Stephen Ireland

[Junior]

Meanwhile, friends of the Ireland’s paid their condolences to the footballers family, with many admitting to recycling mass cards written over five years ago.

“I said there was no point in throwing the card away at the time,” said one neighbour. “I mean, she was going to die again at some stage.”

Jaysus.......

[Stuttgart88]

I thought the story elsewhere on that site "FAI tells players Trap has gone off to live on a farm" was really funny.

"Will he have lots of room to run around?" asked Robbie Keane.

[geysir]

WWN's take on Trap's post Sweden game press conference had me in stitches.

[Stuttgart88]

I just read it now and was laughing out loud.

[ArdeeBhoy]

Fill yer boots, people.

http://waterfordwhispersnews.com/category/sport/

[TrapAPony]

Starting for Stoke today

[youngirish]

Looks like he was at fault for the Fulham winner. He gave the ball away with a careless pass.

[Charlie Darwin]

Thought his teammate was equally to blame to be fair. He didn't bust a gut to recover it though.

[IsMiseSean]

I think the teammate was Whelan, who also didn't work very hard to track back or maybe he did... It's hard to tell the difference when our Glenn is trying to run or walk!

[TrapAPony]

Looks like he was at fault for the Fulham winner. He gave the ball away with a careless pass.


That was his only mistake apparently. Most Stoke fans on their website said he was very good yesterday. Some saying he was the 'best player on the pitch' or a 'great low risk signing' etc...

[dr_peepee]

A golden opportunity for this clown to return with minimal furor, if he wants it.

[DannyInvincible]

More talk from Ireland as he expresses his excitement with the new appointments: http://thescore.thejournal.ie/stephen-ireland-comeback-roy-keane-1161563-Nov2013/?utm_source=facebook_short


STEPHEN IRELAND IS eyeing a return to the Ireland fold in the wake of the appointment of Martin O’Neill and Roy Keane.

The Cobh native has not played for the national team since a controversial exit after a game in Slovakia during the Steve Staunton era.

Now playing for Stoke City, Ireland says he’s excited by the high-profile appointment of the pair.

“I left under bad circumstances,” he told the BBC’s Ivan Gaskell today. “This new management has excited me. We’ll have to sit down and talk. I’ve a lot to think about. We’ll have to have a sit down and talk, and see what we can do.

“It’s something that appeals to me. To return and play a few campaigns. I’d like to go back and see how it goes”

Ireland told the Stoke Sentinel that he thinks the unlikely pairing of O’Neill and Keane will be a successful one.

“Yes, I think they will work,” he said. “They are two great men who are very determined and have achieved a lot for themselves in their own careers. Roy Keane is an absolute legend in football and Martin O’Neill has done well wherever he has gone.

“I think the FAI and football in Ireland is going in the right direction because there’s a lot of good players.”

[Charlie Darwin]

“This new management has excited me.
Ireland Snubs "Out Of His Depth" King

[The Fly]

It'll not happen, but part of me hopes they agree to meet him and then not turn up.

[gastric]

At least we can be assured that Ireland will not be given the chance to play 'will I or won't I come back to play for Ireland' as I can't imagine O'Neill or Roy accepting any bullsh#t from him.

[Razors left peg]

He was on SSN earlier saying that there are no qualifiers until next September so he'll have until then to think about. I was only saying on another thread earlier that the slate should be wiped clean for everyone.... but christ the lad is some gobsh1te! I honest cant get my head around that level of stupidity

[youngirish]

He was on SSN earlier saying that there are no qualifiers until next September so he'll have until then to think about. I was only saying on another thread earlier that the slate should be wiped clean for everyone.... but christ the lad is some gobsh1te! I honest cant get my head around that level of stupidity

A waste of our dwindling air and water resources and to top it all off he's managed to pass his genes on to the next generation.

[mark12345]

He was on SSN earlier saying that there are no qualifiers until next September so he'll have until then to think about. I was only saying on another thread earlier that the slate should be wiped clean for everyone.... but christ the lad is some gobsh1te! I honest cant get my head around that level of stupidity

I too have to issue a mea culpa. I was one who continued to advocate for him to be given another chance as I thought messages were confused during the communication-challenged Trap era. But now I can see that the only fog in this particular story resides between the ears of this bald headed egomaniac.

[DannyInvincible]

He was on SSN earlier saying that there are no qualifiers until next September so he'll have until then to think about.

http://www.artofthestate.co.uk/photos/Banksy_the_dunce2.jpg

[dr_peepee]

Interview on F365 where he's speaking if his Stoke move and how it's. Mentions how he wants play the next 10 to 15 games for Stoke but at the back his mind there's Ireland and he wants to get together with Keane or O'Neill to have a chat.

[Stuttgart88]

Is he waiting for them to call him? :)

[Crosby87]

His dad says he is going to play. Just needs time to sort through all of his feather boas.

[geysir]

Interview on F365 where he's speaking if his Stoke move and how it's. Mentions how he wants play the next 10 to 15 games for Stoke but at the back his mind there's Ireland and he wants to get together with Keane or O'Neill to have a chat.
It's good to talk.

[DannyInvincible]

'Martin O'Neill opens the door for Stephen Ireland return': http://www.rte.ie/sport/soccer/international/2013/1112/486242-oneill-opens-the-door-for-ireland-return/


Republic of Ireland manager Martin O'Neill has left the door open for an international return for Stephen Ireland.

Speaking to the media after taking his first training session with the Ireland team, O'Neill extended an olive branch to Ireland who has not played for his country since 2007 when he infamously lied about a dead grandmother.

With Roy Keane in place as the Ireland assistant manager, despite his previous falling out with the FAI, O'Neill believes anything is possible.

"If Roy can come back, it's open for anyone,” O'Neill quipped when asked. Stephen Ireland has indicated in recent times that he is ready to return to the international fold.

[Stuttgart88]

Right call. Stephen Ireland was a young, self interested, pampered egotist back in 2007. Now he's just a self interested pampered egotist.

Still the right call though.

[thischarmingman]

Absolutely. My instinctive reaction was 'No way, he can go f*%$ himself.' And yet, I get annoyed at the minority who can't get over Saipan and think Roy Keane should be regarded as a traitor forever. No reason we can't all be professional and move on.

Also, there's no law (to the best of my knowledge) that says you have to like every member of your team. If we started banning tossers there would be far fewer clubs about. :p

[ifk101]

Is there a genuine desire on the part of Stephen Ireland to come back? If he wants to come back, does he need to be coaxed back? Has any manager closed the door on him coming back? Our Stephen just wants the attention, his ego needs it. He's made his bed, let him lie in it.

[ArdeeBhoy]

The real question after all this time, is he good enough? I would say doubtful...

[Stuttgart88]

You must think he's really bad given how bad you think the rest are!

[ifk101]

When he decided to leave, what disappointment existed at the time was due to the expectation he would turn out to a top class player. It hasn't happened but he is arguably better than a couple of midfielders included in the squad for the Latvia Poland games. So good enough to be in the squad but less so for a starting position.

[Lionel Ritchie]

The real question after all this time, is he good enough? I would say doubtful...

It's a valid question AB. Being certain he's a tool is one thing. Being certain he's the tool for the job is another.

I don't think he'll be back anyway now that it's been confirmed that the FAI never even considered making his Da manager thus enabling Stephen to run home to tell Mama if he didn't get picked.

If the remark about having til next September to decide is genuine, coupled with the "I've a lot to think about" nonsense, well then he should be left in peace with his profound thoughts.

[Stuttgart88]

I was just reading Malachy Clerkin in the Irish Times. O'Neill didn't try and coax him back. He was asked what his position on Stephen Ireland was and he simply replied that if Keane can return after Saipan then anyone can. He said that he had a big issue with John Hartson one time and it was resolved, and Stephen Ireland is smaller than Hartson!

http://www.irishtimes.com/sport/soccer/international/martin-o-neill-in-chipper-form-as-he-lays-down-a-few-ground-rules-1.1592579?page=2

Edit: in fact O'Neill says a bit more about Ireland in this article, saying he doesn't know him well, he wasn't instrumental in signing him for Villa, and yesterday he seemed to put the ball in Ireland's court.

http://www.irishtimes.com/sport/soccer/international/o-neill-gets-down-to-business-ahead-of-latvia-clash-1.1592364

Sorry, I'd quote the relevant paragraphs but its not that easy to cut and paste from an iPad.

[ArdeeBhoy]

He's had more than enough guff written about him;a link is more than sufficient.

[tricky_colour]

http://dai.ly/x1716aj

Walters and Ireland's goals from the Swansea match, Ireland took his goal well as did Walters

[swinfordfc]

Ireland at the minute should not be in the panel - let's see in the new year!

[Fixer82]

Premiership midfielder popping up with a goal every few weeks. He warrants a place in the squad

[Stuttgart88]

Ireland at the minute should not be in the panel - let's see in the new year!Martin O'Neill has been outed.

[Crosby87]

Robbie: He must choose now. (Also plugs 29 year old MLS player for possible Ireland call up.)
http://www.irishmirror.ie/sport/soccer/soccer-news/now-never-robbie-keane-warns-2836702

[Crosby87]

And while Sparky lauds the "Triple W" of Walters, Wilson and Whelan, he says it is "too soon" for SI to return to intl football.
http://www.goal.com/en-gb/news/4961/international-football/2013/11/22/4425304/too-soon-for-stephen-ireland-international-return-says-mark

[DannyInvincible]

If he's ready to play in the Premier League, why wouldn't he be ready to play international football? He's not been injured or anything, has he?

[SkStu]

He's not been injured or anything, has he?

He was carrying a bruised ego for some time. They can be a divil to get over...

[SkStu]

Just seen his goal against Chelsea. It was a lovely curled left footed shot from outside the right of the area in off the far post. Apparently he missed a great chance to put Stoke 3-2 up before Assaidi did with a stonker of a shot. They switched over after the Liverpool game so caught the last 5 mins and Wilson was a rock - the commentator mentioned he'd been a commanding presence.

[tricky_colour]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AhlDfDUkGII
goal above until it is remove, poor quality video though, but it's a nice finish, almost a nonchalant strike

[Serb]

http://media.joe.ie/wp-content/uploads/2013/12/ireland.gif

[Stuttgart88]

Sparky says it is "too soon" for SI to return to intl football.
He's right.

We don't play until March.

(I think Swinford was saying the same thing above)

[TheOneWhoKnocks]

http://www.stokecityfc.com/news/article/loan-star-pens-permanent-deal-1293386.aspx

Permanent deal signed at Stoke.

[samhaydenjr]

Time for Stephen to declare his intentions for Euro 2016?

[DeLorean]

I presume Keane is camping outside his house these times.

[TheOneWhoKnocks]

Imagine having Reid, Hoolahan and Ireland in the same squad!

It sure beats Whelan, Rowlands and Miller!

[back of the net]

Imagine having Reid, Hoolahan and Ireland in the same squad!

It sure beats Whelan, Rowlands and Miller!


How does it beat having Whelan in the squad considering they play different positions to him?