Eunan O'Kane (M Leeds Utd (loaned to Luton Town) b.1990)

[Charlie Darwin]

He's been one of ours for long enough and doesn't seem to have his own thread, so...

Scored to put League One Bournemouth 1-0 up at Wigan in the FA Cup. His U21 teammate Rob Kiernan is on the Wigan bench.

[DannyInvincible]

Like poor Séamie "Shoulder-Barge" Coleman, it appears young Eunan still has to shake off some of his lingering GAA instincts: http://thescore.thejournal.ie/video-eunan-okane-discovers-the-craziest-way-to-concede-a-penalty-763168-Jan2013/?utm_source=facebook_self&utm_medium=thescore&utm_campaign=from_page

Skip to 1:04:45:


http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=BVB2TWMqEpg


DERRY NATIVE EUNAN O’Kane conceded a bizarre penalty in Bournemouth’s defeat against Walsall — when he chipped the ball up into his own hands and caught it.

Bournemouth were trailing 2-1 on Saturday when O’Kane, who scored against Wigan in the FA Cup third round this month, thought he heard the referee whistle for a free-kick.

To try and get the game moving again, the Republic of Ireland U21 international flicked the ball up and caught it before realising that the whistle was all in his head.

Will Grigg scored the resulting penalty, killing off any chance of a comeback, and O’Kane took to Twitter later that evening to apologise to the fans.

[nigel-harps1954]

Clip starts at 1:03:20

Insane match.

[DannyInvincible]

O'Kane is on the senior squad's stand-by list for the upcoming Latvia and Poland friendly: http://www.goal.com/en-ie/news/3942/ireland/2013/11/14/4406157/eunan-okane-keen-to-stake-claim-for-ireland-place


The Derry native is on stand-by for the forthcoming friendly encounters and is hopeful that he can push on and earn a full call-up to the senior squad

Bournemouth midfielder Eunan O'Kane is hoping to stake his claim for a place in the Republic of Ireland squad after being placed "on stand-by" for the upcoming friendlies against Latvia and Poland.

The 23-year-old Derry native, who has previously been capped at under-21 level for the Boys in Green, admitted that it was "good" to be in the thoughts of the new managerial team of Martin O'Neill and Roy Keane.

"It was good to be put on stand-by and was better than not being involved at all," O'Kane told the Bournemouth Daily Echo. "I hope to get capped sometime in the future and it is nice to know I am in their thoughts.

"If I can keep putting in performances and playing well at this level, hopefully, my chance will come."

The former Coleraine and Torquay United midfielder believes that the appointment of O'Neill and Keane "will be great for the country as a whole" and paid particular attention to the influence of the new assistant manager.

"Once Martin O'Neill's name had been mentioned for the position, I don't think there was any surprise when he got the job," added O'Kane.

"I think the biggest shock was Roy Keane going with him because everyone had seen him as a possible candidate. I think it will be great for the country as a whole and Roy Keane's influence will raise everyone's spirits.

"There will be a feelgood factor in the country and I don't think anyone can question Martin O’Neill's credentials as a manager.

"Everywhere he has been, he has done well and, hopefully, he will be able to recreate that in international games."

[Charlie Darwin]

That's a bit unexpected. He's hardly turning up trees for Bournemouth, is he?

[CraftyToePoke]

That's a bit unexpected. He's hardly turning up trees for Bournemouth, is he?

Interesting indeed. I wasn't aware that he was, but maybe they have seen something in him, his club are overachieving a bit so far, hopefully he is having a big part in that.

[Charlie Darwin]

He's been on the bench a fair bit from what I've seen.

[CraftyToePoke]

He's been on the bench a fair bit from what I've seen.

Very strange in that case. Has Arter been more involved there than him ?

[Charlie Darwin]

I haven't been following Arter really but soccerbase says O'Kane has started 10 and Arter 11 of Bournemouth's 17 games, so not much to tell between. Ian Harte has started 8 games so if O'Kane makes the step up you can be sure Harte will be exploding on the twitter and claiming Roy Keane doesn't even know he's Irish.

[TheOneWhoKnocks]

http://www.bournemouthecho.co.uk/sport/10897562.AFC_Bournemouth__Howe_lauds_O_Kane_s_tact ical_nous/

O'Kane gaining plaudits at Bournemouth.

With Hoolahan and Reid turning 32 next summer, perhaps O'Kane could emerge as a viable option?

[Charlie Darwin]

Just put Bournemouth 3-0 up against Shane Duffy's Yeovil.

[TheOneWhoKnocks]

http://www1.skysports.com/football/news/12691/9091208/transfer-news-bournemouth-boss-eddie-howe-wont-sell-key-players-in-january

On form O'Kane coveted by other clubs.

[TheOneWhoKnocks]

We are hearing a host of Premier League and Championship clubs are set to cast an eye over highly-rated Bournemouth midfielder Eunan O'Kane during Saturday's FA Cup clash with Liverpool. Scouts are expected to flock to Dean Court to watch O'Kane as they weigh up moves for the former Everton youngster. O'Kane has been a standout performer for Bournemouth this season and his classy performances have not gone unnoticed higher up the football pyramid. Bournemouth are bracing themselves for bids for O'Kane from his suitors before the close of the transfer window next week.

http://www1.skysports.com/transfer-centre/

[TheOneWhoKnocks]

http://www.independent.ie/sport/soccer/i-proved-them-all-wrong-and-im-living-the-dream-29945668.html

Howe's philosophy suits a technically assured passer who is now at home in a role just in front of the back four. Size doesn't matter; keeping the ball does.


O'Kane admits that he frequently encounters opponents with a direct style of play that he would struggle to implement, with Sheffield Wednesday a recent example.


"I'm not being critical of them," he explains, "I just feel in that kind of set-up, for what their midfielders are expected to do, you can get people to do it better than me.


"Here at Bournemouth we have a manager who wants to play football, and trusts me to do jobs that bring out the best in me. He sticks to those principles at all times; if we stray away from them – even if we win – he reminds us of that."

[tetsujin1979]

Big weekend for the lad, he just hit the crossbar on soccer am!

[passinginterest]

Man of the match against Liverpool today. Was very influential as they more than held their own in terms of possession and territory for most of the game. Liverpool were just more clinical with their chances.
http://thescore.thejournal.ie/victor-moses-goal-liverpool-1-0-bournemouth-1282696-Jan2014/

[Charlie Darwin]

Man of the match against Liverpool today. Was very influential as they more than held their own in terms of possession and territory for most of the game. Liverpool were just more clinical with their chances.
http://thescore.thejournal.ie/victor-moses-goal-liverpool-1-0-bournemouth-1282696-Jan2014/
Roy Keane in attendance too.

[SkStu]

I thought he was fairly average to be honest. Arter impressed me more.

[TheOneWhoKnocks]

I thought he was fairly average to be honest. Arter impressed me more.

Steven Gerrard, Wayne Rooney, Scott Parker, Rio Ferdinand....

Do John Terry or Frank Lampard have any less talented family members playing professional football that might be interested in playing for us? Might be worth looking into.

[tetsujin1979]

Steven Gerrard, Wayne Rooney, Scott Parker, Rio Ferdinand....

Do John Terry or Frank Lampard have any less talented family members playing professional football that might be interested in playing for us? Might be worth looking into.
John Terry's brother plays football as well

<EDIT>

never mind, he's retired - http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Paul_Terry_%28footballer%29

[SkStu]

Steven Gerrard, Wayne Rooney, Scott Parker, Rio Ferdinand....

Do John Terry or Frank Lampard have any less talented family members playing professional football that might be interested in playing for us? Might be worth looking into.

Not sure why you quoted me there and what the point is that you're trying to make. My comment spoke to him being dubbed man of the match, I can't see why that was decided.

[Charlie Darwin]

Not sure why you quoted me there and what the point is that you're trying to make. My comment spoke to him being dubbed man of the match, I can't see why that was decided.
I think because you mentioned Arter, whose brother-in-law is Scottie "I played alright for two seasons" Parker. Between relatives of Rooney, Gerrard, Parker and Rio (not to mention Michael Owen), we have a history of Irish-qualified players who are related to some of England's brightest. Probably mainly to do with the fact most of England's best players are descended from recent immigrants, to be fair.

[TheOneWhoKnocks]

I think because you mentioned Arter, whose brother-in-law is Scottie "I played alright for two seasons" Parker. Between relatives of Rooney, Gerrard, Parker and Rio (not to mention Michael Owen), we have a history of Irish-qualified players who are related to some of England's brightest. Probably mainly to do with the fact most of England's best players are descended from recent immigrants, to be fair.

I thought Richie Partridge, a Dubliner, was married to Owen's sister. There isn't any blood connection to Ireland in his family, is there?

[Charlie Darwin]

The blood connection is that he's from Dublin.

[TheOneWhoKnocks]

The blood connection is that he's from Dublin.

You're confusing me.

Gerrard, Ferdinand, Parker and Rooney have marginally talented family members that are eligible to play for Ireland. Michael Owen has an Irish brother in law. There is no question or relevance of eligibility there. Partridge is Irish.

In fact, I think Arter and Parker's familial connection is being in-laws. Arter's roots are traced to Sligo.

On further inspection, I don't think you implied that Owen was in any way Irish. I apologise Charlie.

[Charlie Darwin]

My point was that a lot of Irish-qualified players are related to England internationals, through birth or marriage.

[geysir]

My point was that a lot of Irish-qualified players are related to England internationals, through birth or marriage.
John Giles and Nobby Stiles. I forget who married whose sister.

[Gather round]

Nobby Stiles. I forget who married whose sister

Both of Nobby's grandfathers?

Still, look on the bright side- Christine Bleakley and her yet to be born children with Fat Frank are all eligible for you.

[tetsujin1979]

John Giles and Nobby Stiles. I forget who married whose sister.

Nobby is married to Giles's sister. I didn't know that until quite recently. I think both of them did one of the Off The Ball live shows last summer and it was mentioned then

[TheOneWhoKnocks]

We are hearing that Premier League duo Aston Villa and Norwich are eyeing moves for Bournemouth midfielder Eunan O'Kane. The duo are believed to have watched O'Kane put in a man-of-the-match performance in Saturday's FA Cup defeat to Liverpool and are now weighing up a move for the former Everton youngster. O'Kane has been a revelation for Bournemouth this season and the Sky Bet Championship side are thought to have opened talks with the Republic of Ireland international over a new long-term deal at Dean Court to ward off interest in the 23-year-old.

http://www1.skysports.com/transfer-centre/

[Stuttgart88]

John Giles and Nobby Stiles. I forget who married whose sister.

Related by marriage and also by their rhyming slang link to haemhorroids, depending on whether you're a Dub or a Londoner. I use the Dub version myself.

[geysir]

I never get that rhyming slang thing, even when it's explained, I still don't get it.

But Mrs Stiles, nee Giles, does raise a snigger.

[Stuttgart88]

I never get that rhyming slang thing, even when it's explained, I still don't get it.I'm fluent at the Dublin version and quite proficient at the London version.

[geysir]

You'd send me to sleep in 2 minute flat, me ol' plate.

[Predator]

He reminded me a lot of Darron Gibson. His short passing was superb and his positional awareness was good. If Liverpool are looking for a decent deep lying midfielder, Eunan could do a better job than Gerrard at present.

[Stuttgart88]

You'd send me to sleep in 2 minute flat, me ol' plate.
In London rhyming slang plate(s) = plates of meat = feet. So you're calling me your old feet.

[geysir]

In London rhyming slang plate(s) = plates of meat = feet. So you're calling me your old feet.
Hmmm, that might well be very true, but unintended.
You can reply with whatever insult you want, in equal, double or triple measure, I obviously won't have a clue.

[Stuttgart88]

Who said anything about an insult?

We used to call our old boss (I worked in a Dublin bank) the Irish Punt. That was an insult even you might figure out!

[geysir]

Okay, me ol' foot.

[gastric]

He reminded me a lot of Darron Gibson. His short passing was superb and his positional awareness was good. If Liverpool are looking for a decent deep lying midfielder, Eunan could do a better job than Gerrard at present.


More rumours about Villa's interest. If true, it would be a dramatic rise. It wasn't long ago many sneered when he declared for us! Good on him. Josh O Hanlon from Longford to Bournemouth too.

http://www.mirror.co.uk/sport/football/transfer-news/aston-villa-eye-eunan-okane-3068458

[tetsujin1979]

If O'Kane does move to Villa, does that mean any potential move for Hoolahan is dead in the water?

[Charlie Darwin]

I doubt it. They don't play in the same position.

[DannyInvincible]

More rumours about Villa's interest. If true, it would be a dramatic rise. It wasn't long ago many sneered when he declared for us! Good on him.

Who was sneering?

[Predator]

Who was sneering?A few OWC posters dismissed him on the basis that he was playing with lowly Torquay when he declared, having just signed from Coleraine.

I also distinctly remember the sneers when Daniel Kearns ended up back in Ireland with Dundalk. He went on to get a move to England again, picking up some U21 caps in the process.

[DannyInvincible]

Ah, indeed. I suppose that was to be expected. I thought gastric was referring to fellow Ireland fans.

[Predator]

Ah, indeed. I suppose that was to be expected. I thought gastric was referring to fellow Ireland fans.
Ah possibly he was!

[TheOneWhoKnocks]

http://www.goal.com/en-ie/news/3942/ireland/2014/02/22/4637752/eddie-howe-backs-eunan-okane-for-future-ireland-call-up?ICID=HP_BN_8

O'Kane overlooked; Howe tips him for future call-up.

[Charlie Darwin]

Same old Eddie Howe, moaning about his players not getting selected :)

[Charlie Darwin]

Comes back into the team to put Bournemouth 1-0 up against West Brom.

[Olé Olé]

Any word on what kind of season O'Kane has had this year? Arter has been fairly crucial for Bournemouth so will surely enjoy plenty game-time next season if Bournemouth do manage to get promoted, which is quite likely at present.

The only thing I found about O'Kane is that he had an ankle injury in February: http://www.bournemouth.vitalfootball.co.uk/article.asp?a=387206