Under-21 Squad

[Razors left peg]

I'd say the fact he's been made captain would signal (when considering Kenny's comments, Coventry & Connell's ineligibilty for the 21s) that he'll see out the entire campaign with the 21s

If he is tearing it up for his club he will force Kennys hand. Right now its a simple decision to have him with the 21s because hes not getting club games, but if hes playing well every week he will make himself unleaveoutible (*I couldnt think of the word I wanted so I made up my own)

[JR89]

https://twitter.com/SportsOrgPM/status/1639269748620886017?s=20

Joe Hodges dad talking about Joe being made U21 captain.

Will be interesting to see where Hodge is by this time next year, very real possibility that he will have moved onto the senior team. Hes overcome a lot of injuries so far in his short career, I wouldnt bet against him forcing his way back into the team at Wolves.

Neves is in the final year of his contract next season and they'll surely cash in rather than lose him for nothing. Few quid to further strengthen the squad. Joao Gomes who arrived in January could likely be his long term replacement.

Moutinho is out of contract this summer and will be 38. Though wouldn't be surprised if Wolves tried to keep him around as an experienced squad player since he's still starting games at 37.

Think it's gonna be very tough for Hodge to break back into the team as he's currently 6th choice and you'll also have Boubacar Traore back from injury. If Wolves lose both that's a lot of experience to gone and Lopetegui is likely to want replacement(s) brought in.

Regular first team football has done Smallbone the world of good this season and think Lopetegui will likely send Hodge out on loan to see how he fairs playing week in week out. Think the reason he was kept around in January was for Lopetegui to have a good look at him in training.

[Razors left peg]

Neves is in the final year of his contract next season and they'll surely cash in rather than lose him for nothing. Few quid to further strengthen the squad. Joao Gomes who arrived in January could likely be his long term replacement.

Moutinho is out of contract this summer and will be 38. Though wouldn't be surprised if Wolves tried to keep him around as an experienced squad player since he's still starting games at 37.

Think it's gonna be very tough for Hodge to break back into the team as he's currently 6th choice and you'll also have Boubacar Traore back from injury. If Wolves lose both that's a lot of experience to gone and Lopetegui is likely to want replacement(s) brought in.

Regular first team football has done Smallbone the world of good this season and think Lopetegui will likely send Hodge out on loan to see how he fairs playing week in week out. Think the reason he was kept around in January was for Lopetegui to have a good look at him in training.

Wolves also gave him a new 5 year contract in January too even with all the signings coming in, hes definitely rated highly there.

[JR89]

Wolves also gave him a new 5 year contract in January too even with all the signings coming in, hes definitely rated highly there.

Oh he's rated there no doubt just see it hard for him to break into the team next season. If Lopetegui didn't rate him I think they would have found him any loan move in January rather than keeping him around the first team squad.

Next season though it's not gonna benefit him to find himself in the same spot and think that's why they'll want to find him somewhere where he'll play week in week out.

[Razors left peg]

Agreed, I think he probably will be on loan next season and you are right that Smallbone is showing the benefits of playing every week.

[JR89]

Sam Curtis was called up to the U21s squad last night.

[geysir]

Not just a friendly for these kids, but hardly an Atlantic derby. Most of Iceland's team have been in competitive hibernation since they beat Scotland in november, hard to tell how match fit they are, that might level the playing field a bit :)
There are two players of note that should be in the line up, bleach blonde Kristall Ingason and Daniel Djuric.

Are the FAI streaming this game?

[elatedscum]

Not just a friendly for these kids, but hardly an Atlantic derby. Most of Iceland's team have been in competitive hibernation since they beat Scotland in november, hard to tell how match fit they are, that might level the playing field a bit :)
There are two players of note that should be in the line up, bleach blonde Kristall Ingason and Daniel Djuric.

Are the FAI streaming this game?

On LOITV

[SkStu]

Team is in. Start for Cannon and good to see Moran and Philips in the starting line up too imo.

1639990594100695042

[elatedscum]

Could be:

Brooks

Curtis
McNulty
Lawal (wearing 8?)
Roughan

Phillips
Hodge

Ebosele
Moran
O’Neill

Cannon

-

Could also be a back 5 with:

Ebosele
Curtis
McNulty
Roughan
O’Neill

With a 3 of:

Hodge
Lawal
Phillips

And then Moran playing off Canon

I’d definitely prefer the 4 at the back option. I’d probably have Ebosele starting right back and Okoflex on the wing. Maybe Adaramola ahead of Roughan. Maybe Keeley over Brooks. But I don’t think there’s any egregious decisions.

Strange decision to call up Curtis. Kind of giving up on the 19s qualification

[JR89]

The first line up with four at the back is it I'd say. Doubt he'd be starting O'Neill LWB with three LBs named in the squad.

[elatedscum]

The first line up with four at the back is it I'd say. Doubt he'd be starting O'Neill LWB with three LBs named in the squad.

Yeah - it was just Lawal being named as a midfielder and then wearing number 8 had me thinking. Can’t remember many lads wearing 8 and playing Centre half.

Goal somewhat against the run of play there. Curtis maybe could have done better. Good (or lucky) finish.

Pitch isn’t in the best Nick.

Northern irish ref has given us nothing. Festy and Curtis were fouled with a freekick given against them, and Phillips was kicked in the chest with no foul given

[CSAD]

One thing I hope the u19s and u21 take from this international break is when you have a shot at goal the ball should go UNDER the cross bar, not OVER it…

[CSAD]

Yeah - it was just Lawal being named as a midfielder and then wearing number 8 had me thinking. Can’t remember many lads wearing 8 and playing Centre half.

Goal somewhat against the run of play there. Curtis maybe could have done better. Good (or lucky) finish.

Pitch isn’t in the best Nick.

Northern irish ref has given us nothing. Festy and Curtis were fouled with a freekick given against them, and Phillips was kicked in the chest with no foul given

Ah he’s from the North…all of a sudden the fact he’s given us nothing makes sense.

[CSAD]

Let off, Iceland goal ruled out for offside. All came from an aimless pass from an Irish player…

What is with all these aimless passes, it’s doing far more harm than good.

[CSAD]

And Ireland equalize!

[ifk101]

Iceland robbed for the offside. They're all over us tbf.

[CSAD]

This ref is a little c#nt isn’t he…

[CSAD]

Iceland robbed for the offside. They're all over us tbf.

U21s defend just as well as the u19s so…

[passinginterest]

Festy absolute ridiculous getting himself two yellows for dissent. Ref has been harsh on Ireland but that’s unforgivable.

[geysir]

That sending off, just after the awful offside goal decision, that must mean the ref's meteoric elevation from obscurity to the international limelight has gone to his head.

[JR89]

Festy absolute ridiculous getting himself two yellows for dissent. Ref has been harsh on Ireland but that’s unforgivable.

Stupidity from Festy. Can kinda understand the first yellow as he was annoyed with the decision when you also consider the other foul that went against him. But to then go back for seconds and get yourself sent off.

[CSAD]

We’d get somewhere if we had a monochrome of patience rather than try to secure a defense splitting passes every single time. The majority of the time we just give the ball back to Iceland…

[elatedscum]

With no evidence either way, I’m with Festy

https://m.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/sport/football/irish-league/irish-league-referee-jamie-robinson-loses-appeal-against-unsporting-conduct-and-will-be-banned-for-two-weeks/41579438.html

[SkStu]

Cannon looking very accomplished out there. Phillips and Lawal both physical specimens.

[tetsujin1979]

Did Ebosele get sent off for dissent for the U17s once as well?

[CSAD]

Did Ebosele get sent off for dissent for the U17s once as well?

No he got sent of for ‘tackling’ a player who clearly dived…

[tetsujin1979]

No he got sent of for ‘tackling’ a player who clearly dived…That was it, he was furious walking off

[CSAD]

How many times is that now that Brookes just aimless kicked the ball out of play…how are we supposed to hold onto the ball when you’re keeper keeps booting the ball out of play.

[CSAD]

That was it, he was furious walking off

That sending off was ludicrous though.

[CSAD]

Lol he actually gave a yellow for that free…

Hope this ref sleeps well tonight knowing he ruined a u21 friendly because of his political beliefs…

[SkStu]

Hodge has been really impressive in the second half so far.

[JR89]

Hodge has been really impressive in the second half so far.

Has looked tidy. Similar with the CBs and good to see Curtis grow into the game after the first goal. We've looked better after going down to ten men.

[CSAD]

Uhhh what a ****ing goal from Kenny!!!

[Razors left peg]

Very enjoyable 2nd half especially. I thought we were poor in 1st half even before the nonsensical red card.

Lawal was excellent before going off injured. Hodge has a bit of class about him. Kenny and Armstrong both brilliant after coming on.

Was great to see full house at the game, looked like a great atmosphere and the players werent pulling any punches. Didnt feel like a friendly

[geysir]

That was an amazing attendance alright for a friendly underage intl, was it more than you'd get in Tallaght for a group qualifier?

[Jd2793]

enjoyable game to go to hopefully they have some of the quals down here though im not sure does TC meet the criteria?

hodge lawal cannon moran all standouts. curtis had a howling first 25 but grew into it. god i cant wait to see what path moran takes, looks like a real player already. the caveat being its "only" u21s but i'll get excited anyway.

[JR89]

If they do have more games in Cork hopefully they can do better with the pitch. Was in poor nick today. Might even make the trip down for a couple since it's also a chance to grab some Hillbillys too ?

[SkStu]

I think those 4 were the standouts for me too and I’d add Garcia-McNulty to the list too. I’d fancy them all to come good in some way. The commentators weren’t too keen on Phillips but I also think there’s a really good player in there too. Armstrong too actually, first time I’d seen him outside of highlights and he made his mark. There’s a good chunk of talent there where you’d have good cause for optimism/giddiness.

[JR89]

One good thing with the current U21s is one small tweak and the starting XI we named today comfortably changes to a 3-4-2-1.

Even when you look at the defence for the current U19s you've got Abankwah and Murphy who'll likely move up, well Abankwah surely will, and both players cover WB, FB, and CB. Similar to today's FBs who cover WB, FB, and CB so gives you a flexible defence that can switch mid game from one formation to another.

[geysir]

enjoyable game to go to hopefully they have some of the quals down here though im not sure does TC meet the criteria?

hodge lawal cannon moran all standouts. curtis had a howling first 25 but grew into it. god i cant wait to see what path moran takes, looks like a real player already. the caveat being its "only" u21s but i'll get excited anyway.
Turners Cross easily passes the u21 qualifier criteria.

[Eirambler]

They should play the qualifiers there in that case.

I wonder what's next for Moran if he can't break into a fairly stacked Brighton team? He doesn't strike me as the type that would suit the rough and tumble of the Championship or League 1. Ship him off to Belgium or somewhere for a six month loan maybe?

[JR89]

A loan aboard could definitely be an option as they've a few players on loan with clubs on the continent and Bloom does own Union SG in Belgium where they've sent a few players over the last few years.

[pateen]

If they do have more games in Cork hopefully they can do better with the pitch. Was in poor nick today. Might even make the trip down for a couple since it's also a chance to grab some Hillbillys too ?

What exactly is a Hillbilly type that you grab?

[Demesne Lad]

Matt Healy, currently on loan with Cork City, has been released by Ipswich Town (EADT, today).

[JR89]

U21s are off to Austria next month for a ten day training camp which includes three games.

Ireland Under-21s International Friendly Fixtures (venues and kick-off times to be confirmed)

Tuesday, June 13 | Ireland U21 v Gabon U23
Friday, June 16 | Ukraine U21 v Ireland U21
Monday, June 19 | Ireland U21 v Kuwait U22

[Demesne Lad]

Killian Phillips (Crystal Palace) caught the eye in his half a season on loan at Shrewsbury, becoming their 'Young Player of the Season'. He is now interesting Coventry, Stoke and Luton, according to Coventry Live today.

[JR89]

No Tom Cannon but good to see some new faces with nine players getting their first call up.

Ireland Under-21s Squad

Goalkeepers:

Tiernan Brooks (Notts County), Killian Cahill (Brighton & Hove Albion), Josh Keeley (Tottenham Hotspur)

Defenders:

James Abankwah (Udinese), Tayo Adaramola (Crystal Palace), Sam Curtis (St. Patrick’s Athletic) James Furlong (Brighton & Hove Albion), Anselmo Garcia MacNulty (Wolfsburg), Sean Grehan (Crystal Palace), Connor O’Riordan (Crewe Alexandra), Sean Roughan (Lincoln City)

Midfielders:

Darragh Burns (MK Dons), Jack Henry-Francis (Arsenal), Joe Hodge (Wolves), Bosun Lawal (Celtic), Ed McJannet (Lecce), Killian Phillips (Crystal Palace), Rocco Vata (Celtic) Harry Vaughan (Hull City)

Forwards:

Sinclair Armstrong (QPR), Conor Carty (St. Patrick’s Athletic), Dylan Duffy (Lincoln City), Johnny Kenny (Shamrock Rovers, on loan from Celtic), Andrew Moran (Brighton & Hove Albion), Armstrong Oko-Flex (West Ham United), Ollie O’Neill (Derry City, on loan from Fulham)

[CraftyToePoke]

Nice to see Vaughan Vata & Abankwah. Anselmo Garcia MacNulty also.

Does anybody have a link or the full wording of the press conference ?
What was said about Cannon particularly, someone elsewhere said Crawford mentioned he was injured but officially remains on standby for the seniors also (?). His Insta has him at a big concert a few days ago with his girl so the sore throat can't be so bad.

[third policeman]

Is Festy fit? Another notable absence from both squads.