U21 Players 2022/23

[liamoo11]

Zak gilsenan has returned from his acl injury and has been playing in Blackburn s under 21s in preseason. He was in around the first team squad when he did his cruciate in Oct so hopefully he can get fitness up and get a loan in January

[tetsujin1979]

Joe O'Shaughnessy, Lee Harkin, and Nathan Fraser lined out for Wolves U23 against Colorado Rapids in the MLS Next Cup Invitational, with Fraser scoring in a 2-1 loss
Highlights on the tournament website: https://www.mlsnextpro.com/competitions/mls-next-pro-invitational/2022/matches/colvswol-07-27-2022/

Shaughnessy was called into a training camp, but I'm not sure if he's eligible or not

[samhaydenjr]

PL2 season has started with a couple of Irish goalscorers, Calum Kavanagh and Tyreik Wright, in Middlesbrough's 3-3 draw with Villa:https://www.mfc.co.uk/news/2022/august/05/u21s-stage-stunning-villa-comeback/

Two Irish scorers in the game between the two 'Hams (Ful and West) - Ollie O'Neill and Mipo Odubeko - O'Neill also contributed an assist: https://www.fulhamfc.com/news/2022/august/05/Fulham-U21-3-1-West-Ham-U21/

And in a good night for Irish youngsters, Tom Cannon scored in Everton's 2-0 win over Blackburn Rovers: https://www.evertonfc.com/news/2721271/coleman-starts-as-under-21s-triumph

[Eirambler]

If only we could produce some Irish goalscorers in PL1 at the rate we seem to produce them in PL2!

Looking at the goalscorers there - Kavanagh, Wright, O'Neill, Odubeko and Cannon - these are all players that will hopefully be aiming for loan moves down the divisions as they are probably already beyond Under 21 football, a few have already been on loan last season so hopefully they can get out again before the end of the month.

[samhaydenjr]

If only we could produce some Irish goalscorers in PL1 at the rate we seem to produce them in PL2!

Looking at the goalscorers there - Kavanagh, Wright, O'Neill, Odubeko and Cannon - these are all players that will hopefully be aiming for loan moves down the divisions as they are probably already beyond Under 21 football, a few have already been on loan last season so hopefully they can get out again before the end of the month.

Yeah, hopefully most of them will get good loans this season - as you said Kavanagh, Wright and Odubeko had "test the waters" loans last season - hopefully they'll get something more substantial soon.

You could have similar hopes for Evan Ferguson and Andrew Moran, who both scored in Brighton's 3-2 defeat to Palace https://www.brightonandhovealbion.com/news/2734763/under-21s-beaten-in-premier-league-2-opener

[JR89]

Ferguson will be 18 in October so might consider a short loan in January for him.

[samhaydenjr]

Lots of Irish interest at Crystal Palace's academy right now - 18-year-old Seán Grehan made his debut for their U21s against Manchester United tonight, Jake O'Brien also featured and was involved in the first goal, but the star of the show was Killian Phillips, who scored a brace, set up another and hit the crossbar: https://www.cpfc.co.uk/news/match-reports/manchester-united-v-crystal-palace-in-the-premier-league-2-division-1/2022-08-12/

Tom Cannon continued his good start to the season, scoring a penalty as Everton beat Spurs. Jamie Bowden lined out for Spurs, as did Joshua Keeley in goal, with another Irish goalkeeper, Aaron Maguire, on the subs' bench - crikey, Kelleher, Travers and Bazunu have only just broken through and there's already a few more young custodians on the horizon: https://www.evertonfc.com/match/79399/tottenham-hotspur-u21-everton-u21#lineups

Mipo Odubeko also added a second for his season, in West Ham's 3-2 defeat to Arsenal: https://www.whufc.com/news/it-happened-u21s-2-3-arsenal

George Nunn scored Derby's goal in their 3-1 defeat to Middlesbrough, with Cian Kelly Caprani also lining out for them. Calum Kavanagh played for Boro and seemed to be heavily involved, having a goal chalked off and forcing a couple of saves from the Derby 'keeper: https://www.mfc.co.uk/news/2022/august/12/match-report--boro-u21s-3-derby-county-u21s-1/

U19 international Luke Pearce came on as a second-half sub for Southampton against West Brom: https://www.southamptonfc.com/news/2022-08-12/b-team-report-southampton-vs-west-brom-premier-league-2-2022-23

Earlier in the week Babajide Adeeko scored for Wigan in their 5-0 thrashing of Watford: https://wiganathletic.com/news/2022/august/10/u21s-report-latics-5-watford-0/

And to continue the list of young goalies coming through, Harry Halwax was between the sticks for QPR in their recent 2-2 draw with Peterborough: https://www.qpr.co.uk/fixtures/under-21/2022/peterborough-united-u21-v-queens-park-rangers-u21/?tab=report

[MancIrishWolf]

Thanks for the round up, Sam. Interesting to see Paddy McCarthy promoted to U23 manager at Palace from U18. Won his first two by the looks of it after the finished 5th in the table last year. Great club for youth development and strong leader on the pitch - could be one for the future managerially for us.

[SkStu]

Lots of Irish interest at Crystal Palace's academy right now - 18-year-old Seán Grehan made his debut for their U21s against Manchester United tonight, Jake O'Brien also featured and was involved in the first goal, but the star of the show was Killian Phillips, who scored a brace, set up another and hit the crossbar: https://www.cpfc.co.uk/news/match-reports/manchester-united-v-crystal-palace-in-the-premier-league-2-division-1/2022-08-12/

Tom Cannon continued his good start to the season, scoring a penalty as Everton beat Spurs. Jamie Bowden lined out for Spurs, as did Joshua Keeley in goal, with another Irish goalkeeper, Aaron Maguire, on the subs' bench - crikey, Kelleher, Travers and Bazunu have only just broken through and there's already a few more young custodians on the horizon: https://www.evertonfc.com/match/79399/tottenham-hotspur-u21-everton-u21#lineups

Mipo Odubeko also added a second for his season, in West Ham's 3-2 defeat to Arsenal: https://www.whufc.com/news/it-happened-u21s-2-3-arsenal

George Nunn scored Derby's goal in their 3-1 defeat to Middlesbrough, with Cian Kelly Caprani also lining out for them. Calum Kavanagh played for Boro and seemed to be heavily involved, having a goal chalked off and forcing a couple of saves from the Derby 'keeper: https://www.mfc.co.uk/news/2022/august/12/match-report--boro-u21s-3-derby-county-u21s-1/

U19 international Luke Pearce came on as a second-half sub for Southampton against West Brom: https://www.southamptonfc.com/news/2022-08-12/b-team-report-southampton-vs-west-brom-premier-league-2-2022-23

Earlier in the week Babajide Adeeko scored for Wigan in their 5-0 thrashing of Watford: https://wiganathletic.com/news/2022/august/10/u21s-report-latics-5-watford-0/

And to continue the list of young goalies coming through, Harry Halwax was between the sticks for QPR in their recent 2-2 draw with Peterborough: https://www.qpr.co.uk/fixtures/under-21/2022/peterborough-united-u21-v-queens-park-rangers-u21/?tab=report

Tom Cannon rumoured to be joining Derby County on loan, with Milwall also interested in taking him.

[Eirambler]

Cannon seems to be highly rated and is thought to be one who could handle the step up to senior football well. At the same time going to Millwall in the Championship for a first loan would be ambitious (as Troy Parrott found out). Maybe better to start in League 1 and see how he goes there.

[JR89]

Interesting that Newcastle are using Alex Murphy as a CB, did play a couple of games for Galway there, and Tom Mohan had him playing CM in the recent U19s games against Iceland.

[Crgalway]

Interesting that Newcastle are using Alex Murphy as a CB, did play a couple of games for Galway there, and Tom Mohan had him playing CM in the recent U19s games against Iceland.
Pretty sure he’s a naturally a CB having played there for GUFC underage sides and only switched to LB when he made step up to Galway’s first team

[tetsujin1979]

Two goals for Tom Cannon earlier against Manchester United U23's
Full game is on YouTube, goals on 51:00 and 59:00
First goal is a cracking finish
VdSNjcXh4yo

[samhaydenjr]

Two for Ollie O'Neill also: https://www.fulhamfc.com/news/2022/august/19/Fulham-U21-2-2-Palace-U21/ - both he and Cannon have started this season really well

Meanwhile, last Irishman left at Southampton this season, Luke Pearce came on as a second-half sub and scored the Saints' third in their win over Stoke: https://www.southamptonfc.com/news/2022-08-19/b-team-report-stoke-city-southampton-premier-league-2-2022-23

[JR89]

Would be great if the interest in Cannon was genuine and got some senior experience this season. Could do with a few of the next batch of U21s getting some senior experience for the next campaign.

[Eirambler]

Cannon will definitely be going on loan somewhere before the end of the month.

[JR89]

Cannon will definitely be going on loan somewhere before the end of the month.

Signed a new three years deal this morning extending his current contract by two years. Hopefully was done this early that they've a loan lined up for him.

[liamoo11]

Signed a new three years deal this morning extending his current contract by two years. Hopefully was done this early that they've a loan lined up for him.

Maybe will get some minutes in league cup this week

[third policeman]

Maybe will get some minutes in league cup this week


They're woefully short of striking options at the minute. If they don't bring in a couple of strikers, they may need him themselves. If he gets league cup minutes and does well, he may end up staying there this season as a first team option. Lampard was not averse to giving young players a chance whilst at DErby and Chelsea.

[JR89]

Maybe will get some minutes in league cup this week

Rondon is the only CF they've got at the minute so they've nothing to lose by giving Cannon some minutes on Tuesday night.


They're woefully short of striking options at the minute. If they don't bring in a couple of strikers, they may need him themselves. If he gets league cup minutes and does well, he may end up staying there this season as a first team option. Lampard was not averse to giving young players a chance whilst at DErby and Chelsea.

Don't think Lampard is gonna be there long enough to give some youth a chance.

[elatedscum]

not sure this is the right thread but saw Johnny Kenny went on loan to Queen's Park. Same team as Luca Connell went to twice. At least they're playing a division up this season. Nonetheless, bit of a **** move. Celtic really don't know what they're doing when it comes to developing young players...

[JR89]

not sure this is the right thread but saw Johnny Kenny went on loan to Queen's Park. Same team as Luca Connell went to twice. At least they're playing a division up this season. Nonetheless, bit of a **** move. Celtic really don't know what they're doing when it comes to developing young players...

Should have chosen Hibs. The lad they brought in, similar player to Kenny, has been playing regular for them after he settled into things.

Even if signing for Celtic they should have left him remain at Celtic for another year to play regularly. Would have been playing at a better level and Sligo even knocked Motherwell out of Europe winning both legs 3-0.

[Eirambler]

Hopefully we'll see a good few Irish under 23 players get a run out over the next two nights in the EFL Cup. Possibilities would include Ferguson, Moran and Furlong at Brighton, McNally at Burnley, Roughan at Lincoln, Cannon at Everton, O'Neill at Fulham, maybe Phillips at Crystal Palace. And Idah hopefully getting his first game back at Norwich after injury.

Hopefully a few can make an impression and either push towards their own club's starting teams or generate some loan interest.

[JR89]

Hopefully we'll see a good few Irish under 23 players get a run out over the next two nights in the EFL Cup. Possibilities would include Ferguson, Moran and Furlong at Brighton, McNally at Burnley, Roughan at Lincoln, Cannon at Everton, O'Neill at Fulham, maybe Phillips at Crystal Palace. And Idah hopefully getting his first game back at Norwich after injury.

Hopefully a few can make an impression and either push towards their own club's starting teams or generate some loan interest.

Phillips and Roughan starting tonight. No Cannon in the Everton squad but O'Neill makes the Fulham squad. Good to see Idah back in the Norwich squad but concerning to see McNally still doesn't get a start for Burnley.

[Demesne Lad]

Hopefully we'll see a good few Irish under 23 players get a run out over the next two nights in the EFL Cup. Possibilities would include Ferguson, Moran and Furlong at Brighton, McNally at Burnley, Roughan at Lincoln, Cannon at Everton, O'Neill at Fulham, maybe Phillips at Crystal Palace. And Idah hopefully getting his first game back at Norwich after injury.

Hopefully a few can make an impression and either push towards their own club's starting teams or generate some loan interest.
Omochere on the bench for Fleetwood; veteran Coleman starts for Everton. I too would have liked to see Cannon, if only for15-20 mins.

[CraftyToePoke]

I too would have liked to see Cannon, if only for15-20 mins.

This Cannon fella, what is his link ?
& I read elsewhere he has no mention of the Irish side of his footballing life on his social media pages, is that so can anyone verify ? Excuse the cynicism but he's just signed a three year deal at a big club, his options just opened up, they will be in touch, doubtless.

[JR89]

England have shown no interest in this lad whatsoever. His only appearances have been for us at underage and hasn't played in nearly three years. Fair enough covid played it's part but he's the same age as Mipo whose in with the U21s and two years older than Ferguson whose bypassed him. Didn't make the match day squad but Sinclair Armstrong has been called up ahead of him also.

They won't be banging down his door because he signed a contract with Everton. Liam Delap has a long term contract with Man City and he's second choice behind Dane Scarlett for their U19s.

[elatedscum]

This Cannon fella, what is his link ?
& I read elsewhere he has no mention of the Irish side of his footballing life on his social media pages, is that so can anyone verify ? Excuse the cynicism but he's just signed a three year deal at a big club, his options just opened up, they will be in touch, doubtless.


England have shown no interest in this lad whatsoever. His only appearances have been for us at underage and hasn't played in nearly three years. Fair enough covid played it's part but he's the same age as Mipo whose in with the U21s and two years older than Ferguson whose bypassed him. Didn't make the match day squad but Sinclair Armstrong has been called up ahead of him also.

They won't be banging down his door because he signed a contract with Everton. Liam Delap has a long term contract with Man City and he's second choice behind Dane Scarlett for their U19s.

Tom Cannon looked pretty good for the u20s last year. Considering the number of people who didn’t show up (Okoflex, Sotona, Hill - a few others), the fact he did is a pretty good indication he’s committed

[CraftyToePoke]

All very well, for now, on paper.
So what's his link to us ?

[CSAD]

England have shown no interest in this lad whatsoever. His only appearances have been for us at underage and hasn't played in nearly three years. Fair enough covid played it's part but he's the same age as Mipo whose in with the U21s and two years older than Ferguson whose bypassed him. Didn't make the match day squad but Sinclair Armstrong has been called up ahead of him also.

They won't be banging down his door because he signed a contract with Everton. Liam Delap has a long term contract with Man City and he's second choice behind Dane Scarlett for their U19s.

With the amount of players that have come from nowhere to being England Internationals I wouldn’t be so sure, yes they won’t be banging down the door obviously but if they feel there’s any potential they’ll at least show an interest im sure. In Tom’s case if they are interested and Tom is really committed to Ireland, 70/30 in favour, they might not bother but if he’s 50/50 and only really playing for Ireland just for the sake of playing internationally then they might try push him to switch although they probably wouldn’t take any further action until he’s actually delivered at a decent level.

[JR89]

With the amount of players that have come from nowhere to being England Internationals I wouldn’t be so sure, yes they won’t be banging down the door obviously but if they feel there’s any potential they’ll at least show an interest im sure. In Tom’s case if they are interested and Tom is really committed to Ireland, 70/30 in favour, they might not bother but if he’s 50/50 and only really playing for Ireland just for the sake of playing internationally then they might try push him to switch although they probably wouldn’t take any further action until he’s actually delivered at a decent level.

Doubt they'd even send him or his representatives a text and would have no interest in him given they'd probably have 100 lads in their system that fits the same profile as Tom Cannon.

He's had a decent start to the season scoring 4 in 3 but his overall record is 14 in 42. Mipo has 17 in 19, Calum Kavanagh 10 in 12, and Evan Ferguson with 13 in 32 whose two years younger. Sinclair Armstrong and Johnny Kenny with senior level experience.

Unless Cannon gets a loan and does alright at senior level I doubt he'll get a game for us in the next U21s campaign never mind England even having a smidge of interest in someone like Tom Cannon.

[tetsujin1979]

he just signed a new contract with Everton, so they must see something in him

[Eirambler]

Is supposed to have developed physically very well compared to a lot of other under 21 players, so should hopefully be able to handle senior football if he can get a loan in the next few days.

[JR89]

Rovers have rested some players tonight being 4-0 down and given starts to both Justin Ferizaj and Aidomo Emakhu tonight.

[JR89]

Armstrong Okoflex finally makes his senior team debut coming on in the 82nd minute.

[tetsujin1979]

Didn't he play a few games for Celtic?

[JR89]

Checked and he did make two sub appearences in Jan 2021. Think that's the time Celtic had went abroad mid season in the middle of a pandemic and had to call up a few young lads to make up the numbers till lads were available again.

Justin Ferizaj has looked tidy tonight for Rovers. Doesn't turn 18 until Jan and would be great to see him get more minutes regularly. Think he could be the next one to break the transfer record if he moves.

[samhaydenjr]

Calum Kavanagh was on the scoresheet earlier this week - really get the feeling that it's a matter of when, not if, he'll break through:https://www.mfc.co.uk/news/2022/august/22/match-report--nottingham-forest-u21s-1-boro-u21s-4/

[JR89]

Would be great to see him get senior minutes. Think himself and Ferguson, or Armstrong and Mipo could form a good front two for the next U21s campaign.

[tetsujin1979]

Crystal Palace U23 V Wolves U23 being stream on Wolves' website: https://tv.wolves.co.uk/player?feedId=81e4f698-9dbf-4e6f-b6a1-18963bf6539b&sectionId=d657ce11-8438-4294-8766-def081dba964&entryId=0_jfaxmyfi
Sean Grehan starting for Palace, with Fionn Mooney on the bench
Joe Hodge, Lee Harkin, and Nathan Fraser starting for Wolves

[JR89]

With a bit of luck Ronan not named today means he's working on a move away.

[samhaydenjr]

Just the one goalscorer today , by my reckoning, but it's a new forward to start speculating about - Dara McGuinness, recently arrived from Shamrock Rovers, scored the opener for Stoke against Calum Kavanagh's Middlesbrough, but Boro responded with four. David Okagbue also played for Stoke: https://www.stokecityfc.com/news/2022/august/26/u21s-suffer-boro-defeat/

Elsewhere, two crosses from Ollie O'Neill led to Fulham's goal against Man Utd: https://www.fulhamfc.com/news/2022/august/26/Manchester-United-U21-2-2-Fulham-U21/

Aaron Maguire was between the sticks for Spurs against Liverpool - shipped three goals in the second half, though: https://www.tottenhamhotspur.com/news/2022/august/under-21s-pegged-back-in-high-scoring-liverpool-clash/

[JR89]

O'Neill has had a good start to the season and was disappointing to see him not get minutes in the cup with Fulhams lack of wingers and first choice wingers out injured.

[liamoo11]

O'Neill has had a good start to the season and was disappointing to see him not get minutes in the cup with Fulhams lack of wingers and first choice wingers out injured.

Is josh ireland still at Stoke?

[JR89]

Is josh ireland still at Stoke?

Don't think so. Probably on tour of Europe training with clubs with lockdown restrictions lifted around Europe. Think that's the main reason he went back playing with Stoke.

Good win for Lawal and Vata against the local pub team yesterday.

1563813639089295360

[tommy_c12000]

This video should act as a strong deterrent to any young Irish players considering Celtic as a career move. Awful standard. Soul destroying watching Bosun Lawal still stuck here this season, he’s an absolute unit compared to the rest of them. Vata is only 17, 18 early next year, while younger he also needs to move on now to a higher standard if he harbors aspirations of making it at a good level. Time for loans all round!

If the Scottish club teams permitted Celtic B of getting promoted to league 2 and upwards, it may actually start working out for Celtic. This can’t be doing much for their players development

[JR89]

Don't think clubs in the lower leagues want Celtic B or any B team allowed into the leagues but especially Celtic and Rangers.

See clubs in the PL have met and have talked about a quota for U23s players that EFL teams would have to include in their match day squads I think when talking about new rules regarding loans. Obviously the money within the Premier League they've talked about improving the parachute payments and funds for 3rd and 4th tier clubs to improve infrastructure.

[seanfhear]

This video should act as a strong deterrent to any young Irish players considering Celtic as a career move. Awful standard. Soul destroying watching Bosun Lawal still stuck here this season, he’s an absolute unit compared to the rest of them. Vata is only 17, 18 early next year, while younger he also needs to move on now to a higher standard if he harbors aspirations of making it at a good level. Time for loans all round!

If the Scottish club teams permitted Celtic B of getting promoted to league 2 and upwards, it may actually start working out for Celtic. This can’t be doing much for their players development
Bosun Lawal doesn’t look in any way mobile enough to make it as a professional footballer at a high level ~ ~ Time will tell if I am wrong.

[JR89]

Bosun Lawal doesn’t look in any way mobile enough to make it as a professional footballer at a high level ~ ~ Time will tell if I am wrong.

Watching that video he reminds me of the lad that's bigger than everyone else in school boy football at U12 but by the team he gets to U16 everyone else has grown and can now match him physically and are better technically while he has coasted by the last couple of years because he was bigger than others. Hopefully he gets a loan to a higher division to see how he takes to senior football. Playing in that pub level isn't gonna do him any good.

[JR89]

Andy Lyons signing for Blackpool and will remain with Rovers until the end of the season. Having a great season at WB scoring 8 goals and 6 assists. Ferizaj assisted him this weekend with lovely long range pass in extra time to beat Drogheda in the cup.