Paddy Kenny

[John83]

Would it be a tired old story if the inhaler was the cause of him failing the drugs test?
As a professional athlete, Kenny would have been expected to not use something which could cause him to fail a drugs test. There are exceptions, as in the use of, say, steroids in the treatment of a severe allergic reaction to an insect sting (that being a potentially lethal situation), and in all of these exceptions, there is paperwork to be filled out.

Every failed test is accompanied with a sob story of how it was an inhaler and how surely that's reasonable. Alessandro Petacchi, Alain Baxter, I've heard this story too many times to believe it. Yes, it could have caused the failed test, and if it did, Kenny's an idiot for taking it. It doesn't get him off.

[geysir]

Kenny might have been just ignorant but not an idiot.
He would be an idiot if went against clear club guidelines on self medicating.
The club doctor should have been his first port of call.
I'd have a suspicion that Kenny's club were slack with informing their players properly about the over the counter risk factors..

[Razors left peg]

Kenny might have been just ignorant but not an idiot.
He would be an idiot if went against clear club guidelines on self medicating.
The club doctor should have been his first port of call.
I'd have a suspicion that Kenny's club were slack with informing their players properly about the over the counter risk factors..

Im not a professional athlete but I know that if I was I wouldnt be able to take any medication without consulting someone to see if it was ok... its not rocket science so I dont go along with any excuse that his club might have been slack in informing him.
He is not a kid who has just broken into the game, he has been pro for long enough that Im sure he would have been tested at other times during his career and would know of team mates getting tested on a regular basis.

[geysir]

I suspect the club were lackadaisical. Some of the comments made by people connected to the club around their shock horror about the 9 months ban, suggest to me that they had not got a clue of the consequences about innocently taking over the counter medication containing banned substances, unsupervised by their medical staff.

[backstothewall]

Commission chairman, Christopher Quinlan, said: "Whilst we found that the player satisfied us on the balance of probabilities that the substance was not taken with the intention of enhancing sporting performance, his admitted conduct displayed significant fault.

"A professional sportsman has a strict responsibility to ensure prohibited substances do not enter his/her body.

"In this instance Mr Kenny knowingly ingested an over-the-counter medicine above the prescribed dosage without reading the accompanying package or leaflet and without reference to his club's doctor or other medical staff.

"It is incumbent upon all professional footballers to understand the perils and dangers of so doing and to act in the way he did showed in our judgment a complete disregard for those responsibilities."

He is guilty, legally and morally. He was lucky to get away with only 9 months.

[geysir]

There is no doubt about his guilt.
Did he ignore clear club guidelines? which imo would define the amount of stupidity involved and increase the culpability.
The doubtful excuse, act of ignorance - bought over the counter, could do with being taken out of the equation. Players should be read the rules and the riot act by the club, made sign a paper that they understand their responsibilities in this area and to consult with the club doctor in all matters.

[Razors left peg]

Geysir I still think you are putting too much responsibilty on the club.Yes they do have a responsibility to give the players the full and proper information but I still maintain that Kenny is around the game long enough now to know that professional athletes cant just take whatever medication they want without running the risk of failing a drug test. All he had to do is look at what happened to other athletes from all different sports over the years and see that in a lot of cases the excuse of over the counter medication was used.If we outside of professional sport can see this he has absolutely no excuse in my opinion

[geysir]

It was found by the adjudicators that he had a believable enough excuse, that's why he was only given 9 months.
Imo, if he did receive clear guidelines from the club, then he should get the 2 years.

[TrapAPony]

Paddy Kenny came out of International retirement today.

http://www.breakingnews.ie/sport/kenny-comes-out-of-international-retirement-455705.html

[elroy]

Wrongly scapegoated for the Cyprus debacle. He wasnt without sin but he was far from entirely to blame. Certainly worth a squad place but never convinced by him, prone to error and a long way short of Givens class.

[Stuttgart88]

People wrongly forget the great save he made (to bail Finnan out) very early on and the great save he made, tipping a shot onto the bar I think, just before half time. He was at fault for their second I think, getting beaten to a cross by their centre-forward, but other than that I thought he was OK. Finnan had a shocker and Andy O'Brien was pretty poor too.

[Razors left peg]

There was one game before that Cyprus game where I got worried about him,it might have been the Dutch game that we lost 4 nil, but I remember thinking that his communication skills with the defence was ridiculously bad and I think that was alot of the problem in the Cyprus game too. Not saying he should be the only scapegoat for it but Im not gonna be screaming for his return to the squad any time soon

[yapster]

Paddy Kenny is a good keeper, a keeper needs a consistant run of games to build his confidence up and build a rapport with his back four.

[Charlie Darwin]

He has always been a good keeper but I think Westwood will be a lot better than him, if he isn't already.

[Stuttgart88]

He is already I reckon, by quite a bit. Good enough to hold his own in the Premiership I reckon.

[Irish_Praha]

He is already I reckon, by quite a bit. Good enough to hold his own in the Premiership I reckon.

He's not going to be playing in the Premiership anytime soon if he stays with Coventry. Maybe he is just being polite but it looks like he wants to extend his contract.
http://www.oleole.com/news/frame/7463705/Coventry_City_Star_eyes_Sky_Blues_stay

[rebelmusic]

Surely coming close to a call up based on current form? Defo playing better than Joe Murphy at the moment and should be at least threatening Westwood

[TrapAPony]

Surely coming close to a call up based on current form? Defo playing better than Joe Murphy at the moment and should be at least threatening Westwood

Been thinking the exact same thing myself. Trap doesn't like change though so I doubt Kenny will ever get a go.

[Charlie Darwin]

He's worth a look but I think Trap might frown on his chequered personal history. Darren Randolph at Motherwell must be in contention by now too.

[Sullivinho]

Glad to hear he's playing well after his troubles. But tbh, I reckon any future paragraph dedicated to this guy's international career will feature the word 'Nicosia', the number '5' and not a lot else.

[irishfan86]

Based on his performances he's probably just as good as Westwood, but he's the sort of guy you wouldn't want as your No. 3 goalkeeper, because I could see him stomping out if Westwood was selected ahead of him.

If Westwood or Given was injured I'd have him in as a backup but both Murphys seem like they are better personalities around the place as a third guy.

[rebelmusic]

Based on his performances he's probably just as good as Westwood, but he's the sort of guy you wouldn't want as your No. 3 goalkeeper, because I could see him stomping out if Westwood was selected ahead of him.

If Westwood or Given was injured I'd have him in as a backup but both Murphys seem like they are better personalities around the place as a third guy.

Aye that's a very good point. In fact, knowing his personality, we're probably better off not calling him up until it's a case of him being 2nd or 1st choice to keep the door open. He's bound to us anyway from the Nicosia game so now worries about him running off

[ChrisRed]

Conceding only 2 goals in 7 league games is some going though.

[AlaskaFox]

Conceding only 2 goals in 7 league games is some going though.

It sure is, but I don't think at his age he'll be included in an Ireland squad again. Randolph may have a chance though.

[Charlie Darwin]

Conceding only 2 goals in 7 league games is some going though.
Sure some people want Hart dropped for conceding a whole 2 goals in 7.

[SwanVsDalton]

Agree with IrishFan - it's fair to say the order is Given, Westwood and AN Other (at the moment J Murphy) - and I don't think Kenny would be a good third choice, need someone who's a good traveller and personality. The two Murphy, Randolph and maybe even David Forde would be better choices in that situation. If we had a dire injury problem though he'd be worth a look.

[AlaskaFox]

Named in the first FIFA 11 Ultimate Team of the week by EA:
http://www.ea.com/uk/football/news/first-fifa-11-ultimate-team-of-the-week-2

[seanfhear]

I believe that he is playing well for QPR and Warnock seems to have great time for him.

[theworm2345]

This article claims he is set for a recall, which I find hard to believe given who the manager is.
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/football/article-1359483/Paddy-Kenny-set-Ireland-recall.html

[SwanVsDalton]

Nice bit of 2+2=5 from the Daily Mail there...

[EastTerracer]

This article claims he is set for a recall, which I find hard to believe given who the manager is.
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/football/article-1359483/Paddy-Kenny-set-Ireland-recall.html

I read that article as well but, as usual, there is no actual evidence that Kenny is being considered for a recall. The only thing in his favour is the amount of time Tardelli has spent at QPR games (I believe he lives in Shepherds Bush).

[Noelys Guitar]

It looks like a made up story and yet Kenny is playing well for the top championship side so he really should be called up. That article is suggesting he will start against Macedonia. Probably complete ****** but who knows waht Trap and Tardelli are thinking after Given's injury.

[SwanVsDalton]

If Kenny was drafted straight into the team, it would be a kick in the proverbials to Westwood. Trap's not exactly renowned for diplomacy, but it still would be a silly move to supplant our established number two (and probably future number one).

[Charlie Darwin]

There was a similar article in the Herald a couple days back saying David Forde is certain to be called up. I think it's just a case of Given being injured and journos sniffing a story in calling up the first Irish goalkeeper on their rolodex.

[the bear]

should be in the squad, 17 clean sheets is outstanding

[TrapAPony]

Yet another clean sheet for Paddy today. Will be a joke if he gets overlooked for the next Irish squad.

PS. Westwood went off at half time today. Don't know if he's injured.

[Noelys Guitar]

The question should be is Kenny Ireland's best available keeper. On current club form the answer has to be yes so then why is he not favourite to start against Macedonia?. Westwood is not a fixture of the team so playing Kenny is no bigger gamble. The fact we are wondering whether he will even be in the next squad is bizarre. We'll soon find out.

[Yard of Pace]

One of the Guardian lads tweeted that he made an unbelievable save today.

[CraftyToePoke]

One of the Guardian lads tweeted that he made an unbelievable save today.

Just saw it on East Midlands News and he got back across his goal to tip over a Yakubu lob in a very sprightly fashion.

[mark12345]

With news breaking this morning that Westwood is very likely to miss the Macedonia game, then it has to be Kenny for the big game. The same article was reporting Colin Doyle and David Forde as candidates for the number one shirt, but with the greatest of respect to those lads (one of whom should be understudy on the night), it just has to be Kenny or Trap can pack his bags and go.

[SwanVsDalton]

Bit of a disaster if Westwood's out. If it proves the case, then it has to be Kenny, for big time experience alone. Wouldn't trust Murphy (who could be out as well) and would as serious risk to start Forde, Doyle or Randolph. That's all assuming Kenny would come back...

Millwall vs QPR tomorrow night too - might go along and see who comes out on top in the battle of the keepers...

[Charlie Darwin]

So do we still think Westwood should have played against Wales? :p

[shakermaker1982]

Kenny has to be called up if Westwood is out. Why wouldn't we consider one of the best gk in the Championship?

[Sullivinho]

Shoulder injury according to The Examiner (http://www.irishexaminer.ie/sport/soccer/premiership/westwood-an-irish-injury-scare-147415.html), hip problem says The Independent. (http://www.independent.ie/sport/soccer/westwood-injury-adds-to-irelands-keeper-crisis-2568312.html)

Kenny would seem to be a bit of a no-brainer wouldn't he? (Shhhh)

We could do without a goalkeeping crisis at this stage. It'd be a disaster for Westwood too when opportunity was firmly knocking.

[ArdeeBhoy]

The more serious point, is will he help us out?

Given how he was treated before, even allowing for Shay's brilliance, who could blame Paddy for blanking us.
Seriously, hope he doesn't.
And even Doyle should be good enough v.Macedonia but seeing how Trap's mind works, who knows what line-up or tactics we'll see.

[tetsujin1979]

So do we still think Westwood should have played against Wales? :pread somewhere that was supposed to come on at half time, but he tweaked something in the pre-game warm up and didn't want to risk it

[Stuttgart88]

Was he that badly treated? Henderson took over straight after the Cyprus debacle but didn't Kenny have all kinds of personal issues to deal with as well as a season-long drugs ban imposed since then? It's a new management set up now so there's no reason not to have a fresh start.

I still reckon Joe Murphy is most likely. Randolph has been playing well apparently. It's getting a bit scary though.

[Charlie Darwin]

Yeah, he tweaked something and had to sit the game out.

The more serious point, is will he help us out?
Why wouldn't he? He's only been back from his supension for about 9 months, so he's hardly been shunned.

[ArdeeBhoy]

He's not been in the squad since though?
Have The FAI/Trap even asked him? Or are they just assuming....

[Charlie Darwin]

Why would he be called up? All of the goalkeepers ahead of him in the queue have been performing well. He has been playing well but not so blindingly well that it warrants dropping Westwood or one of the Murphys.