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

[AlaskaFox]

ive got an 11 picked, providing nobody picks them in the meantime, i am gonna post them up at the end regardless

Stealing my idea ;)

[CraftyToePoke]

Now now dotts, easy easy ....

Alaska Fox has clear road here surely ? His suggestion and all..

Could be vital.

[AlaskaFox]

Now now dotts, easy easy ....

Alaska Fox has clear road here surely ? His suggestion and all..

Could be vital.

Oh dotts can post his, that doesn't bother me. I'd say we won't even have too much overlap. Hopefully...

[Fixer82]

Ok for his ability to play defence, winger or striker I pick Stephen Ward at LB

And right in front of him a man that has done exactly the same throughout his career and will forever be remembered for his stunning strike V Yugoslavia I pick Mark Kennedy

ps anyone have a link to that goal?

[dotts101]

Oh dotts can post his, that doesn't bother me. I'd say we won't even have too much overlap. Hopefully...

i did try get in this from the beginning but wasnt accepted for some reason!!!!!! and did state on june 26th could i come in late with a bundle of picks!! im sure we may have a few. and fixer has just taken 1 of my players in kennedy

[Metrostars]

Thru 11+ rounds:

Fixer82
Shay Given
John Sheridan
Niall Quinn
Stephen Ireland
David Connolly
Gary Breen
Jason McAteer
Jeff Kenna
Sean St Ledger
Stephen Ward
Mark Kennedy

Murfinator
Roy Keane
Richard Dunne
Packie Bonner
John O'Shea
Steve Finnan
Ian Harte
Andy Reid
Kevin Kilbane
Clinton Morrison
John Byrne
Keith O'Neill

tetsujin1979
Liam Brady
Denis Irwin
John Aldridge
Steve Heighway
Shay Brennan
Michael Robinson
John Dempsey
Eddie McGoldrick
Joe Kinnear
Dean Kiely
Glenn Whelan

Metrostars
Paul McGrath
Ray Houghton
Tony Cascarino
Johnny Carey
Kevin Sheedy
Tony Dunne
Charlie Hurley
Matt Holland
Mark Kinsella
Seamus McDonagh
Dermot Curtis

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

BonnieShels
Johnny Giles
Andy Townsend
Alan Kelly Jr
Steve Staunton
Noel Cantwell
Shane Long
Tommy Coyne
Terry Phelan
Paddy Coad
Keith Fahey

Sullivinho
Damien Duff
Kevin Moran
Kevin Doyle
Mick McCarthy
Gary Kelly
Steven Reid
Alan McLoughlin
Chris Hughton
Keiren Westwood
Jimmy Dunne

EAFC_rdfl
Frank Stapleton
Ronnie Whelan
Mark Lawrenson
Don Givens
Gerry Peyton
Con Martin
Chris Morris
Tony Galvin
Liam Whelan
Lee Carsley

Fixer's team is complete.

Waiting on Murfinator to make his 10th and 11th round picks.

In the meantime, tets can go ahead and pick...

[Metrostars]

i did try get in this from the beginning but wasnt accepted for some reason!!!!!! and did state on june 26th could i come in late with a bundle of picks!! im sure we may have a few. and fixer has just taken 1 of my players in kennedy

You said at the start you'd like to do it but didn't have the time. We limited the number to 8 since it would take forever if we had too many people.

[tetsujin1979]

I've been following his career since he was in the youths at Man City, he's gone from being transfer listed in League One with Sheffield Wednesday to Premier League regular, and I'm pretty sure he's started every competitive game under Trapattoni that he's been available for, so Glenn Whelan completes my XI.

[Murfinator]

thinking about it now.

[Murfinator]

I'll take John Byrne up front and Keith O'Neill on the wings.

[dotts101]

damn there goes another of mine, keith o neill, always of potential if not for the injury problems

[Metrostars]

I select ....

http://www.thisisannouncements.co.uk/images/58/72/5877258_large.jpg?1225876367

Dermot Curtis
Caps: 17
Goals: 8

Post-war centre forward Dermot Curtis currently sits at joint 18th place in the Irish all-time goalscorers list. What makes that feat more remarkable is the fact that he only lined out 17 times in the green jersey. Curtis was an integral part of the Ipswich side who won the Second Division and then the First Division in successive seasons, scoring 17 times in 41 games. He played all four of Ireland’s qualifying games for the 1958 World Cup, scoring 3 goals.

Dermot was born in Dublin in 1932 and played for Shelbourne in the League of Ireland before transferring to England. He won his first international cap in 1956 against Denmark at Dalymount Park and his final cap in 1963 away to Austria. He was signed by Bristol City after impressing when helping a League of Ireland team draw 3-3 with the English League at Dalymount Park. He moved from Bristol City on to Ipswich Town and finally played for one season with Torquay United.

[SwanVsDalton]

Ehhh not sure what else to do, so I'll do as Trap does and just pick Keith Andrews.

Bang!


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X6D1DZNWNnY

[BonnieShels]

Now where will I find me a centre half...

[Metrostars]

Now where will I find me a centre half...

There are a few out there including one that I'm very surprised hasn't been picked yet....

[Sullivinho]

Now where will I find me a centre half...

Alex Bruce has two caps and never put a foot wrong... http://ourweecountry.ipbhost.com/public/style_emoticons/default/sarcastic.gif

[BonnieShels]

Bruce eh? Remember him? Doesn't he play for some regional team now?

[AlaskaFox]

Bruce eh? Remember him? Doesn't he play for some regional team now?

Think it's the Connaught Senior League XI.

[Sullivinho]

There are a few out there including one that I'm very surprised hasn't been picked yet....

A guy who played his part in a great result we achieved in your neck of the woods comes to mind. We may well be thinking of the same person..

[Metrostars]

Maybe....:p

[BonnieShels]

And my final pick is Ciaran Clark. Phew.

[Sullivinho]

The name of my final selection is often preceded by the phrase 'Stoke City legend'. There's no room in my team for a long throw specialist though, sorry Rory.

http://shop.sportsworldcards.com/ekmps/shops/sportsworld/images/stoke-city-terry-conroy-31-topps-1977-red-back-football-soccer-trading-card-13099-p.jpg

Terry Conroy is the man in question.

Terry earned 26 caps, scoring twice and later took a position as welfare officer for the FAI.

Daily Express reporter Derek Potter described his style like so:


"This red-haired ghost impressed me at Anfield where he was bundled over the touchline by a massive Liverpool defender. Terry got up took the return pass and after battling down the wing he flicked the ball past Tommy Lawrence with the out side of his boot.That is flair"Completed team:

http://www.footballuser.com/Formations/2011/07/154120_Ireland.jpg

I'd have a few bob on that lot to beat Malta by the odd goal.

[Metrostars]

And the final pick of the draft goes to..... EAFC_rdfl

Also if everybody can post up their formation using http://www.footballuser.com like Sullivinho above e.g.

http://www.footballuser.com/Formations/2011/07/154546_Ireland.jpg

[Fixer82]

http://www.footballuser.com/Formations/2011/07/154568_Ireland.jpg

[AlaskaFox]

And the final pick of the draft goes to..... EAFC_rdfl


Do you have the full-list of who everyone picked Metro, so I can see who hasn't been chosen? :D

[tetsujin1979]

http://www.footballuser.com/Formations/2011/07/154708_Ireland.jpg
Went down the medals route of selection. Every player, bar my final two picks Dean Kiely and Glenn Whelan, has won either the league (Serie A in Brady's case) or a European club medal, or both in Heighway, Irwin, and Brennan's case, with Dempsey having the honour of being the only Irishman to score the winner in a European final, in Chelsea's 2-1 defeat of Real Madrid in the Cup Winners Cup in 1971.

In my head it's quite an attacking side, Irwin overlaps with McGoldrick on the right, Brennan plays as a more defensive full back while Heighway looks to cross or break from the left. Brady's role is obvious and captains the side from central midfield, Aldridge is the out and out striker, while Robinson is the target man. Whelan does what he does for Trapattoni's Ireland by breaking up attacks and spraying the ball out to the more creative/attacking players in front of him with the occasional long shot. Kinnear's managerial experience helps him organise the defence with Delaney beside him kicking lumps out of anything that gets near the box. Kiely deals with all shots and muscles anyone out of the way to claim crosses into the box.

[SwanVsDalton]

http://www.footballuser.com/Formations/2011/07/154734_Ireland.jpg

In some ways I think it's a classic Ireland side. Great defence, well marshalled and with a bit of class in the form of O'Leary and Cunningham. The midfield is a little workmanlike but enlivened by the presence of Aidan McGeady, while I think Carr will overlap heavily on the right to assist Daly. Martin and Andrews will crunch anything that moves, while having the odd pop from long range and laying the ball off for McGeady and Keane to make it happen. David Kelly will happily work himself into the ground, ala Doyle, while also being on hand as to poach some crucial goals.

In short - keep it tight, keep the pressure on, then give it to the creative players (McGeady and Keane) to score. Trap 101.

[boovidge]

And the final pick of the draft goes to..... EAFC_rdfl

Also if everybody can post up their formation using http://www.footballuser.com like Sullivinho above e.g.

http://www.footballuser.com/Formations/2011/07/154546_Ireland.jpg

That is an incredible defence.

[Murfinator]

http://www.footballuser.com/Formations/2011/07/154742_Ireland.jpg

My team is built around a strong sturdy defensive system and I must say my defensive unit is damn near perfect, its definitely a strong group of players. JOS and Dunne have been a highly successful pairing under Trap and with Packie behind them we'll be difficult to score against. Finnan for my money is the most complete right back we've ever had, reliable, good footballer, can assist the attack but his positional sense never sees him exposed. Harte on the other has his weaknesses but with Kilbane in front of him I'm confident he wouldn't be exposed for them. He's mainly in the team for his set piece ability for which he was probably our greatest ever set piece expert.

Nothing needs to be said about my captain and the steel in midfield, his compliment is the technical ability of Andy Reid to get our attacks moving. Harte will be doing most our attacking on the left with Killer covering where necessary. Keith O Neill is another gifted technical player on the right.

In Clinton and Byrne we have two strong and tall strikers to convert what Harte and O'Neill feed them. Byrne in particular has the positional and ball control to link with Reid on the ground for an added dimension.

Overall I'm pretty happy with the team I was able to pick. It might not have the greatest guile or creativity but with such a strong defence we won't concede many and through Hartes set pieces and two 6ft strikers I think we can sneak a lot of 1 goal victories.

[Fixer82]

http://www.footballuser.com/Formations/2011/07/154742_Ireland.jpg

My team is built around a strong sturdy defensive system and I must say my defensive unit is damn near perfect, its definitely a strong group of players. JOS and Dunne have been a highly successful pairing under Trap and with Packie behind them we'll be difficult to score against. Finnan for my money is the most complete right back we've ever had, reliable, good footballer, can assist the attack but his positional sense never sees him exposed. Harte on the other has his weaknesses but with Kilbane in front of him I'm confident he wouldn't be exposed for them. He's mainly in the team for his set piece ability for which he was probably our greatest ever set piece expert.

Nothing needs to be said about my captain and the steel in midfield, his compliment is the technical ability of Andy Reid to get our attacks moving. Harte will be doing most our attacking on the left with Killer covering where necessary. Keith O Neill is another gifted technical player on the right.



Hmmmm never saw him take a free like Irwin

[AlaskaFox]

Murfinator has Harte for that ;)

[Fixer82]

Murfinator has Harte for that ;)

I'm talking about the claim that Finnan is our most complete ever right-back

[EAFC_rdfl]

right with a big hungover head I have made my last pick. Can't find a left back so Im improvising. I pick Andy O'Brien even though he was part of 'that' game in cyprus:
http://greenscene.me/wp-content/uploads/2010/10/andyobrienvportugal.jpg

[EAFC_rdfl]

And here is me final team.
Was hoping to put con martin centre back, but as he was known for his versatility I'm sticking him left back.

http://www.footballuser.com/154898/Irelandhttp://www.footballuser.com/Formations/2011/07/154898_Ireland.jpg
http://www.footballuser.com/154898/Ireland

[Closed Account]

I've gone for a side rich in International experience but also with a tactical nous and finesse.
http://www.footballuser.com/Formations/2011/07/154906_Ireland.jpg

[Metrostars]

Can't believe nobody picked Paddy Mulligan or Phil Babb.

...


OK so I was thinking with the 8 teams, we can have a random draw for quarter final cup matchups between the teams. Have a public poll for a few days to decide the winners who would qualify for the semis. What do you all think?

[Murfinator]

I thought about Babb but like most others I found picking the teams that the defensive areas were a lot easier to fill than further up the pitch.

[dotts101]

http://www.footballuser.com/Formations/2011/07/155053_Ireland.jpg

There had Mulligan the whole time

[dotts101]

i would like to give mention to a player who i took out at last minute, for euro 88 and italia 90 bench warmer John Byrne. ALAN MOORE, he didnt play much but had a great quality to him shown no more than in the super SHELS champions league run. also, ashley grimes just missed out too

[dotts101]

And quick stats on my team..... Gk Mick Kearns 18caps

Rb Curtis fleming 10caps

Cb Alan Kernaghan 26caps 1 goal,

Cb Liam Daish 5caps,

Lb Paddy Mulligan 50caps 1 goal

Rw Tony Grealish 46caps

Cm Graham Kavanagh 16 caps 1 goal ,

Cm John Byrne 23caps 4goals

Lw Joe Haverty 32 caps 3goals

Fw Alfie hale 14 caps 2 goals

Fw Arthur Fitzsimons 26 caps 6 goals

[AlaskaFox]

My non-picked XI:
http://www.footballuser.com/Formations/2011/07/155066_Ireland.jpg

Took out two of the possible starters so as not to clash with dotts too much:
GK Mick Kearns 1970-1979 19 Caps
RB Paddy Mulligan 1969-1979 50 Caps, 1 Goal
CB Dave Langan 1978-1987 26 Caps
CB Eddie Gannon 1948-1955 14 Caps
LB Tom Aherne 1946-1950 24 Caps
RM Paddy Fagan 1954-1961 8 Caps, 5 Goals
CM Eamon Dunphy 1965-1971 23 Caps
CM Tony Grealish 1976-1986 45 Caps, 8 Goals
LM Reg Ryan 1949-1955 16 Caps, 3 Goals
FW Peter Farrell 1946-1957 28 Caps, 3 Goals
FW Alf Ringstead 1951-1959 20 Caps, 7 Goals

Subs
CB Alan Kernaghan 1993-1996 26 Caps, 1 Goal
LM Joe Haverty 1955-1966 32 Caps, 3 Goals
FW Ray Treacy 1966-1980 42 Caps, 5 Goals

[Fixer82]

Can't believe nobody picked Paddy Mulligan or Phil Babb.

...


OK so I was thinking with the 8 teams, we can have a random draw for quarter final cup matchups between the teams. Have a public poll for a few days to decide the winners who would qualify for the semis. What do you all think?

Was gonna go for him left back (which was his best position IMO) and maybe I should have....
Then again I didn't think he'd be seen as a left back here so opted for a newbie

[dotts101]

well if ya want to compromise to obey the rule i can gice you kernaghan, and i push mulligan into centre half and fit in ashley grimes at left back , way it prob shudda bein ahead of daish in the end. but cant take grealish and mulligan out, too classy effective players. kearns i think was the only real goalkeeping option left, unless one of the few if any goalkeepers with 100% record and clean sheets, step in LOI own David Forde!!!

[CraftyToePoke]

OK so I was thinking with the 8 teams, we can have a random draw for quarter final cup matchups between the teams. Have a public poll for a few days to decide the winners who would qualify for the semis. What do you all think?

Yeah, up for that. Good idea. And a very enjoyable thread also, thanks to all.

[tetsujin1979]

Can't believe nobody picked Paddy Mulligan or Phil Babb.Thought about Babb, but decided early on to focus on the creative/attacking side of things first. Felt he'd need a better guiding hand than Kinnear or Dempsey to get the best out of him

OK so I was thinking with the 8 teams, we can have a random draw for quarter final cup matchups between the teams. Have a public poll for a few days to decide the winners who would qualify for the semis. What do you all think?
Sounds good to me, thought it would just be a straight poll for the best team, but this is better

[Sullivinho]

OK so I was thinking with the 8 teams, we can have a random draw for quarter final cup matchups between the teams. Have a public poll for a few days to decide the winners who would qualify for the semis. What do you all think?

Sounds good, certainly more interesting than what I figured would happen.

[Metrostars]

OK Good, I will do a quarter final draw soon and create match polls for each match. Just waiting on BonnieShels to post his team lineup.

In the match threads, you can post why your team should win. These will be public polls so you cannot vote for your own team in your poll. Also, anonymous votes will be excluded from the final totals. Sound ok?

Let me know other ideas/suggestions...

[Murfinator]

Sounds like a good idea, rules seem fair. And as was said thanks to everyone who took part, was good fun.

[BonnieShels]

http://www.footballuser.com/Formations/2011/07/155316_Ireland.jpg

at the start of thsi entire endeavour I was thwarted by a number of people but to be honest I am extremely happy with my midfield and forward line... You would struggle to get as good as that I reckon.

The quality of passers I have in the middle of the park have the ability to carve open any team at will. And even the inexperience of Clark is covered by the genius and experience of Andy and Johnny.

Going forward I have full backs as good as any for overlapping. You look at Terry Phelan and he's clearly his era's Ashley Cole or Dani Alves. You might say he was the pioneer. :)
Noel Cantwell needs no introduction. On the wings I have 2 technical players in Fahey and the Shams' legend Coad.
Upfront we have the supremely underated Tommy Coyne and Shane Long.


Bring on the quarter finals!

[Metrostars]

Quarter Final Draw:

Murfinator V SwanVsDalton
Fixer82 V Metrostars
BonnieShels V EAFC_rdfl
tetsujin1979 V Sullivinho

BTW - I used random.org to make the draw. (plus I'm still waiting a few payments :p)

I'll create the Match Polls over the weekend. The polls will be open for 1 week.