Irish Abroad 2021/22

[tetsujin1979]

After 11 years of live updates on twitter (http://twitter.com/irish_abroad), facebook (https://www.facebook.com/irishfootballstatistics), and the live blog (http://irish-abroad.appspot.com/Live), it looks like it's all going to end this week. The free service I had been using to power them is shutting down on Thursday, and, unless a replacement can be found, all three will grind to a halt. There's a few other paid services online that offer the same updates, but since the Irish Abroad site itself has no ads, and generates no income, I can't afford to pay for any of these.
I'm open to suggestions on how to keep things going, but otherwise it's all going to go really quiet from Friday.

Update on this, the supplier is going to keep going for one more week, but I don't know for how long more after that - they're pretty unrepsonsive at the best of times - so I've been investigating alternatives
Some suggestions include a patreon or gofundme to pay for a subscription to one of alternative sites that offer the same service, e.g. api-football (https://www.api-football.com/) or footystats (https://footystats.org/api/).
I've never used patreon or gofundme before, so I have to find out if it counts as income - has anyone here used them before for fund raising?

[tetsujin1979]

Update on the live blog and player updates.
Finally managed to get a response from our data supplier and things will continue as normal until the end of the 2021/22 season. After that, I honestly have no idea what will happen.

[OwlsFan]

Re Ciaran Brennan, Owls signed two central defenders so he went back to the bench but one got immediately injured so possibility he may get his chance again. Neat and tidy player but his introduction to the first team coincided with the team having a bad run primarily due to injuries. I have some hope for him as he looks a good footballer.

[tetsujin1979]

In the first podcast episode of 2022, I'm joined by Mark Kennedy of Hawkeye Sidekick and Philip Flanagan of The Bottomless Pit Of Football to discuss Irish player transfers and loans in the January 2022 Transfer Window, and the two friendlies announced for the end of March
https://shows.acast.com/irish-football-fans/episodes/episode-37-the-january-2022-transfer-window
https://open.spotify.com/episode/6gb3FlS2Zdw2h6lbCemno1?si=506c5f3481c64097

[tetsujin1979]

Repeat XIs - what Ireland starting XI has been selected more than any other?
http://irish-abroad.appspot.com/Blog?id=7399579817017587555

[seanfhear]

Repeat XIs - what Ireland starting XI has been selected more than any other?
http://irish-abroad.appspot.com/Blog?id=7399579817017587555
I don’t like to be too hard on the midfielders but if that team had say two higher quality midfielders it would have been a pretty decent side.

[tetsujin1979]

Steven Reid was a massive loss to the team

[seanfhear]

Steven Reid was a massive loss to the team
Injury robbed him of a much higher level of football. And Us as well.

[tetsujin1979]

In the latest podcast episode, myself, Mark Kennedy of Hawkeye Sidekick and Philip Flanagan of The Bottomless Pit of Football discuss the debuts given by each Ireland manager since Brian Kerr - the successes, the failures, and the future legends of the game
Acast: https://shows.acast.com/irish-football-fans/episodes/episode-39-player-debuts
Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/episode/15DLFZb4qEXf5KVWXggzrs?si=d7037899cef44499

Full list of player debuts available here: http://irish-abroad.appspot.com/Blog?id=3167049253370574283

[tetsujin1979]

Something a little different, I've created a repo on github for the FAIreland men's senior side, with all players, managers, levels, opposition countries, and games in JSON files
https://github.com/irishabroad/international-data

countries.json - definitions of opposition countries
levels.json - the level each game is played at
managers.json - each manager, and the start and end dates for their reigns
players.json - player definitions
games.json - each game played by the senior men's team, with the rankings of both sides, the level of the game, the starting XI, substitutes, bookings, goals, and sendings off, and an incomplete list of assists

[Demesne Lad]

Enda Stevens back in action for Sheffield Utd tonight (Tuesday), along with John Egan; Westwood, Dunne and Hendrick start for QPR.

After nearly two months out with a calf injury, Greg Cunningham starts for Preston NE, as does Browne, while Maguire is on the bench and Rafferty is not in the Squad. Their opponents Blackpool include Keogh in the starting XI.

Danny McNamara starts for Millwall, against Swansea's Manning, Christie and Obafemi.

Peter Kioso starts for Luton, as does Jack Taylor for bottom club Peterborough.

In the Reading v Stoke game, I think only Stoke's Jack Bonham is of Irish interest.

[Eirambler]

Six Irish players started for Portsmouth yesterday in League 1 (provided you include Sean Raggett who has declared for us but never had a call up - and probably never will as he is a centre back).

https://www.portsmouth.co.uk/sport/football/portsmouth-fc/latest-pompey-news/norwich-loanee-sean-raggett-feels-portsmouth-can-help-him-achieve-republic-of-ireland-breakthrough-1313243

Wonder when was the last time the majority of a starting team in an English league game was Irish?

[tetsujin1979]

Six Irish players started for Portsmouth yesterday in League 1 (provided you include Sean Raggett who has declared for us but never had a call up - and probably never will as he is a centre back).

https://www.portsmouth.co.uk/sport/football/portsmouth-fc/latest-pompey-news/norwich-loanee-sean-raggett-feels-portsmouth-can-help-him-achieve-republic-of-ireland-breakthrough-1313243

Wonder when was the last time the majority of a starting team in an English league game was Irish?
Almost exactly a year ago, on Friday, 2nd April 2021, Rochdale started six players - Gavin Bazunu, Jimmy Keohane, Eoghan O'Connell, Conor Shaughnessy, Paul McShane, and Conor Grant
1377969065621291012

[Eirambler]

Thanks - have to say I thought it would be longer ago than that but I forgot about BBM's army of Irish players at Rochdale last year.

[tetsujin1979]

In the new podcast episode, myself and Mark Kennedy from Hawkeye Sidekick review the friendlies against Belgium and Lithuania, the Elite Round qualifiers for the Under 17 and Under 19 sides, and the Under 21's qualifier against Sweden
Acast: https://shows.acast.com/irish-football-fans/episodes/episode-41-bad-times-dont-last
Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/episode/5CgKR4N9YgozK3uQzcWrTe?si=f6a1f1f14ec54e77

[tetsujin1979]

Connor Ronan and Jake Doyle Hayes nominated for Scottish Goal of the Season
https://www.skysports.com/football/story-telling/11781/12595760/vote-scottish-premiership-goal-of-the-season-2021-22

[Demesne Lad]

One of the 'nearly Irish abroad', Christy Pym, has been placed on the transfer list by Peterborough. Played in goal for England U-20s, but eligible for Ireland and only 14 months ago was mentioned as a possible squad member.

[Demesne Lad]

Among the players released by EFL Championship clubs: Joe Rafferty, Kieren Westwood, David McGoldrick,

[Demesne Lad]

The Peterborough Telegraph today referred to "reports" that Ipswich Town are interested in Jack Taylor, former Rep of Ireland U-21 midfielder. Barry Fry, the Director of Football, characteristically declares that "we have no interest in selling Jack Taylor. If someone offered £10 million we might, but that isn’t going to happen". Fry will join a Posh recruitment and planning party in Las Vegas (!!) on Wednesday where Taylor's future will be just one item for discussion.

[paul_oshea]

Good stat from Gavin cooney but I guess that's got a lot to do with Sheffield United

https://twitter.com/gcooney93/status/1528726853325922304?t=N5cgMz6iZ4JDd0DuxToJZA&s=08

[Trequartista20]

Here's the fleshed-out article.

https://www.the42.ie/irish-players-in-premier-league-5771780-May2022/

Statistically this will be even worse next season.

Omobamidele, Idah, Springett (not mentioned in the article), Long and Collins will all be playing in the second tier next term and, among the promoted teams, only Travers has a chance of playing regularly next season. No Irish involvement in the Championship play-off final either.

[seanfhear]

Playing in the championship is better than Not playing in the premiership.

[tetsujin1979]

Some graphs on Irish player appearances in the Premier League this season
https://twitter.com/irish_abroad/status/1529065011481550848

[Trequartista20]

Playing in the championship is better than Not playing in the premiership.

Tru dat.

Outside of the big five European leagues I'd probably rate the Championship as the best of the rest. It's of a very credible standard.

[Demesne Lad]

Zak Delaney (20, defender) has been released by WBA; he joined the club as a 16 year-old. During the last 6 months he made 29 appearances for Bath City in the National League South.

[tetsujin1979]

I'm joined by Mark Kennedy of Hawkeye Sidekick and Philip Flanagan of The Bottomless Pit of Football to discuss the senior squad announced by Stephen Kenny to face Armenia, Ukraine, and Scotland in the opening games of the 2022/23 Nations League campaign, and the final three qualifiers for the U21s in their qualifying group for the 2023 UEFA Under 21 Championship, with their fate very much in their hands.
Acast: https://shows.acast.com/irish-football-fans/episodes/episode-42-life-football-and-everything
Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/episode/0PqMQrSfyn81Axkm1Bmn4q?si=2dbbb91e18674ef3
Google Podcasts: https://podcasts.google.com/feed/aHR0cHM6Ly9mZWVkcy5hY2FzdC5jb20vcHVibGljL3Nob3dzL2 lyaXNoLWZvb3RiYWxsLWZhbnM/episode/NjI5MTU4YzQxY2NkODgwMDEzMWJhYjE1?sa=X&ved=0CAUQkfYCahcKEwjAuLShmIL4AhUAAAAAHQAAAAAQUQ

Due to some unforeseen microphone issues, I did have to deliver some of my segments from a phone box behind the iron curtain in 1972!

[tetsujin1979]

Myself, Mark, and Philip are delighted to be joined by Aiden O'Brien to discuss scoring on his senior international debut, the transfer window from a player's perspective, and what it's like to train against Gavin Bazunu

Acast: https://shows.acast.com/irish-football-fans/episodes/episode-42-aiden-obrien
Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/episode/20gp5hLxAxU43xjf4T4E76?si=828d67de6afb4787
Google Podcasts: https://podcasts.google.com/feed/aHR0cHM6Ly9mZWVkcy5hY2FzdC5jb20vcHVibGljL3Nob3dzL2 lyaXNoLWZvb3RiYWxsLWZhbnM/episode/NjJhMjhjZTkyM2JlZWIwMDEzMTQ3OWRm
Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/episode-43-aiden-obrien/id1626813727?i=1000565963983

[tetsujin1979]

Myself, Mark, and Philip are delighted to be joined by Aiden O'Brien to discuss scoring on his senior international debut, the transfer window from a player's perspective, and what it's like to train against Gavin Bazunu

Acast: https://shows.acast.com/irish-football-fans/episodes/episode-42-aiden-obrien
Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/episode/20gp5hLxAxU43xjf4T4E76?si=828d67de6afb4787
Google Podcasts: https://podcasts.google.com/feed/aHR0cHM6Ly9mZWVkcy5hY2FzdC5jb20vcHVibGljL3Nob3dzL2 lyaXNoLWZvb3RiYWxsLWZhbnM/episode/NjJhMjhjZTkyM2JlZWIwMDEzMTQ3OWRm
Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/episode-43-aiden-obrien/id1626813727?i=1000565963983

Bit strange, Aiden's comments on his contract situation in the podcast episode were picked up by The Portsmouth News

https://www.portsmouth.co.uk/sport/football/portsmouth-fc/portsmouth-transfer-news-former-sunderland-and-millwall-forward-aiden-obrien-provides-update-on-his-future-as-fratton-park-contract-offer-remains-on-the-table-3728475

[tetsujin1979]

In the longest podcast episode so far, myself, Mark Kennedy from hawkeyesidekick and Philip Flanagan from The Bottomless Pit Of Football discuss the four Ireland fixtures in June 2022 - the highs, the lows, and what it means for the two remaining Nations League fixtures in September
Acast: https://shows.acast.com/irish-football-fans/episodes/episode-44-a-jekyll-and-hyde-episode
Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/episode/051ltJlsvhBDXplIPHusB1?si=13ca9b0ef17342d6
Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/episode-44-a-jekyll-and-hyde-episode/id1626813727?i=1000567596035
Google Podcasts: https://podcasts.google.com/feed/aHR0cHM6Ly9mZWVkcy5hY2FzdC5jb20vcHVibGljL3Nob3dzL2 lyaXNoLWZvb3RiYWxsLWZhbnM/episode/NjJiNGZjOTEyZDYxNzAwMDEyNDA4MzQ0?sa=X&ved=0CAUQkfYCahcKEwjQx7Hshsb4AhUAAAAAHQAAAAAQCg

[Demesne Lad]

Blackpool manager Michael Appleton keen to bring Anthony Scully from his former club, Lincoln City (Blackpool Gazette, 24 June). Scully has scored 34 goals from 98 appearances for Lincoln and has a year left on his contract there.

[Demesne Lad]

Harry Nevin (18, yet another central defender!) has signed a 12-month professional contract, his first. He captained the Preston NE U-19s to the Youth Alliance League and Cup double. His team conceded an average of just one goal per game over a total of 36 games and had a win rate of 75%.

[OwlsFan]

Kilkenny man Ciaran Brennan (21, Sheffield Wed) has been given a two-year contract extension. He was on loan at National League Notts County earlier this season, and has impressed since his return to the Owls, stepping in to cover injuries in the Wednesday defence.

Hasn't appeared in Wednesday's first team since they got hit for 5 by Sunderland last season. Now on loan at Swindon where he intermittently gets a game :(