U23 Players 2017/18

[tetsujin1979]

Checkatrade trophy kicks off tonight, with Harry Charsley starting for Everton, Conor Coventry on the bench for West Ham and Tyreke Wilson on the bench for Man City

[samhaydenjr]

Checkatrade trophy kicks off tonight, with Harry Charsley starting for Everton, Conor Coventry on the bench for West Ham and Tyreke Wilson on the bench for Man City

Also youngster Joshua Kayode came on for the last few minutes of Rotherham's senior team's clash with Man City's U-21s - as he was born in Lagos, can anybody confirm that he spent enough time in Ireland, before moving to The Millers, to qualify for us?

[samhaydenjr]

Three Irish goalscorers in tonight's Professional Development League game between Birmingham and Coventry: Ronan Hale got off the mark for the season and Corey O'Keeffe got the other goal for the Blues, but they were well beaten as the Sky Blues notched up five, with Reece Ford among their scorers

[samhaydenjr]

In U23 news from tonight, Daniel Mandroiu scored for Brighton in a 4-2 victory over Fulham; 17-year old Tyreke Wilson started for Man City against Arsenal, set up a goal but then got sent off after getting involved into a fracas with Jack Wilshere; Jonathan Afolabi was joined in Southampton's U23 squad by Will Smallbone and Thomas O'Connor, however they went down to a 3-0 defeat to Anthony Breslin's Wolves.

[CraftyToePoke]

Ryan Cassidy hit three for Watford U18s in their opening game V Burnley, from Dublin and only sixteen, striker.

[liamoo11]

In U23 news from tonight, Daniel Mandroiu scored for Brighton in a 4-2 victory over Fulham; 17-year old Tyreke Wilson started for Man City against Arsenal, set up a goal but then got sent off after getting involved into a fracas with Jack Wilshere; Jonathan Afolabi was joined in Southampton's U23 squad by Will Smallbone and Thomas O'Connor, however they went down to a 3-0 defeat to Anthony Breslin's Wolves.

Breslin and rainey who also played seem to have been at wolves for years but don't seem to be involved much for us at 21 level. Hard to see them making the breakthrough at wolves with all the money they spent. Kavanagh got an og last night really hope he can get a move somewhere it all looked so promising for him a few years ago

[samhaydenjr]

Some U23 league news: Ryan Manning seems to have been demoted from QPR's first team but did, at least, score a stunning winner, apparently: https://www.qpr.co.uk/fixtures/under-23/2017/qpr-u23s-v-barnsley-u23s/

Josh Barrett scored for Reading against Brighton, who had Dessie Hutchinson and Daniel Mandroiu as starters, with Aaron Connolly coming on as sub: https://www.premierleague.com/match/24076/premier-league-2/2017-18/brighton-v-reading

Jonathan Afolabi, Thomas O'Connor and Will Smallbone all featured for Southampton as they last 1-0 to Blackburn: https://www.premierleague.com/match/24079/premier-league-2/2017-18/southampton-v-blackburn

[samhaydenjr]

And one more bit of underage news - Bournemouth keeper Mark Travers, who has been included in our U-19 squad for an upcoming friendly against the Czech Republic, recently made his debut for Weymouth FC, where he is on loan. You wouldn't have thought this would have been a particularly noteworthy event, a young goalkeeper starting a loan spell at a non-league club...and then he did this:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?time_continue=16&v=pUh9ucFoYv4

[seanfhear]

The reaction of the players of the conceding team is worth a watch......:)

How will that go down with the goalkeeping Union......:)

It was a great strike of a ball.....

[samhaydenjr]

The reaction of the players of the conceding team is worth a watch......:)

How will that go down with the goalkeeping Union......:)

It was a great strike of a ball.....

It was also unique to watch the whole attacking team turn around and race toward their own goal in celebration

[samhaydenjr]

Quick Checkatrade update from tonight:

Josh Barrett scored for Reading's U-21s in normal time and in the shootout as they lost on penalties to Sean Murray's Colchester: https://www.cu-fc.com/fixtures/fixtures/first-team/201718/august/colchester-united-vs-reading-u21reading-on-29-aug-17/

Rowan Roache came on for the last 20 minutes and scored his penalty for Blackpool as they also lost in a shootout to Wigan: https://www.blackpoolfc.co.uk/matches/fixtures/first-team/201718/august/blackpool-vs-wigan-athletic-on-29-aug-17/

Aaron Connolly got another game against senior opposition, playing 70 minutes as Brighton lost to MK Dons. Dessie Hutchinson, Daniel Mandroiu and Rian O'Sullivan also played: https://www.mkdons.com/matches/fixtures/first-team/201718/august/mk-dons-vs-brighton-and-hove-albion-u21brighton-on-29-aug-17/

Dylan Watts played the full game for Leicester U-21s as they went down 3-0 to Fleetwood: https://www.fleetwoodtownfc.com/matches/fixtures/first-team/201718/august/fleetwood-town-vs-leicester-city-u21leicester-on-29-aug-17/

[CraftyToePoke]

Dylan Watts played the full game for Leicester U-21s as they went down 3-0 to Fleetwood: https://www.fleetwoodtownfc.com/matches/fixtures/first-team/201718/august/fleetwood-town-vs-leicester-city-u21leicester-on-29-aug-17/

Read that Leicester side coughed up 21 efforts on their goal last night while managing none on their opponents, real man & boys mismatch.

[tetsujin1979]

Conor O'Malley was in goals for Peterborough in their 2-0 win over Southampton

[samhaydenjr]

I'm sure somebody mentioned something about this already somewhere but it's just been posted on RTE's website: Conor Masterson has been named in Liverpool's squad for the Champions League: https://www.rte.ie/sport/soccer/2017/0904/902209-no-great-surprise-as-costa-not-in-chelsea-cl-squad/. Now they refer to the squad as a 25-man squad but on the UEFA site, 32 players are listed: http://www.uefa.com/uefachampionsleague/season=2018/clubs/club=7889/index.html

[tetsujin1979]

He's in the B-list, players under 23 that can be called into the main squad. But he should play in the UEFA Youth League

[samhaydenjr]

He's in the B-list, players under 23 that can be called into the main squad. But he should play in the UEFA Youth League

Ah, thanks for clearing that up - RTE made it sound like he was only a daring decision by Klopp or a minor injury crisis away from a place on the bench vs Maribor. Well hopefully he can do well in the Youth League and continue his progress

[liamoo11]

Evan pierce scored for West Brom 23 s tonight under 19 striker for us. Barrett seems to b good well for reading 23 s talented wide player. Jason knight was on bench for derby 23 s decent for lad who is under 17 for us this season

[samhaydenjr]

Evan pierce scored for West Brom 23 s tonight under 19 striker for us. Barrett seems to b good well for reading 23 s talented wide player. Jason knight was on bench for derby 23 s decent for lad who is under 17 for us this season


Speedster Khius Metz seemed to have dropped off the radar somewhat a little while back, having been sent to Altrincham on "work experience loan" last season. He's back with Burnley U23s now and scored his second in two games as they lost to Watford. Also, Nottingham Forest U23s put five past Colchester and Gerry McDonagh got two making it five in four games for him: https://twitter.com/GerryMcDonagh64/status/907254907417321478

[Olé Olé]

Interesting that McDonagh hasn't gone out on a loan yet, unless they have designs for the first team for him. He only got the one league goal in 13 games for Cambridge in the second half of last season.

[samhaydenjr]

Interesting that McDonagh hasn't gone out on a loan yet, unless they have designs for the first team for him. He only got the one league goal in 13 games for Cambridge in the second half of last season.

Hopefully they do - if he keeps up his current form for the U-23s over the next few months, surely Forest will have a look at him. Wouldn't worry about the stats for Cambridge as he probably took time to settle in late in the season - between that and his longer stint at Wrexham at least he got pretty much an entire season of first-team football under his belt, knocking in half-a-dozen goals

[Olé Olé]

Hopefully they do - if he keeps up his current form for the U-23s over the next few months, surely Forest will have a look at him. Wouldn't worry about the stats for Cambridge as he probably took time to settle in late in the season - between that and his longer stint at Wrexham at least he got pretty much an entire season of first-team football under his belt, knocking in half-a-dozen goals

Definitely agree with you there re Cambridge. Im just wondering if they think at Forest he still needs to have a successful goalscoring loan before he gets his first team shot. At least Forest are very good with blooding their academy players.

[samhaydenjr]

Definitely agree with you there re Cambridge. Im just wondering if they think at Forest he still needs to have a successful goalscoring loan before he gets his first team shot. At least Forest are very good with blooding their academy players.

Yeah, they might well do. Although surely you'd think that if he keeps up this scoring rate, at some point they'd have to consider giving him a shot themselves.

Meantime, Kian Flanagan was on the scoresheet for Palace U23s as they beat Eoghan Stokes' Leeds 3-0: https://www.leedsunited.com/news/academy-news/22328/u23-report-leeds-united-0-3-crystal-palace

[tetsujin1979]

Lee O'Connor starting for Manchester United against CSKA Moscow: http://www.uefa.com/uefayouthleague/season=2018/matches/live/index.html?day=2&session=2&match=2023065
game kicking off at 12

[tetsujin1979]

Ryan Nolan off the bench for Inter Milan: http://www.uefa.com/uefayouthleague/season=2018/matches/live/day=-4/session=2/match=2023144/index.html
About 12 minutes left in their game, currently 2-2

[samhaydenjr]

Bit of a round-up from the Premier League Cup tonight:

Main headline would be a goal for Khius Metz for Burnley against Newcastle: https://www.burnleyfootballclub.com/news/2017/september/match-report-for-newcastle-united-pl2-vs-burnley-u23-on-29-sep-17/ - he's starting to put a bit of a run together.

Four Irish players featured for Southampton U23s against Watford: Jonathan Afolabi and Aaron O'Driscoll played the full game while Thomas O'Connor and Michael Obafemi came on after 75 minutes. Afolabi hit the post and won a penalty but Southampton lost 2-1: https://southamptonfc.com/news/2017-09-29/match-report-u23s-premier-league-cup-saints-watford

Caiomhin Kelleher and Corey Whelan played to full 90 in Liverpool's draw with Charlton, while Conor Masterson came off the bench on 74 minutes: http://www.liverpoolfc.com/news/academy/276969-match-report-u23s-begin-premier-league-cup-with-charlton-draw

Dan Cleary is back at Birmingham and played the full game against Derby, as did Corey O'Keeffe: https://www.bcfc.com/news/articles/2017/report-blues-under-23s-0-derby-county-under-23s-1/

[tetsujin1979]

Is there a reason Masterson was excluded from the recent underage squads?

[liamoo11]

Bit of a round-up from the Premier League Cup tonight:

Main headline would be a goal for Khius Metz for Burnley against Newcastle: https://www.burnleyfootballclub.com/news/2017/september/match-report-for-newcastle-united-pl2-vs-burnley-u23-on-29-sep-17/ - he's starting to put a bit of a run together.

Four Irish players featured for Southampton U23s against Watford: Jonathan Afolabi and Aaron O'Driscoll played the full game while Thomas O'Connor and Michael Obafemi came on after 75 minutes. Afolabi hit the post and won a penalty but Southampton lost 2-1: https://southamptonfc.com/news/2017-09-29/match-report-u23s-premier-league-cup-saints-watford

Caiomhin Kelleher and Corey Whelan played to full 90 in Liverpool's draw with Charlton, while Conor Masterson came off the bench on 74 minutes: http://www.liverpoolfc.com/news/academy/276969-match-report-u23s-begin-premier-league-cup-with-charlton-draw

Dan Cleary is back at Birmingham and played the full game against Derby, as did Corey O'Keeffe: https://www.bcfc.com/news/articles/2017/report-blues-under-23s-0-derby-county-under-23s-1/
Shows our dept at 19s that o Driscoll can't make the squad

[tetsujin1979]

Kameron Lewidge and Nathan Collins in the guardian's list of academy players to watch: https://www.theguardian.com/football/ng-interactive/2017/oct/03/next-generation-2017-20-of-the-best-talents-at-premier-league-clubs

[samhaydenjr]

In Checkatrade action last night, Daniel Mandroiu got the equaliser for Brighton's U21s against Oxford as well as converting his penalty in the shoot-out: https://www.oufc.co.uk/matches/fixtures/first-team/201718/october/oxford-united-vs-brighton-and-hove-albion-u21brighton-on-03-oct-17/ . Excellent strike from just outside the box just past the 6-minute mark here: https://www.oufc.co.uk/matches/fixtures/first-team/201718/october/oxford-united-vs-brighton-and-hove-albion-u21brighton-on-03-oct-17/

Josh Barrett came off the bench on 67 minutes for Reading against Southend: https://www.southendunited.co.uk/matches/fixtures/first-team/201718/october/southend-united-vs-reading-u21reading-on-03-oct-17/

Robbie McCourt played the full 90 for West Brom U21s in their defeat to Shrewsbury, Evan Pierce was a second-half sub: https://www.shrewsburytown.com/matches/fixtures/first-team/2017182/october/shrewsbury-town-vs-west-bromwich-albion-u21west-brom-on-03-oct-17/

Aaron O'Driscoll was a starter for Southampton U21s in their victory at Cambridge. Will Smallbone was a late sub: https://www.cambridge-united.co.uk/matches/fixtures/first-team/201718/october/cambridge-united-vs-southampton-u21southampton-on-03-oct-17/

[samhaydenjr]

In U23 action tonight: Hat-trick for Shodipo while Grego-Cox got the winner against Charlton:https://www.qpr.co.uk/fixtures/under-23/2017/charlton-athletic-u23s-v-qpr-u23s/

Jonathan Afolabi got one of Southampton's six against Newcastle: https://www.premierleague.com/match/24104/premier-league-2/2017-18/southampton-v-newcastle

Kelleher, Whelan and Masterson all played the full game as Liverpool lost to Derby:https://www.premierleague.com/match/23052/premier-league-2/2017-18/derby-v-liverpool

Dessie Hutchinson captained Brighton in a 2-2 draw with Blackburn, Aaron Connolly came on as a second-half sub: https://www.premierleague.com/match/24103/premier-league-2/2017-18/brighton-v-blackburn

James Finnerty got an assist as Villa beat Wolves 2-0. Connor Ronan and Jake Doyle-Hayes also featured: https://www.premierleague.com/match/24103/premier-league-2/2017-18/brighton-v-blackburn

James Talbot was in goal for Sunderland as they lost 2-0 to Arsenal: https://www.premierleague.com/match/23051/premier-league-2/2017-18/arsenal-v-sunderland

[samhaydenjr]

Couple of Irish scorers in U23 action tonight:

Shola Ayoola has seemed to be a fringe player for Stoke U23s recently and started on the bench against West Brom - came on after 70 mins when they were 2-0 down and promptly scored two of Stoke's four. Robbie McCourt got an assist for West Brom: https://www.premierleague.com/match/24108/premier-league-2/2017-18/stoke-v-west-brom

Corey O'Keefe scored for Birmingham City in a 2-1 loss to Barnsley: https://www.bcfc.com/news/articles/2017/report-blues-under-23s-1-barnsley-under-23s-2/

[liamoo11]

Couple of Irish scorers in U23 action tonight:

Shola Ayoola has seemed to be a fringe player for Stoke U23s recently and started on the bench against West Brom - came on after 70 mins when they were 2-0 down and promptly scored two of Stoke's four. Robbie McCourt got an assist for West Brom: https://www.premierleague.com/match/24108/premier-league-2/2017-18/stoke-v-west-brom

Corey O'Keefe scored for Birmingham City in a 2-1 loss to Barnsley: https://www.bcfc.com/news/articles/2017/report-blues-under-23s-1-barnsley-under-23s-2/

Thank you. Ayoola is an interesting one nice option for our 19 s this season up top. Hale hasn't pushed on yet this season at Birmingham maybe he has had injuries. Mccourt is another interesting one was a left full in that 17s side with masterson that were at euro s but didn't seem to feature much for the 19 s last season.

[tetsujin1979]

Ryan Nolan played 90 minutes for Inter on Wednesday, they beat Dynamo Kiev 3-0: http://www.uefa.com/uefayouthleague/season=2018/matches/round=2000922/match=2023160/index.html

[samhaydenjr]

Thank you. Ayoola is an interesting one nice option for our 19 s this season up top. Hale hasn't pushed on yet this season at Birmingham maybe he has had injuries. Mccourt is another interesting one was a left full in that 17s side with masterson that were at euro s but didn't seem to feature much for the 19 s last season.

Yeah, I wasn't sure if he was a serious option as he seems to have been a bit-part player, at best, for Stoke's U23s. But I had a look at his profile and he's still only 18 so there's still time for him to become more central at that level. Hopefully today's brace will give him something to build on in the coming months.

[tetsujin1979]

Tyreke Wilson starting for Man City U21's tonight against Bradford, Sam Byrne on the bench for Everton U21's against Lincoln

[samhaydenjr]

Irish involvement in Monday's U23 action:

Josh Barrett grabbed two goals as Reading beat Aston Villa - James Finnerty and Jake Doyle-Hayes played for Villa: https://www.premierleague.com/match/24110/premier-league-2/2017-18/reading-v-aston-villa

Anthony Breslin played for Wolves as they lost 4-1 to Fulham: https://www.premierleague.com/match/24111/premier-league-2/2017-18/wolves-v-fulham

Conor Masterson and Corey Whelan played in defence for Liverpool as they beat Man Utd 3-1 - take note, Klopp: https://www.premierleague.com/match/23057/premier-league-2/2017-18/man-utd-v-liverpool - Kieran o'Hara was in goal for United.

[samhaydenjr]

Several goalscorers in U23 action tonight:

One of our big hopes for the future, still-17-year-old Aaron Connolly came on as a sub at half-time and got the winner at Southampton. Jayson Molumby (who's only 18 himself) moved down from the first-team squad to captain Brighton, while Jonathan Afolabi (also 17) played upfront for Southampton: https://www.premierleague.com/match/24116/premier-league-2/2017-18/southampton-v-brighton

Josh Barrett got another goal for Reading against West Brom. Robbie McCourt came on as a sub for West Brom, Evan Pierce was an unused sub: https://www.premierleague.com/match/24117/premier-league-2/2017-18/west-brom-v-reading

Jake Doyle-Hayes grabbed the sixth goal as Villa U23s thrashed Newcastle. James Finnerty was an unused sub. Also, any chance Callum O'Hare is eligible? Because he got a hat-trick: https://www.premierleague.com/match/24116/premier-league-2/2017-18/southampton-v-brighton

Olamide Shodipo kept up his recent terrific goal-scoring form, this time grabbing a penalty against Cardiff: https://www.qpr.co.uk/fixtures/under-23/2017/qpr-u23s-v-cardiff-city-u23s/

[Olé Olé]

Almost certain O'Hare is eligible. Played for the same GAA team as Jack Grealish: http://www.theharpnews.com/former-member-of-john-mitchels-gaa-is-tipped-for-a-high-flying-football-career/

[liamoo11]

Almost certain O'Hare is eligible. Played for the same GAA team as Jack Grealish: http://www.theharpnews.com/former-member-of-john-mitchels-gaa-is-tipped-for-a-high-flying-football-career/

Am I right in saying he hasn't played underage for the brits either?

[gastric]

Am I right in saying he hasn't played underage for the brits either?

According to Wikipedia he hasn't, but do we really need him with the astonishing degree of depth coming through?:D Oh it's nice to feel arrogant sometimes!

[tetsujin1979]

Almost certain O'Hare is eligible. Played for the same GAA team as Jack Grealish: http://www.theharpnews.com/former-member-of-john-mitchels-gaa-is-tipped-for-a-high-flying-football-career/

Few mentions of Ireland on his twitter, seems his sister is a champion Irish dancer too

[liamoo11]

Coventry playing again for west ham 23 s tonight again Bristol rovers senior side. For a midfielder who is an under 18 this year for us he seems like a fine talent hopefully following in the rice mould. Scully subbing up for them hasn't really matched the hype he had as a 15/16 year old when it looked like brits wood snatch him but to be fair he is still under 19 for us this season

[samhaydenjr]

According to Wikipedia he hasn't, but do we really need him with the astonishing degree of depth coming through?:D Oh it's nice to feel arrogant sometimes!

I know - soon, Irish-qualified midfielders will be declaring for England to improve their chances of having an international career. :)

[liamoo11]

I know - soon, Irish-qualified midfielders will be declaring for England to improve their chances of having an international career. :)

In fairness the success of England underage and the vast quantity and unreal quality of player they are producing is phenomenal. I think on the whole that helps our lads who go over to UK clubs which are producing such technical players andchelps us cause Irish qualified lads coming up through those academies are in a great environment.

[tetsujin1979]

Glen McAuley came off the bench to score the last goal for Liverpool U19 in their 3-0 win over Maribor in the UEFA Youth League. Masterson played in defence

[mark12345]

Few mentions of Ireland on his twitter, seems his sister is a champion Irish dancer too

Thank You. I knew he had Ireland on his mind.
Couldn't quite put my finger on it with a previous post, but this is solid evidence I would say.

[mark12345]

In fairness the success of England underage and the vast quantity and unreal quality of player they are producing is phenomenal. I think on the whole that helps our lads who go over to UK clubs which are producing such technical players andchelps us cause Irish qualified lads coming up through those academies are in a great environment.

That's a very good point. I have said in recent years that Irish lads should go anywhere but England in order to get a technical and tactical apprenticeship. But the achievements of the England underage teams over the last few months (they are world champions at 3 age groups) just cannot go unnoticed. They are obviously doing something right at the moment, and should be in a position to challenge for the World Cup itself in the next ten years. And liamo correctly points out that any Irish lad going into that environment can only benefit.

[mark12345]

Glen McAuley came off the bench to score the last goal for Liverpool U19 in their 3-0 win over Maribor in the UEFA Youth League. Masterson played in defence

McCauley's name is always there whenever goals are mentioned for Liverpool's U-18's, U-19's.

[liamoo11]

McCauley's name is always there whenever goals are mentioned for Liverpool's U-18's, U-19's.

It's the nature of how fantastic the Liverpool academy is(liverpool fan!!) but Brewster who is a regular for the pool 23 s and top scorer for England 17s is younger by a few months than mccauley. Will there be room for 2 17 year old strikers to break through?

[mark12345]

It's the nature of how fantastic the Liverpool academy is(liverpool fan!!) but Brewster who is a regular for the pool 23 s and top scorer for England 17s is younger by a few months than mccauley. Will there be room for 2 17 year old strikers to break through?

Hopefully. Liverpool have always had a habit of bringing strikers up from their ranks. They have had some success with imports, but nothing like Rush and Fowler.