Mark Bunn

[TrapAPony]

Canaries keeper asked to consider representing Ireland

Sky Sports understands Norwich goalkeeper Mark Bunn has been asked to consider playing for Republic of Ireland.

The 27-year-old was born in Southgate, London but qualifies to play for the Republic through his father and grandmother.

Ireland boss Giovanni Trapattoni is seeking options between the sticks after Shay Given retired from international duty in the summer.

Sunderland goalkeeper Keiren Westwood featured in goal during the recent international games against Kazakhstan and Oman.

Bunn, who has previously played at Northampton and on loan at Sheffield United, arrived at Carrow Road this summer after leaving Blackburn.

He has returned to full fitness after a hip injury and will battle the Canaries' regular No.1 John Ruddy for the gloves this season.

http://www1.skysports.com/football/news/12020/8075365/Republic-call-on-Bunn

[BonnieShels]

Westwood didn't play against Oman.

[ifk101]

Westwood didn't play against Oman.

Media agenda .....

[DannyInvincible]

The 27-year-old was born in Southgate, London but qualifies to play for the Republic through his father and grandmother.

Why the need to mention his grandmother is his father is Irish? And what about his grandfather? :confused:

[boovidge]

Probably his mum's mum.

[Mr A]

Probably his mum's mum.

Not very co-operateive of her but as long as the ploayer and his dad are willing to play ball we should be ok.

[backstothewall]

Are Keiran Westwood, David Forde, Brian Murphy, Joe Murphy, Darren Randolph, Graham Stack, Stephen Henderson and Colin Doyle really that bad that we need to chase after Norwich's reserve goalie?

[Carrigaline]

Are Keiran Westwood, David Forde, Brian Murphy, Joe Murphy, Darren Randolph, Graham Stack, Stephen Henderson and Colin Doyle really that bad that we need to chase after Norwich's reserve goalie?
I wouldn't have any confidence in those 'keeper's outside of Westwood.

[backstothewall]

I wouldn't have any confidence in those 'keeper's outside of Westwood.

I wouldn't have any confidence in Mark Bunn

[Sullivinho]

Sounds like the same selection procedure that gave us Paul Green. Probably involving dice and/or opium.

[BonnieShels]

Sounds like the same selection procedure that gave us Paul Green. Probably involving dice and/or opium.

Ah yes... dopium

[Olé Olé]

We really should call-up Bunn. If he is number two at club-level to England's number two then he must be good enough!

But, honestly, is his father Irish? If his father was Irish, I'm sure Bunn would have thought to pick up the phone to the FAI a long, long time ago had he any interest in playing for us.

Maybe the article is badly worded; maybe he qualifies for Ireland as a consequence of his father, his father who's mother is Irish. Bunn is hardly an Irish second name, but maybe he doesn't use his father's second name.

It's all a bit strange to me. Out of the afore-mentioned names (Keiran Westwood, David Forde, Brian Murphy, Joe Murphy, Darren Randolph, Graham Stack, Stephen Henderson and Colin Doyle) 6 of the 8 were born in Ireland and have been dedicated to Ireland all their careers. Westwood has served admirably and Stack is playing in League 2, so them aside, I'm not quite sure what would make someone contact Mark Bunn.

Chris Hughton being the man who has signed him for Norwich may have something to do with this.

[johnnyc]

Amazing that we have so many keepers available but yet so few starting for their clubs.

[Charlie Darwin]

Is it? There are very few goalkeeper spots available and a lot of decent but not outstanding goalkeepers, many of them Irish. England have had trouble finding starting goalkeepers too and it's their league!

[the bear]

You can't have your cake and eat it

[Acornvilla]

You can't have your cake and eat it
Paddy Kenny can.

[the bear]

Paddy Kenny can.

Where did Paddy Kenny go to in the summer? Was it Leeds? He looks like he should work in a butcher's

[gastric]

Brilliant news as far as I am concerned and I am writing this with a smug look on my face!

If he can can get gametime at Norwich, he will be a genuine contender to Westwood. Every time I have seen him play he has looked solid and not out of place in the Premiership. The biggest issue to date with his career is that he sat on the bench for so long at Blackburn. I would think Hughton would have made him feel that he has a very good chance of taking Ruddy's spot or why would he have signed? If this occurs, he will probably be the only Irish goalkeeper playing regularly in the Premiership.

In terms of his eligibility many of us have been aware of his situation as far back as 2009 when it seems he declared his interest in playing for us, though I have not been able to find a link, however, this point was posted on this site.


A point also worth mentioning is that symmetry could be at work here as Bunn replaced Westwood when he left Northampton, maybe the same could happen in the irish team!

[boovidge]

This story seems half baked anyway

[the bear]

He's not hot on crosses

[DannyInvincible]

I'd imagine international honours would be the icing on the cake for him.

[SkStu]

Some of these puns are fairly half baked...

[tricky_colour]

Looks like this thread is turning into a bit of a Bunn fight.

[SkStu]

He'll have to shift whichever keeper is currant, Bunns.

[Sullivinho]

Oven will the puns stop?

[tricky_colour]

He seems destined for the Bundesliga

[gastric]

He seems destined for the Bundesliga

Borussia Munchbungladbach?

[gastric]

This thread now needs to be merged with the Connor Pepper one for humour gone absolutely wrong!

[Closed Account 2]

Borussia Munchbungladbach?

I head it was FC Fry-ern Munchen or Hamburger SV

[Manblue]

We really should call-up Bunn. If he is number two at club-level to England's number two then he must be good enough!

But, honestly, is his father Irish? If his father was Irish, I'm sure Bunn would have thought to pick up the phone to the FAI a long, long time ago had he any interest in playing for us.

Maybe the article is badly worded; maybe he qualifies for Ireland as a consequence of his father, his father who's mother is Irish. Bunn is hardly an Irish second name, but maybe he doesn't use his father's second name.

It's all a bit strange to me. Out of the afore-mentioned names (Keiran Westwood, David Forde, Brian Murphy, Joe Murphy, Darren Randolph, Graham Stack, Stephen Henderson and Colin Doyle) 6 of the 8 were born in Ireland and have been dedicated to Ireland all their careers. Westwood has served admirably and Stack is playing in League 2, so them aside, I'm not quite sure what would make someone contact Mark Bunn.

Chris Hughton being the man who has signed him for Norwich may have something to do with this.

Cant agree with this logic at all, "If hes number two at club level to Englands No2"

Stu Taylor was No 2 to Englands No 1 (Joe Hart) at City for over a year and hes a terrible keeper....

Shay Given aside (who was proven for numerous years at Premiership level)....if its between a sub keeper in the EPL and a decent starting keeper in the championship, give me the lad who plays week in week out everytime.

[SwanVsDalton]

Cant agree with this logic at all, "If hes number two at club level to Englands No2"

Much like the rest of this thread, Ole Ole was kidding. Maybe the lack of a Bunn pun threw you off.

[Wolfie]

I wonder is he anything to Frankie Bunn??

Frankie, was a striker. Scored a double hat-trick for Oldham against Scarborough in a 7 - 0 League Cup win in 1989. I think they may have still got the plastic pitch back then.

[Olé Olé]

Every time I have seen him play he has looked solid and not out of place in the Premiership. The biggest issue to date with his career is that he sat on the bench for so long at Blackburn.

A point also worth mentioning is that symmetry could be at work here as Bunn replaced Westwood when he left Northampton, maybe the same could happen in the irish team!

You must watch a hell of a lot of Premier League football to have seen some of the performances for Blackburn, given that he has made 6 of them. Are you a Blackburn supporter?

Kieren Westwood has never played for Northampton Town. Westwood was playing for Carlisle when Bunn made his debut for Northampton and had been for 2 years prior to that.

I honestly don't understand why this news is delighting you so much. Westwood has performed well every time he has been called upon by Ireland. There is a selection of Irish-born and Irish-committed goalkeepers outside of him which merit inclusion far ahead of Mark Bunn. Mark Bunn could have claimed for Ireland when he was playing with Northampton Town, like Westwood did when he was at Carlisle.

I'd far, far, far prefer to see Stephen Henderson get first-team Premier League football than Mark Bunn. The fact that Jaaskelainen was signed on a 1 year deal shows that there must be some level of faith in Henderson, given that they could have signed a younger keeper for a fee had they no faith in him. At 24, he has a far longer international career ahead of him than someone who has yet to declare for us, might never do so, and could even retire earlier to preserve his club career such is his level of (non)commitment.

[Stuttgart88]

Well said Ole. Westwood is a quality keeper and the others are capable of plugging a gap if he's injured. I think Henderson is promising.

[Charlie Darwin]

I thought Randolph played well on Tuesday. He was the better of our two goalkeepers I felt.

[nigel-harps1954]

I think Randolph is an accident waiting to happen. Looks very shaky if you ask me.

As said before, we have our fair share of reserve keepers already, don't really need another. I'd honestly look toward a regular starter in the League of Ireland before a player who's played 6 league games at his club in total.

[gastric]

You must watch a hell of a lot of Premier League football to have seen some of the performances for Blackburn, given that he has made 6 of them. Are you a Blackburn supporter?

Kieren Westwood has never played for Northampton Town. Westwood was playing for Carlisle when Bunn made his debut for Northampton and had been for 2 years prior to that.

honestly don't understand why this news is delighting you so much. Westwood has performed well every time he has been called upon by Ireland. There is a selection of Irish-born and Irish-committed goalkeepers outside of him which merit inclusion far ahead of Mark Bunn. Mark Bunn could have claimed for Ireland when he was playing with Northampton Town, like Westwood did when he was at Carlisle.


I'd far, far, far prefer to see Stephen Henderson get first-team Premier League football than Mark Bunn. The fact that Jaaskelainen was signed on a 1 year deal shows that there must be some level of faith in Henderson, given that they could have signed a younger keeper for a fee had they no faith in him. At 24, he has a far longer international career ahead of him than someone who has yet to declare for us, might never do so, and could even retire earlier to preserve his club career such is his level of (non)commitment.

Sorry I got it wrong about Northampton, should have double checked the team before posting. As regards the rest of your post, get your facts straight. Where have I ever discounted Irish goalkeepers in this post? We have presently a void with Shay gone. Bunn at 27, is another option for us and I believe at this moment offers the best chance among our eligible keepers to play Premiership football regularly. O'Neill tends to stick with the same starting 11 and I do wonder how much football Westwood will see this season. Henderson does offer hope for the future, but in this WC campaign, I think having a player who plays at the top regularly is essential against the likes of Germany, and as I said Bunn offers the best chance presently.

Secondly, I am sick of negative contributors like you who always question when players commit to us. Bunn's eligibility has been known for a while, and it looks like someone like Trap or Tardelli rates him hence the approach. I certainly rate their opinion over the rantings of someone like you. Comments like 'he could retire early due to his lack of commitment' and 'I hope Henderson gets a game in the Premiership before him' are ridiculous. I would rather Westwood, Henderson and Bunn all played offering us as many options as possible. It might have escaped your notice, but our options are limited and I believe we need to embrace players who are interested in playing for us.

And who are you to prejudge players? I have had to listen to the same crap when Westwood declared (Catholicism was the issue then!) as well as when Morrison and Cox declared among many others. Are you questioning their commitment to the Irish cause? Again it may surprise you, but you can only really question players lack of commitment after they have been given an opportunity to play.

I am sure over the next month or so details of the FAI 's approach to Bunn will become public and we will see if he joins us. I am sure he will and I hope he goes on to have a very successful career with us, plays many games for us and like many of the Irish diaspora is proud to represent us. And just to repeat, I am delighted that we have the possibility of having the likes of Tierney, Pilkington and Bunn possibly represent us in the future despite the protests of little Irelanders like you.

In terms of Bunn's eligilibity, I posted this recently on Irish Abroad which indicates that his availibility has been known for a while.

http://foot.ie/archive/index.php/t-122097-p-2.html

[nigel-harps1954]

FAO Olé Olé:
http://www.medindia.net/patients/Firstaid-gastric.htm

[Olé Olé]

Sorry I got it wrong about Northampton, should have double checked the team before posting. As regards the rest of your post, get your facts straight. Where have I ever discounted Irish goalkeepers in this post? We have presently a void with Shay gone. Bunn at 27, is another option for us and I believe at this moment offers the best chance among our eligible keepers to play Premiership football regularly. O'Neill tends to stick with the same starting 11 and I do wonder how much football Westwood will see this season. Henderson does offer hope for the future, but in this WC campaign, I think having a player who plays at the top regularly is essential against the likes of Germany, and as I said Bunn offers the best chance presently.

Secondly, I am sick of negative contributors like you who always question when players commit to us. Bunn's eligibility has been known for a while, and it looks like someone like Trap or Tardelli rates him hence the approach. I certainly rate their opinion over the rantings of someone like you. Comments like 'he could retire early due to his lack of commitment' and 'I hope Henderson gets a game in the Premiership before him' are ridiculous. I would rather Westwood, Henderson and Bunn all played offering us as many options as possible. It might have escaped your notice, but our options are limited and I believe we need to embrace players who are interested in playing for us.

And who are you to prejudge players? I have had to listen to the same crap when Westwood declared (Catholicism was the issue then!) as well as when Morrison and Cox declared among many others. Are you questioning their commitment to the Irish cause? Again it may surprise you, but you can only really question players lack of commitment after they have been given an opportunity to play.

I am sure over the next month or so details of the FAI 's approach to Bunn will become public and we will see if he joins us. I am sure he will and I hope he goes on to have a very successful career with us, plays many games for us and like many of the Irish diaspora is proud to represent us. And just to repeat, I am delighted that we have the possibility of having the likes of Tierney, Pilkington and Bunn possibly represent us in the future despite the protests of little Irelanders like you.

In terms of Bunn's eligilibity, I posted this recently on Irish Abroad which indicates that his availibility has been known for a while.

http://foot.ie/archive/index.php/t-122097-p-2.html

I cannot comprehend on what basis you feel that Mark Bunn offers Ireland a realistic chance of a Premier League goalkeeper, some who "plays at the top regularly". He has played 6 Premiership games in his career and the man is 27 years of age. He has been signed as back-up to John Ruddy and untill further evidence presents itself, he is not the messiah of Irish goalkeeping.

I didn't insist you "discounted" any goalkeeper. I felt you clearly expressed a belief that Bunn should bypass all the other goalkeepers who have represented Ireland (at under-age level and above) to the top of the queue, and with no evidence to demonstrate thereby.

I can't see any reason why I am being negative. Furthermore, I can't see any reason why you have fabricated that Bunn managed to "commit to us." The man is 27 years of age and has been playing professional football for quite a while, and his eligibility has been apparent for a while also. So, if his eligibility has been clearly established (and I'm sure it has been clearly established to Mark Bunn himself), then why hasn't Mark Bunn initialized the communication? I am not prejudging Bunn. I am stressing the fact that I am sceptical as to his commitment and why he would commit now and why it should take a phonecall towards him to initialize communication.

In relation to my comments regarding Stephen Henderson, Stephen Henderson has been a committed Irish international for all his career and is younger and has demonstrated his capabilities at Championship level and under-21 level for Ireland. He is second choice keeper to one of the most consistent goalkeepers of the past decade at the moment. I'd rather he filled the void and I have no problem admitting it. He's younger and is currently committed to representing the FAI, those are the facts. That I'm being negative is not a fact, it's your opinion which you are most certainly entitled to.

And it's on all of the above dubious grounds that you brand me a "little Irelander"? That's a pretty brash statement and utterly groundless. I am most receptive towards any player that has shown pride and determination and commitment when representing Ireland, no matter where they have been born. I would regard players like Kevin Kilbane and Gary Breen with as high esteem as anyone, not to mention the current crop such as James McCarthy, Aiden McGeady, Kieren Westwood and others. Simon Cox is proving himself as a worthy contributor and Clinton Morrison did likewise.

My argument towards you was due to my reservations as to his ability and commitment in equal measures. He is untested at Premier League level (even though you insisted he could usurp Westwood) and has never claimed for Ireland in all his years as a professional footballer and the articles that are currently referring to him in this context outline that communication was made by Trapattoni to Bunn. Should evidence that he is a quality goalkeeper (better than the currently solid Kieren Westwood) and has clear commitment and desire to play for Ireland present itself, I will gladly accept him as an Irish international footballer. Until then, I feel it is unfair that you skip him up the queue for international honours, which it my opinion you hastily did in your original post.

[Noelys Guitar]

Thank God Gerry Peyton, Seamus McDonagh and Mick Kearns didn't have to put up with the "uni" merchants who seem to be infesting this site. Bunn is a good keeper who might turn out to be a very good keeper. I'm all for it.

[gastric]

I cannot comprehend on what basis you feel that Mark Bunn offers Ireland a realistic chance of a Premier League goalkeeper, some who "plays at the top regularly". He has played 6 Premiership games in his career and the man is 27 years of age. He has been signed as back-up to John Ruddy and untill further evidence presents itself, he is not the messiah of Irish goalkeeping.

I didn't insist you "discounted" any goalkeeper. I felt you clearly expressed a belief that Bunn should bypass all the other goalkeepers who have represented Ireland (at under-age level and above) to the top of the queue, and with no evidence to demonstrate thereby.

I can't see any reason why I am being negative. Furthermore, I can't see any reason why you have fabricated that Bunn managed to "commit to us." The man is 27 years of age and has been playing professional football for quite a while, and his eligibility has been apparent for a while also. So, if his eligibility has been clearly established (and I'm sure it has been clearly established to Mark Bunn himself), then why hasn't Mark Bunn initialized the communication? I am not prejudging Bunn. I am stressing the fact that I am sceptical as to his commitment and why he would commit now and why it should take a phonecall towards him to initialize communication.

In relation to my comments regarding Stephen Henderson, Stephen Henderson has been a committed Irish international for all his career and is younger and has demonstrated his capabilities at Championship level and under-21 level for Ireland. He is second choice keeper to one of the most consistent goalkeepers of the past decade at the moment. I'd rather he filled the void and I have no problem admitting it. He's younger and is currently committed to representing the FAI, those are the facts. That I'm being negative is not a fact, it's your opinion which you are most certainly entitled to.

And it's on all of the above dubious grounds that you brand me a "little Irelander"? That's a pretty brash statement and utterly groundless. I am most receptive towards any player that has shown pride and determination and commitment when representing Ireland, no matter where they have been born. I would regard players like Kevin Kilbane and Gary Breen with as high esteem as anyone, not to mention the current crop such as James McCarthy, Aiden McGeady, Kieren Westwood and others. Simon Cox is proving himself as a worthy contributor and Clinton Morrison did likewise.

My argument towards you was due to my reservations as to his ability and commitment in equal measures. He is untested at Premier League level (even though you insisted he could usurp Westwood) and has never claimed for Ireland in all his years as a professional footballer and the articles that are currently referring to him in this context outline that communication was made by Trapattoni to Bunn. Should evidence that he is a quality goalkeeper (better than the currently solid Kieren Westwood) and has clear commitment and desire to play for Ireland present itself, I will gladly accept him as an Irish international footballer. Until then, I feel it is unfair that you skip him up the queue for international honours, which it my opinion you hastily did in your original post.

And what is your definition of commitment? Is there an age limit too as you seem to infer? How do you define nationality? How do we know yet that Bunn did not make approaches to the FAI in the past? These seem to be the questions that we disagree on. For me, commitment is shown on the pitch and starts at any age. In terms of nationality, you cannot quantify it. It doesn't start at a particular age, but is a journey and changes with age, so please don't use that as an argument against Bunn. On merit alone, I feel he can be a competitor to Westwood and gives us another genuine option. Trap must share my views too as why else would the FAI approach him? Lastly, I will be intrigued to know how all this came about which I am sure will be revealed soon. I would not surprised if Bunn did approach the FAI in the past.

[gastric]

FAO Olé Olé:
http://www.medindia.net/patients/Firstaid-gastric.htm

Very humorous! Ther sort of humour I would expect from a Finn Harps supporter called Nigel. Life must be tough!;)

[Olé Olé]

And what is your definition of commitment? Is there an age limit too as you seem to infer? How do you define nationality? How do we know yet that Bunn did not make approaches to the FAI in the past? These seem to be the questions that we disagree on. For me, commitment is shown on the pitch and starts at any age. In terms of nationality, you cannot quantify it. It doesn't start at a particular age, but is a journey and changes with age, so please don't use that as an argument against Bunn. On merit alone, I feel he can be a competitor to Westwood and gives us another genuine option. Trap must share my views too as why else would the FAI approach him? Lastly, I will be intrigued to know how all this came about which I am sure will be revealed soon. I would not surprised if Bunn did approach the FAI in the past.

Commitment? Applying to FIFA to ally himself with the FAI.
Age limit? Doesn't exist. I'm sure had he made contact with the FAI as an under-21 he would have been encouraged to commit to Ireland in light of the fact he was gaining regular football with Northampton Town at the age of 21.
Nationality? This isn't a specific answer but one which comes close in this context: Does he carry or have applied for an Irish passport?
Why did Trap contact him? Why does Trap do anything?
What I don't comprehend is where are you dreaming up Bunn's "merit" from? He has barely featured for Blackburn. He will more than "merit" his place if he plays for Norwich this season on a continuous basis and demonstrates better ability than Darren Randolph, David Forde and Stephen Henderson. He probably won't though. John Ruddy is England's number 2 and made 37 Premier League appearances last year which was sufficient evidence for Hodgson to call him up.

Is it not fair that a level of loyalty be served to David Forde and Darren Randolph? Not that either of them is a completely exceptional goalkeeper but they've done fine when called upon.

Westwood has bided his time behind Given and has proved more than capable in goals for Ireland.

[TrapAPony]

Not on the bench today. Looks like he is 3rd choice keeper for Norwich behind Ruddy and Rudd

[Lionel Ritchie]

I know this is by no means the first but I've my doubts whether there should be threads for players who might qualify for us or might be interested in playing for us.

There should maybe be a single thread for "possibles" and "eligibles" and hold off on the individual thread til the individual concerned has been included in a squad at whatever level.

[tricky_colour]

Well I was looking thetorugh the Irish Daily Star and there were no Bunn's there just a couple of flabby white baps.

[Colbert Report]

Not even the second choice goalkeeper. Declan Rudd is. I wonder why they even signed him - and why we're talking about a guy who is at best, the third choice goalkeeper for a relegation threatened side.

[Stuttgart88]

Hang on, Declan's an Irish name. My pulse is racing...

[Olé Olé]

Hang on, Declan's an Irish name. My pulse is racing...

This spells the end for Kieren Westwood's international career.

[AlaskaFox]

Hang on, Declan's an Irish name. My pulse is racing...

It's no Joe O'Cearuill.