2021 UEFA European Under-21 Championships

[Eirambler]

I think something we'll have to get used to under Kenny at this and senior level, is the we’ll lose some games that we’d have normally drawn, the flip side being we’ll also win more of the games we used to draw.

This is where I think things have the potential to go very badly at senior level under Kenny. Obviously we all moan about not beating Georgia but if we start losing those kind of games then we'll never qualify for anything. To make up for that we would need to be able to go to places like Switzerland and win, and I don't think we're good enough to do that, even with a few potentially better players coming through.

[Stuttgart88]

According to the Irish Times it was a bad ref decision and brutal conditions. I’ll give Kenny a pass here. Especially as he was without two star players.

[tetsujin1979]

That's a situation he'll have to deal with at senior level as well.

[Stuttgart88]

There's lots of situations he'll have to deal with. I'm just saying that a depleted XI, plastic pitch, brutal conditions and a clearly wrong penalty decision are mitigating factors.

[ifk101]

Kenny whinging about crowd size really isn't on. Take it on the chin. See Molumby picked up a yellow after the final whistle - unnecessary and he misses the next game.

[seanfhear]

Whinging Football Managers is not the way to go . Think David O’ Dreary . Basically killed his football managing career from whinging incorporated .

[Razors left peg]

The one thing I will say about yesterdays game is that they did try to play football right up to the end. They continued to pass the ball out from the back. It didnt work yesterday but on another day a couple of the chances they had would have went in.

I say that to compare it to the loss for the senior team who seemingly are incapable of passing the ball to each other. 2 losses yesterday but 1 definitely more worrying than other.

[geysir]

There's lots of situations he'll have to deal with. I'm just saying that a depleted XI, plastic pitch, brutal conditions and a clearly wrong penalty decision are mitigating factors.
One man's mitigation factors is another man's whining.
Iceland have a solid collegial squad, already have pumelled both Lux and Armenia at home in perfect conditions.
Ireland depleted? Is there one Icelandic player that would be regarded as 'good enough' to get into that Irish starting team?

A "clearly wrong penalty decision" or a questionable defence? The player claimed to the ref that the ball had hit his armpit, while going to ground making a desperate flailing attempt to block the goalbound shot. In all probability the ball hit his side and the back of his arm. The ref was right there. Seated in the row behind me was Eric (Hamren) and Gudny (Bergsson) and we all exclaimed the fatal word together "penalty", before the ref blinked an eye. I know, deep down you do appreciate the value in a name drop.

Though had an equaliser happened it would not have been amiss, but that it did not happen, highlights the evident edge that the tactical and mental preparations for this decidedly tough game gave to the humble home team over the more talented team, a remarkable recovery in the wake of the humiliating defeat to Sweden and with just 2 full days to prepare from that to this.
However the advantage is still very much with Ireland to get 2nd place (despite the whinings)

[Stuttgart88]

All you've said there is that there's nothing to beat the manager up over. Football's not a science. Teams score when they don't deserve to, and they do score when they don't. And plenty in between. Fair play to Iceland. Any win is a good win. Not every loss is a bad loss.

[geysir]

Nothing to beat up the manager about - losing a tight game one nil but his cringeworthy whining was reported in the media, that he felt sore and cheated. He has added an embarrasing aspect to the perception of Irish people here, that some are a bunch of moany shirkers who lack the neccessay mettle. Us Icelanders just get on with life and adapt (or die).

[Razors left peg]

Id rather the manager bitch, moan and whine about losing rather than have someone delighted with a draw in a game we really needed to win

[Closed Account]

https://www.fai.ie/ireland/news/ireland-u-21-squad-named-for-armenia-sweden-qualifiers

First call-ups for Thomas O'Connor, Jack Clarke and Aidan Keena
Bazanu, Ledwidge, Power and Drinan miss out
Lee O'Connor and Jayson Molumby suspended, will join up for Sweden game


Ireland U-21: Squad named for Armenia & Sweden qualifiers

Republic of Ireland Under-21 manager Stephen Kenny has named a 22-man squad for the qualifiers against Armenia and Sweden.




6th Nov 2019

The U-21s are set to travel to Yerevan, Armenia for their qualifier on Thursday, November 14, with kick-off at 12pm (4pm local time), before returning to Ireland to face Sweden on Tuesday, November 19, with kick-off at 8pm.
Captain Jayson Molumby and defender Lee O'Connor are both suspended for the Armenia qualifier but will link up with the squad ahead of the Sweden match.
Aston Villa's Jack Clarke receives his first U-21 call-up as well as Hearts striker Aidan Keena and full-back Thomas O'Connor, who is currently on loan at Gillingham from Southampton.
Stephen Kenny's squad has also been boosted by the return of Trevor Clarke, who has returned to full fitness, and receives his first call-up since the victory over Luxembourg in March.
Ireland will be without Jonathan Afolabi, Darragh Leahy and Luca Connell who are out injured, and Troy Parrott, who has been called into the senior squad.
Gavin Bazunu will link up with the Republic of Ireland U-19 squad ahead of their UEFA qualifying round matches this month.
Tickets for the Sweden qualifier are currently on sale for €5 adults and FREE for U-16s, FAI Season Ticket Holders and Shamrock Rovers Season Ticket Holders. Get your tickets from fai.ie/tickets now.
Republic of Ireland U-21 Squad
Goalkeepers: Caoimhin Kelleher (Liverpool), Conor Kearns (UCD AFC).
Defenders: Thomas O'Connor (Gillingham, on loan from Southampton), Danny McNamara (Newport County, on loan from Millwall), Dara O'Shea (West Bromwich Albion), Conor Masterson (QPR), Liam Scales (UCD AFC), Nathan Collins (Stoke City), Trevor Clarke (Rotherham).
Midfielders: Jason Knight (Derby County), Conor Coventry (West Ham United), Jack Taylor (Barnet), Jack Clarke (Aston Villa), Connor Ronan (DAC Dunajská Streda, on loan from Wolverhampton Wanderers), Dan Mandroiu (Bohemians).
Wingers: Zack Elbouzedi (Waterford), Gavin Kilkenny (AFC Bournemouth), Neil Farrugia (Shamrock Rovers), Danny Grant (Bohemians).
Forwards: Adam Idah (Norwich City), Aidan Keena (Hearts), Michael Obafemi (Southampton).






https://pbs.twimg.com/media/EIshL4aWwAE79f7?format=jpg

[tetsujin1979]

Kelleher and Obafemi included in the U21 squad announced today: https://www.fai.ie/ireland/news/ireland-u-21-squad-named-for-armenia-sweden-qualifiers
Thomas O'Connor, James Clarke, and Aidan Keena all get their first call ups. Little surprised Anthony Scully isn't included, he's overage for the under 19 squad, which will probably be announced tomorrow or Friday.

[tommy_c12000]

Great to see Trevor Clarke and Tom O'Connor in there. Kenna hasn't been playing much for Hearts, I think just a couple of token late sub appearances this season. Scully was the other player to consider here, but it's worth bearing in mind that Scully is playing in PL2 Division 2, a division below where Aaron Connolly lit up last year. So not criminal for Kenny not to include him ahead of Kenna. Unusual on Luca Connell, he's had very vague "injuries" what is his actual injury? Surprising Afolabi is still not back. Still a strong looking squad and it's great others get a chance to develop with Connolly and Parrot moving up. Looking forward to these set of games, hoping for (and expecting) 6 points

[elatedscum]

Can’t really argue much with the squad…


Good to see Trev Clarke and Neil Farrugia back from injury, although Farrugia doesn’t quite look himself yet. We’re looking a little short up top with Connolly, Parrott and Afolabi all unavailable.


I guess in different circumstances, they would have liked to have used those 3 and let Idah play with the 19s for their group games. The most notable absentee is Josh Barrett I think. Scully is a fair call as well.


Of the new boys, Thomas O’Connor definitely deserves a call. As for Jack Clarke, to be honest I kinda get confused between Jack Clarke, James Clarke and Jack James.


Regarding Grant and Keena, have only seen highlights of Keena since he left Ireland. Grant I’ve seen play once or twice and he looked decent. There are about 10 strikers who are in that tier of player, some potential but question marks around them: Grant, Keena, Drinan, M O’Connor, McAuley, Hale, Mahdy, Reghba, Kayode, Walker etc. (I wonder whether Jozsef Keaveny has done anything in Cyrpus). Of those lads, I’d like to see Hale and McAuley have a chance to work with Kenny. Hale looked so good for the 21s under King, so bright and energetic, that he can’t be below standard a year or two older – and with Glen, you feel the talent is there, he just needs the right management around him to get the best out of him.


Will be very interested to see what team he picks v Armenia, you could argue that 5 or 6 of the best 11 are missing

[tommy_c12000]

I would obviously like Barrett to be in there. However, he’s hardly been tearing it up with Reading for the past couple of months, he’s out of favor with minimal first team exposure, so not quite a travesty that he’s not in the squad.

[tetsujin1979]

Tyreke Wilson also excluded, playing regularly for Man City's U23s and had a run out against Bolton in the EFL Trophy last week.
Again not a travesty that he's not there, just a bit strange

[Olé Olé]

https://www.hitc.com/en-gb/2019/10/22/is-jack-clarke-in-line-for-an-aston-villa-debut-with-dean-smith/

Recent article on Jack Clarke recently states he has been going fairly well.

[tetsujin1979]

Game will be live on Eir Sport at 11:55 on Thursday

[tetsujin1979]

Caoimhin Kelleher, Conor Masterson, Neil Farrugia, Michael Obafemi and Trevor Clarke have all withdrawn from the U21 squad, Anthony Scully (who should have been in the first squad) and Corey O'Keefe have been given their first callup to the U21 squad. Gavin Bazunu, Kameron Ledwidge, and Simon Power replace the others: https://www.fai.ie/ireland/news/ireland-u-21-five-players-called-into-squad-for-armenia

[liamoo11]

Caoimhin Kelleher, Conor Masterson, Neil Farrugia, Michael Obafemi and Trevor Clarke have all withdrawn from the U21 squad, Anthony Scully (who should have been in the first squad) and Corey O'Keefe have been given their first callup to the U21 squad. Gavin Bazunu, Kameron Ledwidge, and Simon Power replace the others: https://www.fai.ie/ireland/news/ireland-u-21-five-players-called-into-squad-for-armenia

Looking very light up front now. What has Josh barrett done to be so out of the picture? Obafemi only played a minute at the end yesterday he couldn't be injured is he getting called up instead of Connolly maybe just for the pace factor?

[elatedscum]

Interesting selections choices.

RE keepers, considering Randolph is back fit. I probably would have sent Travers to play in Armenia and called up McDermott or Talbot or whoever to be 3rd keeper for the friendly against New Zealand. Means you can keep Bazunu with the 19s and you’ve got Travers working with Kenny. And it possibly gives O’Hara an opportunity against New Zealand.

Surprised he hasn’t replaced Masterson with an actual centre half. Thought Ledwidge was poor at left back v Iceland. Could have gone for any of Nolan, O’Hora, O’Driscoll, Ndaba or Irish based lads Finnerty, McCarthy, Kelly, McNally.

I don’t mind the O’Keefe call up considering he’s the only viable full-back who Kenny is yet to call up at some point (Leahy, Clarke, Cotter, Ledwidge, McNamara, Wilson, Carroll, L O’Connor, T O’Connor). Dara O’Shea is probably the only lad guaranteed to start against Armenia. Never good when 4 of your first choice back 5 are missing.

If Obafemi has been called up to the senior squad ahead of Shane Long, that’s a mistake by McCarthy, unless Long is injured. Obafemi has played less lately than Long and Long is still an infinitely more intimidating prospect in terms of his strength and pace and intelligence/experience using his body. Even when he’s not scoring goals, he’s still giving centre backs a hard day’s work. He’s still drawing fouls and penalties. If I was a Danish centre back, honestly, Shane Long is the one lad who I really wouldn’t want to face, more than any other striker we have. So to not even include him in the squad is criminal. Thinking back, I think maybe he does better against better opposition. I can remember games against Chelsea, United, Liverpool, Germany, Belgium, France etc where he caused real problems for defenders.

Scully makes sense but Kenny clearly sees something in Power that he’s yet to show on the pitch. He’s picked him ahead of Barrett, but really he’s also picked him ahead of an actual number 9 which Obafemi can be. It leaves us very light in that department. Keena and Grant are unproven yet at this level.

Perhaps this is the negative of us playing all of our competitive games together and so early in the group to accommodate the Kenny situation. As it progresses and you lose players to the senior squad or players to suspension and injury, you haven’t had the friendlies interspersed to blood other viable alternatives. Or maybe it’s just bad luck that all of Kelleher, Travers, O’Connor, Masterson, Leahy, Clarke, Molumby, Connell, Connolly, Farrugia, Obafemi, Afolabi, Parrott are all unavailable at the same time...

[tetsujin1979]

I thought the fixtures were decided by UEFA?

[Olé Olé]

Caoimhin Kelleher, Conor Masterson, Neil Farrugia, Michael Obafemi and Trevor Clarke have all withdrawn from the U21 squad, Anthony Scully (who should have been in the first squad) and Corey O'Keefe have been given their first callup to the U21 squad. Gavin Bazunu, Kameron Ledwidge, and Simon Power replace the others: https://www.fai.ie/ireland/news/ireland-u-21-five-players-called-into-squad-for-armenia

Why are you so convinced that Scully should have been in the first squad? We normally play with one striker at under 21 level and make exceptions for exceptional cases like Connolly or Parrott alongside Idah. Obafemi, Idah and Keena were our 3 and I don't think it is justifiable to say that Scully should have been in before any of the 3 because of a hot streak at the second tier of reserve football.

[Eirambler]

Scully is more of a utility forward than a striker to be fair. He can play a few different positions and deserves his call up, especially given the number of drop outs.

[Olé Olé]

Is he not a utility forward because he has normally played on the wing and has just recently converted to striker so he has ad another position? I'm not disputing he should have been called up after the drop outs, I just think it is unfair on Kenny to say he should have been named in the initial squad. He has had no exposure at this level, is playing in a new position at club level and one he has never played at any international level and he is not playing in the first tier of reserve football and Kenny had options who have been in the squad all along.

[tetsujin1979]

Why are you so convinced that Scully should have been in the first squad? We normally play with one striker at under 21 level and make exceptions for exceptional cases like Connolly or Parrott alongside Idah. Obafemi, Idah and Keena were our 3 and I don't think it is justifiable to say that Scully should have been in before any of the 3 because of a hot streak at the second tier of reserve football.
It's a bit more than a "hot streak". he's been playing consistently well for more than two months now - winning the PL2 Player of the Month in September, and nominated again for the October award, despite playing in the second tier.

[liamoo11]

It's a bit more than a "hot streak". he's been playing consistently well for more than two months now - winning the PL2 Player of the Month in September, and nominated again for the October award, despite playing in the second tier.

He is a great example to anyone who has been long term injured or out of form. For the toulon tournament I doubt he was in anyone's top 50 under 21 eligible players

[Kingdom]

They were. It was referenced in an interview last week. They specifically wanted armenia away as a standalone fixture

[elatedscum]

I thought the fixtures were decided by UEFA?

They were. It was referenced in an interview last week. They specifically wanted armenia away as a standalone fixture
Sorry about that. I remember hearing Kenny talk towards the beginning of the campaign about wanting back to back fixtures to build momentum and get ahead in the group, and falsely equated his desire, combined with the fact we seems to get through games quickly and his temporary tenure. Added 2 + 2 and got 5

[Olé Olé]

It's a bit more than a "hot streak". he's been playing consistently well for more than two months now - winning the PL2 Player of the Month in September, and nominated again for the October award, despite playing in the second tier.

We can agree to disagree but I think it's unfair to be stating he should have been picked in the first place- unfair on Kenny and unfair on the three strikers initially picked. I don't think there's a body of work there over a sustained period of time that would justify his inclusion in the middle of the campaign for a pair of important competitive matches. There was plenty clamour for Nolan's inclusion on here and his move to Serie C and subsequent form has quelled that.

[tetsujin1979]

We can agree to disagree but I think it's unfair to be stating he should have been picked in the first place- unfair on Kenny and unfair on the three strikers initially picked. I don't think there's a body of work there over a sustained period of time that would justify his inclusion in the middle of the campaign for a pair of important competitive matches. There was plenty clamour for Nolan's inclusion on here and his move to Serie C and subsequent form has quelled that.
He's playing at the same level as Idah, and going by the September award and October nomination, has been playing better than him for at least two months now.

[Olé Olé]

He's playing at the same level as Idah, and going by the September award and October nomination, has been playing better than him for at least two months now.
Note my point relating to the middle of a campaign and important competitive matches. Idah has 4 in 10 at this level. He also has more senior exposure appearing in pre-season, league cup and on the bench in the league for Norwich.

[tommy_c12000]

https://www.punditarena.com/football/mcorry/gavin-bazunu-ireland-armenia/amp/

Looking like a back 5 of: Bazunu, McNamara, O’Shea, Collins, O’Connor. Only slightly weakened and a testimony to the strength in depth. Assume middle 3 of Coventry, Knight, Ronan; weakened without Molumby but still quality at this level. Hopefully, Kilkenny will start on one of the wings, Kenny will probably go with Elbouzedi on right. And Idah will start up front. I expect the 3 points in Armenia.

[liamoo11]

https://www.punditarena.com/football/mcorry/gavin-bazunu-ireland-armenia/amp/

Looking like a back 5 of: Bazunu, McNamara, O’Shea, Collins, O’Connor. Only slightly weakened and a testimony to the strength in depth. Assume middle 3 of Coventry, Knight, Ronan; weakened without Molumby but still quality at this level. Hopefully, Kilkenny will start on one of the wings, Kenny will probably go with Elbouzedi on right. And Idah will start up front. I expect the 3 points in Armenia.i

It's a big show of faith in bazuna given that kearns has played so much mens football and played in toulon

[elatedscum]

Seen as Mick isn’t starting Travers, he might as well have let him play in Armenia given Kelleher’s situation.

[liamoo11]

Seen as Mick isn’t starting Travers, he might as well have let him play in Armenia given Kelleher’s situation.m

What is kelleher s situation is he injured?

[elatedscum]

Some form of injury. No idea what. Don’t think it’s anything too serious considering Coventry was joking about it and nothing has been announced but since his game against Arsenal he hasn’t been involved in any of the pre-game stuff. Normally it’s himself, Alison and Adrian doing all the drills but checked the vid and Lonergan has been there for past 3 games, so must have picked up something in that game

[tetsujin1979]

The Armenian FA are streaming the game on YouTube: https://youtu.be/XwPGoMzy5Yk

[tommy_c12000]

Dominated first half, but being wasteful again. 0-0. Good performance

[ifk101]

Agree, well on top but didn't take our chances. Ronan has been poor imo. He needs to step up it, get on the ball more and be better in possession. Collins at back wouldn't look out of place at senior.

[elatedscum]

So far all the debutants have done well. Bazunu has looked calm and dominant. McNamara hasn’t been amazing but you can see why they like him. Good composed footballer. O’Connor’s deliveries have been good from set pieces and he’s been an outlet for his centre halves and for Elbouzedi. Nat Collins has been really impressive.


As for the rest of the side, collectively we need to take our chances. Idah, Collins, Knight and Elbouzedi probably should have all scored and didn’t. Elbouzedi has shown both his qualities and his weaknesses. Not enough lads are breaking into the box.


They’ve really missed Molumby and his presence and driving and leadership. Kilkenny has been anonymous so far. Would think that Mandriou might come on for Knight and someone for Kilkenny…

[tommy_c12000]

Nice finish from Elbouzedi, after nice link up play by knight with cross from Idah, step over from Ronan. 1-0. Let’s push on. Dominating performance

[tetsujin1979]

Another red card, so O'Shea misses the Sweden game on Tuesday. It wasn't a great decision by the ref. Any contact between the two players was minimal, and the Armenian player made sure to go down.

[tommy_c12000]

Excellent 1-0 win in Armenia. Hanging on a bit in the end after losing O'Shea to a red card, but good performance. Bring on Sweden next week.

Debutants did well - Bazunu didn't have a lot to though but did make a couple of solid saves second half. He looks to be a fantastic prospect although he needs to work on his kicking and distribution over the next couple of years. McNamara was solid if not spectacular. O'Connor a bit better going forward, has a nice left foot, appears to be a better option than Leahy. Collins looked assured and will start again vs Sweden.

O'Shea was good again. Red card probably justifiable though being last man despite an innocuous crossing of legs. Coventry was very good first half faded a bit second. Such a sharp passer. Knight didn't have the greatest of games but came into it in the second half, Molumby will be back in here next week. Ronan showed some touches of class in the second half, playing a bit better than the previous 2 games when he had come back from a lengthy lay off. Kilkenny was poor enough. Elbouzedi ran his socks off. Although he was wasteful at times, he took his goal very well and made some important runs when it counted at the end. Idah gets a 10/10 for effort, he did well for our goal - but he didn't set the world alight again, struggling without the appropriate support up front. It's a thankless task.

[tommy_c12000]

Any word on Masterson? Could do with him vs Sweden now, although Scales will be a reasonable option and is experienced. I wonder how bad the injuries to the 5 who pulled out were? The prospect of any 5 leg journey to Eastern Europe certainly has the potential to exacerbate any muscle strains .....

[ifk101]

Didn't take our chances and holding on at the end following the sending off. And we were helped with their number 10 going off injured. But given the numbers of players we were missing, getting the win is the positive to take. Sweden have called up a couple of their U21s to the seniors so weaker (on paper) than the first game.

[Insidetherock]

Do you have to provide a squad to UEFA a certain amount of time before a game, or could players like Parrot be in both the Monday and Tuesday night squad?

I think Mc Carthy is doing the right thing by the way bringing u21s up to senior for the week to have a look at them. The reality is that we're probably looking at ending up in a play off in March and maybe Mick would prefer bringing players up to the seniors now and getting them acquainted to the senior squad, in case they take off over the winter playing in the premier League or whatever

[elatedscum]

Do you have to provide a squad to UEFA a certain amount of time before a game, or could players like Parrot be in both the Monday and Tuesday night squad?

I think Mc Carthy is doing the right thing by the way bringing u21s up to senior for the week to have a look at them. The reality is that we're probably looking at ending up in a play off in March and maybe Mick would prefer bringing players up to the seniors now and getting them acquainted to the senior squad, in case they take off over the winter playing in the premier League or whatever

I think the likes of Parrott and Travers could theoretically be used in both squads if we wanted them to...

Long time since I've seen Keena play. He really didn't look like a speedster there. Was like he was running really fast with maximum effort but his legs were up to the knee in mud and his body just wasn't moving...

I wonder who was the slowest Irish striker over the past 20 years?

[greendeiseboy]

I think the likes of Parrott and Travers could theoretically be used in both squads if we wanted them to...

Long time since I've seen Keena play. He really didn't look like a speedster there. Was like he was running really fast with maximum effort but his legs were up to the knee in mud and his body just wasn't moving...

I wonder who was the slowest Irish striker over the past 20 years?

If you're including Northern Irish players, definitely Niall McGinn;);)