Kilbane to Retire?

[Razors left peg]

just came across this and am wondering if its true, has anyone else heard?
http://www.ireland-mad.co.uk/news/loadnews.asp?cid=TMNW&id=393575

I would find it hard to believe he would retire in the middle of a campaign if we are going well and he has been playing

[kingdomkerry]

He always gave 100% but i dont think he'll get a look in anymore anyway so he might aswell retire

[crc]

Good old Zinedine Kilbane! I always liked watching him play.

[irishultra]

I think he's always been good for Ireland. His crossing is ****, but he uses '' the cow'' to good effect.

[The Legend]

at least he tried and always committed unlike some others!

[Theskinloyal]

I remember before the 2002 World Cup reading his profile on the FIFA website:

"Pace and endevour make up for lack of any real talent."

[rambler14]

I hope he doesn't retire.

If the whole Ireland team played with as much heart and passion as Kilbane then we would be after winning the World Cup and European Championships numerous times by now.
He is an asset to Trappatoni's squad and a player I would love to see break the 100 cap barrier for Ireland.

One of the few players in the squad who sings the anthem before the games and he's lived in England all his life and had never spoke a word of Irish in his life and he still went away to learn the anthem before he played his 1st game for Ireland to make him feel as if he belonged.
Thats the sort of pride and passion you want in an international squad.

A great player who will be a huge loss when he retires. Which is a few years away.....I hope!

[stickyjoe]

I hope he doesn't retire.

One of the few players in the squad who sings the anthem before the games and he's lived in England all his life and had never spoke a word of Irish in his life and he still went away to learn the anthem before he played his 1st game for Ireland to make him feel as if he belonged.
Thats the sort of pride and passion you want in an international squad.

!

Kilbane may be born in England but he is most definitely Irish and always has been. Don`t put him in the same plastic paddy category that alot of our other players are in

[Hibs4Ever]

Great post rambler14

I hope he stays on too

[geysir]

The headline in Ireland Mad is a statement not a question.
"Kilbane will retire"
of course he will, one day.
I for one will not go back to that site voluntarily.
There is no article on the Wigan Observer sports page,
If there is and its just not online, the quote looks to be just about the friendly games and training camp.

"A lot of people know my situation its tough being away from the wife and kids, the big thing from my point of view is they have got to come first."

"I know its part and parcel of the job and my wife has been nothing but supportive but there comes a time when you think 'give the youngsters a chance` they are going to get more games than me anyways.

"It would have been difficult being away for that length of time over the summer when I should really be on a break with my family."

Somewhere else it was reported not quoted, that Kilbane would retire from Internationals at the end of next season.

[finnpark]

He always gave 100% but i dont think he'll get a look in anymore anyway so he might aswell retire

Why wouldn't he?

He was one of our most consistent performers and always gave 100%. Hes had a very good season with Wigan in the premiership at left back. McShane and O'Shea struggled whenever they played and Delaney is an average Div 2 left back.

So as you can see I find it hard to understand your point of view. Better than the average Irish player

[FarBeag]

Why wouldn't he?

He was one of our most consistent performers and always gave 100%. Hes had a very good season with Wigan in the premiership at left back. McShane and O'Shea struggled whenever they played and Delaney is an average Div 2 left back.

So as you can see I find it hard to understand your point of view. Better than the average Irish player



You obviously have not seen him play very often if you are looking for him in Div 2.

[jmurphyc]

Why wouldn't he?

He was one of our most consistent performers and always gave 100%. Hes had a very good season with Wigan in the premiership at left back. McShane and O'Shea struggled whenever they played and Delaney is an average Div 2 left back.

So as you can see I find it hard to understand your point of view. Better than the average Irish player

I've only seen one or two Wigan games this season, but when he's played left back for Ireland he's generally been quite poor. His positioning for a left back is woeful and it's probably the most important attribute for a left back. He always tucks in beside the centre backs and I'd much prefer to see Delaney given a chance because of Kilbane's weaknesses in that position. Judging by Saturday, Delaney should start the qualifiers for us.

[jbyrne]

Judging by Saturday, Delaney should start the qualifiers for us.

did he really play that well last sat? i think we are wanting him to have played well as its a problem position for us but i think if someone with 10 caps to their name had played like he did on sat we would be a bit more critical. most of serbias goal was down to mcshane but delaney was also at fault. kilbane to me would be a far better option at left back

[cavan_fan]

I agree that he has shown great drive and commitment and has been an asset to the team. I would say that if he feels that going it is at least honest of him to say so and step aside. I'd rather that than someone who just turns up (John O'Shea!)

[jmurphyc]

did he really play that well last sat? i think we are wanting him to have played well as its a problem position for us but i think if someone with 10 caps to their name had played like he did on sat we would be a bit more critical. most of serbias goal was down to mcshane but delaney was also at fault. kilbane to me would be a far better option at left back

I don't think he played really well. He had a "solid" debut. He didn't do too much wrong, and he didn't light up the game either. Steve Finnan rarely sets the game alight for us, but he does little wrong in most games, so if Delaney were like that he should be first choice IMO. Had Kilbane been playing in that position I think he would have given the full back far too much space and wouldn have made it a much more difficult job than Delaney did. Just by being in the correct position without doing anything else Delaney showed he was competent enough to be seriously considered for the position which I think is the weakest in our team.

I'm not trying to make him out to be a saviour for us and he may well have a nightmare tonight or in the future should he play for us in the qualifiers, but I just think he should be tried out up until the qualifiers to see if he's good enough.

[Seagull-4-life]

I think he's always been good for Ireland. His crossing is ****, but he uses '' the cow'' to good effect.

I don't get "The Cow" reference???

[tricky_colour]

I don't get "The Cow" reference???
I expect he is the only one who does.

[geysir]

I'm not familiar with that language but could it be in anyway related to
getting a good return from milking his only trick?

[rambler14]

I'd rather that than someone who just turns up (John O'Shea!)

John O'Shea should be centre-back with Dunne and Kelly and Delaney should be full backs thats if Finnan doesn't come back of course.
I'm undecided about whether Kilabane should be a defender or midfielder.

[tetsujin1979]

denial on fai.ie: http://www.fai.ie/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=3230

[ShamrockIreland]

denial on fai.ie: http://www.fai.ie/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=3230

Thanks for that tetsujin1979 I help with the board that the original story on here came from. I pulled the story down when I realised the source had misquoted Killer.

Geysir I read your comments and you were right to say what you said. I thought the source on the Wigan board where I got the story knew what he was talking about ah well

[Junior]

denial on fai.ie: http://www.fai.ie/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=3230

good on you killer!!

love him or loathe him, a man with his level of experience is essential in our squad, more now than ever.

As has been said will always give 100% (a minimum requirement, I accept) and is more capable than alot give him credit for (for some reason the midfield perfromance in the stade de france stands out as I type this). Even if a backup - he would be reliable.

[as_i_say]

Legend. One of the last remaining of the mccarthy era where hunger and pride over talent got us to a world cup.

[geysir]

We could make a team from the leftovers of McCarthy era who are still standing.

Given,
Finnan, Dunne, OShea, Harte;
Duff, Carsley, Healy, Kilbane;
Keane, Morrison;

It might not be a great team but it would be a team.

[Colbert Report]

We could make a team from the leftovers of McCarthy era who are still standing.

Given,
Finnan, Dunne, OShea, Harte;
Duff, Carsley, Healy, Kilbane;
Keane, Morrison;

It might not be a great team but it would be a team.

Take out Healy and you've got a still-decent team. Might have to drop Harte as well! Everyone else there is still a decent Premiership player, bar maybe Morrison.

[Greenforever]

We could make a team from the leftovers of McCarthy era who are still standing.

Given,
Finnan, Dunne, OShea, Harte;
Duff, Carsley, Healy, Kilbane;
Keane, Morrison;

It might not be a great team but it would be a team.

Swop Kilbane for Harte and you might even have the back 5 for Georgia

And you will probably have Duff, Carsley and Keane strarting as well,

So potentially 8 from the McCarthy era, and they could well be the backbone of qualification, definitley reckon all 8 will play a major part of the group stages, so where did it all go wrong under Kerr and Staunton

Ps no need to answer we all know what went wrong!

[ShamrockIreland]

Legend. One of the last remaining of the mccarthy era where hunger and pride over talent got us to a world cup.

Legend I doubt it I've never seen a more frustrating player EVER for Ireland. Must he lose the ball and run into the full-back time and again when playing on the wing. He is not a fullback and cannot defend nor position himself which was shown in his last qualifying matches for us. I think at the most he deserved 5 caps. He's awful. I've never disliked an Irish player more and will be glad if he just got on his bike and let a proper defender take his place.

[jbyrne]

Legend I doubt it I've never seen a more frustrating player EVER for Ireland. Must he lose the ball and run into the full-back time and again when playing on the wing. He is not a fullback and cannot defend nor position himself which was shown in his last qualifying matches for us. I think at the most he deserved 5 caps. He's awful. I've never disliked an Irish player more and will be glad if he just got on his bike and let a proper defender take his place.

what a load of rubbish

[Wolfie]

He's awful. I've never disliked an Irish player more and will be glad if he just got on his bike and let a proper defender take his place.
I misunderstood the thread title!

He should "Re-tyre" and get on his bike and let a proper defender take his place.

[Greenforever]

Legend I doubt it I've never seen a more frustrating player EVER for Ireland. Must he lose the ball and run into the full-back time and again when playing on the wing. He is not a fullback and cannot defend nor position himself which was shown in his last qualifying matches for us. I think at the most he deserved 5 caps. He's awful. I've never disliked an Irish player more and will be glad if he just got on his bike and let a proper defender take his place.


How many of Kilbanes games for Ireland did you actually see?

He is one of of our most consistent players, while never a regualr contender for MOTM he's always a steady performer, maybe the fact that he doesn't shirk from responsibilty he is more noticable then someone who goes missing for 89 minutes like SI

[seanfhear]

Legend I doubt it I've never seen a more frustrating player EVER for Ireland. Must he lose the ball and run into the full-back time and again when playing on the wing. He is not a fullback and cannot defend nor position himself which was shown in his last qualifying matches for us. I think at the most he deserved 5 caps. He's awful. I've never disliked an Irish player more and will be glad if he just got on his bike and let a proper defender take his place.
kevin kilbane has done many different roles for ireland and i have never heard any complaints from him.He always gives his best and is a great team player.Football is a team sport and the best people to ask about kevins contribution is his fellow professionals.I believe that he would get the thumbs up from them everytime.

[jmurphyc]

I've never disliked an Irish player more and will be glad if he just got on his bike and let a proper defender take his place.

So you prefer Stephen Ireland to him? He's a limited player but if every player in our squad had his attitude and commitment our players wouldn't be on holiday right now.

[ShamrockIreland]

what a load of rubbish

Just because I've a different view on a very poor quality player it's rubbish? How he got past 10 caps beggers belief and how he bottled it so many times(eno vs Spain, missing open goals). I've seen him play in ALL his pathetic displays since his debut in Iceland. There is giving it 100% and there is blindly picking a chap that cannot play football. He was pathetic against San Marino(A bunch of part-timers) in the last game at Lansdowne. Some of you just tow the party line and are happy with a lad giving it 100% and doing nothing. For a chap with 80 odd caps he doesn't have many goals or assists.

[ShamrockIreland]

So you prefer Stephen Ireland to him? He's a limited player but if every player in our squad had his attitude and commitment our players wouldn't be on holiday right now.

Where did I mention Stephen Ireland who although has the skill and goals in him is never going to play for us again. I have never wanted Kilbane in an Irish shirt as he lacks the skill at international level. As a person he's a nice lad and Yes he's 100% but that hasn't helped us qualify for very much. I said I hated him as a player and I'm sure there are others who agree everytime he gives the ball away.

[jbyrne]

Just because I've a different view on a very poor quality player it's rubbish? How he got past 10 caps beggers belief and how he bottled it so many times(eno vs Spain, missing open goals). I've seen him play in ALL his pathetic displays since his debut in Iceland. There is giving it 100% and there is blindly picking a chap that cannot play football. He was pathetic against San Marino(A bunch of part-timers) in the last game at Lansdowne. Some of you just tow the party line and are happy with a lad giving it 100% and doing nothing. For a chap with 80 odd caps he doesn't have many goals or assists.

it just gets better :rolleyes:

[ShamrockIreland]

it just gets better :rolleyes:

Or you just haven't the sufficient brainpower to answer and just post a little smiley to make you feel good

[Drumcondra 69er]

Or you just haven't the sufficient brainpower to answer and just post a little smiley to make you feel good


In fairness he's right, I can only assume that despite what you say you've not really watched many Ireland games over the last 10 years if you have that low an opinion of Kilbane. He's not spectacular by any stretch but is far better then he's given credit for. Any Everton fan would agree, he was hugely popular playing for them.

His good games for Ireland far outweigh his bad and he fully deserved his player of the year award for us a few years back. Think he won it at Everton at least once as well. Kilbane has completely made the most of his talents and has one of the best attitudes of any Irish player of the last decade. As has been pointed out the fact that he never hides means any mistakes he makes are more noticable but even then those mistakes are far fewer then some would have you believe.

[irishultra]

Funny that Shamrock Ireland. I would have thought Steve Bruce would know more than you.....

[jmurphyc]

There is giving it 100% and there is blindly picking a chap that cannot play football.

He's played for numerous different Premiership clubs which would suggest that he can "play football". I think he's limited as a player and I don't think he's good enough to start for us any more but he has some good qualities.


He was pathetic against San Marino(A bunch of part-timers) in the last game at Lansdowne. Some of you just tow the party line and are happy with a lad giving it 100% and doing nothing. For a chap with 80 odd caps he doesn't have many goals or assists.

You'd want to look at some of the other player's performances away to San Marino when he was one of our best players on that night. As for him being a player who doesn't have many goals or assists, he was the player in the last campaign with the most of the two combined and he's done well in this regard in previous campaigns.


Where did I mention Stephen Ireland who although has the skill and goals in him is never going to play for us again.

You said that you've never disliked any Irish player more than Kevin Kilbane. You're entitled to your opinion but I personally think that Kilbane is far more likeable than Stephen Ireland who has generally been quite lazy for us on the pitch so far and who clearly doesn't think the most of playing for our country.

As I said, I'm not a massive fan of Kevin Kilbane and think that there have often been better options available but when he goes on the pitch he gives his utmost for us. That alone should give him your respect instead of you insulting him.

[ShamrockIreland]

Funny that Shamrock Ireland. I would have thought Steve Bruce would know more than you.....

I didn't think Steve Bruce managed Ireland. Watch the previous campaign and tell me was he or was he not pulled all over the shop when a winger attacked him whilst playing at fullback. He'll be found out at Wigan or maybe they're just happy to stay up.

[ShamrockIreland]

In fairness he's right, I can only assume that despite what you say you've not really watched many Ireland games over the last 10 years if you have that low an opinion of Kilbane. He's not spectacular by any stretch but is far better then he's given credit for. Any Everton fan would agree, he was hugely popular playing for them.

His good games for Ireland far outweigh his bad and he fully deserved his player of the year award for us a few years back. Think he won it at Everton at least once as well. Kilbane has completely made the most of his talents and has one of the best attitudes of any Irish player of the last decade. As has been pointed out the fact that he never hides means any mistakes he makes are more noticable but even then those mistakes are far fewer then some would have you believe.

So I'm not entitled to my opinon then and now I haven't watched him play much for Ireland. I've not missed many Ireland games at home in the past 25 years and will post up pictures and tickets from away matches including Italia 90. I think yes he's a good attitude but he is not gifted.

[jbyrne]

I didn't think Steve Bruce managed Ireland. Watch the previous campaign and tell me was he or was he not pulled all over the shop when a winger attacked him whilst playing at fullback. He'll be found out at Wigan or maybe they're just happy to stay up.

he's been at wigan for a few years and has never let them down. in fact steve bruce singled him out near the end of the season as one of the main reasons they stayed up. the amt of times he played at full back for us ever is tiny. i can remember him starting maybe once at full back in the last campaign.

i have to ask..... do you even know who kevin kilbane actually is?

[ShamrockIreland]

he's been at wigan for a few years and has never let them down. in fact steve bruce singled him out near the end of the season as one of the main reasons they stayed up. the amt of times he played at full back for us ever is tiny. i can remember him starting maybe once at full back in the last campaign.

i have to ask..... do you even know who kevin kilbane actually is?

Are You watching a different game to me? He was played as fullback many times and is rubbish there. As a central midfielder he lost the ball and wasn't so good. As a winger he's useless and Duff,Reid,or McGeady deserve to play there ahead of him.

You know what you lot are just towing the party line here Oh isn't Kevin such a good pro. Do i know who he is do you ever watch football or are you happy that our country has played these idiots like O'Shea,Kilbane, a medicore bunch of nobodys. Wigan stayed up by the skin of their teeth and yes he did OK for a medicore team. You look ridiculous the lot of you defending a c r a p player

[jmurphyc]

You look ridiculous the lot of you defending a c r a p player

Nobody said he was great but he deserves respect for being the hardest working player on the pitch. Are we supposed to call our hard working players s**t and go on about how great players with talent like Stephen Ireland are, yet who are lazy as **** and don't seem to care a great deal about representing us?

I also see you didn't reply to my post refuting your claims that he hasn't scored or created many goals.

[Greenforever]

Are You watching a different game to me? He was played as fullback many times and is rubbish there. As a central midfielder he lost the ball and wasn't so good. As a winger he's useless and Duff,Reid,or McGeady deserve to play there ahead of him.

You know what you lot are just towing the party line here Oh isn't Kevin such a good pro. Do i know who he is do you ever watch football or are you happy that our country has played these idiots like O'Shea,Kilbane, a medicore bunch of nobodys. Wigan stayed up by the skin of their teeth and yes he did OK for a medicore team. You look ridiculous the lot of you defending a c r a p player


Would it ever enter your mind that maybe he's a better player than you give him credit for, you obviously detest him as a player and as such are not likely to have a balanced view. Given that the majority on this forum disagree with you, and for towing the party line most posters are quite happy to post poor reveiws / opinions of players so I don't thik thats a valid argument.

I detest the famous RK and the infamous SI but I still accept that one was a world class player the other has the potential to be one but not the mentality.

[paul_oshea]

he's been at wigan for a few years and has never let them down. in fact steve bruce singled him out near the end of the season as one of the main reasons they stayed up. the amt of times he played at full back for us ever is tiny. i can remember him starting maybe once at full back in the last campaign.

i have to ask..... do you even know who kevin kilbane actually is?

In fairness I love kilbane but he is very frustrating to watch and he is quite limited. I don't know why you are saying what SI said is rubbish. Kilbane is limited and to say if we had 11 kilbanes on the field would have gotten us to Championships like someone previously said is laughable.

[youngirish]

In fairness I love kilbane but he is very frustrating to watch and he is quite limited. I don't know why you are saying what SI said is rubbish. Kilbane is limited and to say if we had 11 kilbanes on the field would have gotten us to Championships like someone previously said is laughable.

They must have meant the Coca Cola Championship which unfortunately we're not elligible for but that's the standard we would be playing at with a team of Kevin Kilbane's despite all his hard graft.

Now imagine how sh*te he'd be if he didn't try so hard. Scary eh?

[jmurphyc]

Kilbane is limited and to say if we had 11 kilbanes on the field would have gotten us to Championships like someone previously said is laughable.

That was me as far as I'm aware but I didn't actually say that. I said that if all of the players had his commitment and attitude we'd have gotten to the Championships. I do agree that he is limited though. Nobody could possibly deny that.

[amaccann]

Are You watching a different game to me? He was played as fullback many times and is rubbish there. As a central midfielder he lost the ball and wasn't so good. As a winger he's useless and Duff,Reid,or McGeady deserve to play there ahead of him.

You know what you lot are just towing the party line here Oh isn't Kevin such a good pro. Do i know who he is do you ever watch football or are you happy that our country has played these idiots like O'Shea,Kilbane, a medicore bunch of nobodys. Wigan stayed up by the skin of their teeth and yes he did OK for a medicore team. You look ridiculous the lot of you defending a c r a p player
What party line? Kevin Kilbane plays his little heart out & plays with a smile on his face. Believe or not, this DOES give a player bonus points above and beyond any obvious lack of natural talent. There have been enough questions, warranted or otherwise, about the commitment and passion of the Irish team and players like Kilbane are a good tonic to show that international football still means something to some people. He certainly contrasts with a spoilt lazy talent like S. Ireland, S. Carr or a few others worth naming.

Besides, since when have we become so above ourselves that we turn our noses up at a workhorse? If we had 11 world-class players I'd accept where you were coming from but jeesuz, get some perspective :)