James McCarthy M free agent b.1990

[Stuttgart88]

Was there a football story in there somewhere? :)

[tetsujin1979]

sorry, hit the paywall.
Fortunately, google has a handy workaround, you can search for the article address and view the text from the article


JAMES McCARTHY has hit back at Robbie Keane's claim that he let Ireland down by pulling out of the Republic of Ireland's end of season internationals.

At last month's Carling Cup of Nations, Keane ranted at the young players who withdrew from Giovanni Trapattoni's squad, guys he said "don't have the appetite for international football."

He seemed to target McCarthy when he added: "If people don't want to play for Ireland, don't declare yourself as Irish - it's simple."

Now in a hard-hitting Sport of the World exclusive, the 20-year-old Wigan ace has finally broken his silence to tell HIS side of the story.

Glasgow-born McCarthy insisted: "Injury was the only thing which kept me out of the Ireland squad last month. I suffered a grade one ligament injury at Stoke in Wigan's final

game of the season, my ankle was swollen and sore and the Irish doctor WAS notified.

"I never turned my back on Ireland, my conscience is totally clear. I plan to let things settle over the summer and then I intend to contact Mr Trapattoni.

"I want to talk to him before the next Ireland squad is named because I want to put this issue to bed. I'm also sure I'll have a word with Robbie Keane and the rest of the lads when we next get together.

When you're told you can't play, you don't play

"I have nothing but respect for Robbie Keane but in my opinion he spoke out before he was in possession of all the facts in my case.

"He is a decent guy and he's a good captain. I am sure he will listen to my side of the story.

"If I had been fit, of course I would have reported for international duty.

"Everyone knows the story about the Scotland and Ireland issue. It keeps on raising its head but my commitment to Ireland is simply not in question.

"I made my decision and it was to play for Ireland. I'd love to believe I could follow in Robbie's footsteps and go on to win 100 caps one day.

"When you're told you can't play, you don't play. This all came about because I picked up an ankle injury in Wigan's final game of the season against Stoke.

"My ankle was badly swollen and my club physio Richard Evans said he didn't want to take any chances.

"It was the same ankle which had been operated on in October after I'd ruptured ligaments against Bolton. Richard told me he would arrange for me to have a scan on the injury the following day.

"He also contacted the Irish team doctor, Dr Byrne, to tell him I had twisted my ankle and required a scan.

"The results showed I was suffering from grade one ligament damage.

"I asked Richard what I should do about Ireland and I was told not to worry about that, they would contact Ireland's medical staff.

"The first I knew there was any problem was when I got the papers and I realised that Mr Trapattoni was clearly unhappy.

"Then Robbie Keane had his say, I was being criticised from all quarters.

"I read stories which said I had made no effort to get in contact with Ireland. There were even some wild tales that Giovanni Trapattoni tried to call me personally and I refused to respond.

"The truth is I was only contacted once that week by the FAI - from Mary, the liaison officer. She sent a text containing my flight details.

"I didn't reply straight away but after our final game at Stoke I sent a text to say I needed to go for a scan.

"When I received the results I sent a text to say I wouldn't be able to take that flight.

"I think there was just a simple misunderstanding because Mr Trapattoni couldn't have been informed by his medical staff that I was injured.

"I'm grateful that The News of the World has given me this chance to state my side of the case clearly.

"I have made my choice to represent Ireland - but I can't play for anyone when I could barely walk, let alone run."

[ifk101]

"I'm grateful that The News of the World has given me this chance to state my side of the case clearly."

He has everybody's number but needs to go through the News of the World to communicate with them?

[Noelys Guitar]

Sounds like he genuinely wants to play for Ireland and he can't be compared with Stephen Fruitcake. A couple of weeks away from Whelan/Martinez has probably cleared his head. He will still have to start showing up before every game unless he is physicially unable to do ie broken leg/arm to prove his intent. Same applies to the other alleged no shows.

[DannyInvincible]

Possibly he feels the need to explain his side of the story to the public as well as I'm not sure the FAI were going to come out and contradict their earlier line.


The results showed I was suffering from grade one ligament damage.

What scans were sent to the Irish team doctor then?

[mark12345]

"I'm grateful that The News of the World has given me this chance to state my side of the case clearly."

He has everybody's number but needs to go through the News of the World to communicate with them?

That's a low blow. The boy has stated his case, and I'm thankful for one that he used the NOW. I probably wouldn't have heard the real story otherwise. I think we all knew there was a real story waiting to get out. If there is someone to blame here, and I'm not sure there is, it would be Wigan F.C. James has stated his case, and has said what we needed to hear. So we need to shut up now and let the boy play his game. We need him so badly in our barren midfield. Hopefully he can put his foot on the ball and compose our play which will result in Robbie getting more chances to add to his tally. Win win all around.

[mark12345]

AS AN ADDENDUM - Wigan can't really be blamed if their medical staff are showing a grade one ligament ailment. I take it back. Out of all this however let's hope the communication between clubs and the FAI improves in the future. Good luck James and if I can take the liberty of speaking for all Irish fans - we hope to see you in the green of Ireland for many years to come.

[dylanisgod]

I hope what he says about leaving it for the summer and then contacting Trap is true. It would seem like the most sensible approach. And let's hope the Indo WUMs stay out of it so we can look forward to many years of McCarthy in a green shirt.

[Sullivinho]

I wasn't expecting him to make any kind of statement. But that was fairly comprehensive, fair play to him. Can't see him missing too many squads for a while if the tone of that is any indication. I look forward to his next 97 caps...

Danny should fire off a copy of 'FIFA Player Eligibility in the Context of Ireland...' to the NotW. Obliging folk that they are. ;)

[ifk101]

That's a low blow.

A low blow for asking the chap to dial a few numbers? :bigsmile:

[tetsujin1979]

Arsenal linked with move for McCarthy: http://www.skysports.com/story/0,19528,11661_7060480,00.html
not a lot in the story to be honest

[Fixer82]

Maybe I'm too old school but I just think it's very blasée sending a text. If you're asked to play for your country and can't turn up is it too much hassle to pick up the phone? I don't doubt his injury claims, I just think it would show some respect making a phone call.

[EastTerracer]

The Daily Mail (not necessarily reliable) is suggesting that James cannot agree a contract extension with Wigan which might heighten the interest from some of the big clubs.

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/football/article-2019981/James-McCarthys-talks-Wigan-break-down.html

[tricky_colour]

Martinez must be delighted he is not making a rushed decision. :laugh:

[Sullivinho]

With N'Zogbia already off to Villa they'd be skirting the muddy banks of s**t creek if they lost McCarthy too.


Martinez must be delighted he is not making a rushed decision. :laugh:

James has always said he'll take the summer to make a decision and whoever he chooses will be very lucky. :D

[Crosby87]

And lets not forget Martinez's wife is from Scotland so he could end up at Hibs. :sinister:

[SwanVsDalton]

Rub it up ye Roberto. (http://www.irishtimes.com/sports/soccer/2011/0803/1224301809969.html)

[tommy_c12000]

James confirms he will be in Dublin next wk. In other news Trap has confirmed his summer hols are over and he is working through his latest collection of DVD boxsets:

http://www.independent.ie/sport/soccer/mccarthy-gets-chance-to-mend-bridges-with-trap-2841984.html

[TrapAPony]

Went off injured v Villarreal. Just brilliant....

[DannyInvincible]

Any idea how serious it is? Villarreal really going out of their way to hamper our hopes of Euro 2012 qualification. They don't play Fulham in a pre-season friendly, do they?...

[jbyrne]

Any idea how serious it is? Villarreal really going out of their way to hamper our hopes of Euro 2012 qualification. They don't play Fulham in a pre-season friendly, do they?...

its being reported that he has pulled out of wednesdays squad

[DannyInvincible]

Yeah, had heard that, although you'd hope he'd be back for the games next month. It's disappointing as he badly needs game time in friendlies if he's to have an impact for us this campaign. I can't really see Trap giving him a chance with Slovakia or Russia, although it mightn't have been that likely anyway due to his relative lack of experience; who knows?

[MeathDrog]

Convenient..

[bwagner]

whats the story with that Wilson fool???

[passinginterest]

In fairness I don't think there's any doubt this is a genuine injury, I was watching Sky Sports News around when it happened and they said it looked like a serious injury and he was given attention on the pitch for a good while. Seriously bad timing though.

[John83]

Any idea how serious it is? Villarreal really going out of their way to hamper our hopes of Euro 2012 qualification. They don't play Fulham in a pre-season friendly, do they?...
They're just ****ed that UCD managed to humiliate them.

[Crosby87]

Can't walk down the stairs without getting hurt.

[ArdeeBhoy]

He's still so over-rated on here, it's untrue.

A handy player with a bit of potential but nothing more.
If he's the 'difference', we're fecked.

[elroy]

He's still so over-rated on here, it's untrue.

A handy player with a bit of potential but nothing more.
If he's the 'difference', we're fecked.

I tend to agree with you, however I do think he has a significant degree of potential so much so that he could be one of the top midfielders in the EPL in the next 2 years. Thats the difference.

[CraftyToePoke]

I tend to agree with you, however I do think he has a significant degree of potential so much so that he could be one of the top midfielders in the EPL in the next 2 years. Thats the difference.

This is it, with McCarthy, its about what he might be, if he does become all thats predicted for him, already a lovely addition to the squad, but if he was, for example, signed to replace Gerrard at Liverpool, and went on to do that successfully, it would be exciting times.

[tommy_c12000]

Martinez does not seem to think it is too serious. Still no confirmation of scan results though. Martinez, "We are 50/50 at this present time. I don't know whether he will be able to join the Irish camp. We'll make sure we let them know, he'll have some scans. But he's fine and hopefully it's just a twisted ankle. I think it's going to be difficult for him to play on Saturday never mind on Wednesday." Obviously playing up the Ireland card a bit, but positive news all the same. Fingers crossed he will be back in a wk or so.

http://www.herald.ie/sport/soccer/mccarthy-crocked-2842461.html

As for him being way over-rated . . . . I don't think you will see the full potential of James until he moves to a better team with better players. He has a great deal of potential and is still only 20

[Dunners]

ArdeeBhoy

He's still so over-rated on here, it's untrue.

A handy player with a bit of potential but nothing more.
If he's the 'difference', we're fecked.

To make that statement either you’ve not seen much of the lad playing or your clearly better suited to watching bowls down the local park

[Carrigaline]

If McCarthy starts for Wigan on Saturday, I will continue to have doubts with regard to his desire to play for Ireland.

[BonnieShels]

Funny you should say that, Martinez's willingness to play down the injury says that could well be an option.

Either way his willingness us pretty irrelevant now. He's tied to us. So he's a Stephen Ireland like figure, an idiot who doesn't understand how international soccer works with regards to eligibility or injured.

[DannyInvincible]

I dunno. I still like to give McCarthy the benefit of the doubt. I'm not sure why; I just happen to like the guy and have an appreciation for what he put himself through to declare for us. He's never uttered anything remotely like the stuff Stephen Ireland used to come out with. Speaking of Stephen Ireland, we haven't heard from him in a while, have we? He used to be in the papers every week slagging off Cork or Cobh or wherever and whoever he could.

To be honest, the threshold as to what is deemed serious enough by both club and association to keep someone out of a game is probably lower for an international friendly than it would be for a club game or international competitive game. What I mean is, if a player is carrying even the slightest of knocks or if there's a threat that some residual injury might play up or re-occur, his club obviously won't want him playing in a friendly but may well still "risk" him in a competitive game of their own shortly after. There's probably some form of implicit or unwritten understanding of this concern of clubs on the part of the FAI. Fair enough, they still seem to want players to travel to Dublin for medical examination - even though FIFA don't impose this demand on players (http://foot.ie/threads/153933-Croatia-Friendly?p=1517127&viewfull=1#post1517127) - but they'll probably be happy to let the likes of Wilson and Walters return to their clubs if their clubs aren't keen on them playing and there's even the slightest sign of an injury or lack of fitness there. It's probably reasonable enough, all things considered, and it's not something I'd get enraged about.

In saying that, a player could probably stick around if he really wanted to push the issue; you'd have to admire St. Ledger for doing that during the last run of games, even if his club duties had already ceased for the season.

[The Fly]

He's never uttered anything remotely like the stuff Stephen Ireland used to come out with. Speaking of Stephen Ireland, we haven't heard from him in a while, have we?

Jesus Danny, don't tempt fate!!!

[DannyInvincible]

Wigan will be without James for their game against Norwich tomorrow. Confirmed here: http://www.guardian.co.uk/football/blog/2011/aug/12/football-live-blog-12-august

Should go towards quelling any suspicion.

[TrapAPony]

Starts today for Wigan. How interesting.:rolleyes:

[greendeiseboy]

I've defended him all along but this is the final straw for me with him. Dont care what people say now, this lad should be dropped from future squads indefinitely.

You have good lads like Wes Holohan who cant get near the squad who would give anything to get in a squad and then you have the likes of McCarthy who couldn't be arsed about turning out for us - Trap has to see this for what it is.

[SkStu]

have to agree, it seems that you are right GDB.

[Sullivinho]

Well he's already been named in the preliminary squad for the Slovakia/Russia games. That squad will have to narrowed down though and I wouldn't be surprised if he's among those dropped.

[Murfinator]

The first time I was willing to call it a coincidence, second time bad luck. Third time I was getting fed up but prepared to put up with him because he's a young lad and working with Martinez who sounds like a tool. But this again? Enough is enough.

I honestly prefer Stephen Ireland to James McCarthey, Wilson and Walters at this stage because at least he's honest about his commitment and isn't trying to continually hide that he doesn't give a crap about internationals behind PR nonsense in the media and faked injuries. He tried it once and has been open and honest since, this new bunch must take the public for fools if they think we're going to get behind them on the rare occasion they decide to follow through on a callup.

There's no way whatsoever a player could be classified as "injured" on a wednesday and fit enough to start on a saturday. No freaking way. In all liklihood he was in a state of doing light training midweek and could very well have trained with Ireland and had some sort of gametime from the bench. To say he was injured for the game is technically a flat out lie if he could play 90 minutes 3 days later as any physio will tell you.

[youngirish]

Hardly surprising, sure his Irish connections are only slightly less tenuous than Barack Obama's. Seems he doesn't give a balls. Pity because he's obviously one of the most exciting prospects that has been elligible for us for years. At least he can't play for anyone else until Fifa decide to change the rules again anyway. I have more time for Walters and Wilson - didn't they at least show up to be accessed by the FAI medical staff or did that never materialise?

[BonnieShels]

Then why the feck did he go through all the hassle in declaring?

[youngirish]

Then why the feck did he go through all the hassle in declaring?
Who knows maybe the thought of playing for Scotland was even less appealing for him than lining out for Ireland?

[Closed Account]

Whatever we, the supporters, think about it, the real impact of these shenanigans will be within the squad.
I wouldn't welcome someone into the dressing room who thinks he can turn up whenever he likes.

[youngirish]

This whole episode reminds me of that other young player who's career was skyrocketing through the roof who thought he was too big to play international football for Ireland. I'm not quite sure but I think his name was Stephen Ireland. I hear he's the Zinedine Zidane of the Reserve League Northern Section now.

[Murfinator]

In fairness to James I can understand the idea of not having a strong affiliation to any country. Being born one place, originated through your parents to another and living/working in yet another is bound to cause something like that.
What I won't tolerate is his lack of honesty about his situation, his words say one thing and his actions another. He can either commit 100% or get lost.

[tricky_colour]

Who knows maybe the thought of playing for Scotland was even less appealing for him than lining out for Ireland?

Yea if he can't be arsed to turn up for a team ranked 33rd in the world I can't see him turning up for a team ranked 61st.

Secondly he has hardly ever impressed me when I have watched him, he seems to have a similar attitude on the pitch, ie not keen on getting involved, even when Rooney walloped him one he didn't seem bothered - lol.

[Charlie Darwin]

Just throwing this out there... maybe he was just injured? Glamorous and pulsating though the Croatia friendly was, I'm not sure it's worth risking aggravating an existing injury for.