Stephen Ireland

[eirebhoy]

The one thing he isn't doing is representing Ireland, unless by Ireland you mean himself.

The idea that a player who refuses to represent his country is somehow doing it indirectly through playing for a foreign club is, frankly, mindboggling...
Ken Doherty was representing Ireland, just because he's Irish. Simple as that. The German's watching S.Ireland score against Hamburg see him as an Irish player. I like to see the Irish succeed.

[Superhoops]

You don't need to be a participant of the national governing bodies selected team to be representing your country. :rolleyes:

I am quite happy to represent my country but I cannot bring myself to participate in representing my country. Yeah, right :confused:

I dont know who is the biggest gobsh**e, you or SI? Perhaps you are one and the same :mad:

[geysir]

Ken Doherty was representing Ireland, just because he's Irish. Simple as that. The German's watching S.Ireland score against Hamburg see him as an Irish player. I like to see the Irish succeed.
I totally share ORA´s bemusement.

You are taking the name of Ken in vain, God bless his nerves.
KD has never shirked from representing his country and steely led Ireland to the gut wrenching final match in World cup and European cup finals.

You have the mentality of a juvenile reading the sport pages looking out for the placings of the Irish performances in bold type:)
Whether you are fascinated (roy of the rovers style) or not with the exploits of this idiot is irrelevant, why don't you follow his representations in World Football forum and show some respect for this forum where the national team issues are discussed, where players, managers, games - past /present /future are discussed?

[NeilMcD]

Ken Doherty never refused to play for Ireland. However lads it does not matter which forum its in.

[Stuttgart88]

Do Westlife represent Ireland?

[NeilMcD]

No but Celine Dion represents Switzerland.

[tiktok]

He's both a past and potential future player, he's still a kid and that needs to be considered. He will grow up, he will mature and he will address this issue. There's a lot more to be said about Stephen and Ireland so the time for distancing himself from Ireland discussion is certainly not here and hopefully never will be.

He's still a kid? That's quite the receeding hairline he has for a child..
I'll grant you he's not very bright and terribly immature, but at 22 he's a grown man.
He'll be 40 and people will still be making excuses for him.

[eirebhoy]

I totally share ORA´s bemusement.

You are taking the name of Ken in vain, God bless his nerves.
KD has never shirked from representing his country and steely led Ireland to the gut wrenching final match in World cup and European cup finals.

You have the mentality of a juvenile reading the sport pages looking out for the placings of the Irish performances in bold type:)
Whether you are fascinated (roy of the rovers style) or not with the exploits of this idiot is irrelevant, why don't you follow his representations in World Football forum and show some respect for this forum where the national team issues are discussed, where players, managers, games - past /present /future are discussed?
Any ex-Ireland international can be discussed in this forum.

Although, Stephen Ireland will be play for Ireland again. :)

btw, A Dutch or Chinese person see Ken Doherty, Shay Given and Stephen Ireland as Irish. That really is all that matters. If I was watching Stephen Ireland score in a champions league final in some foreign pub I'd certainly feel some delight inside me that these people are watching an Irishman. Of course I'd love to see him playing for us but we can't change the fact he's Irish. I can't stand Bono but I still want Americans to like him. I don't know I just call that feeling patriotism. ;)

Actually, if Stephen Ireland did score in a champions league final I think we can be sure he'd be the talk of Cobh and they'd be all very proud of him. I'd have similar feelings but that's because he's Irish. He doesn't play for us but Doherty didn't play for Ireland either when he was winning a world championship.

/edit, just to re-iterate that the first sentence is why this thread is in this forum. The rest of the post is just my ramblings trying to figure out why I feel the way I do. And I think if you dislike Ireland so much you can be thankful that all discussion on him is kept in the one thread. If this thread wasn't here we'd have a new one every week.

[geysir]

Does it not make the slightest difference to the Ireland forum when a player turns his back for the umteenth time on representing his country, throughout his entire football career from Kerr to Trap?
Ken D. represented his country and competed as an individual, Ken's green halo doesn't have the turncoat stench of a Stephen Ireland about it.

http://www2.corpseclothing.com/images/products/bands/clothing/dtme/bsi_dtme04.gif

[Scram]

Stephen is up for PFA young footballer of the season in England, can't see why he wouldn't get this, fantastic season despite the failure of many around him.

[back of the net]

I understand your frustration but there's two things worth pointing out that makes Stephen Ireland discussion eligible on this forum.

a) He has represented Ireland in the past and represented us very well with a string of crucial goals in our last campaign.

b) He has never once ruled out a return to Ireland, he's simply said the time isn't right at the moment. Not what fans of the country want to hear but understand its done as a testament to his own personal difficulties and not as a mark of disrespect on the country.

He's both a past and potential future player, he's still a kid and that needs to be considered. He will grow up, he will mature and he will address this issue. There's a lot more to be said about Stephen and Ireland so the time for distancing himself from Ireland discussion is certainly not here and hopefully never will be.

i would agree with that

[Wolfie]

b) He has never once ruled out a return to Ireland, he's simply said the time isn't right at the moment. Not what fans of the country want to hear but understand its done as a testament to his own personal difficulties and not as a mark of disrespect on the country.


So when is he going to condescend to make a come back? The middle of the next campaign? The one after that?

What exactly are these "personal difficulties" anyway? They haven't been traumatic enough to affect his great club form.

Any fall out with the international players has been continually denied on both sides.

Everyone has "personal difficulties" to some degree or another at certain stages in their lives. Its how you react to them is what matters.

[bellavistaman]

Stephen Ireland is always the talk of cobh good or bd. We are very proud for a town our size to have such a dominant footballer in the best league in the world!

[Emmet7]

While there is no doubting Stephen Ireland's talent, there are serious question marks over his maturity and his committment to the Irish cause.

We cannot have a player in our team and as some have argued, have our team built around a player, who you just don't know if he will turn up for the next game or not.

SI has to earn the respect and trust of the Irish manager and team by showing up at every game, every friendly no matter where it is in snow, rain and sunshine.

At the moment we could build the team around him and it comes to a crucial match and he decides he doesn't fancy it or he thinks he doesn't get along with this player or that player, and we'd be left in the lurch.

Like I say give me your O'Shea, Kilbane, McShane, Whelan, Andrews, Doyle and Hunts any day to SI. At least you know they will turn up on the day and give it their best shot.

You can't win if you don't turn up.

[The Legend]

Stephen Ireland is always the talk of cobh good or bd. We are very proud for a town our size to have such a dominant footballer in the best league in the world!

I live in Northern California and a recent baseball incident reminded me of Stephen Ireland.

Dustin Pedroia, current baseball superstar basically called his hometown of Woodland,CA a shi*hole (and ok, it is). But anyway, the town went from worshipping the guy to sending death threats to his family.

Although that's a bit extreme, that's what I feel Stephen Ireland is saying to Ireland, Cork and Cobh.

[back of the net]

I live in Northern California and a recent baseball incident reminded me of Stephen Ireland.

Dustin Pedroia, current baseball superstar basically called his hometown of Woodland,CA a shi*hole (and ok, it is). But anyway, the town went from worshipping the guy to sending death threats to his family.

Although that's a bit extreme, that's what I feel Stephen Ireland is saying to Ireland, Cork and Cobh.



A bit extreme!!!! thats putting it mildly

sorry legend but that comparison is ridiculous imo

[back of the net]

Stephen Ireland is always the talk of cobh good or bd. We are very proud for a town our size to have such a dominant footballer in the best league in the world!

and so ye should be BVM

[dr_peepee]

It's hard to deduce anything other than he's a raging coward

Afraid to face team mates he may not like
Afraid to face potential boos from fans
Afraid to tell the truth
Afraid to go bald
Afraid to give nothing other than vague comments regarding his commitment or lack there of.

How people here can defend him is beyond me. He's a chump. Talented obviously and things are going well. We'll see when it's not going well how he fairs. He's a Tabloid story waiting to happen.... He's gonna go all Sol Campbell as some stage, mark my words.

If someone could add a "Still Unavailible" in brackets to the title of the thread I think it would serve the purpose some people want. Like I said previously, I only checks in to this particular thread to see if there's any breaking news about the schmuck. I wouldn't bother with it other wise, li'l bitch that he is...

[SUB of the day]

Stephen Ireland is always the talk of cobh good or bd. We are very proud for a town our size to have such a dominant footballer in the best league in the world!
Being a resident of Cobh for the last 12 years, I have to agree that he is a regular topic in conversation.BUT....saying we are very proud is stretching it bigtime.Hand on heart BVM is the only Cobh man I have heard echo such sentiments.The overwhelming majority that I talk to, express emotions ranging from shame and embarrassment to anger and frustration.Langer, *******, ********,eejit appear in most dialogues re Mr Ireland.The irony of his name eh?

[Conor 123]

Stephen ireland needs to grow up and stop taking offence,big baby

[The Legend]

A bit extreme!!!! thats putting it mildly

sorry legend but that comparison is ridiculous imo

well ok, in the other case locals extreme overreacting, but its essentially a valid comparison... 2 sportsmen doing extremely well giving 2 fingers to where they are from.

[seanfhear]

I live in Northern California and a recent baseball incident reminded me of Stephen Ireland.

Dustin Pedroia, current baseball superstar basically called his hometown of Woodland,CA a shi*hole (and ok, it is). But anyway, the town went from worshipping the guy to sending death threats to his family.

Although that's a bit extreme, that's what I feel Stephen Ireland is saying to Ireland, Cork and Cobh.
If I ever get me hands on Stephen Ireland I will pull the hairs out of his head one by one;)

[bellavistaman]

Well in the room with 4 of my buddies, cobh natives, 3 of us played with the lad, were all proud to have a cobh lad play in the premier league. End of. nothing to do with anything else of that statement alone we are proud of.

[tricky_colour]

He should get a few beers down him and just turn up at the next training camp.

Problem solved.

(please don't send me money, donate it to charity if you must :) ).

[seanfhear]

He should get a few beers down him and just turn up at the next training camp.

Problem solved.


And start a fight. Sometimes a good fight can clear the air.

[magnumpi]

i can see it now, a few slaps thrown around and then they all break into tears and a massive hugfest ensues and everyone becomes best friends again.

in fairness, if he repents, he should be welcomed back into the fold, just like in that bible story, "the footballer who came home and played again."

[Drumcondra 69er]

i can see it now, a few slaps thrown around and then they all break into tears and a massive hugfest ensues and everyone becomes best friends again.

in fairness, if he repents, he should be welcomed back into the fold, just like in that bible story, "the footballer who came home and played again."

They should play 'Give Ireland back to the Irish' by Paul McCartney and Wings when he walks in if he ever does come back!

[wexfordned]

If he really wanted to play for Ireland he would, end of story.

At this stage the squad (especially Dunne & now Given) must be sick of being asked will he come back etc, etc.

If I was Trap next Irish press conference first thing I would do would be announce he didn't make himself available for selection & ban any further mention of his name going forward.

[Stuttgart88]

If I was Trap next Irish press conference first thing I would do would be announce he didn't make himself available for selection & ban any further mention of his name going forward.In fairness, the Ireland issue was much further down the agenda for the last 2 games. I think even the media now see how jaded the "story" is.

[Scram]

Stephen Ireland takes his new supercar for a spin yesterday — after changing its trim to the blue of his Manchester City club from the red of the other Mancs..
He had to get the £100,000 Audi R8 re-sprayed at a cost of £10,000 after outraging team-mates with his first choice. A source said: “They gave him a real ribbing.” No sh!t !!

http://img.thesun.co.uk/multimedia/archive/00782/SNN1627AA_682_782226a.jpg

[The Fly]

Stephen Ireland takes his new supercar for a spin yesterday — after changing its trim to the blue of his Manchester City club from the red of the other Mancs..
He had to get the £100,000 Audi R8 re-sprayed at a cost of £10,000 after outraging team-mates with his first choice. A source said: “They gave him a real ribbing.” No sh!t !!

http://img.thesun.co.uk/multimedia/archive/00782/SNN1627AA_682_782226a.jpg

Look at the petrol filler cap :o

[SkStu]

Look at the petrol sniffing capper!

[irishultra]

if i was a fan and seen that i would be disgusted.

[The Legend]

don't take ur granny for a spin in that there Stephen, you wouldnt want to give her a heart attack or anything!

[Stuttgart88]

It's hard to deduce anything other than he's a raging coward

Afraid people might notice the spots on his back (so he got that tattoo done)?

[bellavistaman]

if i was a fan and seen that i would be disgusted.

why so

[amaccann]

why so
Because it sums up nicely everything that represents the modern, overpaid, underthinking, primadona footballer.

[Fizzer]

Stephen Ireland is always the talk of cobh good or bd. We are very proud for a town our size to have such a dominant footballer in the best league in the world!

Must be an exciting place, Cobh.

So you think Stephen Irelands great do ya, and are very proud of him? Based on what? That geographically he used to live relatively close to you? Would you be proud of anyone who used to live fairly close to you no matter what kind of tosser they were?

[bellavistaman]

Must be an exciting place, Cobh.

So you think Stephen Irelands great do ya, and are very proud of him? Based on what? That geographically he used to live relatively close to you? Would you be proud of anyone who used to live fairly close to you no matter what kind of tosser they were?

I already stated why im proud of the lad. Tosser

[irishfan86]

While I laugh at people who drive in cars like that, I don't really see the harm in living the way you want to if you've got the money.

If he wants to drive a nice car and have a little fun accessorizing it, whatever.

To call it ridiculous is one thing, but disgusting seems a bit over the top.

If Stephen was playing for Ireland, and we saw that picture, we'd be having a laugh at him in a much different way- look, Stephen's hilarious! He's got a good sense of humour driving a car like that.

It's interesting to see how people react differently to somebody based on their attitude towards him.

I'm no Ireland apologist, but I would lean towards thinking of him as an immature guy with a bit of a wacky sense of humour instead of a mentally deranged psychopath.

[OneRedArmy]

Well in the room with 4 of my buddies, cobh natives, 3 of us played with the lad, were all proud to have a cobh lad play in the premier league. End of. nothing to do with anything else of that statement alone we are proud of.SO you're proud of him because he's local and he's famous, nothing else matters?

Applying that logic the people of Braunau would hold a party every year to celebrate Hitler...

[tricky_colour]

SO you're proud of him because he's local and he's famous, nothing else matters?

Applying that logic the people of Braunau would hold a party every year to celebrate Hitler...

Maybe they should twin with Cobh :)

[ken foree]

SO you're proud of him because he's local and he's famous, nothing else matters?

Applying that logic the people of Braunau would hold a party every year to celebrate Hitler...

ah yes the Hitler comparison emerges! well done! :D until we have SI operating a gas camp i think we can leave this comparison well enough alone. everyone on here can appreciate "one of their own" doing well, don't be silly. merely extend "locality" to the island you're from to see that point.

[Greenbod]

Does it not make the slightest difference to the Ireland forum when a player turns his back for the umteenth time on representing his country, throughout his entire football career from Kerr to Trap?

http://www2.corpseclothing.com/images/products/bands/clothing/dtme/bsi_dtme04.gif

Yes, It does make a difference to some of us. By turning his back on what most of us would consider a huge honour (without a reasonable explanation) he's insulting his country and in particular us football fans. Personally, I sincerely hope he never makes himself available again. I would hate to see him take the place of someone who treats playing for their country with the respect it deserves.

Regarding Eirebhoys assertion that he represents his country regardless, I can't agree. Just because someone is Irish, doesn't mean they represent Ireland. He certainly doesn't represent me when turning out for his club.

[The Legend]

Always people from Cork causing trouble, we should have our own international team.

Rep of Cork 3 - San Marino 2

[as_i_say]

Another quality performance for Ireland's best player yesterday. Isn't there someone on this board who knows the truth about what he thinks about coming back?

[gustavo]

Because it sums up nicely everything that represents the modern, overpaid, underthinking, primadona footballer.

If I was a fan of that team , I wouldn't give a flying **** what they spend their money on off the pitch as long as they produce on it , which he is doing

[seanfhear]

Another quality performance for Ireland's best player yesterday. Isn't there someone on this board who knows the truth about what he thinks about coming back?
If it quacks like a duck and walks like a duck then maybe its a duck

When it comes to playing for Ireland Mr Ireland does not give a F***

[as_i_say]

If it quacks like a duck and walks like a duck then maybe its a duck

When it comes to playing for Ireland Mr Ireland does not give a F***

In fairness you just selected a word to rhyme with fu ck and then came up with that crappy first line there.

D+ must do better.l

[Serb]

Looks like he had another quality game against West Brom according to the Guardian (http://www.guardian.co.uk/football/2009/apr/19/premier-league-manchester-city-west-brom).


When Stephen Ireland bent a cross around the West Brom defence, Robinho volleyed in the opening goal with a nonchalance that belied his inability to score in 2009. [...] The tension was only relieved in the fourth minute of added time when Ireland unselfishly squared the ball for the substitute Daniel Sturridge to finish. [...] Man of the match: Stephen Ireland (Manchester City)

Two assists and Man of the Match, not too shabby.