Under-19 Squad

[Paddy Garcia]

Result - Serbia 6-0 Iceland (http://www.uefa.com/under19/season=2014/matches/live/index.html?day=26&session=1&match=2013450)

... not very promising!

[DeLorean]

Still 1-2 with a few mins left (http://www.uefa.com/under19/season=2014/matches/live/index.html?day=26&session=1&match=2013451)

[Stuttgart88]

Finished 1-2.

[DeLorean]

Result 1-2. According to the text commentary we had a good chance at 1-1 as well.

[Charlie Darwin]

Just back, really disappointing. Fought their way back into the game and deserved to be at least level but then switched off and gave away a pathetically easy goal from a corner. We had them on the ropes at 1-1 and managed to butcher a 3-on-1 counter attack that should have made it 2-1. Turkey are no great shakes but we are very suspect defensively. We're now relying on the total football of Iceland to do us a favour against Turkey and then we beat Serbia, which is very unlikely on today's evidence. On the plus side, Alan Browne is a serious player, Sam Byrne looks very good and the Shelbourne pair Ryan Robinson and Dylan Connolly have a lot about them. The first Turkey goal was a complete dive too.

[mark12345]

Just back, really disappointing. Fought their way back into the game and deserved to be at least level but then switched off and gave away a pathetically easy goal from a corner. We had them on the ropes at 1-1 and managed to butcher a 3-on-1 counter attack that should have made it 2-1. Turkey are no great shakes but we are very suspect defensively. We're now relying on the total football of Iceland to do us a favour against Turkey and then we beat Serbia, which is very unlikely on today's evidence. On the plus side, Alan Browne is a serious player, Sam Byrne looks very good and the Shelbourne pair Ryan Robinson and Dylan Connolly have a lot about them. The first Turkey goal was a complete dive too.

Thanks for the report Charlie. Nowhere else to get an insight into the game other than from the likes of yourself. Cheers.

Suppose we should be satisfied that we had a chance of winning the game but in reality it goes down as another sloppy performance from an Irish international team, the flag bearers (senior team) of which produce nothing but sloppy performances lately. Just saw England beat Peru on the TV and even they seem to be turning the corner in terms of playing proper football - still think they'll be a million miles away from Brazil when the Cup is handed out. Wonder how our senior lads will fare out tomorrow night against Italy. Will it be hoof ball central again. All in all not a wonderful time for Irish football.

[geysir]

Just back, really disappointing. Fought their way back into the game and deserved to be at least level but then switched off and gave away a pathetically easy goal from a corner. We had them on the ropes at 1-1 and managed to butcher a 3-on-1 counter attack that should have made it 2-1. Turkey are no great shakes but we are very suspect defensively. We're now relying on the total football of Iceland to do us a favour against Turkey and then we beat Serbia, which is very unlikely on today's evidence. On the plus side, Alan Browne is a serious player, Sam Byrne looks very good and the Shelbourne pair Ryan Robinson and Dylan Connolly have a lot about them. The first Turkey goal was a complete dive too.
Unfortunately Iceland just sent their B team to Ireland, it's a bit of an ask to beat Turkey with a population 240 times greater, to chose their best 11 from.
That would be the equivalent of Ireland beating the rest of the world, but you never know, natural ability goes a long way to bridge impossible gaps.

[Charlie Darwin]

Oh dear. Arguing by population size is poor schtick. Poor, poor schtick.

[Yard of Pace]

Was at the game. Very frustrating. Similar to watching the senior team, really. First half was dull enough. We seemed to be stronger physically than the Turks and I was impressed by our ability to win the ball in 50/50 situations but unfortunately we rarely did anything with it. Dylan Connolly has serious pace and gave his man a torrid time but never delivered a decent cross, though we never poured into the box in numbers so he had little to aim for (usually Byrne surrounded by 3 Turks). Turkey, when they got the ball were a lot more comfortable than us on it, and when they got forward showed they could pose a threat. Although I was impressed with Alan Browne, I don't think our midfield ever really got a stronghold on the game and the Turks always seemed to be able to exploit the space in front of our back four.
That being said, we came the closest to scoring. A lofted cross that came off Sean Long's head or shoulder and hit the inside of the post.
Anyway, second half started livelier. Turkish goal was an excellent free kick that Grimes could do nothing about. Grimes made some excellent saves, it must be said, including at the feet of a Turk who was clean through on goal soon after their first (iirc). Ireland were value for the equaliser though, Connolly beating his man for pace again and drawing the foul inside the box.
A couple of minutes later, Connolly and Byrne managed to conspire to blow a golden opportunity to score a second in a 3 on 1 situation, passing the ball between themselves and allowing the Turks to get back and ultimately intercept a misplaced, pathetic effort at a pass as the move fizzled out. Byrne also had a glorious chance but a last ditch block by a Turk sent the ball over the bar from close range.
Turkey soon were down our end and Grimes pushed a 20 yard strike around the post, again our defence allowing a Turk to run at them and get a shot away too handily. Grimes took out his frustration on one of the centre-halves who gave him a shove in return. If this was a show of passion it was of no benefit as everyone went to sleep when the corner came in and it was an easy nod home for 1-2. Sadly, Turkey probably looked the more dangerous after that, as Ireland's heads dropped slightly and Turkey started to keep the ball and run down the clock, their technically superior players playing with confidence. I was impressed by Mustafa Altintas, one of their subs, who plays for Bursaspor. Of our subs, Crowe didn't really do anything different to Mulroney who he replaced, and O'Hanlon certainly has the swagger of someone who plays for Liverpool but struggled to make much of an impact.
We could've won, but ultimately, I think the better team won.
I need to sleep now.

[tetsujin1979]

highlights from the Turkey game on Friday night
52DRIPhAqPM
Nothing the keeper could have done about the opening free kick. Marking for the second goal was atrocious. That three-on-one situation Yard of Pace described above really should have resulted in a goal, but indecision cost them the opportunity.

[Charlie Darwin]

Beaten 3-1 in the final game and lucky to only lose by two. Serbia are an outstanding side and made us look very ordinary. We barely touched the ball for most of the first half. Again, Browne and Connolly were the standout players.

[kksaints]

Was at this yesterday. The Serbians were a good bit ahead of our team quality wise especially the number 4 and no 11. It was a shame that the first goal came from a sloppy enough error from our no 5 Long I think because apart from that he seems a decent player. Our no 7 was probably the best player for Ireland.

[Yard of Pace]

Our no 7 was probably the best player for Ireland.

Presume that was Dylan Connolly of Shels playing number 7 again? He's quite something, the young man.

[pineapple stu]

Doolin says everyone to blame except him -

http://www.independent.ie/sport/soccer/players-not-good-enough-or-fit-enough-blasts-doolin-30323568.html

[kksaints]

Presume that was Dylan Connolly of Shels playing number 7 again? He's quite something, the young man.

It was. Started as a winger went behind the striker in the 2nd half. Was impressive in both positions.

[Charlie Darwin]

I thought it was quite telling that the three players who really stood out for me - Connolly, Browne and Byrne - are the three who have been getting regular men's football for the past few months. The rest looked physically a step below, and they struggled against the Serbians who were all playing first team football.

[Yard of Pace]

Doolin says everyone to blame except him -

http://www.independent.ie/sport/soccer/players-not-good-enough-or-fit-enough-blasts-doolin-30323568.html

I was about to post that I'd advocate his sacking based on the Turkey game and his history thus far but I see his contract is up anyway.

Don't like the man.

[TrapAPony]

I was about to post that I'd advocate his sacking based on the Turkey game and his history thus far but I see his contract is up anyway.

Don't like the man.

Agree with you. Don't like him at all. Hope he's gone very soon!

[gastric]

Agree with you. Don't like him at all. Hope he's gone very soon!

I await Liamoo's comments, he has never been a fan!

[SkStu]

Connolly, Browne and Byrne - are the three who have been getting regular men's football for the past few months.

The other 8?

http://i1.ytimg.com/vi/sHXCRkW9KVc/hqdefault.jpg

[pineapple stu]

I was about to post that I'd advocate his sacking based on the Turkey game and his history thus far but I see his contract is up anyway.

Don't like the man.
Wouldn't go quite as far as your last paragraph, but based on his time at UCD, he was absolutely the last person to be given the job. Ridiculous decision by the FAI.

[DeLorean]

Ridiculous comments about players who had done so well to win the previous group in Sweden. There was no question of not being good or fit enough at that stage.


It's unbelievable to win this group. It's an outstanding achievement from the group of players. They were brilliant. We rode our luck a little bit but if you're under the cosh and defend well and goalkeeper does well you can't ask for more from them.

Sweden are an excellent team and had a strong wind behind them in the first half but we weathered the storm. We had the breeze in the second half and we finished really strongly.

[Charlie Darwin]

Doolin signs on for two more years: http://www.irishexaminer.com/sport/soccer/doolin-to-lead-irish-u19s-for-two-more-seasons-279400.html

[gastric]

Doolin signs on for two more years: http://www.irishexaminer.com/sport/soccer/doolin-to-lead-irish-u19s-for-two-more-seasons-279400.html

I eagerly await Liamoo's comments!

[Charlie Darwin]

I've defended Doolin against some of Liamoo's comments but I was convinced he wouldn't get his contract renewed, and I thought it was for the better. He seemed to pack in the underage policy of 4-3-3 during the U19 qualifiers and just start playing long ball 4-4-2, so I assumed he was on his way out. I can only assume there were no outstanding candidates to replace him.

[Charlie Darwin]

Squad for the friendly with the Netherlands on September 8th:

Liam Bossin (Anderlecht)
Peter Burke (Sunderland)
Sean Burke (Leicester City)
Noe Baba (Fulham)
Fiacre Kelleher (Celtic)
Kevin Toner (Aston Villa)
Dylan Barnett (Brighton & Hove Albion)
Shaun Donnellan (West Bromwich Albion)
Bobby Moseley (Birmingham City)
Connor Dimaio (Sheffield United)
Chris Flanagan (Derry City)
Harry Charsley (Everton)
Josh Cullen (West Ham United)
Ross Mann (Limerick FC)
Joel Coustrain (Sheffield United)
Ryan Manning (Galway FC)
Eoghan Stokes (Leeds United)
Reece Grego-Cox (QPR)

[tetsujin1979]

I know Joel Coustrain's dad, he's a friend of a friend. Joel went over to Sheffield for a trial and they offered him a contract almost immediately

[gastric]

Great to see Grego Cox on board, is highly rated at QPR. No sign of my man Liam Kinsella though!

[nigel-harps1954]

Chris Flanagan, regarded very highly at Harps and on the fringes of the first team, was talked into Derry and he can't get a game. Logic behind that call-up is a strange one.

[Olé Olé]

Great to see Grego Cox on board, is highly rated at QPR. No sign of my man Liam Kinsella though!

Walsall have Colchester (for whom his father is assistant manager) on the 6th and PNE on the 13th, before and after this friendly on the 8th so I can't imagine his club would have been keen to release him now that he's in and around their first team.

I think with all the talk about the likes of Grealish and Crowley, we're looking for assurances that someone like Kinsella intends to play for us. Given his father's dedication in the green jersey, if he could apply a fraction of this then he'd be a great call-up but hasn't got a call and I guess we're wondering why.

[liamoo11]

donnellan is a new one for me. striker it seems. it seems his dad leo played for chelsea

[SecondBall]

donnellan is a new one for me. striker it seems. it seems his dad leo played for chelsea


Midfielder, holding. Quality little player. Two footed, loves a tackle, eye for a pass..

[Olé Olé]

Squad for the friendly with the Netherlands on September 8th:

Liam Bossin (Anderlecht)
Peter Burke (Sunderland)
Sean Burke (Leicester City)
Noe Baba (Fulham)
Fiacre Kelleher (Celtic)
Kevin Toner (Aston Villa)
Dylan Barnett (Brighton & Hove Albion)
Shaun Donnellan (West Bromwich Albion)
Bobby Moseley (Birmingham City)
Connor Dimaio (Sheffield United)
Chris Flanagan (Derry City)
Harry Charsley (Everton)
Josh Cullen (West Ham United)
Ross Mann (Limerick FC)
Joel Coustrain (Sheffield United)
Ryan Manning (Galway FC)
Eoghan Stokes (Leeds United)
Reece Grego-Cox (QPR)

http://www.whufc.com/articles/20111027/cullen-helps-england-win_2236884_2496752

Josh Cullen is a former England under 16 international.

Peter Burke is the latest in a long line of Donegal keepers.

Did Shaun Donnellan's father play at any level for us?

[Charlie Darwin]

https://pbs.twimg.com/media/BxBwCbMIQAAJvoE.jpg

Anybody there?

[Charlie Darwin]

Some very exotic-sounding names in there for Ireland. Bossin, Baba, Dimaio, Coustrain, Fiachre.

[Closed Account]

Some very exotic-sounding names in there for Ireland. Bossin, Baba, Dimaio, Coustrain, Fiachre.
Michael, Terry, Jerry, Steven and Kenneth wouldn't be out of place on our side either.

[Charlie Darwin]

1-0 Ireland, Eoghan Stokes of Leeds from the spot.

[Stuttgart88]

Some very exotic-sounding names in there for Ireland. Bossin, Baba, Dimaio, Coustrain, Fiachre.
Yet you think Grego-Cox is "normal"? Crosby will be disappointed.

[Charlie Darwin]

Yet you think Grego-Cox is "normal"? Crosby will be disappointed.
That's an Olympic sport, isn't it? On-boat wrestling of some sort.

[Stuttgart88]

Won 1-0. Can't beat dem Dutch often enough.

[Charlie Darwin]

All hail Emperor Doolin. That's an impressive result considering Noel King has basically swiped his entire squad.

[tetsujin1979]

Finished 1-0, always a good sign to beat the Dutch, at any level.
Jack Byrne of Man City was with the U21s against Germany last week, but could return to the U19s for the qualifiers in November

[gastric]

Report here. Reading it, it seems there were many heroes for Ireland which is heartening to read about. Interesting to note Aron Winter is the Dutch coach!

http://www.fai.ie/ireland/news/ireland-u19s-record-memorable-win-over-dutch

[Irwin3]

Some very exotic-sounding names in there for Ireland. Bossin, Baba, Dimaio, Coustrain, Fiachre.

Anglo-saxon/possibly more broadly Germanic or maybe Jewish, Cameroonian, Italian, French?, Irish.

Coustrain may be the rarest name I've come across. There appear to be a handful of people with it in Ireland and a handful in the south of France. When I say a handful I literally mean, like maybe 5 or so in each country.

[liamoo11]

http://www.fai.ie/ireland/news/doolin-announces-ireland-u19-squad-for-sweden-games

Few new names hutchinson at brighton and mulhern at leeds tink he is underage next year

[Charlie Darwin]

Mark Kinsella's son Liam is also on standby.

[liamoo11]

Mark Kinsella's son Liam is also on standby.
who else is on standby?Seem s strange he has not been in a squad yet considering he has had a bit of first team action this year

[Olé Olé]

http://www.fai.ie/ireland/news/doolin-announces-ireland-u19-squad-for-sweden-games

Few new names hutchinson at brighton and mulhern at leeds tink he is underage next year

Dessie Hutchinson is from Waterford, quite the hotbed relative to Dublin. Mulhern is English-born and his older brother is on the fringes of the first-team at Leeds Rhinos rugby league side.

[liamoo11]

Dessie Hutchinson is from Waterford, quite the hotbed relative to Dublin. Mulhern is English-born and his older brother is on the fringes of the first-team at Leeds Rhinos rugby league side.

only 9 of the 18 wood have been born or spent their formative football years in ireland. the irish system must b struggling to produce enough players

[Stuttgart88]

Peter Burke is the latest in a long line of Donegal keepers.

Tricky won't like him so.