Ireland vs. Ecuador

[Jerry The Saint]

Interesting stat that 5 of the 17 players used last night are playing, or have played, for eircom League clubs. Also O'Halloran and Stokes were attached to Cobh and Shels youth sides.

Republic of Ireland:

Colin Doyle (Birmingham City);
Stephen Kelly (Birmingham City), Alex Bruce (Ipswich Town), Alan Bennett (Reading), Stephen O’Halloran (Aston Villa) (Joe O’Cearuill Arsenal 73);
Andy Keogh (Wolves) (Joe Gamble, Cork City 69), Darren Potter (Wolves), Kevin Kilbane (Wigan Athletic) (Stephen Gleeson, Wolves 79), Stephen Hunt (Reading) (Anthony Stokes, Sunderland 69);
Kevin Doyle (Reading)(Shane Long, Reading 60), Daryl Murphy (Sunderland) (Joe Lapira Notre Dame Uni 85).

Stephen Quinn and Jonathan Douglas would have been called up if available and then you have Crowe and Byrne who have played in recent years and B international O'Donovan.

It's not an overwhelming number but it is a good sign of things starting to change (even allowing for the severely weakened squad). For almost 20 years there were only a handful of players in the Ireland squad with experience of playing in our own league (Paul McGrath, Roy Keane, Curtis Fleming, ???). I know a lot of people would prefer to have more current LOI players in the squad but the biggest problem, IMO, has been the lack of any connection between the league and national team. Hopefully we are starting to realise that it's not in our best interests to farm our best young prospects over to England and rely on their clubs to develop our future internationals.

[dcfcsteve]

I was pleased to see Gamble get a decent run out, and he certainly didn't look out of his depth.

An entertaining game - even if I am knackered today as a result of watching it !!

[Dodge]

It'd be nice to think that way Jerry but I honestly don't believe the FAI hierarchy actually think that way. I agree 100% that the FAI's dismissal of the league and the failure to connect the league to the national side are major points in the public's view of the LOI.

[GavinZac]

If we throw in ifs-and-buts, colin doyle was supposed to sign for Cork City but was refused by FIFA (a sort of prequel to the Healy/Farrelly situation), and if roy o'donovan rather than joe 'frat boy' lapira was the one with dual nationality he'd have called him up.

all in all, very encouraging. seeing benno and gamble playing for ireland together was bizarre - both of their last senior games were for Cork City. ridiculous situation that apparently a couple of months in reading reserves turned bennett into an international player! he was as good, if not better for the benefit of competitive games, 12 months ago.


I was pleased to see Gamble get a decent run out, and he certainly didn't look out of his depth.
the neighbours would've been woken up if he hadnt been hacked down through on goal! :D

[garyderry]

I was pleased to see Gamble get a decent run out, and he certainly didn't look out of his depth.

An entertaining game - even if I am knackered today as a result of watching it !!

Yeah I know the feeling Steve,

I enjoyed it a lot more than the competitive games, most of the players actually wanted the ball and wanted to play, good sign's for the future, with the likes of potter doing very well.

[Dodge]

If we throw in ifs-and-buts, colin doyle was supposed to sign for Cork City but was refused by FIFA (a sort of prequel to the Healy/Farrelly situation), and if roy o'donovan rather than joe 'frat boy' lapira was the one with dual nationality he'd have called him up.
Its more to do with not flying him around the world


ridiculous situation that apparently a couple of months in reading reserves turned bennett into an international player! he was as good, if not better for the benefit of competitive games, 12 months ago.
In fairness he was probably 8th choice centre half then too

[michaelguineys]

Interesting stat that 5 of the 17 players used last night are playing, or have played, for eircom League clubs.

R

What's even more interesting is that 4 out of that 5 are all current or ex Cork City players.
There was 4 of City's 2005 League winning team on the pitch last night.
If only we had hung onto them!!
But still, a very proud day for everyone involved in Cork City FC

[BohsPartisan]

Just shows the class that exists at the top end of our game here.

[Dodge]

You can't be claiming Long as part of that league winning squad!?! Even Doyle is stretching it as he played so little of it

Good luck to all of them

[Steve Bruce]

Just shows the class that exists at the top end of our game here.

Well yes and no.

Yes - You have produced some quality players and have transfered to England/Scotland.

No - Because they are not in your league any more so the quality has moved from your league to another.

But the encouraging thing is, the top end of the LOI is now attracting clubs of higher importance and size to come over and have a look at what the local game has to offer.

And it is also having a knock on effect towards Irish League football in Northern Ireland to. Ipswich supposidly after Mannus of Linfield, Celtic after McCallister of Dungannon, Teams after Scullian of Dungannon to. There are more players rumoured to be being watch as well but cannot think off hand to who they are as i cannot access Irishleagueforums from work.

It's always good to see ex local players play on the international scene.

[michaelguineys]

You can't be claiming Long as part of that league winning squad!?! Even Doyle is stretching it as he played so little of it

Good luck to all of them

Long was officially part of the squad then.
As for Doyle, you having a laugh???
Doyler played for nearly half the season and had something like 7 or 8 goals??
He even came back last year to receive his medal so how can you say he is stretching it???

[GavinZac]

You can't be claiming Long as part of that league winning squad!?! Even Doyle is stretching it as he played so little of it

Good luck to all of them

Doyle played a full third of the season and was one of our top scorers and one of the league's top scorers. long couldn't get a game - he was behind doyle, o'flynn, o'donovan and capped-at-every-underage-level Denis Behan. :D

so yeah, if coaches in irish youth leagues start pointing to the international team and showing that playing in ireland can lead to an international career,it'll be good for the league and whats good for the league is good for the international team.

[GavinZac]

But the encouraging thing is, the top end of the LOI is now attracting clubs of higher importance and size to come over and have a look at what the local game has to offer.

It's always good to see ex local players play on the international scene.ah that trademark linfield dearth of ambition. refreshing to see it out in the cold light of day when the man who molested ye was capped last night!

[Steve Bruce]

ah that trademark linfield dearth of ambition. refreshing to see it out in the cold light of day when the man who molested ye was capped last night!

Do I need to go through the Linfield squad of internationals;)

And Northern Ireland are on par with the Republic at the moment internationally according to rankings. Or in real terms we are actually better as we have been beating teams like Sweden, Spain and England in recent times.:cool:

[OneRedArmy]

Do I need to go through the Linfield squad of internationals;)

And Northern Ireland are on par with the Republic at the moment internationally according to rankings. Or in real terms we are actually better as we have been beating teams like Sweden, Spain and England in recent times.:cool:Its all a bit try hard Steve.

You're like a child begging the parents for affection.

[Steve Bruce]

Its all a bit try hard Steve.

You're like a child begging the parents for affection.

Have to say that is a poor attempt. Roll on.............

[Soper]

I give his attempt 7.8 out of 10, so not that bad.

[Steve Bruce]

I give his attempt 7.8 out of 10, so not that bad.

Your easily pleased:rolleyes:

[joeSoap]

Doyle, Long, Bennett, Gamble....all players who prospered under Pat Dolan's management. Boy, he must be proud!!;)

[Dodge]

Doyle, Long, Bennett, Gamble....all players who prospered under Pat Dolan's management. Boy, he must be proud!!;)

And he still didn't win anything!!!

[Comic Book Guy]

Just as an aside, Stephen O'Halloran is the son of former Ramblers stalwart Eddie, so I guess there's another tentative link to the EL

[BohsFans]

Daryl Murphy was the most impressive of the ex (& current) LOI players IMO.

[passinginterest]

Daryl Murphy was the most impressive of the ex (& current) LOI players IMO.

Fully agree I thought based on the full 90mins he was a bit unlucky not to get man of the match. Potter was fairly anonymous first half, although he was outstanding in the second.

On what Murphy showed last night he should be well able for the premiership and will be a key figure in the Irish squad. Worked hard and very versatile, can play down the channels and as a target man.

[dcfcsteve]

And Northern Ireland are on par with the Republic at the moment internationally according to rankings. Or in real terms we are actually better as we have been beating teams like Sweden, Spain and England in recent times.:cool:

A month or two ago we had to listen to you frothing at the mouth over how NI were better than the Republic, because you were fleetingly higher than us in the rankings.

Now you've slipped back down below us in the rankings - surprise, surprise, the focus has changed to "we're on a par with you". Err - no actually. You're ranked below us. End of......

[Flawless]

Just a question, while on another Forum (http://www.bigsoccer.com/forum/showthread.php?t=540397), The question arose on Lapiras future eligibility, ie to change to USA, was last nights match an official "A" international, because if so then surely he is tied to Ireland for life now, any thoughts?

[eirebhoy]

Potter was fairly anonymous first half
I thought by half time he was the best player on the pitch. Murphy did impress though, playing mainly on the left of a 4-3-3.

[bellavistaman]

[QUOTE=Jerry The Saint;691825]Interesting stat that 5 of the 17 players used last night are playing, or have played, for eircom League clubs. Also O'Halloran and Stokes were attached to Cobh and Shels youth sides.

O'Halloran never played Youth Level in Cobh and never had anythig to do with Ramblers he played with Springfield the other Cobh Schoolboy team, whop have ow merged to be one club: Springfield Ramblers so i suppose Rams might take some credit. :ball:

[BohsFans]

What's all the fuss about Stokes?

He stuck in a couple of goals in an average league and all of a sudden he's pulled out of competitive u-19 games for these end of season friendlies in America.
Anytime I've seen him he's been average, I know he's only 19 etc.
Doesn't deserve his place in the senior squad yet.

[Risteard]

Ya, while i wouldn't say he's been found out at 19, it seems there was a bit too much excitement about him.

[pete]

I know O'Donovan was wrong to raise the issue of not getting called up in the way he did (he is naive & cocky) but to hear Staunton say he had enough forwards but call up Gleeson & Lapira is ridiculous as every other B International was contacted.

I think overall it does not matter how well gamble does as there is little interest in these games. I would still like him to start the next game & show what he can do.

[eirebhoy]

What's all the fuss about Stokes?

He stuck in a couple of goals in an average league and all of a sudden he's pulled out of competitive u-19 games for these end of season friendlies in America.
Anytime I've seen him he's been average, I know he's only 19 etc.
Doesn't deserve his place in the senior squad yet.
He scored at a rate Larsson would have been proud of and from what I've seen of him will be a great player. Excellent positional sense, knows exactly how to beat the offside.

[Steve Bruce]

A month or two ago we had to listen to you frothing at the mouth over how NI were better than the Republic, because you were fleetingly higher than us in the rankings.

Now you've slipped back down below us in the rankings - surprise, surprise, the focus has changed to "we're on a par with you". Err - no actually. You're ranked below us. End of......

I'll not worry. Whilst we are sitting top of our group with a great chance of qualifying.

You lot are languishing behind with only a small hope.

Have your 1 placement ahead pal. I'll settle with our results:cool:

Not bad for a country that is a 3rd of the size of the Republic.

[paul_oshea]

well said steve!! - oh but who am i talking to?! ;)

[Larks]

In my opinion, Potter and Murphy and Hunt are all qualitry players.
I think that Bruce is only an average championship player as well as Stokes, he really doesn't have the pace, but he is pretty clever.

[Dodge]

well said steve!! - oh but who am i talking to?! ;)

:D he hee he

[craig7042]

It's encouraging to see Staunton's approach from the beginning to bringing in new young lads to the set-up. It's the right thing to be doing, and it has been evident from the beginning of his time not just the other day against Equador. The game was fantastic in terms of effort and commitment. The likes of Doyle and Hunt were unbelievable considering they could have pulled out with niggles after the season they've had. They didnt pull out though and its to their credit they gave it their all.

www.theboysingreen.blogspot.com

[Steve Bruce]

A month or two ago we had to listen to you frothing at the mouth over how NI were better than the Republic, because you were fleetingly higher than us in the rankings.

Now you've slipped back down below us in the rankings - surprise, surprise, the focus has changed to "we're on a par with you". Err - no actually. You're ranked below us. End of......

You know steve, I'm starting to come around to your way of thinking. Your right, we are not on par. Your considerably lesser rank nowadays:p:D

[dancinpants]

You know steve, I'm starting to come around to your way of thinking. Your right, we are not on par. Your considerably lesser rank nowadays:p:D

3 weeks soon fly in eh?

So? Was it worth waitin' for?

[Steve Bruce]

3 weeks soon fly in eh?

So? Was it worth waitin' for?

Until the new rankings where released I forgot about this thread.

But now at least the rankings now reflect the reality of the difference between NI and ROI at this present moment.

[Pablo]

Until the new rankings where released I forgot about this thread.

But now at least the rankings now reflect the reality of the difference between NI and ROI at this present moment.

and who is more likely to qualify now Steve.........

[Steve Bruce]

and who is more likely to qualify now Steve.........

We are in just as good a position as we where before. The requirement was to win the next 3 games before Spain and Sweden played theirs and the requirement is STILL win the next 3 games.:rolleyes:

[NY Hoop]

Until the new rankings where released I forgot about this thread.

But now at least the rankings now reflect the reality of the difference between NI and ROI at this present moment.

If you honestly believe that I feel sorry for you. Ranking system is a joke and only minnows like yourself get wet over it.

KOH

[Steve Bruce]

If you honestly believe that I feel sorry for you. Ranking system is a joke and only minnows like yourself get wet over it.

KOH

TO be honest it is a bit of fun, but I find it a good laugh when another country who are minnows themselves come off with a minnows jibe.

Not only that we are a better team. Our results have proved that over the last couple of years. Whilst we are beating Sweden, England and Spain, your struggling to beat San Marino:rolleyes:

[NY Hoop]

TO be honest it is a bit of fun, but I find it a good laugh when another country who are minnows themselves come off with a minnows jibe.

Not only that we are a better team. Our results have proved that over the last couple of years. Whilst we are beating Sweden, England and Spain, your struggling to beat San Marino:rolleyes:

The difference sonny is that we are a country. And we've never been humbled by Iceland at home.

KOH

[Steve Bruce]

The difference sonny is that we are a country. And we've never been humbled by Iceland at home.

KOH

We are a country to, with our own devolved government just like Scotland & Wales.:rolleyes:

And also it was the ROI who broke away from us not the other way round.

We may have been humbled by Iceland, but atleast the make up of our team is 90% Northern Ireland born and bread.

The ROI's two successful teams contained more Englishmen than Irishmen 94 and 2002. The sign of first class minnows. Republic of English Rejects

[Soper]

The ROI's two successful teams contained more Englishmen than Irishmen 94 and 2002. The sign of first class minnows. Republic of English Rejects

Our survey says - EH UH

2002
13 Irish born players
4 English born with Irish parents
6 English born with Irish grandparents

Frankly, you have insulted me. I was born in Wales, to an Irish parent, and lived in Sligo for 10 years +. I am Irish, just likethe majority of the players who represented my county.

[Steve Bruce]

Our survey says - EH UH

2002
13 Irish born players
4 English born with Irish parents
6 English born with Irish grandparents

Frankly, you have insulted me. I was born in Wales, to an Irish parent, and lived in Sligo for 10 years +. I am Irish, just likethe majority of the players who represented my county.

Was there not 11 englishmen in 2002.

Slight mis judgement about the majority in the 2002, nearly 50 50 between Englishmen and Irishmen.

My sisters where born in England, I'm from Belfast, my family is all from Belfast, but my sisters are still English, with Northern Ireland connection. But they are English.

I felt insulted by the remark we are not a country and more or less being denied ligitamacy(sp?). Something that should never even enter a football debate, but it has and I'm going to hit back.

[Pablo]

Was there not 11 englishmen in 2002.

Slight mis judgement about the majority in the 2002, nearly 50 50 between Englishmen and Irishmen.

My sisters where born in England, I'm from Belfast, my family is all from Belfast, but my sisters are still English, with Northern Ireland connection. But they are English.

I felt insulted by the remark we are not a country and more or less being denied ligitamacy(sp?). Something that should never even enter a football debate, but it has and I'm going to hit back.


Are you trying to convince us or Yourself?

[Ceirtlis]

We are a country to, with our own devolved government just like Scotland & Wales.:rolleyes:

And also it was the ROI who broke away from us not the other way round.

We may have been humbled by Iceland, but atleast the make up of our team is 90% Northern Ireland born and bread.

The ROI's two successful teams contained more Englishmen than Irishmen 94 and 2002. The sign of first class minnows. Republic of English Rejects

Northern Ireland have had a fair few "english rejects" play for them in the past so get off your high horse. During the world cup in 2002 at least 7 Irish born players started each game and all the main players were Irish born so ya presumed wrong about that dont try and pass it off as nearly 50-50. The rankings are a load of ****** always have and always will be. Also if your going to slag ROI off about our recent results try picking a game we didnt win.

[Steve Bruce]

Are you trying to convince us or Yourself?

Nope, I know my national identity.