Irish Players Abroad 06/07

[tetsujin1979]

Manchester city's Pontin's League side lost 3-1 to Oldham Athletic's side last night. City had Michael Daly in defence.

Man City review: http://www.mcfc.co.uk/default.sps?pageid=113&pagegid=%7BAA5FDAD7%2D7640%2D4CC3%2D93D4%2D57E0995 5208C%7D&eventid=37633&siteid=
Oldham review: http://www.oldhamathletic.premiumtv.co.uk/page/News/NewsDetail/0,,10337~900140,00.html

[youngirish]

I see Michael Timlin made his first appearance of the season last night in Central Midfield at Fulham. Pity they got beaten 2-1 by Wycombe. Steven Ireland also came on as a sub in Man Citys defeat to Chesterfield so all things considered it wasn't a great night for the young Irish players in the Carling Cup.

[FootballsKing]

wasnt a great night for the premiership full stop last night in the Carling Cup!
still though at least the Irish lads are being acknowledged

[tetsujin1979]

Stephen Ireland was one of City's better performers last night, despite his short time on the pitch. The fans can't understand why he's not playing more when the team oare obviously bereft of creativity in the middle of the park!
From the Manchester Evening News review:

Ireland (for Hamann 77): improved the team markedly because he could pass the ball

[FootballsKing]

Give him time, he has had a very good start and isn't even fully match fit. Hartson, Larsson, Viduka, Negri, Cadete, Boyd and Van Hooijdonk are the only players to hit 20 goals in a season in the SPL in the last decade. All players that had well proven themselves in other leagues. Hartson hit 24 goals in a season with West Ham. Larsson scores loads no matter what the level. Viduka scored 22 for Leeds after leaving Celtic. Negri scored 15 Serie A goals the season before joining Rangers. Cadete scored 25 goals for Sporting in a season in Portugal before joining Celtic. van Hooijdonk scored 34 for Forest the season after leaving Celtic and also 22 in the Dutch league after that.

It's not as if he should be scoring in every match because he's in a poor league. :)


in fairness all of those players had a major advantage in that the played for celtic or rangers. im sure the likes of stokes, shane long etc would score far more goals for Celtic/Rangers than they do for their respective clubs at the moment

[CraftyToePoke]

hereford v leicester 1-3

McCarthy was rested as leicester overcame hereford and Maybury was restored to the line up, more significant though was Conrad Logans selection in goal, he seems to have had a busy night of it, conceding a spot kick and escaping with a booking and also making several fine saves.

he is featured in this report a few times,
http://www.lcfc.premiumtv.co.uk/page/Match/MatchReport/0,,10274~36231,00.html

[ken foree]

p. heffernan started for doncaster and was eventually subbed towards the end of the game which was drawn 3-3. sean thornton came on and o'connor scored the winning penalty which sent them through. not sure which o'connor he is though.

[gustavo]

George O Callaghan is now on trial at Hull after being on trial at Ipswich

[DmanDmythDledge]

George O Callaghan is now on trial at Hull after being on trial at Ipswich
I thought he just went to Ipswich on loan?:confused:

[theworm2345]

Liverpool 3 - 0 Tottenham
Keane and Finnan both played 90

Arsenal 3 - 0 Sheff Utd
Derek Geary started and played 78, Alan Quinn on in the 78th

Aston Villa 2 - 0 Charlton
Matt Holland started and came off in the 66th

Fulham 0 - 2 Chelsea
N/A

Man City 2 - 0 West Ham
Dunne full 90, Ireland on in the 89th

Middlesbrough 0 - 1 Blackburn
N/A

Wigan 1 - 1 Watford
Kilbane full 90 for Wigan

Burnley 2 - 3 Southampton
James O'Connor full 90, Chris McCann on in the 69th, Alan Mahon 80th

Crystal Palace 1 - 0 Coventry
Kennedy full 90, Morrison started, scored, and came off in the 88th, Kennedy had the assist on Morrison's goal...Tabb full 90, Michael Doyle started and came off in the 68th

Ipswich 3 - 1 Sunderland
Shane Supple unused sub, Billy Clarke on in the 73rd, Alan Lee full 90, scored twice, Jonathan Macken started and played 73...Kenny Cunningham full 90, Liam Lawrence on in the 70th, Kavanagh and Miller full 90

Leeds 3 - 2 Birmingham
Kelly, Douglas, Butler full 90 for Leeds...Marcus Painter full 90, Colin Doyle unused sub

Leicester 0 - 0 Colchester
Conrad Logan and Paddy McCarthy full 90

Luton 2 - 2 West Brom
Kevin Foley full 90, Keith Keane unused sub...Paul McShane full 90

Plymouth 3 - 1 Norwich
Gary Doherty full 90 and scored an own goal

QPR 2 - 0 Hull
Martin Rowlands full 90...Mark Yeates on in the 67th

Sheff Wed 1 - 2 Derby
Graham Coughlan and Glenn Whelan full 90, Barry Corr on in the 84th

Wolverhampton 2 - 0 Stoke
Gary Breen and Darren Potter full 90...Adam Rooney on in the 79th

Bournemouth 1 - 1 S****horpe
Steven Foley full 90, Leon Best on in the 84th...Joe Murphy, Cliff Byrne, and Andy Keogh full 90, Ian Morris unused sub

Carlisle 3 - 1 Brighton
Peter Murphy full 90 for Carlisle

Cheltenham 1 - 2 Bradford
John Melligan started and came off in the 84th for Cheltenham

Chesterfield 3 - 1 Brentford
Barry Roche full 90, Colin Larkin on in the 46th for Chesterfield

Doncaster Rovers 0 - 0 Blackpool
James O'Connor full 90, Paul Heffernan started and came off in the 82nd, Sean Thornton on in the 82nd...Ben Burgess started and was off in the 61, Wes Hoolahan started and came off in the 87th

Leyton Orient 2 - 3 Rotherham
Daryl McMahon full 90...David Worrell and Michael Keane full 90, Richie Partridge unused sub

Millwall 0 - 1 Northampton
Alan Dunne full 90 for Millwall

Oldham 4 - 1 Gillingham
Gary Mulligan full 90 for Gillingham

Port Vale 0 - 2 Bristol City
Richard Keogh full 90 for Bristol

Swansea 1 - 2 Huddersfield
Thomas Butler started and came off in the 56th...Michael Collins full 90

Tranmere 0 - 0 Nottm Forest
John Thompson unused sub ofr Nottinham Forest

Yeovil 2 - 0 Crewe
N/A

Boston Utd 0 - 3 Rochdale
Richie Ryan on in the 46th for Boston

Bristol Rovers 1 - 2 Walsall
Rene Gilmartin unused sub for Walsall

Bury 2 - 2 Barnet
John Fitzgerald full 90, Brian Barry-Murphy unused sub for Bury

Grimsby 0 - 1 Stockport
N/A

Macclesfield 3 - 3 Torquay
Mickey Evans full 90 for Torquay

Mansfield 2 - 2 Accrington Stanley
Stephen Dawson full 90, Alan Sheehan on in the 33rd and missed a penalty...Robert Elliot and Michael Welch unused sub

Milton Keynes Dons 1 - 2 Chester
Jonathan Walters came on in the 62nd minute and scored for Chester

Notts County 1 - 1 Swindon
N/A

Peterborough 3 - 5 Hartlepool
Jon Daly full 90 and scored twice, Gary Liddle full 90 and scored twice, Willie Boland on in the 67th for Hartlepool

Shrewsbury 2 - 2 Darlington
Michael Cummins full 90, Barry Conlon unused sub

Wycombe 1 - 3 Lincoln City
Colin Cryan unused sub for Lincoln

Scorers:
Clinton Morrison (Crystal Palace)
Alan Lee (Ipswich)
Alan Lee (Ipswich)
Jon Daly (Hartlepool)
Jon Daly (Hartlepool)
Gary Liddle (Hartlepool)
Gary Liddle (Hartlepool)
Jonathan Walters (Chester)

[theworm2345]

I'm not sure about Jonathan Walters. Soccebase says he is Irish, but Wikipedia doesnt. He was born in Birkenhead (Same place as Jason McAteer) so there is a possibilty
EDIT:
Perhaps this finalizes it, he is Irish
http://www.elevenaside.com/boysingreen/irish_soccer_detail.asp?newsid=10012

[tetsujin1979]

He's definately Irish, he scored twice on his debut for the U-21's while still at Bolton, but couldn't get into the side ahead of Davies, so moved on

[tetsujin1979]

Can you add Karl Byrne and Shane Duggan to the list of Plymouth Argyle players? Byrne is a central midfielder from Dublin, and Shane is a left winger, he's from up the road from me at home in Limerick.

[tetsujin1979]

Celtic's reserves, including Diarmuid O'Carroll at centre half and Jim O'Brien on the wing recorded a 2-0 win over Aberdeen's second XI. O'Brien opened the scoring in the second half with a penalty. It's possible that O'Carroll was at centre half because of O'Dea's recent promotion to the senior side.

Celtic review: http://www.celticfc.net/newsroom/news.aspx?id='2006-09-25_1721pc'
Aberdeen review: http://www.afc.co.uk/news/news_story.cfm?news_id=6666&newstype=News

[FootballsKing]

Was O'Dea in the squad for the Old Firm, anyone know? would be interesting to see him get a run out in the league

[tetsujin1979]

Was O'Dea in the squad for the Old Firm, anyone know? would be interesting to see him get a run out in the league
He was on the bench, but didn't come on: http://www.soccerbase.com/results3.sd?gameid=495698
He played in the league cup game last week against St Mirren at left full, even though he's a centre half for the reserves, and did well by all accounts

[eirebhoy]

It seems a strange one for O'Carroll to have played at centre half. Fair play for keeping a clean sheet. :)

[CraftyToePoke]

leicester v colchester 0-0

McCarthy played the full 90, Maybury was not in the 16 at all, but Logan made his league debut,having risen from 5/6th choice keeper at the club when i first posted on here, to 3rd choice at the beginning of the current season, on sat he started ahead of Rab Douglas, one of the bigger earners here, and also dislodged Paul Henderson, who has recently been put on standby for a full Australia squad.

he wasnt over exerted early on as the visitors came for a point, and it was 38mins in before he had a real cross to deal with, which he did confidently, minutes later he also dealt with his first shot, low down to his right, a save you would expect him to make.the real plus point of the opening half was his kicking, which on this display is much better than the other keepers at leicester, even directly forcing colchester into conceding 2 corners with kicks from his hands in the first 20, such was the length and accuracy of the deliveries.

into the second half and he had more to do in the opening 5mins that the rest of the game, punching well a flicked-on corner, taking a deep cross impressively, and chasing out of his area to head off danger and clear to safety, he also got the better of a one-on-one in this period, thereafter it was routine enough for him, but he did what he had to do well, although his kicking was better early on.he will be tested more severly than this game tested him, but to his credit, on sat he playerd well, achieving a clean sheet on his debut.

McCarthy was playing with a new C.B. partner and he had a fairly routine outing, avoided coming to the refs attention and read some flicks very well to tidy up at times.he also played some nice passes out of defence.

[eirebhoy]

Nice one! Is Logan now 1st choice or was there another reason he started?

[Stuttgart88]

What's Logan like in stature?

Of our other young keepers, Doyle & Randolph are both very tall, Supple & Henderson much less so. I haven't seen Quigley.

You mentioned Logan's kicking. Henderson has a fine kick too.

[eirebhoy]

What's Logan like in stature?

He seems well built for a 20 year old. 6'2 and 14 stone.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/lincolnshire/content/images/2006/02/09/conrad_logan_gallery_352x470.jpg

http://www.bufc.drfox.org.uk/clogan.jpg

[CraftyToePoke]

Nice one! Is Logan now 1st choice or was there another reason he started?


nope, he is the man in posession E.B., Douglas has failed to impress (but as a celtic man,im sure you will be only too painfully aware of his failings:) ) and Henderson, although decent, kicks very erratically on occasion. so Logan got his chance having done well at reserve level and impressed generally in the league cup early rounds.

the competition, http://www.lcfc.premiumtv.co.uk/page/News/NewsDetail/0,,10274~903188,00.html

all fully fit at lcfc: http://www.lcfc.premiumtv.co.uk/page/News/NewsDetail/0,,10274~902975,00.html

the real test is sat away at birmingham, we will see then if his performance impressed sufficiently to keep the spot.

[CraftyToePoke]

What's Logan like in stature?

here he be;
http://www.lcfc.premiumtv.co.uk/page/Match/ProfilesDetail/0,,10274~30430,00.html


he is a big lad, he has really bulked up some since i first watched him play a couple of seasons back, he has been at the protien and the weights by the looks if it. he also is known as a bit of a charachter in the dressing room and always has a smile on his face when warming up pre-game, he seems relaxed and at home out there.

he will make time and sign autographs as well, generally doing so after warming up before heading back to the dressing rooms, for a minute or two, i saw him once a couple of months back spot a lad who had Logan on his replica leicester keeper jersey (which not a lot of people do) and he came over and made the little lads day having a chat with him.nice touch.

real goodwill towards him from to kop on sat, huge welcoming cheer when his name was called.

[theworm2345]

Connolly and Murphy face late fitness tests for this weekend's games and both should be fit enough to be able to play at least part of Cyprus or all of the Czech games if either of them are going to take Elliott's spot

[theworm2345]

He's just 23, he has scored 7 goals in 3 matches for Hartlepool (including a hat-trick today). Hes obviously playing in League 2, but keep an eye out for him

[FarBeag]

He is a big lad too, 6' 3' Maybe his three goals is a bit of a flash in the pan as he only scored just twice in 30 League One outings for Hartlepool last season.

[theworm2345]

I wont do the full round up I usually do anymore as it takes too long (an hour usually). If someone would commit to the CCC, League 1, or League 2 each week I'll do the rest
Scorers:
Andy Keogh (S****horpe)
Wes Hoolahan (pen) (Blackpool)
Leon Best (Southampton)
Alan Dunne (Millwall)
Jon Daly (3) (Hartlepool)

[livehead1]

He was born in Nottingham and has never played for Ireland afaik so I don't know why he's listed as Irish on a few sites.



he's played a good few times for us. couldnt tell you if hes jumped ship, saw him 2 months ago in a big 4x4, the spinning alloys were about as big as my car!

[CraftyToePoke]

birmingham v leicester 1-1

wasnt at this one but had it on the local radio and McCarthy and Logan played the 90, Logan keeping his spot despite the commentators confirming all 3 keepers at the club were available for selection.the comentator couldnt say enough good things about his performance, also saying how the leicester defence has been far more likely to use the pass back as an out ball since he has come into the side, putting this down to the dependability of his kicking.

when fouled from a corner,his resulting freekick came to ground well inside the brum box causing them grief and also from a passback he recieved under pressure he found the head of O'Grady in the right channel.

the comentators also said how having spoken to the defenders during the week, it seems his communication is very good, always keeping his back four aware of developing threats to good effect.

he made 3 r 4 outstanding saves in the game which meant leicester took a point from a game where they deserved a good hiding, he also took a cross from our own Kelly impressively, (Kelly recieved frequent mention also in the commentary, he seemed to be in posession quite a bit, high up the pitch)

Logans one big moment came just before half time when he left his area and brought down Campbell, but was spared a red by a defender chasing in behind him to cover (possibly McCarthy), he recieved a yellow much to birminghams disgust.

McCarthy was part of a back 3 today and his side were under the cosh for almost the entire game conceding 13 corners. he picked up his 4th yellow of the season for a foul on Bendtner on the left flank in the second half.from what i could gather he held his own, but the other 2 defenders had more impressive games.

Doyle was on the bench for brum but Maybury was nowhere to be seen


full match report here with plenty if Irish interest, particularly Logan
http://www.lcfc.premiumtv.co.uk/page/Match/MatchReport/0,,10274~33196,00.html

some leicester message board reaction to the game and Logans contribution,
http://boards.rivals.net/default.asp?sid=889&p=16&style=2&forumId=3142&action=1&replytoid=531064284

[BobbySands]

He's currently joint top scorer in the Scottish prem. His club Motherwell are in last place so it's not like he's getting good supply from the rest of the team. Rather it points to a natural predator. I think he's certainly more deserving of a call up than Terry Dixon.

[Soper]

Jason Byrne is better than him.Would even say Macken, Adam Rooney, and Alan Lee are better!

[gspain]

He's currently joint top scorer in the Scottish prem. His club Motherwell are in last place so it's not like he's getting good supply from the rest of the team. Rather it points to a natural predator. I think he's certainly more deserving of a call up than Terry Dixon.

If he keeps playing like that he could earn a move to a bigger club like Shels or Derry.

[Dodge]

If Stephen Kenny kicks him out of Pats, thats good enough for me. Wouldn't be in top 3/4 strikers in our league

[theworm2345]

If he gets called up over Connolly (or even Murphy), I am flying over to Ireland right now.
He keeps scoring against teams that arent even in the SPL, and the one he did score in the SPL was in a 5-0 blow out
http://www.soccerbase.com/players_details.sd?playerid=21187
He should go down to England, then we can see him in a better light

[gustavo]

Doesnt deserve a thread in his own light merging with the Irish players in foreign leagues thread

[eirebhoy]

He's currently joint top scorer in the Scottish prem. His club Motherwell are in last place so it's not like he's getting good supply from the rest of the team. Rather it points to a natural predator. I think he's certainly more deserving of a call up than Terry Dixon.
Eh, yesterday was his 1st SPL goal this season... Foran is nowhere near good enough for Ireland. Opening threads like that just gives people another reason to slate the SPL.

btw, Falkirk play Celtic at 2.00 on Setanta if anyone wants to watch Stokes.

[tetsujin1979]

Cregg also in the Falkirk line up, McGeady starts for Celtic with O'Dea on the bench

[eirebhoy]

Half time and Falkirk have been the better team. Stokes having a great game. He likes to position himself out wide and drift inside. Celtic's defence haven't looked this bad all month and Stokes is the main reason for that.

[FarBeag]

A goal each for James O' Connor and Alan Mahon for Burnley against Norwich.The 'Doc' was sent off after a beautiful rugby tackle.

[eirebhoy]

McGeady scored the only goal of the game today against Falkirk. Stokes looks to be some player. Cregg played well too but ruined a good performance with a terrible "tackle" near the end that deserved a red. Stokes is one arrogant player. :) He won a free kick on the edge of the box and demanded to take it. He did very well in the box to win the ball off Naylor and then beat 2 Celtic challenges but couldn't get past Boruc in a packed box.

[tetsujin1979]

from today's Indo

ONE TO WATCH . . .
CIARÁN O'BRIEN, 19 in November, has an excellent footballing pedigree, being the son of former Bohemians, Phildephia Fury and Republic of Ireland left-back, Fran O'Brien.

The O'Briens settled in Seattle and Ciarán was capped at U17 level by the USA in a friendly in Mexico, but he has his heart set on playing for the Republic of Ireland. And the playmaker appears to have talent worth checking out.

In the summer he was included among the 100 best Americans chosen for a coaching course run by Jurgen Klinsmann and adidas, after which he was selected on an all-American team. There is a suggestion that he might figure in future Ireland B games.

[FootballsKing]

was impressed with stokes-hopefully staunton and others were watching! not only impressed with him in attack but also looks capable in defence-put in some quality hefty challanges-not afraid to get stuck in. on the other hand his arrogance was indeed striking-complaining when balls played to him were not inch perfect,demanding to take that free kick etc.

[Stuttgart88]

I'll let Crafty give his own views but here's what today's Guardian says about Conrad Logan:

After defeat at Leeds and a draw with Ipswich this was a game Birmingham needed to win, and they would have but for a fine display from Conrad Logan in his second Championship appearance. The young Irish goalkeeper was possibly lucky to receive only a yellow card for his challenge on DJ Campbell in the 42nd minute but then made a stunning save from McSheffrey's resulting free-kick.

Encouraging. Kelly played for Brum, despite having supposed to be out injured for a bit, but no sign of Painter. McCarthy played 90 kins for Leicester too.

[CraftyToePoke]

I'll let Crafty give his own views

already posted, check page 4 of the thread Stutt.

[Stuttgart88]

Ooops, sorry.

I see Mark Yeates got the full 90 for Hull this weekend, first time this season I think but can't confirm.

[CraftyToePoke]

Gareth Farelly is on trial/training with leicester

http://www.lcfc.premiumtv.co.uk/page/News/NewsDetail/0,,10274~906684,00.html

[tetsujin1979]

Joe O'Cearuill scored the winner as Arsenal reserves beat West Ham's second XI 2-1. Any final word on his eligibility?

Arsenal review: http://www.arsenal.com/matchreport.asp?thisNav=fixtures&fxid=304893
West Ham review: http://www.whufc.com/articles/article.php?page_id=8362

[tetsujin1979]

Garry Breen started for Man City's reserve side, and Donal McDermott came on late in the first half as the Blues recorded a 3-0 win over their Wigan counterparts.

Man City review: http://www.mcfc.co.uk/default.sps?pagegid={DBD12D53-8346-431D-A04F-5D0F8664DE80}&newsid=368397
Wigan review: http://www.wiganlatics.premiumtv.co.uk/page/News/ReservesDetail/0,,10429~906907,00.html?ptvParm= (http://www.wiganlatics.premiumtv.co.uk/page/News/ReservesDetail/0,,10429%7E906907,00.html?ptvParm=)

[CraftyToePoke]

Heres an interview with Conrad Logan from the bluearmy site:


Logan going one better than great hero Bonner

More than 30 years ago, a young goalkeeper from Donegal failed to make the grade at Leicester City.

But now his biggest fan has restored county pride because Conrad Logan is the Blue Army's man of the moment.


A certain Pat Bonner left the Filbert Street youth team and went on to great things with Celtic and the Republic of Ireland, not knowing he was the inspiration for the 20-year-old who will now take some shifting from the City No.1 spot.

Logan has risen from emphatic third choice to well-earned first name on the teamsheet, ironically succeeding where his hero failed as a City player.

Logan has certainly made a dramatic impact.

He produced man-of-the-match displays in the Carling Cup victory at Hereford and in the Championship game at Birmingham.

And, ironically, he received yellow cards in both games - with opposing fans thinking he should have seen red.

On both occasions, he kept his composure to produce a string of outstanding saves.

And it seems that Logan has learned well from watching other top goalkeepers.

When he arrived at City, signed under the Peter Taylor regime, Ian Walker was the first choice and Tim Flowers was on the staff as well, later becoming goalkeeping coach.

It was a wealth of talent that Logan knew he could benefit from just by being around them, and he pays tribute to them, and others, who have helped him.

In a way, it could have been frustrating to see a series of goalkeepers drafted in ahead of him. But he said: "When more experienced 'keepers were brought in, I used that to my advantage, to learn things to add to my game.

"Ian Walker had just signed and he was the first choice. There have been several international goalkeepers here, so I just picked up bits from each of them, Walker, Danny Coyne, Tim Flowers and Rab Douglas."

Now Douglas and Paul Henderson, who is on the fringe of Australian honours, are in his wake, which marks a big turnaround for Logan who could not have foreseen this situation in the close season.

He said: "With three goalkeepers, and the other two being experienced, I did not expect to get in, but Rab got injured, I got my chance in a few pre-season games, and then it was a question of pushing them.

"It was also a time when some of the younger players were getting through. I think there were five academy lads in the side for Macclesfield as the manager showed faith in the younger players."

Last season's loan spell at Boston United gave Logan valuable experience and, while he points to circumstances thrusting him into the spotlight, his form in pre-season was good enough to warrant him being seriously considered.

The Macclesfield Carling Cup tie was the breakthrough, and after a good display in the next round at Hereford, his step-up was secure. Now the other two 'keepers have to push him the way he pushed them.

Recalling his early days, Logan said: "Since about six years of age, I was always a goalkeeper, and the reason was Bonner.

"He made a great save in the World Cup in 1990 to get Ireland through to the quarter-finals, and he was from Donegal as well so there was that local connection."

Logan was spotted playing for his local boys club team, Swilly Rovers, and arrived here as a 14-year-old, a daunting prospect.

He said: "That was the hardest part, coming over to city life from a small place in Donegal, a town called Ramelton which is quite small, so it took some time to get used to but it had to be done."

Eventually, Bonner was replaced in his thoughts by Ireland star Shay Given, and Logan switched allegiance from Liverpool to Newcastle.

And, with Given not getting any younger, surely an up-and-coming 20-year-old, capped at under-18 level, can see another door opening at national level?

Logan's feet, however, are firmly on the ground. He said: "Wayne Henderson, the third-choice Ireland 'keeper, is only 23 and there are more young keepers coming through.

"I just have to try to keep on doing well at Leicester and in time things will eventually fall into place."

[CraftyToePoke]

Ex wolves keeper, Mike Stowell, who is currently leicesters assistant manager/goalkeping coach, on Conrad Logans present scenario

http://www.lcfc.premiumtv.co.uk/page/News/NewsDetail/0,,10274~907007,00.html