roy Keane, noting in 2008 "Roy is a Corkman and I'm a Corkman. He's a hard ******* and I was a hard *******. We don't suffer fools at all.”

Tough, skilful, powerful and brave, Hurley was an ideal centre-half. For a dozen years he rarely missed a game for Ireland, despite the difficulties in travelling at the time and he it is impossible to find anybody who has anything but huge respect for Hurley.

In modern times we have had great central defenders in the Republic of Ireland team, from Paul McGrath to Richard Dunne, but the archetype for them all was Charlie Hurley.

[Fixer82]

Is Charlie Hurley not gone already?

[SwanVsDalton]

Down the right wing - it's Gerry Daly.

http://www.derbycounty.me.uk/Ipc/dal.jpg

[BonnieShels]

I'm in work. Will need time think on this one.

[Fixer82]

Is Charlie Hurley not gone already?

sorry was mixing him up with John Carey

[Metrostars]

Since over 24 hours have passed since the last pick, Sullivinho can go ahead and pick. BonnieShels can pick whenever he gets back online.

[BonnieShels]

I'm back...

[Sullivinho]

With no little nostalgia, I choose..

Alan McLoughlin

http://www.swindontownfc.co.uk/javaImages/ae/dc/0,,10341%7E8641710,00.jpg

He'll never be accused of being one of Ireland's all-time greats but..

He'll always turn up..


I only missed out on two squads in 9 and a half years playing for Ireland. One was through suspension and one was with an injury. Each time that the squad would be announced I would get nervous as I wanted to be a part of the squad so much. When I was told I was in the squad I was delighted to get the chance to represent Ireland. Maybe those values are lost on the likes of Stokes but to use “tiredness” as an excuse not to play for your country is a joke...and might well score an important goal when he does.


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xI1KuKKY7JU

He's the original Matty Holland.

[BonnieShels]

I think its gotta be Mr Tommy Coyne.

[Fixer82]

I think its gotta be Mr Tommy Coyne.

Good choice. Very good player!

[BonnieShels]

Good choice. Very good player!

I think so too. Worried about my centre halts though I think Andy and John are good cover though.

[EAFC_rdfl]

Its me now i take it.im going to pick chris morris. Metro if you could stick up the round summary and i will make my next pick then

[dotts101]

i wanted in on this but had a concern for time, never wudda bein the case, late comer with 7 strate picks after every1s?

[Metrostars]

Its me now i take it.im going to pick chris morris. Metro if you could stick up the round summary and i will make my next pick then

Thru 7 rounds:

Fixer82
Shay Given
John Sheridan
Niall Quinn
Stephen Ireland
David Connolly
Gary Breen
Jason McAteer

Murfinator
Roy Keane
Richard Dunne
Packie Bonner
John O'Shea
Steve Finnan
Ian Harte
Andy Reid

tetsujin1979
Liam Brady
Denis Irwin
John Aldridge
Steve Heighway
Shay Brennan
Michael Robinson
John Dempsey

Metrostars
Paul McGrath
Ray Houghton
Tony Cascarino
Johnny Carey
Kevin Sheedy
Tony Dunne
Charlie Hurley

SwanVsDalton
Robbie Keane
David O'Leary
Aidan McGeady
Alan Kelly Sr
Kenny Cunningham
Mick Martin
Gerry Daly

BonnieShels
Johnny Giles
Andy Townsend
Alan Kelly Jr
Steve Staunton
Noel Cantwell
Shane Long
Tommy Coyne

Sullivinho
Damien Duff
Kevin Moran
Kevin Doyle
Mick McCarthy
Gary Kelly
Steven Reid
Alan McLoughlin

EAFC_rdfl
Frank Stapleton
Ronnie Whelan
Mark Lawrenson
Don Givens
Gerry Peyton
Con Martin
Chris Morris

EACF_rdfl to start round 8....

[EAFC_rdfl]

its hard to know whether to go for a defender or a midfielder, but im going for Tony Galvin on the left wing
http://www.bestirishfacts.com/tony%20galvin.jpg

[Metrostars]

Galvin is a good pick at this stage.

Sullivinho is up!

[Sullivinho]

Left-back time.

http://www.inpho.ie/cache/inpho/86/1f/4a/7ffe30434aad7a51d60558cc22/INPHO_00086674.jpg

Chris Hughton made history as the first player of mixed race to play for Ireland and went on to gain 53 caps. He was there at the coming of age parties ('88 & '90) and returned years later to offer his services once again, as assistant manager. He'll be nothing if not reliable on the left side of defense.

[Metrostars]

BonnieShels is up!

[BonnieShels]

Will pick when I get home.

[Fixer82]

Galvin and Hughton are two excellent choices. Had my eyes on Hughton

[Sullivinho]

Had my eyes on Hughton

It came down to a choice between him and a similar (if speedier) player for me. Not much between them. Just the way I was....feelin'.

[BonnieShels]

It came down to a choice between him and a similar (if speedier) player for me. Not much between them. Just the way I was....feelin'.
Was thinkin of him myself. But can I justify him...

[Fixer82]

It came down to a choice between him and a similar (if speedier) player for me. Not much between them. Just the way I was....feelin'.

Ha I wonder who on earth that could be...i've a feelin' I know though

[BonnieShels]

Fixer, he's mine.

[Junior]

Super Mario!!!!!

[Fixer82]

Fixer, he's mine.

Hmmm who's up first? me or you bonnieshiels?

[BonnieShels]

I'm next... I pick Terrence "Terry" Phelan. The Otago whippet himself.

[Closed Account]

59 players picked and nobody has picked a man picked a hundred and ten times for his country....

[BonnieShels]

I considered him but you can't have them all.

[Fixer82]

And nobody better until it's my turn again

[Metrostars]

SwanVsDalton is up...

[SwanVsDalton]

I'm going to continue the rush for left-backs by selecting Jim 'Microphone' Beglin. Only 15 caps for his country due to horrendous injury, but a league title winner with Liverpool and a serious footballer.

http://www.ozwhitelufc.net.au/05-05-1990%20Bournemouth%20v%20LUFC_files/image040.jpg

[AlaskaFox]

I would've picked Killer in the second round. :(

[Metrostars]

We should refrain from naming unpicked players at this point.

He was a consideration for me at one point but in the end I have ended up with better players in the two possible positions.
For my next pick, I select....

http://www.sportsfile.com/winshare/watermarked-b/Library/SF123/133202.jpg

Matt Holland
Caps: 49
Goals: 5

J9pYT3KCYOc

Tets is up...

Yet another big game scorer on my team!

[AlaskaFox]

We should refrain from naming unpicked players at this point.

I'm not in it, I'm just shaming you all. Disgraceful.

[SwanVsDalton]

I've had McGeady pegged on the left wing from the start. I'm sure KK would understand.

[tetsujin1979]

Don't think Eddie McGoldrick has been selected yet, so I'm putting him on the right wing to compliment Heighway on the left, with Irwin behind him on the overlap

[Metrostars]

Murfinator is up

[Murfinator]

I have bad news for you Fixer.

http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/b/b3/Kevin_Kilbane.jpg

I don't see how anyone could have forgotten about this man, for me it was purely tactical to not pick him early on. I don't think he excelled hugely in any one position across his career. He did ok at left wing for most his career, ok (being generous here) in the centre under stan and is still our first choice left back these days on merit. Master of nothing but being himself and in years to come we'll refer to lads who play with heart, commitment and a smile on their face as having a "Kevin Kilbane attitude". My standout memory of his commitment was during Stan's nothing end of season training exercise to the US, every other senior player had a sick note. Not Kevin.

I think he fits the mould of my team well, Harte will make up for his attacking weakness and Killer to assist defensively for Hartes obvious weakness. May also prove useful in plugging the hole in midfield when Andy journeys off to the burger wagon.

[EAFC_rdfl]

Ive had 3 lads lined up for my last 3 choices and I've seen two of them dissapear this morning. not too hopeful of the other still being available when it gets back to my choice again. Based on the fact everyone else has a left back in place already I was sure I'd have got Kilbane
EDIT - just figured out that fixer82 also needs a LB so I was rodged regardless!

[Metrostars]

FYI Hunt and Doyle were on the US trip(Doyle scored).

Fixer is up with his two picks.

[Fixer82]

my pick lads? I presume I get two picks?

[Fixer82]

Ok I'll pick Jeff Kenna as my right back and as my other CB I shall pick Sean St Ledger

[BonnieShels]

Ok I'll pick Jeff Kenna as my right back and as my other CB I shall pick Sean St Ledger

Fupp ya. Sledge was my next one.

[Fixer82]

Fupp ya. Sledge was my next one.

sorry pal ;(

[Closed Account]

I didn't say a word.

[SwanVsDalton]

Fairly good right back, with a good engine, up for grabs.

http://images.cheezburger.com/completestore/2009/6/2/128884648691743836.jpg