Republic of Ireland V Gibraltar(A) 4th Sept & Georgia(H) 7th Sept 2015 - Euro 2016 Q

[samhaydenjr]

McGoldrick rules out through injury also
http://www.skysports.com/football/news/11095/9972261/mcgoldrick-withdraws-from-ireland-squad-due-to-injury

Of course he is...so much for my brilliant plan to put three up front for the last thirty against Gibraltar so that if we desperately need a late goal against Poland or Germany we could try it again in the knowledge that it won't be completely new.:mad:

[Charlie Darwin]

Squad Watch



Darren Randolph
Started
Clean Sheet



David Forde
Sub



Shay Given
Sub



Rob Elliot
Not in Squad



Keiren Westwood
Injured








Seamus Coleman
Started



Richard Keogh
Started



John O'Shea
Started



Ciaran Clark
Started



Paul McShane
Started



Marc Wilson
Sub(62)



Alex Pearce
Sub



Stephen Ward
Sub



Cyrus Christie
Not in Squad



Greg Cunningham
Injured








Anthony Pilkington
Started(90)
Assist


James McCarthy
Started



Jeff Hendrick
Started



Glenn Whelan
Started



Eunan O'Kane
Started



Alan Judge
Started



Stephen Quinn
Started



David Meyler
Started



Robbie Brady
Started



James McClean
Started(62)



Wes Hoolahan
Started(31)



Aiden McGeady
Not in Squad



Harry Arter
Injured








Kevin Doyle
Started
Goal


Adam Rooney
Started(76)
Goal


Robbie Keane
Started



David McGoldrick
Sub(45)
Goal


Anthony Stokes
Sub



Simon Cox
Sub



Shane Long
Sub



Jon Walters
Not in Squad



Daryl Murphy
Injured




Decent number of starters there compared to what we often see going into these games.

[tetsujin1979]

Just a heads up for anyone else going to Electric Picnic this Friday, they will not be showing the qualifier at the festival - https://twitter.com/EPfestival/statuses/638304874548043776 - but they will be showing the hurling final on Sunday

I'm actually a little surprised, Three are a big sponsor of the festival this year, and will have their own area on site

[DeLorean]

Didn't Bono call the Irish football team their best supporting act at Slane in 2001, after we beat the Netherlands! I had a ticket for that if I wanted it, but chose not to go as I was afraid I'd miss the match.

[Nugget]

Just a heads up for anyone else going to Electric Picnic this Friday, they will not be showing the qualifier at the festival - https://twitter.com/EPfestival/statuses/638304874548043776 - but they will be showing the hurling final on Sunday

I'm actually a little surprised, Three are a big sponsor of the festival this year, and will have their own area on site

Where did you see that they are showing the hurling? I was planning a walk as far as the town for that.

[tetsujin1979]

Where did you see that they are showing the hurling? I was planning a walk as far as the town for that.
On twitter: https://twitter.com/briano93/status/637987186357485568
Also, they're not showing the football replay on Saturday: https://twitter.com/ColmOMara/status/638296608053047297

[Nugget]

On twitter: https://twitter.com/briano93/status/637987186357485568
Also, they're not showing the football replay on Saturday: https://twitter.com/ColmOMara/status/638296608053047297

Great stuff. Thanks!

[Olé Olé]

Not implying he's the long-term solution to our striking problems because I don't think he is (nor Daryl Murphy either), but what of Rooney for a start against Gibraltar? It's going to be warm which could tire the players likely to be involved in the Georgia game and he's got a good record in the SPL which is a good few levels above the Gibraltar defenders so he's likely to score and it won't do his confidence any harm either.

Interesting side note I haven't seen picked up on, I actually googled the Gib squad there to see had they any defenders at all playing outside of the domestic league. Jamie Bosio plays with Ashford United (well down the ladder in England) and, according to his Wiki page, he was born in Dublin, Ireland: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jamie_Bosio. He confirms it himself here: https://www.facebook.com/Footballoutsidethebox/posts/246546705556493

[Stuttgart88]

Doyle and Keane to start for me, with Doyle & Long to partner each other at some stage with an eye on Georgia. I know its only Gibraltar but I wouldn't be giving Rooney a start. I'm never happy against these sides until we have a two goal lead.

[pineapple stu]

Worth noting we struggled badly in the home game once Keane and Hoolahan were subbed off.

Granted, we were 7-0 up at the stage, but Long and Doyle had half an hour to impress and didn't. I think Keane and Hoolahan are still key.

No point taking liberties in this one. Keane has proven himself time and again to be lethal against the minnows.

[DannyInvincible]

Not implying he's the long-term solution to our striking problems because I don't think he is (nor Daryl Murphy either), but what of Rooney for a start against Gibraltar? It's going to be warm which could tire the players likely to be involved in the Georgia game and he's got a good record in the SPL which is a good few levels above the Gibraltar defenders so he's likely to score and it won't do his confidence any harm either.

Interesting side note I haven't seen picked up on, I actually googled the Gib squad there to see had they any defenders at all playing outside of the domestic league. Jamie Bosio plays with Ashford United (well down the ladder in England) and, according to his Wiki page, he was born in Dublin, Ireland: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jamie_Bosio. He confirms it himself here: https://www.facebook.com/Footballoutsidethebox/posts/246546705556493

Interesting. Another addition to the select few southern-born players who have represented associations other than the FAI. The others of which I know are Shane O'Neill (USA), Éamon Zayed (Libya), Darren Meenan (NI) and Kenny Finn (USA).

[zero]

Worth noting we struggled badly in the home game once Keane and Hoolahan were subbed off.

Granted, we were 7-0 up at the stage, but Long and Doyle had half an hour to impress and didn't. I think Keane and Hoolahan are still key.

No point taking liberties in this one. Keane has proven himself time and again to be lethal against the minnows.

it was murphy not long who replaced keane - but yes, i recall he in particular did nothing of note in the 30 odd minutes he was on the pitch. doyle as you say came on for hoolahan. i seem to recall him running around a bit as is his wont but his confidence would have been very low at that time i'd suggest.

or to be more clear, though i've not seen much of him for colorado bar the goals, i'd still consider doyle a better player than murphy.

[pineapple stu]

You're right actually; Murphy, not Long.

Slightly surprised Doyle is in the squad actually; thought the move to the Rapids and his previous iffy form would have ended his international career.

[Crosby87]

What's everyone predicting?

[SkStu]

2 wins.

[Stuttgart88]

Two days before international start. Hardly any posts. Come on loads and lasses. Crosby, you're excused.

[geysir]

Crosby has crossed over but never quite got there?

[zero]

gibraltar are very weak, so i'm hoping for maybe 4-0 there.

i think the georgia game will be a struggle. i'd take a nervy 1-0.

[OwlsFan]

gibraltar are very weak, so i'm hoping for maybe 4-0 there.

i think the georgia game will be a struggle. i'd take a nervy 1-0.

Nervy is usually a euphemism for brutal. A nervy Scotland also beat them 1-0 so would be more than happy to match that, no matter how nervy we are. A high tempo, get stuck in to them early on, don't get anyone sent off and all should be well. I'll go 3-1.

[TrapAPony]

4-0 v Gibraltar
2-0 v Georgia

Anything other than two wins would be appalling

Scotland to beat Georgia 1-0

[zero]

the squad is to be cut (again) from it's current 28 to 23. i guess that will be done today?

[colonelwest]

Mason has 2 in 5 this season for Cardiff and finally looks to have eventually nailed down a starting place with them. He surely must be due a look in the spring friendlies next year or even should have been for the prelim squad for these two games.

[zero]

team prediction vs gibraltar:

given
coleman o'shea wilson brady
mcgeady hoolahan mccarthy mcclean
walters keane

i'd like to think long will start ahead of walters but i just don't see it happening. we'll see.

[nigel-harps1954]

Vs Gibraltar

Randolph

Coleman O'Shea Clark Ward

McClean McCarthy O'Kane Brady

Long Walters


Save the likes of Given, Wilson, Keane and Whelan for Georgia.

[IsMiseSean]

Two days before international start. Hardly any posts. Come on loads and lasses. Crosby, you're excused.

I'm finding it difficult to get excited for these games.
I don't think I've ever been this deflated going into the Sept games towards the end of a campaign.

[punkrocket]

I'm looking forward to Keane getting another hat trick on Friday.

[paul_oshea]

I'm finding it difficult to get excited for these games.
I don't think I've ever been this deflated going into the Sept games towards the end of a campaign.

I know what you mean I predicted against the others on here that Scotland would get the better of us and be happy with how Strachan has them winning and performing others weren't as convinced or concerned.

we are lucky in one sense how the fixtures fall so it gives false hope going into the last 2 games. but it would be just like the Staunton era if we had the last two games now. Out with not even a whimper.

I'll still be glued to the telly for both games though.

[back of the net]

4-0 v Gibraltar
2-0 v Georgia

Anything other than two wins would be appalling

Scotland to beat Georgia 1-0


Quite frankly Sir I find it appalling that u suggest anything other than 2 wins for us would be anything other than appalling



As for Scotland. ...I can see them conceding
..but they are a good team....
So I'll go for a 2-1 to Scotland against georgia

[Colbert Report]

Must pray for a Georgia win against Scotland.....and an Ireland win against them. Even then, we'd likely need at least two points from our last two matches - just can't see us finishing third.

[Crosby87]

I think our squad will be:

Butterfingers

GlueFactory Molasses CementShoes
Cant B. Arsed
McDrunky WhiskeyBreakfast I.M. Tired
Paddy O'Useless Past McPrime
Ima Terrible

[SwanVsDalton]

I'll still be glued to the telly for both games though.

Wow - things really *are* bad when even POS isn't going.

[Crosby87]

Female Pro Footballette: Me believe Irish players must find own style. And me not mean in shoes or ties. Me mean on pitch.

http://www.independent.ie/sport/soccer/international-soccer/stephanie-roche-martin-oneill-and-roy-keane-need-to-find-their-style-31496712.html

[Crosby87]

Tarted fans confident ahead of the massive clash vs Georgia

http://tartanarmyboard.co.uk/forum/index.php?showtopic=6021

[nigel-harps1954]

Female Indo writer: Me believe Irish players must find own style. And me not mean in shoes or ties. Me mean on pitch.

http://www.independent.ie/sport/soccer/international-soccer/stephanie-roche-martin-oneill-and-roy-keane-need-to-find-their-style-31496712.html

Female Professional Footballer.

[Crosby87]

Is that the girl that plays in Texas?

Injured Henderson: Me getting angry over Irish cold shoulder.
http://www.goal.com/en-ie/news/3942/ireland/2015/09/03/14994192/henderson-frustrated-with-lack-of-ireland-contact

[Acornvilla]

Plays for Sunderland now afaik.

[tetsujin1979]

Female Pro Footballette: Me believe Irish players must find own style. And me not mean in shoes or ties. Me mean on pitch.

http://www.independent.ie/sport/soccer/international-soccer/stephanie-roche-martin-oneill-and-roy-keane-need-to-find-their-style-31496712.html


Is that the girl that plays in Texas?

Injured Henderson: Me getting angry over Irish cold shoulder.
http://www.goal.com/en-ie/news/3942/ireland/2015/09/03/14994192/henderson-frustrated-with-lack-of-ireland-contact

Crosby you're not seven, stop posting like you are. It was funny for about 23 seconds six months ago.

[tetsujin1979]

Wow - things really *are* bad when even POS isn't going.
He doesn't need to, he already knows the lineups, major incidents and result

[Crosby87]

Crosby you're not seven, stop posting like you are. It was funny for about 23 seconds six months ago.

I wasnt trying to be funny, Adam. If I were trying to be funny I would say Horse walks into a bar, bartender says Why the long face?
You guys said there Is no buzz on here and sometimes my links lead to conversation.

[tetsujin1979]

I wasnt trying to be funny, Adam. If I were trying to be funny I would say Horse walks into a bar, bartender says Why the long face?
You guys said there Is no buzz on here and sometimes my links lead to conversation.

I'm not adam. I didn't say stop posting links, I said stop posting like you're seven.

[TrapAPony]

O'Kane, Pilkington, Rooney, Pearce and McShane (injured) have been cut.

[Closed Account]

Squad reduced to 23


Darren Randolph
Started
Clean Sheet



David Forde
Sub



Shay Given
Sub








Seamus Coleman
Started



Richard Keogh
Started



John O'Shea
Started



Ciaran Clark
Started



Marc Wilson
Sub(62)



Stephen Ward
Sub



Cyrus Christie
Not in Squad








James McCarthy
Started



Jeff Hendrick
Started



Glenn Whelan
Started



Stephen Quinn
Started



David Meyler
Started



Robbie Brady
Started



James McClean
Started(62)



Wes Hoolahan
Started(31)



Aiden McGeady
Not in Squad








Kevin Doyle
Started
Goal


Robbie Keane
Started



Shane Long
Sub



Jon Walters
Not in Squad









Given








Forde








Randolph





Coleman

O'Shea

Wilson

Brady


Christie

Keogh

Clark

Ward











McGeady

McCarthy

Whelan

Hoolahan


Hendrick

Meyler

Quinn

McClean













Keane

Doyle






Long

Walters

[Crosby87]

Roy post training remarks, some of the comments under are kinda funny. Well to me anyway.

http://www.rte.ie/sport/soccer/2015/0902/725201-roy-keane-rallies-ireland-before-gibraltar-clash/

[nigel-harps1954]

Actually very disappointed O'Kane has been cut. Thought he'd get a run out against Gibraltar.

[back of the net]

See MoN and Robbie Keane press conference below
http://www.rte.ie/sport/soccer/2015/0903/725510-ireland-presser/

[Stuttgart88]

Do we have a better CM than O'Kane at the moment? I despair at this management team's judgment.

Edit: I read a comment elsewhere that O'Kane, Pilkington and Rooney will return for Georgia game. Good, but strange.

[SwanVsDalton]

Do we have a better CM than O'Kane at the moment? I despair at this management team's judgment.

I think every CM retained apart from maybe Meyler is better than O'Kane - I'd be happy to keep him in the squad but not too exercised about him being left behind after three decent EPL performances.


I wasnt trying to be funny, Adam. If I were trying to be funny I would say Horse walks into a bar, bartender says Why the long face?
You guys said there Is no buzz on here and sometimes my links lead to conversation.

You're alright with me Cros, I even enjoyed 'female pro footballette' for some reason.

[DeLorean]

Yeah I'm don't necessarily agree that most of the ones retained are better, but I do think it's too early to tell. It's all well and good wanting to use these games to learn about guys we know little about, but it's probably fairer to use them to give game time to those who are in every squad but see very little game time. There's something to be said for having a happy camp too. If O'Kane keeps performing well in the PL, he'll get his chance soon enough.

[SwanVsDalton]

Just read we have five players on yellow cards (Coleman, Whelan, McCarthy, McClean, Wilson) - anyone think O'Neill will leave them out to make sure they're available for Georgia?

Catch 22 in a way, chances are if they play on Monday, they'll miss Germany. I think he'll probably just play them.

[DannyInvincible]

Do we have a better CM than O'Kane at the moment? I despair at this management team's judgment.

Edit: I read a comment elsewhere that O'Kane, Pilkington and Rooney will return for Georgia game. Good, but strange.

That is strange alright. Surely they'd be even less likely to feature against the superior Georgia. Was there no room for them on the flight to Faro or something?