Ireland U21 squad announced

[eirebhoy]

Darren Quigley - Derry City
Darren Randolph - Charlton Athletic

Eddie Nolan - Blackburn Rovers
Joe O'Cearuill - St. Patrick's Athletic
Darren Dennehy - Everton
Conor Powell - Bohemians
Darren O'Dea - Celtic

Stephen Gleeson - Wolverhampton Wanderers
Stephen Quinn - Sheffield United
Darron Gibson - Wolverhampton Wanderers
Chris McCann - Burnley
John-Joe O'Toole - Watford
Jim O'Brien - Dundee United
Keith Treacy - Blackburn Rovers

Billy Clarke - Ipswich Town
Anthony Stokes - Sunderland
Leon Best - Coventry City
Andy Keogh - Wolverhampton Wanderers

Republic of Ireland v Montenegro
Terryland Park
Tuesday, March 25th
Kick-off 7.30pm

[ifk101]

Owen Garvan? Injured?

[tetsujin1979]

Owen Garvan? Injured?
Isn't he suspended after getting booked against England?

[sligoman]

Anyone know how much tickets are to this? What's Montenegro's team like, any good players?

[stiffler]

Anyone know anything about Marc Wilson at Portsmouth? is he near the squad? he made the first team bench a few weeks ago against Sunderland.

[tetsujin1979]

Anyone know anything about Marc Wilson at Portsmouth? is he near the squad? he made the first team bench a few weeks ago against Sunderland.
Went off injured for the reserves against Derby a few weeks ago: http://www.portsmouthfc.co.uk/index.php?cms_id=78&qs_articleid=981&qs_media=html

signed a 2 year deal last summer: http://soccernet.espn.go.com/news/story?id=432588&cc=5739

Meanwhile, Pompey have handed Belfast-born reserve midfielder Marc Wilson, 19, - formerly on loan with Bournemouth - a new two-year contract

[Philly]

Might head to this game. Any word on ticket prices/availability?

[tetsujin1979]

Not on the box either
at least, not on sky sports, they're showing england VS poland on the same night

[kingdom hoop]

TG4 should show it given it's on down their neck of the woods.

Is there any reason (any good reason!) why RTÉ never show u21 matches?

[tetsujin1979]

I'd expect the team to line up

Randolph

Nolan Cearuill O'Dea Powell

O'Brien O'Toole Quinn McCann Treacy

Stokes
I don't know enough about Quigley to say if he's better than Randolph, but Randolph (anyone else keep thinking of Trading Places (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Trading_Places) when they hear that name? No? Just me then...) did start the last game against England
O'Toole and McCann in central midfield, with Quinn breaking forward.
Stokes as an out and out striker
Keogh to come on

[kingdom hoop]

Jeez Tets the centre-backs would want to play a bit closer together! :D ( :o :o )

Sorry. Gibson hasn't done enough at Wolves to justify a place has he? Also, only 5 defenders in the squad? Might mean a good chance of ex-schoolmate Dennehy making an appearance.

And no, "Randolph" reminds me only of reindeers and santa. Not a bad association either though I suppose.

[Dodge]

Is there any reason (any good reason!) why RTÉ never show u21 matches?

Not sure any terrestial broadcastor in the world shows u21 matches...

[amaccann]

They did show one U-21 game a couple of years back; it might have been the first game in the Euro campaign just gone by? Perhaps the WC one before that? Definitely remember watching it on the telly box.

[Superhoops]

TG4 should show it given it's on down their neck of the woods.

Is there any reason (any good reason!) why RTÉ never show u21 matches?

Aren't the u-21 games part of the SKY contract with FAI?

[Diarmo]

Yeah, good to see them there too. I would've liked to see Kevin Thornton in the squad though, we could do with some more wide players. Also, with O'Halloran out, I would've liked to see Sheehan or Painter in instead, to try out our potential left-backs.
Also, as McShane is now playing mainly for the Sunderland reserves, iI think he should start playing with the u21s instead.... try work on his form without every performance being scrutinized. Any thoughts?

[Irish_Praha]

Yeah, good to see them there too. I would've liked to see Kevin Thornton in the squad though, we could do with some more wide players. Also, with O'Halloran out, I would've liked to see Sheehan or Painter in instead, to try out our potential left-backs.
Also, as McShane is now playing mainly for the Sunderland reserves, iI think he should start playing with the u21s instead.... try work on his form without every performance being scrutinized. Any thoughts?

Are Sheehan, McShane and Painter still eligible

[tetsujin1979]

From http://www.fai.ie/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=57&Itemid=71

Players born after 01/01/'86 are eligible for the 2009 Championship
So yes, Painter (born 17/08/86), Sheehan (born 14/09/86) and McShane (born 06/01/86) are all still eligible for the U-21's, but all will be overage for the next set of qualifiers

[Irish_Praha]

Let's throw McGeady and Ireland there too just for kicks. :D

I quite like the idea of having Ireland in a few U-21s squads (as an unused or late sub :D).
It would be a nice little tester to see if he is stable enough to make a return to the senior setup.

[Irish_Praha]

From http://www.fai.ie/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=57&Itemid=71

So yes, Painter (born 17/08/86), Sheehan (born 14/09/86) and McShane (born 06/01/86) are all still eligible for the U-21's, but all will be overage for the next set of qualifiers

If that's the case I agree with Dairmo and Painter should be given a call up. He's apparently playing well for Swansea who are runaway leaders of their division at the moment. If we believe the spin from Givens and Delaney the U21 team only there to develop players for the senior team, so they should be trying out all options at positions where we are weak.

If we had some decent options at CB I would also agree with McShane going back to U21s but unfortunately we need him in the senior squad at least as cover.

[tetsujin1979]

Just had a look at Swansea's site, Painter went off injured a few weeks ago against MK Dons - http://www.swanseacity.premiumtv.co.uk/page/MatchReport/0,,10354~43327,00.html - and has only just returned to training - http://www.swanseacity.premiumtv.co.uk/page/Latest/0,,10354~1264410,00.html

[Diarmo]

Didn't realize he was injured. But I seriously think that because we're having so much trouble at LB for the seniors we should start looking at Painter. As far as I've heard from Swansea fans, he's rated pretty well, and he has some Premiership experience.

By the way, how's Sheehan doing at Leeds?

[happydays97]

Republic of Ireland Under-21 manager Don Givens has been forced to make two more changes to his squad Tuesday’s UEFA qualifier against Montenegro at Terryland Park (7.30pm).

John-Paul Kelly (Bohemians) and Seamus Coleman (Sligo Rovers) have today been called in as replacements for Chris McCann (Burnley) and Jim O’Brien (Celtic), both of whom picked up injuries for their clubs on Saturday.


Goalkeepers Darren Randolph of Charlton Athletic and Derry City’s Darren Quigley were ruled out and replaced by Shane Supple of Ipswich Town and Bristol City’s Stephen Henderson.


Irish Under-18 striker Sean Scannell (Crystal Palace) was called up to deputise for the injured Keith Treacy (Blackburn Rovers).


Ireland meet Montenegro in their final home match of their UEFA qualifying group.


Manager Don Givens said: "We have been playing well but the ball hasn’t been going in the back of the net for us. That is something that we are hoping to rectify next Tuesday.”


He added: “Terryland Park is a wonderful venue and we are really looking forward to playing there. It would be marvelous to get a big crowd to the game and to create a bit of a noise for the players.”

UEFA Under-21 qualifier
Republic of Ireland v Montenegro
Terryland Park
Tuesday, March 25th
Kick-off 7.30pm

Republic of Ireland Under-21 squad (revised):
Shane Supple – Ipswich Town
Stephen Henderson – Bristol City
Eddie Nolan - Blackburn Rovers
Joe O'Cearuill - St. Patrick's Athletic
Darren Dennehy - Everton
Conor Powell - Bohemians
Darren O'Dea - Celtic
Stephen Gleeson - Wolverhampton Wanderers
Stephen Quinn - Sheffield United
Darron Gibson - Wolverhampton Wanderers
Seamus Coleman – Sligo Rovers
John-Paul Kelly - Bohemians
Sean Scannell – Crystal Palace
Billy Clarke - Ipswich Town
Anthony Stokes - Sunderland
Leon Best - Coventry City
Andy Keogh - Wolverhampton Wanderers
John-Joe O'Toole - Watford.

http://www.fai.ie/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=3012

[Lionel Ritchie]

Didn't realize he was injured. But I seriously think that because we're having so much trouble at LB for the seniors we should start looking at Painter. As far as I've heard from Swansea fans, he's rated pretty well, and he has some Premiership experience.

By the way, how's Sheehan doing at Leeds?

Sheehan got a full game yesterday for Leeds. Did fine.

[tetsujin1979]

John-Paul Kelly (Bohemians) and Seamus Coleman (Sligo Rovers) have today been called in as replacements for Chris McCann (Burnley) and Jim O’Brien (Celtic), both of whom picked up injuries for their clubs on Saturday.

Jim O'Brien is on loan at Dundee United :rolleyes:

[Dodge]

Jim O'Brien is on loan at Dundee United :rolleyes:

Yeah but its where he's registered that matters (for official records etc)

[Razors left peg]

Think ye are gettin a wee bit pedantic there lads:)

[sligored]

good luck to seamie coleman - well deserved - hope he gets a run

[sligoman]

Tickets at gate? How much are they?

[Carrigaline]

Tried calling the FAI and Galway United to find out what was the situation with tickets. No response from either :rolleyes:

I assume it's tickets at the gate.

[Carrigaline]

Tried calling the FAI and Galway United to find out what was the situation with tickets. No response from either :rolleyes:

I assume it's tickets at the gate.
According to Galway United, tickets can be bought at the gates. €10 for an adult, OAP's and children under 16 get in for free. Kick-off at 7:30pm.

See you there :p

[GuisaSaigon]

.
Not much promotion of it in Galway, haven't seen one poster, don't have a clue how much tickets are. Got a text from the FAI about it this morning didnt mention price though.

[KoemansCC]

No promotion in the city at all or on any websites, told a few of the lads in work that it was on and they are all going now, otherwise they were oblivious...

Just back from a training session in the Clayton Hotel and all the squad were there relaxing in the foyer waiting for the bus to go for a kick about...thats where there based if anyone wants to bring their kids for autographs or anything...

[shakermaker1982]

any tv coverage over in England? Would setanta screen it?

[co. down green]

Mick McCarthy isn't very happy (http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/teams/w/wolverhampton_wanderers/7312562.stm) about the treatment of Andy Keogh by some Wolves supporters

[Dodge]

any tv coverage over in England? Would setanta screen it?

None at all apparently

[noddy102]

Is it on RTE Radio 1 MW?

[ifk101]

Any starting line-ups yet?

[livehead1]

What did i say about Leon Best all them years ago???
Where's my apologies:D:D

[Carrigaline]

Republic of Ireland U21 team:
Shane Supple – Ipswich Town
Eddie Nolan - Blackburn Rovers
Conor Powell - Bohemians
Joe O'Cearuill - St. Patrick's Athletic
Darren O'Dea - Celtic
Billy Clarke - Ipswich Town
Anthony Stokes - Sunderland
Darron Gibson - Wolverhampton Wanderers
Andy Keogh - Wolverhampton Wanderers
Stephen Quinn - Sheffield United
John-Joe O'Toole - Watford.

Substitutes:
Darren Dennehy - Everton
Stephen Gleeson - Wolverhampton Wanderers
Seamus Coleman – Sligo Rovers
John-Paul Kelly - Bohemians
Sean Scannell – Crystal Palace
Leon Best - Coventry City
Stephen Henderson – Bristol City.

Would love to see Scannell and Best in action tonight.

[kingdomkerry]

Who is Leon Best

[livehead1]

Who is Leon Best

You don't follow the national side much do you?

[kingdomkerry]

I do. Just dont know much about him?

[livehead1]

Born in Nottingham, eligible through his mother. Played for Southampton and was highly rated, didn't perform that well for them though. Was offered a new contract, turned them down, is now playing reasonably well for Coventry. Has loads of ability, just needs to realise it in the next 12months

[tetsujin1979]

1-1 at the moment, Keogh equalised on 73 minutes after Bojovic opened the scoring for Montenegro on 68 minutes

[Razors left peg]

Honestly dont know what its gonna take to get Don Givens outta that job. We had some good players on the pitch there tonight but there was some sort of spark missing almost looked like a lack of motivation. Even when Andy Keogh scored the equaliser he hardly raised a smile. I was sitting pretty close to Givens and I didnt see him giving any instructions from the dug out all night.
On the brightside I was impressed with O Dea, O Ceiruill, and Connor Powell in defense. Darron Gibson started well and looks a classy player but in second half hardly crossed the halfway line.Stokes did some good things and some awful.Keogh took his goal well, was a good header.
Incidentally they started with 4-2-3-1 formation the same as the under 17s a couple of weeks ago but changed to 4-4-2 after half hour. I wonder have the instructions come down from above that this is how the senior team is gonna play and all the underage teams need to follow suit so the player will be used to it

[Carrigaline]

Givens is a clown.

Like Razor said, he pretty much stood in the dugout for the full 90 minutes and hardly issued an instruction to a player all night. We were an absolute joke defending set-peices. Montenegro rightly attacked us on the corners and we were made to pay once, while getting off the hook another time thanks to a superb Supple save and a subsequent clearance off the line from O'Cearuill. The only thing that Givens got right were the substitutions. O'Toole had a poor game and Clarke was struggling to get forward well.

[Maroon 7]

I don't know how Givens is still in that job. His record is lamentable. Obviously he's well connected within the FAI which answers my own question I think.

[eekers]

i'd agree with most of that. The problem i could see was players played out of position. We started the game with 3 natural strikers and 3 natural central midfielders, and finished it with 4 natural strikers and 2 central midfielders.

[Carrigaline]

My Ratings
Shane Supple – 7
Saved our bacon in the first half with a brilliant save from an Montenegrin corner. Didn't have much to do otherwise. Solid.
Eddie Nolan - 6
I thought that Eddie had a lot to offer going forward, he made a few decent runs with the ball, his delivery was mixed though. I thought he was poor defensively though, didn't defend the corners well at all.
Conor Powell - 8
First time I've seen this lad, have to say he was very impressive. Like Nolan, he got forward well, but was defensively excellent too. While accepting that the Montenegrins weren't the greatest, he didn't let much through.
Joe O'Cearuill - 6
I think confidence might be an issue with Joe to be honest, because he did not seem that comfortable on the ball. For a guy who would be odds on to wins most of the headers, he struggled with crosses. Gave away a lot of silly free-kicks too. Maybe he can come good, but to be honest, I wouldn't bet on it.
Darren O'Dea - 7
Showed good leadership, had the awareness to intercept one of the through balls that the Montenegrins put through. Like O'Cearuill though, was terrible at defending set-peices. With decent coaching though, the set-peice problem can be sorted out.
Billy Clarke - 6
Only played the first half. Disappointing player for me. I know he can run at players and hurt them, he simply didn't do that today. Rightly taken off at half-time
Anthony Stokes - 6.5
It really was a tale of two halfs for Stokes. He was simply dreadful in the first. Crap first touch, didn't link up with Keogh at all, positioned completely wrong. He did improve in the second half though when he was put on the left wing. To be honest, he didn't look sharp or fit.
Darron Gibson - 7.5
Decent display in the centre of midfield. Made a few mistakes, but was generally solid in his passing and tackling. His real test will be to play midfielders closer to his ability.
Andy Keogh - 8
I thought Andy was everything that Stokes should be. Has wicked pace and was able to beat the opposition to the ball most of the time. He also held the ball up really well when it was played long to him, just a shame that Stokes didn't play closer to him to take advantage. He only really got one decent chance and he took it well
Stephen Quinn - 5
He saw an awful lot of the ball, but did virtually nothing with it. Like Stokes, he went to sleep a few times and was caught out on the ball. The fact that he's 21 already and very short, I can't see him ever getting a senior cap.
John-Joe O'Toole - 6
Disappointing game for O'Toole, seemed confused about what sort of position he was supposed to be playing.
Substitutes:
Sean Scannell – 6.5
Showed some glimpses of that electric pace and his ability to beat his man. Needs to work on the end product though. Should have demanded more of the ball, because he looked good while he had it.
Leon Best - 7.5
For the time he was on the pitch he showed a lot of hunger to recieve the ball. Some very neat touches and was also strong enough to hold off the physical Montenegrins. He should have played upfront with Keogh from the start by my reckoning.

My man of the match would be Conor Powell. If tonight was anything to go by, then we have our left-back problem solved. Unless tonight was a once off, I'm surprised he's still at Bohs.

[Razors left peg]

would agree with those ratings. I thought Powell was excellent