Kevin Kilbane

[Stuttgart88]

That's going on his gravestone.I think his gravestone will be:

Kevin whatever-his-name-is Kilbane
Born 1970-something
Retired from international football 2057

[Closed Account]

www.irishtimes.com/newspaper/sport/2011/0923/1224304578519.html

Never anything but honest. I'd hoped we'd of had a better left back by now, and a small bit of competition might up his game, but I'd have no qualms with him playing the next two games. the finals are a stretch though.

[theworm2345]

www.irishtimes.com/newspaper/sport/2011/0923/1224304578519.html

Never anything but honest. I'd hoped we'd of had a better left back by now, and a small bit of competition might up his game, but I'd have no qualms with him playing the next two games. the finals are a stretch though.
Well maybe not never...

“These questions have been asked of me so often. Will I be selected? Won’t I be selected? Of course I was pleased for Stephen (Ward) who came in and did very well in the game that he played in.

[pineapple stu]

Stephen Ward did very well against Russia?!

[theworm2345]

The legend made his 600th club appearance today. It would truly be a travesty if we were to qualify and he wasn't in the squad for the Finals.

[Yard of Pace]

It's a shame, but that's football. I'd have him in against Estonia, if he's fit and still has some kind of pace, but you'd have to imagine after the long Championship season his legs wouldn't be right for a major tournament.

[Murfinator]

He's still our best left back for my money, Ward has been absolutely dreadful in replacing him and Kelly is quite noticeably out of position on that side. For whatever reason Trap seems unwilling to play O'Shea or Clark there so if it is indeed a decision between Kilbane, Ward and Kelly at LB I'd take Kilbane without hesitation. He may not have the pace but he's both natural on the left and has a reasonably sharp positional sense while being good in the air at set pieces.

[geysir]

He was our best left back, I don't know if he is still our best LB.

I watched Ward yesterday and imo he played well against Man City, both defensively (in spite of having Hunt ahead of him) and attacking roles.

[Colbert Report]

I can't understand why Kilbane wasn't named in the Estonia squad. He's been such a servant to the team and Trap always stresses loyalty and commitment - something which I doubt anyone would every accuse Killer of being short on. If he's fit and playing (which he is), then why is he not in the squad? Why make a change this late in the campaign? I agree that we need a new left back but Stephen Ward has hardly impressed in that role, I think most of us would prefer Kilbane's experience for the last two big matches of his career.

[SkStu]

i dont think Ward has done much wrong and certainly not enough to warrant being dropped for Estonia. He has some weaknesses - which Irish player doesnt - but Estonia are hardly the team to ruthlessly expose those weaknesses? And i am a huge Kilbane fan (well documented here) but we seem to have very short memories. Last campaign he was poison in at least half of our games and cost us a lot of points due to his bad positioning - his experience didnt do much for us in those games. Lets not rewrite history now.

[Murfinator]

i dont think Ward has done much wrong

You think wrong, I can't remember ever seeing an international player with as bad a positional sense as him. Do you realise how many goals we would have conceded if it wasn't for McGeady covering his behind? Or how much he's stifling our attacking play essentially forcing McGeady to double up as an extra fullback? He's an ok player for Wolves and I'm sure he has more to offer but call a spade a spade, his international career so far has been McShane-esque.

As I recall Kilbanes last match was away to Macedonia in June where he was very, very good. You're only as good as your last game so I wouldn't have these reservations about him that Trap does especially when Ward has made such a bags of replacing him.

[SkStu]

7 Appearances, he has scored for us and also I dont think we conceded any goals in the games he has played. Yes, Ward has clearly made a huge bags of it.

[Jaysus]

I can't understand why Kilbane wasn't named in the Estonia squad. He's been such a servant to the team and Trap always stresses loyalty and commitment - something which I doubt anyone would every accuse Killer of being short on. If he's fit and playing (which he is), then why is he not in the squad? Why make a change this late in the campaign? I agree that we need a new left back but Stephen Ward has hardly impressed in that role, I think most of us would prefer Kilbane's experience for the last two big matches of his career.

I wouldn't anyway. I'm pleased Trap finally dropped him from the squad, no room for sentiment in football.

[Colbert Report]

I wouldn't anyway. I'm pleased Trap finally dropped him from the squad, no room for sentiment in football.

Fair point, but with O'Shea injured and likely out for both play-off matches, wouldn't you want Kilbane on the bench at least?

[Charlie Darwin]

Fair point, but with O'Shea injured and likely out for both play-off matches, wouldn't you want Kilbane on the bench at least?
O'Shea wasn't injured when the squad was announced.

I am a huge Kilbane fan and think he's been unfairly scapegoated by Irish fans for poor performances in the last campaign, but I think at this stage Ward is adding an attacking element that Kilbane can't. I would still have him in the squad as a stellar back-up player but if Trap thinks otherwise I can't argue too much.

[geysir]

O'Shea is out? that leaves 6 left standing at the back, KK should be in line for a recall.

[Murfinator]

7 Appearances, he has scored for us and also I dont think we conceded any goals in the games he has played. Yes, Ward has clearly made a huge bags of it.

Ridiculous, by your logic he's done nothing wrong because a combination of McGeady/Dunne/Given/Sledge/O'Dea happened to cover for his mistakes? The openings he gave Slovakia and Russia could have resulted in 4,5,6 goals on his head. Just because we recovered and they didn't take their chances doesn't make him any less poor. He's our worst player by some margin in the current expected starting 11.

[Murfinator]

O'Shea is out? that leaves 6 left standing at the back, KK should be in line for a recall.

Potentially 5, O'Dea is suffering from concussion. Unless you consider Coleman a back 4 player, then 6.

[geysir]

You'd think a player would recover from concussion but you never know. Chris Sutton had a few serious concussions in his career which kept him out of the game for weeks on end.

[tetsujin1979]

I know in rugby there's a compulsory recovery period if you're diagnosed with concussion, is it the same in football?

[Stuttgart88]

No, I don't think so.

[SkStu]

Ridiculous, by your logic he's done nothing wrong because a combination of McGeady/Dunne/Given/Sledge/O'Dea happened to cover for his mistakes? The openings he gave Slovakia and Russia could have resulted in 4,5,6 goals on his head. Just because we recovered and they didn't take their chances doesn't make him any less poor. He's our worst player by some margin in the current expected starting 11.

I aint saying he's perfect or faultless but he is our best and most logically defensible LB option at present. He has played well overall with only a few genuinely shaky moments exposing his frailties and lack of international experience. Youre being overly harsh on him. A team like ours is not going to have world class players from 1-16.

[the bear]

I aint saying he's perfect or faultless but he is our best and most logically defensible LB option at present. He has played well overall with only a few genuinely shaky moments exposing his frailties and lack of international experience. Youre being overly harsh on him. A team like ours is not going to have world class players from 1-16.
i think o'shea is our best LB option

[TrapAPony]

i think o'shea is our best LB option

I think Marc Tierney or Marc Wilson could be.....if they only got a run out.

[geysir]

Wilson went off before half time last night, I suspect for some injury reason, I think he was the one who shipped a crude tackle.

[theworm2345]

Wilson went off before half time last night, I suspect for some injury reason, I think he was the one who shipped a crude tackle.
Nope no injury that I could tell, was getting slated on the Oatcake for being awful as a fullback though.

[Irwin3]

He definately limped off and he had kicked the ball out for a corner earlier like someone who had a problem. BBC say it was an enforced sub.
http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/15425921.stm

Whatever the reason, he was fairly awful yesterday.

[tetsujin1979]

Lining out at centre half tonight for Derby, presumably for the injured Mark O'Brien

[theworm2345]

Lining out at centre half tonight for Derby, presumably for the injured Mark O'Brien
He truly can play anywhere...unfortunately though he scored an own goal tonight. Doesn't sound like it was his fault though.

EDIT: Well they're losing 3-0 now so maybe he can't play anywhere, not sure how much of it is on him.

[elroy]

With josh likely to miss the first leg at least, will killer be drafted back into the starting 11?


Probably more likely he will go with ward and Kelly at full back?

[elroy]

Edit: he's not even in squad so no chance then

[Yard of Pace]

Surely someone will be called up to take O'Shea's place in the squad? I'd have Kilbane around about the team in this situation even if he's just going to be on the bench or in the stands.

[zero]

the original squad named had 26, but that's down to 24 i guess if o'shea and long are ruled out.

but how many are actually allowed in the squad proper for the 2 games? 23?

[Colbert Report]

I think there might be more to this story. Trap didn't stick with this guy because he's a great player, he stuck with him because he was the best of a bad list of options. I can't see why he wouldn't be in the squad at the very least.

[koneinc]

I'm a bit disappointed not to see Killer get a call-up, even if it was just to give us some cover on the bench

[Fixer82]

I'm a bit disappointed not to see Killer get a call-up, even if it was just to give us some cover on the bench

I agree. Seems harsh he went from 1st choice left back to not even in the squad

[French Toasht]

Even despite the injuries, it appears Trap is no keen on calling anyone else up to the squad. Even if Trap has no intention of playing him in either leg, his role as a leader in the squad would be pivital for a game of such importance.

[Carrigaline]

Out for the rest of the season and contemplating retirement - http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/football/article-2086386/Kevin-Kilbane-ruled-rest-season-misses-Euros.html

I really hope Killer can make a come-back. I want to see him in an Irish jersey one more time before he retires for good, even if it is just a friendly.

[mark12345]

I don't. My best memories of him were in the run up to the 2002 World Cup. He was past his best after that. A great servant no doubt - I have the feeling that one day he'll be part of the Irish management team.

[BonnieShels]

When Keane came back and he was in CM with him I thought he did well.

I think a run out in the last 10 min v Czechs would be deserved just so we can show our appreciation one last time. I hope he goes to Poland in some sort of official capacity.

[Charlie Darwin]

I think a run out in the last 10 min v Czechs would be deserved just so we can show our appreciation one last time. I hope he goes to Poland in some sort of official capacity.
In a wheelchair??

[seanfhear]

Many thanks to Kevin for all he did for Ireland and if there is one player that deserves an international testimonial then it is Kevin. Kevin always turned up and put in the effort and the repect that he showed to the Irish jersey was second to none.

[SwanVsDalton]

Mad after all those steady, injury free, ever present years, a debilitating back injury could force an early retirement. Maybe playing continuously took it's toll or maybe it's just a quirk of fate. Either way I'd support a call for a testimonial and would love to see him go on and complete his coaching badges. Seems tailor made to stay in football. Though I wouldn't rule him out of forcing his way back to fitness and club football yet.

[Sullivinho]

He'd get a few punditry offers if he did officially retire I reckon, already done a turn or two for RTE.

[Irish_Praha]

He'd get a few punditry offers if he did officially retire I reckon, already done a turn or two for RTE.

I heard him on BBC 5 live about a year ago too; he didn't sound like I expected at all, a bit boyish actually.

[BonnieShels]

In a wheelchair??

Actually didn't realise he was that bad.

Fupp

[drummerboy]

Reckon he's too much of a gentleman to become a manager.

[tetsujin1979]

Been on Newstalk a few times as well

[geysir]

KK will have plenty of options available in future, whether it be coaching or punditry. The issue for him now is his football career and his ability to play any more, it sounds as if he is going to make a serious effort to get fit again.

[Drumcondra 69er]

Where the hell did he get that jacket for Premier Soccer Saturday tonight??? :D