U23 Players 2021-22

[Olé Olé]

West Ham leading 5-0 against Arsenal. All 5 goals scored by an Irishman- Odubeko and Coventry have one each and Okoflex has a hat trick.

[liamoo11]

West Ham leading 5-0 against Arsenal. All 5 goals scored by an Irishman- Odubeko and Coventry have one each and Okoflex has a hat trick.

Delighted for okoflex . Pretty good front 4 from this victory shield squad https://www.fai.ie/ireland/news/osam-names-ireland-under-16-squad-for-victory-shield I remember thinking that festy was a bit small back then but he sure has developed physically

[CraftyToePoke]

Crystal Palace have signed Jake O'Brien permanently from Cork City following his initial loan set up. He's a 20 year old CB.

- https://www.rte.ie/sport/soccer/2021/0816/1241161-crystal-palace-sign-corks-obrien-on-permanent-deal/

He marked the occasion by scoring V Leeds in the PL2 fixture earlier, had a 35 yard effort tipped over & was booked.

- https://www.cpfc.co.uk/news/match-reports/u23s-report-ten-man-palace-fall-to-leeds-on-in-opening-day-of-pl2-division-1-campaign/2021-08-16/


Palace U23s had a new manager in his first game for this one, Paddy McCarthy, the ex Man City / Leicester & Palace player, also a CB himself.

[samhaydenjr]

West Ham leading 5-0 against Arsenal. All 5 goals scored by an Irishman- Odubeko and Coventry have one each and Okoflex has a hat trick.

Dammit, I thought the U23s were starting next weekend - that's outstanding from all 3.

Elsewhere, Evan Ferguson scored Brighton's second against Derby, James Furlong got two assists and two yellow cards while Andrew Moran... er... put one of the Derby players on to a stretcher. Oh, and that's where Jayson Molumby is. Eiran Cashin captained the Rams: https://www.brightonandhovealbion.com/news/2221887/albion-secure-pl2-opening-day-win-at-derby

Jake O'Brien celebrated his permanent transfer from Cork City by captaining Crystal Palace's U23s in their defeat to Leeds and scoring: https://www.cpfc.co.uk/news/match-reports/u23s-report-ten-man-palace-fall-to-leeds-on-in-opening-day-of-pl2-division-1-campaign/2021-08-16/

A new name at Norwich: Tony Springett contributed an assist in their 3-0 win over Southampton. Josh Giurgi played 70 minutes: https://www.canaries.co.uk/News/2021/august/match-report-under-23s-v-southampton/

[tetsujin1979]

Paul McShane is registered as an overage player for Manchester United U23s, and played for them at the weekend against Leicester: https://www.manutd.com/en/news/detail/under-23s-match-report-leicester-city-premier-league-2-15-august

Defender Paul McShane was welcomed back to our competitive fold in his capacity as a player-coach and striker Mellor was also back after long spell out through injury.

[tetsujin1979]

The West Ham - Arsenal U23 game was streamed on West Ham's YouTube channel, you can watch it back here
T2lPtPQsxXM

[Eirambler]

Awful to see Molumby stuck back at this level. Hopefully just a short term thing but he could really do with a permanent move away from Brighton before the transfer window closes. May well be available for less than £1m at this point, surely he would be a bargain signing for a number of Championship teams.

[Kingdom]

I read last night- probably on Twitter, that he’s going on loan/permanent transfer to the championship. Millwall were suggested, but that just seemed like a lazy/hollow suggestion.

[IsMiseSean]

What's the story with Oko-Flex nowadays?

He's eligible for Nigeria & Ireland, but isn't for England because he moved to Celtic in 2018 - have I that right?

[Olé Olé]

Tyreik Wright has joined Salford in League Two on loan. I'd have hope he could have earned a loan to a League One side maybe but he's still young: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E71VrlLBEPY

[Eirambler]

A strong start to the season for our under 23 players overall. Parrott and Bazunu were the headline performances tonight, but Luke McNally and Peter Kioso are two other, lower profile, players that played well and are making a positive impression at Luton and Oxford respectively.

Seems like there are standout performances from young Irish players in every round of games again, after a bit of a fall off last season.

[Razors left peg]

What's the story with Oko-Flex nowadays?

He's eligible for Nigeria & Ireland, but isn't for England because he moved to Celtic in 2018 - have I that right?

He was with the Irish U19s only a few months ago so I dont think theres any issue with him

[samhaydenjr]

Round-up for tonight:

Goals for Odubeko and Ferguson, from the spot, as Brighton beat West Ham 4-2. Molumby and Okoflex also played but, interestingly, Coventry did not: https://www.premierleague.com/match/69818/premier-league-2/2021-22/albion-v-west-ham

Mazeed Ogungbo credited with an assist for Arsenal against Palace. Jake O'Brien and Tayo Adaramola lined out for the Eagles - for some reason there's a Northern Ireland flag by Adaramola's name: https://www.premierleague.com/match/69817/premier-league-2/2021-22/arsenal-v-crystal-palace

George Nunn Played the first hour for Chelsea against Man United: https://www.premierleague.com/match/69819/premier-league-2/2021-22/chelsea-v-man-utd-u23

[tetsujin1979]

Gary Dicker played for Brighton in that game too, he's registered as an overage player while he does his coaching badges with them, same as McShane at Man United

[Olé Olé]

That is two in two for Ferguson and he doesn't turn 17 until October.

[Olé Olé]

I also see that Cyrus Christie lined out for Fulham's under 23 side, along with 18 year old Oliver O'Neill who seems to be getting his game there regularly. Zak Delaney started for West Brom in the same match. I assume Christie is actively seeking a new club.

[elatedscum]

Ferguson and Moran made their debuts for Brighton while Jay Furlong was an unused sub.

Moran aged 17, Ferguson age 16.

Certainly could be the lads who Crawford talked about being U19 eligible and called up to the 21s

[samhaydenjr]

Quiet night tonight - only the one goalscorer - Tony Springett for Norwich against Sunderland: https://www.premierleague.com/match/70008/premier-league-2/2021-22/sunderland-v-norwich

Two new names cropped up in the Midlands derby - Kevin Joshua played the first 74 minutes for West Brom, while Tommy Fogarty came on for Birmingham two minutes later - anybody know anything about them? https://www.premierleague.com/match/70009/premier-league-2/2021-22/west-brom-v-birmingham

[tetsujin1979]

Fogarty was in the recent u18 squad for the friendlies against Hungary
https://www.fai.ie/ireland/match/55505/2021/999947315?tab=preview

Tommi O'Reilly was named among the substitutes for Villa's u23 game against Fulham too: https://www.premierleague.com/match/70006/premier-league-2/2021-22/aston-villa-v-fulham

[Olé Olé]

On the under 23 scene, Oliver O'Neill of Fulham that was called up to the under 21 side- anyone know anything about the basis for the call up? Has he been ripping it up at that level or another level for Ireland? I just ask because I hear a lot about Moran and Ferguson but I've heard little about him but the name.

[MancIrishWolf]

Apologies if already mentioned, however just seen this. Great opportunity to break through if that is the case - as midfield is currently our weakest position. Also, encouraging given the experience that Lage and his brother (brought in for Youth Development) have of developing young players such as half the Man City team who started at Benfica (Silva, Dias, Ederson etc..)…

https://www.wolves.co.uk/news/under-23/20210827-hodge-links-up-with-wolves-under-23s/

[elatedscum]

On the under 23 scene, Oliver O'Neill of Fulham that was called up to the under 21 side- anyone know anything about the basis for the call up? Has he been ripping it up at that level or another level for Ireland? I just ask because I hear a lot about Moran and Ferguson but I've heard little about him but the name.

Wrote a big long yoke and it deleted.

He was excellent for the 17s in the team with Moran, Ferguson etc.

Liamo was complimentary of him at 16s as well.

Primarily a left winger, quick, silky, very slight, right footed, can cut in from the left to curl one from the edge of the box, skilful, he’s got a gallop, it’s impressive but it’ll probably need to be refined as he moves up the levels. Easy to push the ball 10 yards in front of you and sprint at u18s. Plenty of talent and skill. Stood out at u18 level, was quickly moved to 23s where he took a while to adapt. Disappeared off the radar a bit recently maybe cause of Covid. I’ve seen him much more than Moran although Moran is widely considered the more promising player.

For 2003, I’d say it goes

1. Garcia McNulty
2. Finn
3. Moran
4. Rose

Then you’ve got the next group which is probably

O’Neill, Lawal, L Kavanagh, Ibrahim, Armstrong, Tayo, maybe Graham Kavanagh’s kid Callum....

There’s also a load of decent LOI lads: Ben McCormack, Gavin Liam O’Brien, Cian Kavanagh, Johnny Kenny, Josh Keeley, Oran Crowe is highly though of at Cork I believe but I haven’t seen him play...

Saying all that, Liam Delap, Louie Barry and Conor Bradley would probably be 1, 2 and 3 on the list if they were playing for us.

For anyone who doesn’t know: Delap is Rory’s kid and is on the fringe of Man City’s first team at 18, Louie Barry is on the fringes of the Villa team and scored a great goal against Liverpool in the cup. He had irish grandparents and he was very closed to his grandfather who lived in Kerry. His grandfather watched him play u16s for ireland but has now passed. He’s mentioned the possibility of electing to play for ireland in the future but he’s currently an England U18. Finally Bradley is a GAA playing lad from a catholic background in Tyrone who is a Liverpool reserve. Played some games for the first team in preseason this summer. He played once for the NI senior team in June and was called into the current squad this month. He’ll be ineligible once he reaches 4 caps.

[Eirambler]

It's a shame that Bradley has gone with the North, obviously they have seen the danger and called him into the senior squad at a very early stage to tie him down and he has gone with it. Given that he has taken a senior cap, which makes it a lot harder to switch (3 year wait from last senior cap so he couldn't play for us until 2024 now), it's very unlikely he will end up with us now.

Unfortunately there is no way we could make a similar offer to him, even in our current weakened state there would be far too many ahead of him to justify it. An under 21 call up would have been the best we could do.

[Eirambler]

For 2003, I’d say it goes

1. Garcia McNulty
2. Finn
3. Moran
4. Rose

Then you’ve got the next group which is probably

O’Neill, Lawal, L Kavanagh, Ibrahim, Armstrong, Tayo, maybe Graham Kavanagh’s kid Callum....

There’s also a load of decent LOI lads: Ben McCormack, Gavin Liam O’Brien, Cian Kavanagh, Johnny Kenny, Josh Keeley, Oran Crowe is highly though of at Cork I believe but I haven’t seen him play...

Wher would Sean Roughan sit among the 03 group? He was flying this time last year with Lincoln, even started a few games for their first team but seems to have gone back a bit since maybe?

[liamoo11]

Wrote a big long yoke and it deleted.


He was excellent for the 17s in the team with Moran, Ferguson etc.

Liamo was complimentary of him at 16s as well.

Primarily a left winger, quick, silky, very slight, right footed, can cut in from the left to curl one from the edge of the box, skilful, he’s got a gallop, it’s impressive but it’ll probably need to be refined as he moves up the levels. Easy to push the ball 10 yards in front of you and sprint at u18s. Plenty of talent and skill. Stood out at u18 level, was quickly moved to 23s where he took a while to adapt. Disappeared off the radar a bit recently maybe cause of Covid. I’ve seen him much more than Moran although Moran is widely considered the more promising player.

For 2003, I’d say it goes

1. Garcia McNulty
2. Finn
3. Moran
4. Rose

Then you’ve got the next group which is probably

O’Neill, Lawal, L Kavanagh, Ibrahim, Armstrong, Tayo, maybe Graham Kavanagh’s kid Callum....

There’s also a load of decent LOI lads: Ben McCormack, Gavin Liam O’Brien, Cian Kavanagh, Johnny Kenny, Josh Keeley, Oran Crowe is highly though of at Cork I believe but I haven’t seen him play...

Saying all that, Liam Delap, Louie Barry and Conor Bradley would probably be 1, 2 and 3 on the list if they were playing for us.

For anyone who doesn’t know: Delap is Rory’s kid and is on the fringe of Man City’s first team at 18, Louie Barry is on the fringes of the Villa team and scored a great goal against Liverpool in the cup. He had irish grandparents and he was very closed to his grandfather who lived in Kerry. His grandfather watched him play u16s for ireland but has now passed. He’s mentioned the possibility of electing to play for ireland in the future but he’s currently an England U18. Finally Bradley is a GAA playing lad from a catholic background in Tyrone who is a Liverpool reserve. Played some games for the first team in preseason this summer. He played once for the NI senior team in June and was called into the current squad this month. He’ll be ineligible once he reaches 4 caps.

Great info thanks. Covid has been a nightmare for these age groups been nearly 2 years since we have had a chance to see underage sides at international level.

I don't think o neill deserves to be in the 21s on what he has achieved but he looked a fine player at16s level. Lads like conor grant and kian leavy surely deserve to be ahead of him. Not a good sign seeing no okoflex its a real loss to is certainly at this level

Hard to understand how lads like Bradley don't choose us but we had a very similar situation with mcloughlin when he was right full for Liverpool 23s and stayed with the North. Bradley was a box to box midfielder when I saw him underage but the pool have obviously converted him to full back.

Louie Barry is on loan with ipswich at a similar age to what partott was when he signed for ipswich so will be interesting to see how he gets on. To me Barry was a finisher and live wire but parrott was a superior footballer.

Riley from man City played in the 16s side along with Barry not sure how much he has progressed at city .

[tetsujin1979]

Riley captained the city u23's yesterday, they beat United's U23 side 4-2, and he was named in England's U19 squad this week

[liamoo11]

Riley captained the city u23's yesterday, they beat United's U23 side 4-2, and he was named in England's U19 squad this week

That sounds about right I didn't think he was great for us!

[samhaydenjr]

Goal for Evan Ferguson against Liverpool, assisted by Andrew Moran: https://www.premierleague.com/match/69829/premier-league-2/2021-22/liverpool-v-albion

Gabriel Adebambo credited with an assist for Stoke in their defeat to Reading: https://www.premierleague.com/match/70012/premier-league-2/2021-22/stoke-u23-v-reading

[zero]

Lee O'Connor has gone back to Tranmere for another season:

https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/58396687

Better than hanging around the Celtic reserves.

[Eirambler]

O'Connor will have more work to do to get starts at Tranmere this time around with Dacres-Cogley there playing right back. Hopefully that might see O'Connor move position into more of a holding midfielder, I don't think he offers enough going forward to make it as a modern day full back unfortunately, but as a defensive midfielder protecting the back 3 or 4 he has always impressed me.

[Eirambler]

Overall I think a decent transfer window in terms of our Under 23 players getting moves and loans to get game time. Molumby and Coventry getting loan moves to Championship teams in the last week was definitely good news. Would have liked to see Idah and Omobamidele go out on loan but Omobamidele is still only 19 so plenty of time for him. Idah will struggle for minutes at Norwich though.

The other player who notably didn't move is Luca Connell, yet again. Hasn't even made the bench yet this season as his Celtic move from Bolton's first team continues to look like one of the worst transfers of an Irish player there has ever been.

[tetsujin1979]

Mazeed Ogunbo was named in the Arsenal U21 starting XI on Tuesday night against Swindon in the FA Trophy, his first start in senior football
1435302464228675590

[Stuttgart88]

Isn’t Henry-Francis one of ours too?

[tetsujin1979]

Isn’t Henry-Francis one of ours too?
Not sure if he's actually declared yet, but he was in the U19 training camp recently: https://www.fai.ie/ireland/news/u19-mohan-hosts-u19-training-camp-in-uk

[samhaydenjr]

Armstrong Okoflex scored the winner from the spot in the EFL trophy against Ipswich: https://www.whufc.com/news/articles/2021/september/15-september/highlights-ipswich-town-1-2-west-ham-united-u21s

[Olé Olé]

Younger lads playing in the EFL Cup tonight. Not necessarily all playing in the under 23 league but I thought it was worth capturing here:
Nathan Collins starting against Rochdale (Eoghan O'Connell, Jimmy Keohane and Corey O'Keeffe starting them);
Idah is starting for Norwich up front against Liverpool. It looks like Omobamidele is playing midfield with Billy Gilmour because Hanley and Gibson are both starting and they have two full backs starting too. Conor Bradley of NI starts full back for Liverpool;
I see Adam O'Reilly has made the bench for Preston against Cheltenham. Don't think he has seen any action this season- even on the bench?;
Jimmy Dunne is starting for QPR against Everton;
Baba Adeeko is on the bench for Wigan. Don't think I have encountered his name before. 18 year-old from Galway it seems.

[CraftyToePoke]

Oliver O'Neill is on bench for Fulham v Leeds too.

[CraftyToePoke]

It looks like Omobamidele is playing midfield with Billy Gilmour because Hanley and Gibson are both starting and they have two full backs starting too.

Playing with three CBs. He's not in midfield.

[samhaydenjr]

Couple of quick updates from last night: Andrew Moran scored and James Furlong was credited with an assist in Brighton's win against Leicester: https://www.premierleague.com/match/69845/premier-league-2/2021-22/albion-v-leicester

George Nunn scored one of Chelsea's four and created one of the others against Liverpool: https://www.premierleague.com/match/69846/premier-league-2/2021-22/chelsea-v-liverpool

[CraftyToePoke]

Ryan Cassidy scored a penalty for Watford U23s last week, played after a couple on the bench as he returns from a lost year and an Accrington loan which started ok but tapered off.

[Olé Olé]

Ryan Cassidy scored a penalty for Watford U23s last week, played after a couple on the bench as he returns from a lost year and an Accrington loan which started ok but tapered off.

The lost year and tapering off loan spell was hampered by injury was it? I don't know at what stage the injury began to impact him though.

[CraftyToePoke]

The lost year and tapering off loan spell was hampered by injury was it? I don't know at what stage the injury began to impact him though.

Was it ever made clear what the injury was ?
He was definitely out of the Accrington team while fit, having started the season in the side there, before it all went very quiet.

[Yard of Pace]

Danny Grant gives an interview on his injury troubles at Huddersfield.
lRYfs7Ri-T4

[samhaydenjr]

Two goals for Evan Ferguson today against Palace. Furlong and Moran both played for Albion, while Jake O'Brien captained the Eagles: https://www.premierleague.com/match/69859/premier-league-2/2021-22/albion-v-crystal-palace

[samhaydenjr]

Bit of action tonight:

Armstrong Okoflex scored the penalty winner in West Ham's 4-3 win over Spurs: https://www.premierleague.com/match/69865/premier-league-2/2021-22/spurs-v-west-ham

A very welcome return from injury for Will Smallbone, who played the full 90 against Wolves: https://www.premierleague.com/match/70047/premier-league-2/2021-22/wolves-v-southampton - will hopefully be back in the senior Southampton squad soon and available for an international debut in the spring

And lest we forget about Ryan Cassidy, he scored in Watford's defeat to Bristol City: https://www.watfordfc.com/match-report/under-23-watford-2-4-bristol-city

[Olé Olé]

https://torquayunited.com/sinclair-armstrong-joins-united-on-loan/

Sinclair Armstrong joining Torquay in the National League on loan. Only turned 18 in June so this is a positive step. Wasn't in the recent under 19 squad but if you take a quick look at the Wiki page for our 19s and the recent call ups beneath the actual call ups it shows serious depth there: https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Republic_of_Ireland_national_under-19_football_team

[ColourfulPeanut]

There's a good article on The Athletic about Festy Ebosele, for anyone that has a sub!
https://theathletic.com/2893635/2021/10/17/should-rooney-sacrifice-stability-to-keep-exciting-ebosele-in-the-team/

He should definitely be in contention for the next senior squad. We need as many exciting, pacy players as possible. I don't need to see Cyrus Christie come on at full back about a stone overweight ever again.

[elatedscum]

There's a good article on The Athletic about Festy Ebosele, for anyone that has a sub!
https://theathletic.com/2893635/2021/10/17/should-rooney-sacrifice-stability-to-keep-exciting-ebosele-in-the-team/

He should definitely be in contention for the next senior squad. We need as many exciting, pacy players as possible. I don't need to see Cyrus Christie come on at full back about a stone overweight ever again.

Big fan of Festy for years but he’d do well to break into the 21s squad first. Lee O’Connor and Andy Lyons have been selected ahead of him in recent squads. He did pick up a knock early in the season but I think he’s been available for Derby for a good while

[samhaydenjr]

Tayo Adaramola had a good night, with a goal and an assist as Palace beat Derby 3-2 - only turns 18 next month. Jake O'Brien captained the Eagles and Eiran Cashin wore the armband for The Rams: https://www.premierleague.com/match/69867/premier-league-2/2021-22/derby-v-crystal-palace

Don't know why, but Calum Kavanagh hasn't been in Middlesbrough's underage squads recently, but he played an hour today against Burnley: https://www.premierleague.com/match/70049/premier-league-2/2021-22/burnley-v-middlesbrough

[tetsujin1979]

Calum Kavanagh had an operation right at the beginning of the season, his dad posted about it on instagram