U23 Players 2021-22

[tetsujin1979]

Seems George Nunn has a trial at Derby, he played for their U18s earlier in the week, and is lining out for their U23s tonight
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[samhaydenjr]

More Irish goal scorers at this level today than there has been in a while:

Firstly, the form Irish goal scorer at U23 level is... Dara Costelloe - turned from defender into rampaging forward, scoring his sixth in nine games as burnley beat West Brom 3-2: https://www.premierleague.com/match/70135/premier-league-2/2021-22/burnley-v-west-brom

Shane Flynn scored Leicester's equaliser in their 2-1 victory over Derby. Louie Watson captained the Rams: https://www.premierleague.com/match/69823/premier-league-2/2021-22/leicester-v-derby

Andrew Moran scored the only goal of the game as Brighton beat Leeds. Even Ferguson played the first half, which makes me wonder: with Brighton safely positioned in eleventh with seven games to go, will we be seeing him get some game time soon? https://www.premierleague.com/match/69943/premier-league-2/2021-22/albion-v-leeds

Thomas Cannon scored his seventh of the season and his fourth in his last seven games as Everton defeated Chelsea 2-0: https://www.premierleague.com/match/69954/premier-league-2/2021-22/everton-v-chelsea

[MancIrishWolf]

Another two goals for Lee Harkin making it 5 in 5 in the PL2. Just signed a new contract after being shortlisted for PL2 Player of the Month for March. Campbell who plays alongside him saw PL minutes this month, so wouldn’t be surprised to see him elevated to the first team squad shortly. Concerning he hasn’t been involved with the recent under age squads.

https://www.wolves.co.uk/news/under-23/20220415-under-23s-report-middlesbrough-0-3-wolves/

[liamoo11]

Another two goals for Lee Harkin making it 5 in 5 in the PL2. Just signed a new contract after being shortlisted for PL2 Player of the Month for March. Campbell who plays alongside him saw PL minutes this month, so wouldn’t be surprised to see him elevated to the first team squad shortly. Concerning he hasn’t been involved with the recent under age squads.

https://www.wolves.co.uk/news/under-23/20220415-under-23s-report-middlesbrough-0-3-wolves/

Harkin played for us at 16s when he was very much in demand after his milk cup performances. He was very light and small and looked lost when he played victory shield on the right of a front three with ollie o neill and louie barry. I imagine he hasn't been involved much since because of the lost 2vyears due to covid and his own physical development.
It's only really last few months he has been scoring goals for wolves 23s since he moved to a central striker a position that conor carty had taken for the first few months of season before injury. Unfortunately his new contract is likely to mean carty will be let go despite them been so different as players. Harkin only got a one year contract which isn't great.

I'd be surprised if he got a first team chance before the end of season wolves seem well stocked with forward type players and chem campbell has been promoted and he has been absolutely flying at harkins level. I think hodge might have a better chance they are short in centre mid and play a 3 . Cundle has played for them who is same age as hodge but was never involved for England at the age group like hodge was so that must be a real motivation for hodge who has been so unfortunate to miss a year with his stress fracture of his back after missing 6 months with his leg break 2 seasons back.

[tetsujin1979]

Shane Flynn's goal is on Twitter here.
He was named on the bench for the senior team a few times last season, but not this season.
If they're prioritising the European run, and they really should, you'd hope to see him involved again before the end of the season
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[seanfhear]

Shane Flynn's goal is on Twitter here.
He was named on the bench for the senior team a few times last season, but not this season.
If they're prioritising the European run, and they really should, you'd hope to see him involved again before the end of the season
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I like that goal keeper. He knows how to give out a good bollock-ing.

[liamoo11]

hodge goal tonight for 23s
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[samhaydenjr]

Apart from Hodge, a few others were involved in goals yesterday:

Cannon and Okoflex both scored in the game between Everton and West Ham: https://www.premierleague.com/match/69982/premier-league-2/2021-22/everton-v-west-ham

Jamie Bowden scored the only goal in game between Derby and Spurs: https://www.premierleague.com/match/69981/premier-league-2/2021-22/derby-v-spurs

Andrew Moran scored his second in two games for Brighton in their 2-1 defeat to Chelsea: https://www.premierleague.com/match/69980/premier-league-2/2021-22/albion-v-chelsea

Dara Costelloe kept his recent run of goals going with the equaliser in Burnley's 2-1 victory over Aston Villa: https://www.premierleague.com/match/70161/premier-league-2/2021-22/burnley-v-aston-villa

Killian Philips set up Crystal Palace's consolation against Blackburn: https://www.premierleague.com/match/69979/premier-league-2/2021-22/blackburn-v-crystal-palace

Tony Springett was credited with an assist for Norwich against West brom: https://www.premierleague.com/match/70165/premier-league-2/2021-22/west-brom-v-norwich

[liamoo11]

Apart from Hodge, a few others were involved in goals yesterday:

Cannon and Okoflex both scored in the game between Everton and West Ham: https://www.premierleague.com/match/69982/premier-league-2/2021-22/everton-v-west-ham

Jamie Bowden scored the only goal in game between Derby and Spurs: https://www.premierleague.com/match/69981/premier-league-2/2021-22/derby-v-spurs

Andrew Moran scored his second in two games for Brighton in their 2-1 defeat to Chelsea: https://www.premierleague.com/match/69980/premier-league-2/2021-22/albion-v-chelsea

Dara Costelloe kept his recent run of goals going with the equaliser in Burnley's 2-1 victory over Aston Villa: https://www.premierleague.com/match/70161/premier-league-2/2021-22/burnley-v-aston-villa

Killian Philips set up Crystal Palace's consolation against Blackburn: https://www.premierleague.com/match/69979/premier-league-2/2021-22/blackburn-v-crystal-palace

Tony Springett was credited with an assist for Norwich against West brom: https://www.premierleague.com/match/70165/premier-league-2/2021-22/west-brom-v-norwich

Flynn clarke with the goals for Norwich on board with us now as well I think

[tetsujin1979]

Guy that follows me on instagram says he knows Harkin's parents and he's not going to change allegiance
https://www.instagram.com/p/Cc8v3dgsCyo (read the comments)

[Eirambler]

The football talent scout on twitter (@ftalentscout) had a thing today on all the young Irish players coming through, focusing on those born after 2001.

https://twitter.com/FTalentScout/status/1522600117861298178?t=L9q81boQEjzFaZV4v2hRBg&s=19

I wouldn't necessarily agree with the order he has listed some of the players in, but it's good to see the upturn in terms of young Irish players coming through being noticed abroad (the guy who runs the page is Polish).

In terms of dual eligible players he mentions someone called Bryan O'Shangnessy, I honestly don't know who that is.

Also noticed in the comments Rocco Vata's mother posted that Kevin Zefi and Justin Ferizaj aren't actually related, I thought they were cousins. Very random then that three unrelated lads with links to the same town in Albania have all ended up playing on the same underage team for Ireland.

[tetsujin1979]

Is he related to Daniel and Patrick O'Shaughnessy?
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Daniel_O%27Shaughnessy

[liamoo11]

Guy that follows me on instagram says he knows Harkin's parents and he's not going to change allegiance
https://www.instagram.com/p/Cc8v3dgsCyo (read the comments)

Yeah I think at the time he scored those goals against utd in milk cup the story was that his family were big republic supporters regularly went to games at the aviva

[elatedscum]

The football talent scout on twitter (@ftalentscout) had a thing today on all the young Irish players coming through, focusing on those born after 2001.

https://twitter.com/FTalentScout/status/1522600117861298178?t=L9q81boQEjzFaZV4v2hRBg&s=19

I wouldn't necessarily agree with the order he has listed some of the players in, but it's good to see the upturn in terms of young Irish players coming through being noticed abroad (the guy who runs the page is Polish).

In terms of dual eligible players he mentions someone called Bryan O'Shangnessy, I honestly don't know who that is.

Also noticed in the comments Rocco Vata's mother posted that Kevin Zefi and Justin Ferizaj aren't actually related, I thought they were cousins. Very random then that three unrelated lads with links to the same town in Albania have all ended up playing on the same underage team for Ireland.

Lipsiuc is the name that stands out there. Good player and all but in terms of midfielders, in 2005, I'd have Ferizaj and Murphy ahead, in 2004, I'd have Coleman and McJannett, in 2003, Henry-Francis and Lawal if he's playing midfield, in 2002, Hodge and Phillips, in 2001, Connell, Johansson, Devoy. Leaving aside the more attacking players like Knight, Vata, Finn, Leavy, Noss, Tierney, McEneff etc etc

[Olé Olé]

Yeah I think at the time he scored those goals against utd in milk cup the story was that his family were big republic supporters regularly went to games at the aviva
It is quite obvious from his social media that he is an Irishman. I noted even his missus seems to be obviously Irish too. If I were cynical I'd say the article linking him to NI was intended to put pressure on him. And I think a lot of concerned Ireland supporters, myself included, probably have a sub conscious free state lens that we read some of these things through.

[liamoo11]

Lipsiuc is the name that stands out there. Good player and all but in terms of midfielders, in 2005, I'd have Ferizaj and Murphy ahead, in 2004, I'd have Coleman and McJannett, in 2003, Henry-Francis and Lawal if he's playing midfield, in 2002, Hodge and Phillips, in 2001, Connell, Johansson, Devoy. Leaving aside the more attacking players like Knight, Vata, Finn, Leavy, Noss, Tierney, McEneff etc etc

The list from that twitter account s a bit ridiculous it's just a collection of players from our under age national squads sure every year we have the same number of players playing for our national underage sides it is in no way an indication of their level versus their European or international counterparts.

This season has been a particular disappointment in reality with the failure to progress to 17s and 19s finals which we had been doing fairly frequently certainly at 17s recently. We are a long way from the successful days of winning European 16s and 18s and getting 3rd at 20s World Cup like we did 20 odd years ago.

There is some awful naivity around thinking that a few lads signing for Italian or French clubs or been linked to European clubs is some kind of indication we are producing more skilful footballers than previously

I don't see many in our underage set up to match the raw talent levels of previous underage players who were all of a similar generation like mcphail, partridge, dunne, duff, robbie keane Andy Reid, Liam Miller, o shea, stokes , barrett or Darren gibson. If brexit existed back then all of those would have been at top European clubs academies

[Jd2793]

Lipsiuc is the name that stands out there. Good player and all but in terms of midfielders, in 2005, I'd have Ferizaj and Murphy ahead, in 2004, I'd have Coleman and McJannett, in 2003, Henry-Francis and Lawal if he's playing midfield, in 2002, Hodge and Phillips, in 2001, Connell, Johansson, Devoy. Leaving aside the more attacking players like Knight, Vata, Finn, Leavy, Noss, Tierney, McEneff etc etc

connell? johansson? mceneff looks out of place in loi. some of the names thrown about are mad lads. players who are no where near the level now and never will be.

[Eirambler]

This season has been a particular disappointment in reality with the failure to progress to 17s and 19s finals which we had been doing fairly frequently certainly at 17s recently. We are a long way from the successful days of winning European 16s and 18s and getting 3rd at 20s World Cup like we did 20 odd years ago.

There is some awful naivity around thinking that a few lads signing for Italian or French clubs or been linked to European clubs is some kind of indication we are producing more skilful footballers than previously

I don't see many in our underage set up to match the raw talent levels of previous underage players who were all of a similar generation like mcphail, partridge, dunne, duff, robbie keane Andy Reid, Liam Miller, o shea, stokes , barrett or Darren gibson. If brexit existed back then all of those would have been at top European clubs academies

I agree about some people getting carried away because a few lads are moving to big European clubs. Most won't make the grade the same way most didn't make the grade when big English clubs were the destination.

I'm not so sure I agree with the negative comparison to the 1997 and 1998 teams though. Those teams covered the best players we produced from about 1977 up to 1983 and, while they were successful underage teams, most didn't go on to achieve much in professional football afterwards.

If you look at it in terms of senior international caps that Under 20 team only went on to win 102 caps between them, and 100 of those were Damien Duff. Similarly Robbie Keane won more caps than the rest of that Under 18 team put together (even allowing for Richard Dunne being part of it) and John O'Shea won more senior caps than the rest of the Under 16s put together.

There wasn't actually massive depth in those squads, I think there's more depth in terms of players emerging now - especially in the 1999 to 2002 age groups, who I'd say will go on to win more caps between them than those three Brian Kerr teams combined.

[liamoo11]

I agree about some people getting carried away because a few lads are moving to big European clubs. Most won't make the grade the same way most didn't make the grade when big English clubs were the destination.

I'm not so sure I agree with the negative comparison to the 1997 and 1998 teams though. Those teams covered the best players we produced from about 1977 up to 1983 and, while they were successful underage teams, most didn't go on to achieve much in professional football afterwards.

If you look at it in terms of senior international caps that Under 20 team only went on to win 102 caps between them, and 100 of those were Damien Duff. Similarly Robbie Keane won more caps than the rest of that Under 18 team put together (even allowing for Richard Dunne being part of it) and John O'Shea won more senior caps than the rest of the Under 16s put together.

There wasn't actually massive depth in those squads, I think there's more depth in terms of players emerging now - especially in the 1999 to 2002 age groups, who I'd say will go on to win more caps between them than those three Brian Kerr teams combined.

I think the depth argument is reasonable but if the best players from that generation of 4 to 5 years were better than the best players of the current generation and still didn't achieve a huge amount at senior level then that's even more reason to be realistic about our up and coming players.

[Eirambler]

I think the three Kerr youth squads produced four absolute stalwarts in Dunne, O'Shea, Duff and Keane, but after that I just think they were a bit overrated. Players from those squads should have been around for the 2002 WC early in their careers and Euro 2012 towards the end of their careers. But outside of those four I don't think anyone else from any of those three underage teams made the senior squads for those tournaments. I just don't think there was actually much depth of quality there outside of the obvious four - Kerr massively overachieved with them I think.

[Exgrad]

Ollie O'Neill linked to moves to West Ham and Spurs, in the Athletic today. Reporter would be pretty reliable. Weather he goes or not seems like O'Neill is highly rated.

https://theathletic.com/3299998/2022/05/09/ornstein-haaland-deal-done-pogba-says-no-to-city-move-elneny-contract-talks-olise-new-deal/


Fulham (https://theathletic.com/team/fulham/) trying to stop O’Neill leaving for Spurs or West Ham
Fulham’s record of identifying and producing exciting young talent has proven to be very good in recent years, with Fabio Carvalho the latest to follow in the footsteps of Harvey Elliott (https://theathletic.com/player/premier-league/liverpool/harvey-elliott/), Ryan Sessegnon (https://theathletic.com/player/premier-league/tottenham-hotspur/ryan-sessegnon/) and Moussa Dembele, writes Peter Rutzler.
Retaining those players has been more of a challenge, particularly as clubs keep a closer eye on the talent emerging from their Motspur Park HQ. This summer will be no different, as the Premier League-bound west London club try to finalise new agreements before the retention deadline of the third Saturday in May, which this year is May 21.
Fulham are in discussions with several players, and among them is Ollie O’Neill, a promising winger who is attracting Premier League interest, including from West Ham United and Tottenham.
The Republic of Ireland Under-21 international is in the final year of his contract at Craven Cottage but while Fulham want to keep him, the 19-year-old is yet to agree a new deal. Multiple clubs have also asked about taking O’Neill on loan next season.
He has been in the first-team picture this season, making the bench for their Carabao Cup tie with Leeds United in September.

[Jd2793]

chances of him defecting to england? must be on the radar if there is interest from top half pl clubs

[Eirambler]

I don't really see what he would gain from switching at this stage. He would use up his switch for the sake of a possible England Under 21 callup. For a dual player like O'Neill it's only really worth using the switch if he's in line for an English senior cap (this is all assuming that he would want to play for England - I know nothing about his background or intentions).

But Marcus McGuane is probably a good example of why it's not worth using the switch at underage level.

[Olé Olé]

When O'Neill scored his last minute winner against Sweden there was a little talk about this. From what I remember, England have been chasing him already. But, apparently, he has no interest. I think he may well have an Irish-born parent or two and I think has all Irish grandparents. That all sounds very Jack Grealish, I know (see also O'Neill's hair!), but I believe he has been clear on it already.

This article is useful: https://www.the42.ie/ollie-oneill-on-ireland-sweden-5603735-Nov2021/

“I spent every summer in Galway more or less. I’m going to Galway for Christmas actually. I’ll be back here in a month. So six weeks every summer I stayed with my grandparents, and time in Kerry and Waterford as well.”

I take from that that he has one Irish-born parent from Galway and then the other parent was born to a Kerry and Waterford parent.

If he does move then I hope to God he doesn't go to West Ham after the last experience.

[liamoo11]

When O'Neill scored his last minute winner against Sweden there was a little talk about this. From what I remember, England have been chasing him already. But, apparently, he has no interest. I think he may well have an Irish-born parent or two and I think has all Irish grandparents. That all sounds very Jack Grealish, I know (see also O'Neill's hair!), but I believe he has been clear on it already.

This article is useful: https://www.the42.ie/ollie-oneill-on-ireland-sweden-5603735-Nov2021/

“I spent every summer in Galway more or less. I’m going to Galway for Christmas actually. I’ll be back here in a month. So six weeks every summer I stayed with my grandparents, and time in Kerry and Waterford as well.”

I take from that that he has one Irish-born parent from Galway and then the other parent was born to a Kerry and Waterford parent.

If he does move then I hope to God he doesn't go to West Ham after the last experience.

Been with us since under 16s in a side with louie barry and riley who have since switched back to England and harkin who some would have us believe is switching to the North

[Razors left peg]

O'Neills interview after the last minute winner against Sweden was brilliant. The sheer joy in him was very cool to see. I'd doubt based on that interview alone he would switch.

[JR89]

If there's truth in this then U19s player Jack Henry Francis could be playing league one football next season.

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[elatedscum]

Good player him. There’s some really interesting English-born centre midfielders born in 2003 and 2004:Jack Henry-Francis, Cian Coleman, Ed McJannett and Harry Vaughan. All have a decent chance to be somebody.

You’ve also got Fionn Mooney who was involved in an U19s training camp but is probably still with England and you’ve got Josh Ireland who I’ve never seen live, just highlights. Depending on who you believe, Josh is either a serious prospect who could be better than his father or a guy who simply won’t be good enough. He was definitely very advanced at u15 and u16 but the theory is during covid and all the messing with him going on trial, leaving Stoke, staying with Stoke etc etc that he might have suffered as a result… time will tell I guess

[Eirambler]

There might be room for a promotion to the Under 21s for a couple of those lads for the next campaign. It doesn't seem like we have a huge amount in central midfield from the 2002 group other than Joe Hodge (also English born of course).

Conor Coventry is finally overage after this campaign, it feels like he has been a starter for the Under 21s for half a decade or more.

[JR89]

There might be room for a promotion to the Under 21s for a couple of those lads for the next campaign. It doesn't seem like we have a huge amount in central midfield from the 2002 group other than Joe Hodge (also English born of course).

Conor Coventry is finally overage after this campaign, it feels like he has been a starter for the Under 21s for half a decade or more.

Well the next U19s campaign starts Oct/Nov for the 2004 age group, and will end either March 2023 or July 2023. Pretty sure the next U21s campaign won't start until September 2023 so the 2004 lads will have moved on to the 21s by that stage.

Joe Hodge, Darragh Burns, Mipo Odubeko and Armstrong Okoflex are probably the only 2002 born players I can think of off the top of my head. Festy is there but probably won't go back to play 21s.

You had Tayo Adaramola, Ollie O'Neill, Sinclair Armstrong as the 2003s and Ferguson 2004 in the last squad. Could definitely see most of it being made up of 2003 lads with a couple of 2002 and 2004s like Abankwah and possibly Harry Vaughan. Sam Curtis though I do think will also move up to the 21s after the next 19s campaign and won't play with the rest of the 2005 lads when it's their year for 19s.

[elatedscum]

There might be room for a promotion to the Under 21s for a couple of those lads for the next campaign. It doesn't seem like we have a huge amount in central midfield from the 2002 group other than Joe Hodge (also English born of course).

Conor Coventry is finally overage after this campaign, it feels like he has been a starter for the Under 21s for half a decade or more.

Pretty much Hodge and Phillips from 2002 and Kian Leavy who’s a bit more attacking. At u17, Seamus Keogh was starting there before being converted to a right back. Think he’s back playing centre midfield for Sligo but not sure how much of an option he still is. Charlie McCann was also involved but he’s gone north now.

From 2003, you’d also have Ben McCormack who I like and Evan Caffrey who’s also decent and Kian Corbally who Mohan seemed to like.

There’s also a lad playing for Wigan who is highly rated there Baba Adeeko (I’ve never seen him play). There’s Tom Hill who could end up a midfielder, so hard to tell considering he’s been injured for 18 months. There’s Andy Moran and John Joe Patrick Finn who could end up as wingers or as attacking midfielders. There’s Ola Ibrahim who’s another interesting dude and you could imagine he’d have a decent route to the first team considering Derby’s situation…

Obviously a good percentage will stagnate or go backwards but it’s a pretty good base to work with.

[Trequartista20]

Dara Costelloe (19) has signed a new contract at Burnley. He finished top scorer with 12 goals for their U-23s and was included in the bench for Burnley's final seven league games.

He's obviously rated as one of the more promising young prospects at Turf Moor and it'll be interesting to see if he can make an impact at Championship level next year.

[liamoo11]

Dara Costelloe (19) has signed a new contract at Burnley. He finished top scorer with 12 goals for their U-23s and was included in the bench for Burnley's final seven league games.

He's obviously rated as one of the more promising young prospects at Turf Moor and it'll be interesting to see if he can make an impact at Championship level next year.

A really interesting one with very limited international experience because of covid and probably his very late in the year birthday. A stephen ireland academy product as well

[liamoo11]

I'm looking forward to seeing how moran gets on at brighton in preseason and if he gets a loan and where Sevilla move johanson to for the season. His season in Holland appeared to be very unsuccessful

[liamoo11]

Conor grant signed for mk dons from Rochdale. Might be a good club for him to progress