Irish Players in the NextGen Series

[Closed Account]

Darron Gibson was the first Irish player to feature in a matchday Champions League squad this season.
And if, as likely, he doesn't feature in United's last game, it'll be the first time since the Champions League inception, that an Irish player hasn't featured.

With this in mind, the NextGen series could prove crucial in Irish players development.

There is a good article on this theme here:
http://www.downinthebox.com/2011/10/next-gen-series-provides-an-antidote-to-a-european-promised-land-beyond-irish-reach/

Irish Players in the NextGen series (only listing players who've featured)
Aston Villa (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Aston_Villa_F.C._Reserves_and_Academy)
Derrick Williams
Richard Bryan
Samir Carruthers
Jack Grealish
Graham Burke
Michael Drennan

Glasgow Celtic (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Celtic_F.C._Reserve_and_Youth_squads)
Paul George

Liverpool (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Liverpool_F.C._Reserves_and_Academy)
Joe Rafferty

Manchester City (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Manchester_City_F.C._Reserves_and_Academy)
Sean Tse

Heavily reliant on Aston Villa. They had an impressive 3-0 victory against Ajax during the week.
http://www.nextgenseries.com/FixturesResultsTables/Results/Tues-22-11-11/Aston-Villa---Ajax/MatchReport

[SwanVsDalton]

Villa have a ridiculous amount of Irish talent on their books. Not even including Daniel Devine who's out for most of the season injured.

[French Toasht]

You sure Sean Tse is Irish? Just a reference on wikipeadia has an English flag beside his name.

I'm not for one minute questioning your knowledge of the player though as we all know what goes on wikipedia is absolute gospel. The existence of warewolves in Mayo being a case in point.

[tetsujin1979]

You sure Sean Tse is Irish? Just a reference on wikipeadia has an English flag beside his name.

I'm not for one minute questioning your knowledge of the player though as we all know what goes on wikipedia is absolute gospel. The existence of warewolves in Mayo being a case in point.He played for the U17's in 2009 - http://www.fai.ie/fai/press-office/archive/4202.html - but there's nothing else about him on fai.ie

[DannyInvincible]

Pretty sure Sean Tse (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/User:Hoising/Sandbox) is eligible through Irish grandparentage on his maternal side. There's an Irish flag next to his name here: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Manchester_City_F.C._Reserves_and_Academy#Current_ squad

I think I remember he was eligible in old reliable Football Manager too. Often, it knows more about particular players than those same players know about themselves.

[AlaskaFox]

Had a similar post in the pipeline for GreenScene. Barry has done a great job on his in fairness, will have to mention it.

[Charlie Darwin]

Barcelona-Celtic is live on Youtube now.

Barcelona just went 3-0 up on 55 minutes. Paul George playing for Celtic.

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

[Closed Account]

Aston Villa V Marseille 7pm
Quarter Final

This game kicked off earlier. 0-0 coming up to half time
4 Irish start (Williams, Carruthers, Drennan, Burke) with Grealish on the bench.

1-0 Marseille now.
http://www.avfc.co.uk/page/TV/LiveEventsDetail/0,,10265~2588619,00.html

[liamoo11]

lewis is also an under 17 interntional

[Dermotron]

Aston Villa V Marseille 7pm
Quarter Final

This game kicked off earlier. 0-0 coming up to half time
4 Irish start (Williams, Carruthers, Drennan, Burke) with Grealish on the bench.

1-0 Marseille now.
http://www.avfc.co.uk/page/TV/LiveEventsDetail/0,,10265~2588619,00.html

Will Villa site show video footage of the game? Would like to see how Michael Drennan is getting on. Exceptional underage

[tetsujin1979]

(no thread on this year's competition so bumping this one)
interview with Mikey Drennan, this year's top scorer
2G2uayP-Reg
Villa playing Olympiacos tonight in the quarter finals. Streams available on the usual sites.
Jack Grealish, Drennan, Samir Carruthers, Graham Burke and Derrick Williams all expected to feature
Interview with Carruthers ahead of the game: http://www.avfc.co.uk/page/NewsDetail/0,,10265~3107657,00.html

Spurs playing Sporting Lisbon as well tonight, but not a lot about the game on their site

[Charlie Darwin]

Drennan has such an Irish head on him.

[tetsujin1979]

he's the head off a lad I went to college with actually!

[tetsujin1979]

villa 1-0 up at half time, Burke with the goal

<EDIT>

finished 1-0, Villa through to the semi finals
Grealish, Burke and Carruthers in the team

Spurs had McEvoy in their side, but lost 5-3 in extra time, were 3-1 down with a few minutes to go, then scored just before 90 minutes and scored again deep into injury time to make it 3-3

[Kingdom]

villa 1-0 up at half time, Burke with the goal

<EDIT>

finished 1-0, Villa through to the semi finals
Grealish, Burke and Carruthers in the team

Spurs had McEvoy in their side, but lost 5-3 in extra time, were 3-1 down with a few minutes to go, then scored just before 90 minutes and scored again deep into injury time to make it 3-3

That Sporting team is incredible, and was similar last year too. They beat up a very skillful Liverpool nextgen team something bad.

[Stuttgart88]

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/football/article-2296640/Sporting-Lisbon-beat-Tottenham-5-3-Next-Gen-series.html

Article says that McEvoy played well enough but needs to improve his finishing. A colleague went to the game but isn't in today. He's from south London but with Mayo roots and supports Ireland. He was keen to see McEvoy but also Sporting Lisbon who are supposed to be unreal at this level.

[Bungle]

That Roman Michael-Percil lad is Irish as well isn't he?

[tetsujin1979]

That Roman Michael-Percil lad is Irish as well isn't he?
yep, says so on his Academy Profile: http://www.tottenhamhotspur.com/spurs/Academy/the-academy-profiles.page?PlayerName=Roman%20Michael-Percil
not too many mentions of him on the fai's website though

[Stuttgart88]

I hear he took his opponent to the cleaners. Daz-zled the crowd with his skill.

[liamoo11]

http://www.fai.ie/international/youth-teams/under-16/101695-ireland-u16-run-belgium-close.html

these friendlies under 16 i tink r the only time he has been involved. i wonder if he was unable to get a passport when it came to qualifying games like happened with 2 everton lads wallace and kinsella i think a few years ago

[tetsujin1979]

three Irish goalscorers for Villa against Sporting Lisbon tonight, Graham Burke with a penalty, Grealish and Carruthers with a goal apiece in extra time.
Currently 3-1, with about 10 minutes to go

[Closed Account]

Aston Villa will face Chelsea in Monday’s NextGen Series final
after beating Sporting Lisbon in extra-time this evening.
The young Villains found inspiration through Jack Grealish during
the additional period to defeat the Portuguese outfit, of whom
were favourites to win the tie.
It took until the second half for Villa to really make an impact
after Sporting had the best of the chances in the first.
Farley Rosa and Luri Medeiros both struck from long-range
before Palhinha had the ball in the net but was penalized for
being offside.
Graham Burke put Villa ahead after 54 minutes when Samir
Carruthers was tripped in the box and he stepped up to take the
penalty.
Medeiros equalled the scores after 68 minutes with a header,
which came moments after he had hit the bar for Sporting.
As the referee sent the tie to extra-time, much like Chelsea and
Arsenal’s earlier fixture , it was Grealish who gave them the lead
when he got on the end of Callum Robinson’s cross.
Carruthers scored the third goal after Grealish capitalized on a
defensive error from the Portuguese side and gave it to
Carruthers to slot home.
Lake Como will host Monday’s final..
Http://theyouthradar.com/2013/03/29/aston-villa-advance-to-nextgen-series-final-after-beating-sporting-lisbon-in-extra-time/

[liamoo11]

Great stuff from eurosport. villa were missing williams and dreenan injured. Lewis at centre half looked decent but his centre half partner is prob more likely to have a pro future. Carruthers was poor in the first half going for way too much hollywood stuff. He improved as game went on won the peno and scored the 3rd. Very good technically and fairly hardworking in a 2 man centre mid. I think he definately has a chance of making it at championship level..

Burke was good I thought. he is a darlly murphy type looks lazy but again has a lovely touch and tucked peno away. Not sure if he has the aggression and application needed hopefully gets a chance in lower league or back in league of ireland and builds from there.

grealish is just a super player. very light and slight does not look fast not going to win much in the air or too many 50/50s. Great touch lovely inventive passer floats into dangerous positions and glides past players. Was involved in the build up for the peno, scored second and slotted carruthers through for 3rd. Class player would be amazed if he is not a senior international within 2 years. Think he will play behind the striker not out wide as he develops has the passing invention and technical ability for it. Toner the left full was on the bench as was crowley. The final is on eurosprt on monday at 4

[Stuttgart88]

Pitch was a disgrace.

[the bear]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nKSItR6Ti-M<a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nKSItR6Ti-M" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nKSItR6Ti-M (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nKSItR6Ti-M)

[SkStu]

"Flag was up and correctly so" ?? Ask me boll!x...

Lovely finish from Carruthers.

[IsMiseSean]

Drennan is out for the season. Does this mean he'll miss the U19 qualifiers coming up? Can't seem to find a date for the games.

[tetsujin1979]

Drennan is out for the season. Does this mean he'll miss the U19 qualifiers coming up? Can't seem to find a date for the games.
Playing Switzerland, Serbia and Slovakia in June: http://www.uefa.com/under19/season=2013/teams/team=300064/matches/index.html
Think Drennan will be back for them

[liamoo11]

http://www.independent.ie/sport/soccer/futures-bright-for-rising-stars-29166235.htmlhttp://www.independent.ie/sport/soccer/aston-villas-irish-nextgen-contingent-29166223.html

[tommy_c12000]

It would be great for Ireland if Aston Villa stay in the Premiership next season. Under Lambert, these players are likely to get plenty of game time with the first team next season. Grealish looks like a superstar in the making, let us hope he sticks with Ireland. Fingers crossed we will see him with a green jersey on in a competitive international sooner rather than later. I would definitely consider fast-tracking him and introduce him to the senior international set-up ASAP before he England woo him away from us.

[Yard of Pace]

1-0 Villa

Pen. Chelsea's Kiwomya got booked soon after for a hilarious dive.

[Yard of Pace]

Twas Burke with the penalty, btw. Around 15mins left.

[Yard of Pace]

Another pen from Burke seals it. Grealish and Carruthers (and Robinson) singled out for praise by the commentators.

[Sullivinho]

Grealish looks a cut above. Very canny operator.

[liamoo11]

Eurosport really is an excellent channel for youth football (and cycling). Great stuff from villa academy. Grealish has the footballing brain of a veteren. I think its rare to see a young player who just does not give the ball away and has the technical ability to hold on to it and make space before bringing players into the game and also has the skills to beat players in tight spaces but does not abuse it by doing it every time. His run at the end where he held the ball and was involved in the peno incident summed up his intelligence and ability.

Thought burke was much better than friday great penos and some lovely skill. Carruthers had an excellent game really aggressive and used ball well

That chelsea side would have cost them serious money. Funny when u see what they spent big on one demensional players either big and physical like ake or pacy and brainless like feruz. Kevin mcdonald takes great credit for helping building villa s academy. Considering they missed williams, graham and drennan who are definate starters makes it even better.

[Bungle]

Just saw there that Burke was joint top scorer and Carruthers got player of the tournament. Given that Dennan was in line to be top scorer before the injury and Grealish seems to have been outstanding, it is really a good news story after a difficult few days :)

Was talking to a Villa supporting mate who said he'd be amazed if Dennan and Grealish aren't Irish internationals within the next 2 years. He reckons both have it in them to be top class. He said Carruthers, Burke and Williams are standout players for their age and could make it, but he was really optimistic about Grealish and Dennan.

What is really good is that alot of the Irish born players in this competition seem to be among the most technically gifted on these teams - McEvoy at Spurs seems a special talent also.