Irish Players Abroad 06/07

[CraftyToePoke]

leicester v west brom 1-1

Only Maybury started for leicester, with Yeates losing his place after not really fancying it, it seems, away to burnley up north in the rainy less glamourous midwek game, having been replaced at h.t. in that game, which was dissappointing to hear, as he had done ok up to that. Logan was also on the bench.

Maybury did ok with a high energy performance and several effective attacking forays into the opponents half which on one occasion drew a fine stop from Kiely and on another had claims for a pen/free kick on the edge of the area turned down. However, he gave away the pen which led to the west brom goal, when he got tricked by Kamara when he changed pace and Maybury slid in taking the player out, a definate pen.

Yeates came on with 15 to go and didnt impact, he swung some hopefull crosses over, which were dealt with fairly comfortably.

Kiely played well for them, kicked well, commanded his area well, organised well, my only criticism would be he parried a Maybury shot straight back into the danger area near the pen spot and it was just luck it wasnt a tap in for an opponent.

McShane, he played on the right of a back 3 with Koumas in front of him initially so he was a touch exposed at times as Koumas was leisurely about tracking back at times, however when Greening was on his flank he offered him more protection, McShane played well, cant really criticise or praise him too much but i will definately say he looked a better player when ive seen him for brighton in the middle of a back 4, also for Ireland. he took a forearm smash from Horsfield which put him down but got up and played on without too much drama, Horsfield should maybe have been red carded for it. He also got forward when he could and was available as an outlet ball in buildup play for his side.


O.S. report here:http://www.lcfc.premiumtv.co.uk/page/Match/MatchReport/0,,10274~33768,00.html not a great deal of irish interest in it


there are 3 ex-Irish international players (one underage) out of 4 nominated for the manager of the month in the champoinship this month
here:http://www.lcfc.premiumtv.co.uk/page/News/NewsDetail/0,,10274~987704,00.html?

[drummerboy]

Ex Shels centre half, Hawkins, now with Coventry, made a howler for the equaliser against Norwich on Saturday. Seemingly he had been doing well up to that.

[eirebhoy]

Sheridan gets Celtic seal of approval

Celtic striker Cillian Sheridan showed with one small but important contribution to the Parkhead side’s Tennent’s Scottish Cup comeback against Inverness Caledonian Thistle that the Hoops’ comprehensive scouting system continues to unearth promising youngsters for manager Gordon Strachan. Related Topics
Sports

Sheridan, from Cavan in Ireland, only turned 18 on Friday and few travelling fans at the Tulloch Caledonian stadium would have known anything about him as he replaced Mark Wilson with 16 minutes to go with the visitors trailing to Graham Bayne’s first-half opener.

However, after defender Steven Pressley dramatically levelled the score with an 89th-minute header, the Irishman set up Kenny Miller to score the winner deep into injury time.

Celtic under-19 coach Joe McBride described Sheridan rise through the Parkhead ranks as "spectacular".

He said: "Cillian’s rise has been spectacular and he has really caught the eye.
"He’s only been at Celtic since last summer. We took him to Villarreal with the youth team just after he came and he did okay but since the league started he has been great.

"He has been scoring all sorts of goals, from blistering shots from outside the box to tap-ins.

"He has improved with every game and even scored two for the reserves when he moved up to play for them against Motherwell.

"Cillian is the one player we have who is similar, in some ways, to Jan Vennegoor of Hesselink, that’s perhaps why the manager has taken him.

"I don’t know if we‘ve lost him to the first team now but he can play with the under-19s for another season.

"It’s a double edged-sword, it would be good to keep him for our team but it would be nice to lose him to the first team, that’s what we are here for."

McBride claims Sheridan settled quickly on arriving from Cavan last summer.
He said: "He is basically a shy and quiet guy but you could say he is a typical Irishman.

"On one of the bus journeys in Villarreal we tried to get a sing-song going among the boys but no-one would get up. But once Cillian got up, there was no getting him down again.

"I hope he makes it as a footballer because he will never make it as a singer."
Inverness manager Charlie Christie was still reeling from Celtic’s remarkable comeback.

He said: "We did have some tired legs, maybe because of the possession Celtic had but we defended well and they never looked like getting back. But it just wasn’t to be for us."

http://breakingnews.iol.ie/sport/story.asp?j=211601614&p=zyy6xz3zx&t=soccer

[tetsujin1979]

Cillian Sheridan signed a new 3-year deal today:
Report here: http://www.celticfc.net/newsroom/news.aspx?id='2007-02-27_1345JS'

[tetsujin1979]

Garry Breen started, and Karl Moore was a second half substitute, for Man City's reserves in a 1-0 win over a strong Wigan Athletic reserve side.

no review on Wigan's site yet
Man City review: http://www.mcfc.co.uk/default.sps?pagegid={DBD12D53-8346-431D-A04F-5D0F8664DE80}&newsid=406878

[dr_peepee]

David Bell is apparently performing well at Luton

[danonion]

Garry Breen started, and Karl Moore was a second half substitute, for Man City's reserves in a 1-0 win over a strong Wigan Athletic reserve side.

no review on Wigan's site yet
Man City review: http://www.mcfc.co.uk/default.sps?pagegid={DBD12D53-8346-431D-A04F-5D0F8664DE80}&newsid=406878

There is a new Gary Breen???? There may yet be hope for Ireland!

[republicofwhite]

Best thing to come out of Kilkenny since Michael Reddy and thats a FACT!

[tetsujin1979]

There is a new Gary Breen???? There may yet be hope for Ireland!
Yeah, been posting about him for months. He's played as a striker and a defender. And we have a ready made song for him when he makes his debut.
And it's Garry.

[eirebhoy]

McGeady set up the first goal today. Highlights here:
http://media.putfile.com/celts-v-dunfermline-

Had a good game but the opposition was very poor.

[theworm2345]

Scorers:
John O'Shea
Clinton Morrison
Michael Doyle (penalty)
Alan Lee
Jonathan Walters
Gary Breen
Lewis Emanuel
Andy Keogh
Alan McCormack
David McGoldrick
Ben Burgess
Barry Conlon (penalty)

[republicofwhite]

Whats the story with Breen actually Tets? Very curious given he's from the same neck o' the woods... Saw he was starting on that quality youth team with Richards and is generally starting on the reserves etc, which is a lot better than I thought he'd do...Seems to be involved in a lot of OG's, Giving away penalties etc. though.. Do you reckon he could make the step up?

[tetsujin1979]

Whats the story with Breen actually Tets? Very curious given he's from the same neck o' the woods... Saw he was starting on that quality youth team with Richards and is generally starting on the reserves etc, which is a lot better than I thought he'd do...Seems to be involved in a lot of OG's, Giving away penalties etc. though.. Do you reckon he could make the step up?
He made the step up from the Academy to the reserve set up this season, and seems to be keeping his place, despite a few OG's and red cards as you say. I reckon he'll find it tough to get into the 1st team at the moment. Despite the results, the back line is actually pretty decent, and there's strength in depth there too. If Distin leaves in the summer (looking more likely with every passing non-contract signing day) he could move up into the senior ranks next season.

[tetsujin1979]

Stephen Ward won Championship player of the month for February: http://www.wolves.premiumtv.co.uk/page/News/NewsDetail/0,,10307~990919,00.html

McShane and Ward made it into the Actim Team of the Month according to the Championship round up this morning on ITV, can't find a link for it though

[drummerboy]

Anyone know why Damien Duff didn't feature on Saturday's game against Boro. Is he injured again?

[cheifo]

Think he had flu/bug or something like that.

[CraftyToePoke]

southend v leicester 2-2

only Maybury for leicester this week, and even he was stretchered off with 10 to play, Yeates got ten mins near the end, Logan was on the bench.

a more eventfull day for southends Irish with Maher captaining, Foran walking the plank and McCormack equalising late on for them having recently come on as sub. Foran was for a second yellow, not nasty, his side were about to be done on the break and he pulled the breaking midfielder down, he made up a huge distance to get to the guy, but he had to go.

OS report here, decent Irish interest:http://www.lcfc.premiumtv.co.uk/page/Match/MatchReport/0,,10274~33820,00.html

McCormack not happy with officials:
http://www.southendunited.premiumtv.co.uk/page/News/NewsDetail/0,,10444~990918,00.html

Foran facing ban:
http://www.southendunited.premiumtv.co.uk/page/News/NewsDetail/0,,10444~990893,00.html

Maybury on the mend:http://www.lcfc.premiumtv.co.uk/page/News/NewsDetail/0,,10274~991404,00.html

and wait for it........wait for it........Chesney Hawkes provided the pitchside entertainment:
http://www.southendunited.premiumtv.co.uk/page/News/NewsDetail/0,,10444~991531,00.html ive seen better looking backing singers too, i bet ye are all fcuuukin sick ye missed that, eh boys and girls:p :ball: :ball:

[tetsujin1979]

Staunton could add Caleb Folan to his striking options. He's been approached before and is interested in playing for Ireland: http://www.unison.ie/sportsdesk/stories.php3?ca=12&si=1788338
For the first time in as long as I can remember, we've a pretty decent set of strikers in the senior set up - Keane, Doyle, Stokes, Keogh, Murphy, Elliott, Connolly, Morrison, Ward, Clarke are all viable squad members - it's left full and central midfield players we need.

[dr_peepee]

Caleb Folan for Ireland.... B-B-B-But he's B-B-Black!!!

[bwagner]

tetsujin can you put in the page itself because i have no unioson lod on ....thanks bud

[tetsujin1979]

Done and done, but unison.ie is free to register on


Staunton eyes up Latics' bargain-buy Folan
Steve Staunton is ready to add Wigan Athletic striker Caleb Folan to his striking options.
The Republic of Ireland boss has been impressed with the way the former Chesterfield striker has adjusted to life in the top flight with the Latics.
Folan, 24, qualifies for Ireland through his grandparents and has made it known that he would love the chance to play for Staunton.
"Steve has known about Folan for a while and saw him at Chesterfield. When a big man with Irish qualifications starts scoring in the top flight of course it'll be noticed," said a source close to the Irish boss yesterday.
When Folan was a trainee at Leeds United he was watched by former under-21 team manager Ian Evans but was never selected.
Like a number of talented youngsters including Andy Keogh, Folan has gone on to prove himself in the lower divisions since leaving Elland Road.
His 14 goals for Chesterfield earlier this term earned the Leeds-born target-man a €750,000 move to the JJB Stadium.
The 6ft 2in striker scored his second Premiership goal for Paul Jewell's side against Manchester City on Saturday.
"Caleb's fee looks really good business and he's got two goals. If those goals help keep us in the Premiership then that's worth 20 times what we paid," said Jewell.

[dr_peepee]

Haven't seen him play but with those stats and a target man 'tag'..... Nice one!!

[shakermaker1982]

With a name like that I knew he must have Irish blood! We are spoilt for choice up front but fingers crossed we find a new Paul McGrath some time soon.

[bwagner]

thanks bud

[tetsujin1979]

From Aiden McGeady's latest diary entry: http://www.icons.com/mcgeady/diary.html?06.03.07

It was pleasing for me to hear that Massimo Oddo, the Milan right-back, who I faced on the night in Glasgow, has since said that I have the ability to play in Serie A. When you hear something like that from a player at Milan you know it's good, especially when it comes from a player you have played against directly.

[livehead1]

From Aiden McGeady's latest diary entry: http://www.icons.com/mcgeady/diary.html?06.03.07

That clown mcGeady was useless in the first leg. He didn't beat his man once and was on the back foot all game

[John83]

That clown mcGeady was useless in the first leg. He didn't beat his man once and was on the back foot all game
People said the same of Ronaldo the last time Man Utd played Milan. Milan are no pushovers.

[eirebhoy]

That clown mcGeady was useless in the first leg. He didn't beat his man once and was on the back foot all game
First of all, was there a need to call him a clown? Secondly, McGeady was marked by 2 players, Oddo and Gattuso. Milan got their tactics spot on against Celtic, more than any team that has played at Celtic park recently. Double mark the wide players (with 2 world class players) and job done. When I say marked, the full backs couldn't even pass it to them they were marked so tightly. If you expect McGeady to beat Oddo and Gattuso then I'm sorry, you need to lower your expectations. It was similar to when France came to Lansdowne and didn't give Duff an inch.

I can understand you critising him if he tried to beat the player and kept failing but it can only be good if he has the intelligience to know when to take on the player. Also, Strachan will get the best out of him. Strachan was impressed with him against Milan, that's all that matters.

Still can't believe you called him a clown for no obvious reason. He's a grumpy bugger but not a bad person and certainly not arrogant.

[geysir]

Spot on about McGeady at that Milan match. I still don't know how Milan could double up on both wide players at the same time and still have defenders to spare in the middle.
Isn't Finnan, even at this stage of his career, developing his ability? There's even more of a physical upright presence about himself on the pitch whereas in the past he looked kinda hunched and shy.

[CraftyToePoke]

Mark Yeates and Conrad Logan were part of a winning leicester side in a practice match yesterday v coventry.

Here:http://www.lcfc.premiumtv.co.uk/page/News/NewsDetail/0,,10274~992087,00.html

Also, Stokes, Adan Rooney has come 3rd in the Champoinships 'apprentice of the year' award thingy, good news for him, but overall a little dissappointing maybe, that he didnt impact more at first team level after his impressive end to last season, but Stoke are throwing the pennies around to be fair to him.

HERE:: from the blue army site

Leicester City youngster Eric Odhiambo finished third in the search for the Championship's apprentice of the year.

The Academy striker, who made his City debut in the Carling Cup game against Aston Villa in October, was one of six youngsters to be nominated for the accolade at the Football League Awards.

Cardiff defender Chris Gunter, who has made seven first-team appearances for the Bluebirds this season, won the Wickes Young Apprentice Trophy, with Stoke's Adam Rooney the runner-up.

[eirebhoy]

Also, Stokes, Adan Rooney has come 3rd in the Champoinships 'apprentice of the year' award thingy
2nd. ;)

[theworm2345]

Leicester City youngster Eric Odhiambo finished third in the search for the Championship's apprentice of the year.

Odhiambo and his brother Eddie (Anaclet of Oxford) are Tanzanian

[eirebhoy]

I've never really got excited about Darren O'Dea or called for him to be called up to the Ireland squad but I think I'll start raving about him now. :) He was leading the line and ordering the likes of Lennon and Naylor about at the age of 20. McGeady played very well too in the hole behind the Vennegoor.

[tetsujin1979]

Ian Daly came off the bench to equalise for Man City's reserves in their 1-1 draw with Preston North End's reserves in the Pontin's Holiday League.
City's line up also included Michael Daly (no relation) at centre half.

Preston North End review: http://www.pnefc.premiumtv.co.uk/page/Match/Reserves/0,,10362~992472,00.html?ptvParm=
Man City review: http://www.mcfc.co.uk/default.sps?pagegid={DBD12D53-8346-431D-A04F-5D0F8664DE80}&newsid=409128

[livehead1]

I've never really got excited about Darren O'Dea or called for him to be called up to the Ireland squad but I think I'll start raving about him now. :) He was leading the line and ordering the likes of Lennon and Naylor about at the age of 20. McGeady played very well too in the hole behind the Vennegoor.

saw very little to convince me any more about mcgeady last night. some very nice touches on the ball but consistantly failed to beat his man, losing possession.

[livehead1]

First of all, was there a need to call him a clown? Secondly, McGeady was marked by 2 players, Oddo and Gattuso. Milan got their tactics spot on against Celtic, more than any team that has played at Celtic park recently. Double mark the wide players (with 2 world class players) and job done. When I say marked, the full backs couldn't even pass it to them they were marked so tightly. If you expect McGeady to beat Oddo and Gattuso then I'm sorry, you need to lower your expectations. It was similar to when France came to Lansdowne and didn't give Duff an inch.

I can understand you critising him if he tried to beat the player and kept failing but it can only be good if he has the intelligience to know when to take on the player. Also, Strachan will get the best out of him. Strachan was impressed with him against Milan, that's all that matters.

Still can't believe you called him a clown for no obvious reason. He's a grumpy bugger but not a bad person and certainly not arrogant.
didn't like mcgeadys comments saying he was happy to hear he would be able to play in serie a. i think he should simply concentrate on his own game at this moment in time.

[gustavo]

Of course he should be happy people saying that , doesnt mean he suddenly going to be arrogant .

[eirebhoy]

saw very little to convince me any more about mcgeady last night. some very nice touches on the ball but consistantly failed to beat his man, losing possession.
I don't know what you're looking for from him. :) He played behind the striker and you're still looking for him to beat the players. Last night was the most confident I've ever seen him away from Celtic Park in Europe. Very encouraging.

/edit - btw I wouldn't be suprised if Oddo's comments were the reason McGeady looked so confident. He's the kind of person that cares too much what people think. I actually think he spends too much time on the internet. ;)

[paul_oshea]

livehead i can see where you are coming from he has done nothing yet. we need to wait and see. if he starts doing it for ireland then we can comment.

[zenokelly]

Have seen a lot of McGeady this season and am not impressed at all with his play. A better manager at Celtic Park would see that and wouldn't be picking him like Strachan. Although I think if he gets a move from Celtic to a club with a better manager that they could bring the best out of him because he's got bags of abilty. Wouldn't put him near the team for the 2 games in Croker.

But O Dea was the best man on the park last night for the Bhoys and Staunton really needs to take note because if he can put in a performace like that against one of the best sides in Europe, he can surely do a job against mediocre Welsh and Slovakian teams

[eirebhoy]

Have seen a lot of McGeady this season and am not impressed at all with his play. A better manager at Celtic Park would see that and wouldn't be picking him like Strachan.
I should probably stop reading here. :) I don't know how anyone wouldn't rate Strachan as a coach/manager. I'd do anything to have him as Ireland manager in a few years. Certainly when it comes to judging players and getting the best out of them. Robbie Keane said he was the best manager he has played for. He made something like £26m in his 5 years at Coventry from selling his own buys.

Just reading a Newcastle forum to see how Duff is doing:
"Duff's been better in this game already than the rest of the season put together"

Anyone watching?

[theworm2345]

57' Keane Goal: AttachMax (http://www.attachmax.com/Keane__3.html)
90' Keane Goal: AttachMax (http://www.attachmax.com/Keane2__1.html)
for my site, footballclips.net/forum

[republicofwhite]

First one wasa cracker.. Lennon seemed to havin a joke in that match, no doubt his trickery is adding much to the success of the Keane-Berbatov combo...If only we nabbed him at U-15's or something!

[CraftyToePoke]

Odhiambo and his brother Eddie (Anaclet of Oxford) are Tanzanian

Read it again Worm, it was posted with reference to the guy who came second (yes,second E.B.:) ) in said competition.

[tetsujin1979]

Richard Dunne is player of the month at Manchester City for February: http://www.mcfc.co.uk/default.sps?pagegid={DBD12D53-8346-431D-A04F-5D0F8664DE80}&newsid=409375
Considering City's results in February (3 losses and 1 win) that's some acheivement for a defender

[passinginterest]

Watched bits of Newcastle and most of Spurs, Duff and Keane but looking a bit more confident. Duff even took on his man and beat him a few times.

[eirebhoy]

Hi Kevin. What is the situation regarding your declaration for Ireland/England? Have you come to any conclusion on the matter?
Matt Tighe, Ireland

I want to play for England. It is something I have always dreamt of doing and hopefully that ambition will happen soon.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/6420535.stm

[dr_peepee]

I see his little 'Chess game' with stan continues!!

[dr_peepee]

Colin Doyle is playing and Maik Taylor is on the bench at Birmingham.... Good stuff!!

[theworm2345]

David Connolly (Sunderland) scored
Martin Rowlands (QPR) scored a penalty
Marc Wilson (Bournemouth) scored
Peter Gain (Peterborough) scored