Irish Abroad 2008/2009

[tetsujin1979]

Irish Abroad for Saturday, 14th March 2009: http://www.chatsoccer.net/irishabroad/dateDetails.xquery?seasonID=138&date=2009-03-14
Dave Mooney (http://www.chatsoccer.net/irishabroad/playerDetails.xquery?playerID=49791) scored his second goal in two games. Mooney was also booked in the same game
Clinton Morrison (http://www.chatsoccer.net/irishabroad/playerDetails.xquery?playerID=10566) scored his first goal in 2009, his eleventh overall this season
Kevin Maher (http://www.chatsoccer.net/irishabroad/playerDetails.xquery?playerID=13772) scored his first goal of the season
Anthony Pilkington (http://www.chatsoccer.net/irishabroad/playerDetails.xquery?playerID=45924) picked up his first booking of the season
Scott Davies (http://www.chatsoccer.net/irishabroad/playerDetails.xquery?playerID=46717) scored his thirteenth goal of the season, by far the top scoring Irish midfielder this season
After only starting one game this season before February, Tim Clancy (http://www.chatsoccer.net/irishabroad/playerDetails.xquery?playerID=35652) has completed three games in a row
Richie Foran (http://www.chatsoccer.net/irishabroad/playerDetails.xquery?playerID=21187) scored his fifth of the season

Irish Abroad for Sunday, 15th March 2009: http://www.chatsoccer.net/irishabroad/dateDetails.xquery?seasonID=138&date=2009-03-15
Robbie Keane (http://www.chatsoccer.net/irishabroad/playerDetails.xquery?playerID=11957) picked up his first booking for tottengam, his third of the season
Darren O'Dea (http://www.chatsoccer.net/irishabroad/playerDetails.xquery?playerID=41533) scored his first goal since 26 December 2006
Aiden McGeady (http://www.chatsoccer.net/irishabroad/playerDetails.xquery?playerID=38265) scored his fifth goal of the season, and his first penalty
Both players were booked in the same game

Irish Abroad for Tuesday, 17th March 2009: http://www.chatsoccer.net/irishabroad/dateDetails.xquery?seasonID=138&date=2009-03-17
Jimmy Ryan (http://www.chatsoccer.net/irishabroad/playerDetails.xquery?playerID=47021) scored his second goal in two games, his ninth of the season
Stephen Hunt (http://www.chatsoccer.net/irishabroad/playerDetails.xquery?playerID=17143) was introduced on 84 minutes for Reading, but still found time to be booked!
After starting only one game in February, Thomas Butler (http://www.chatsoccer.net/irishabroad/playerDetails.xquery?playerID=14777) has completed the last three games in a row for Swansea

Irish Abroad for Wednesday, 18th March 20089: http://www.chatsoccer.net/irishabroad/dateDetails.xquery?seasonID=138&date=2009-03-18
After not starting a game in 2009, Stephen McPhail (http://www.chatsoccer.net/irishabroad/playerDetails.xquery?playerID=13638) has completed the last 2 games in a row for Cardiff
Mark Kennedy (http://www.chatsoccer.net/irishabroad/playerDetails.xquery?playerID=4136) was an unused substitute for only the second time this season

[eirebhoy]

3 Irish in Stokes 4 man midfield today.

[paudie]

John O'Flynn got 2 in Barnet's 3-2 win over Lincoln yesterday.

[bwagner]

A jeraime Pennant looking dude was called into our under 19s , He is a striker and already played a few games for his club Barnsley

[tetsujin1979]

Irish Abroad for Saturday, 21st March 2009: http://www.chatsoccer.net/irishabroad/dateDetails.xquery?seasonID=138&date=2009-03-21
Keith Andrews (http://www.chatsoccer.net/irishabroad/playerDetails.xquery?playerID=17402) scored his third of the season, his first at Ewood Park
Damien Duff (http://www.chatsoccer.net/irishabroad/playerDetails.xquery?playerID=10515) started his first game for Newcastle in almost a month
Glen Whelan (http://www.chatsoccer.net/irishabroad/playerDetails.xquery?playerID=26767) picked up his fifth yellow card of the season
After starting the last eight games in a row, Keith Fahey (http://www.chatsoccer.net/irishabroad/playerDetails.xquery?playerID=32429) was an unused sub against Norwich
Alan Mahon (http://www.chatsoccer.net/irishabroad/playerDetails.xquery?playerID=4733) started his first game of the season
David Bell (http://www.chatsoccer.net/irishabroad/playerDetails.xquery?playerID=23804) scored his first of the season
Alan Judge (http://www.chatsoccer.net/irishabroad/playerDetails.xquery?playerID=49809) opened his goalscoring account for the season
Mark Yeates (http://www.chatsoccer.net/irishabroad/playerDetails.xquery?playerID=35004) scored his eleventh of the season, and his first goal since the 27th January 2009
John O'Flynn (http://www.chatsoccer.net/irishabroad/playerDetails.xquery?playerID=49962) scored his seventeenth of the season, and third in two games

Irish Abroad for Sunday, 22nd March 2009: http://www.chatsoccer.net/irishabroad/dateDetails.xquery?seasonID=138&date=2009-03-22
Daryl Murphy (http://www.chatsoccer.net/irishabroad/playerDetails.xquery?playerID=41274) made his first start since the 4th February, and first in the league this year
Andy Reid (http://www.chatsoccer.net/irishabroad/playerDetails.xquery?playerID=23629) picked up his second booking of the season in the same game
Caleb Folan (http://www.chatsoccer.net/irishabroad/playerDetails.xquery?playerID=28492) made his first appearance for Hull in almost a month
Stephen Quinn (http://www.chatsoccer.net/irishabroad/playerDetails.xquery?playerID=41911) scored his eighth of the season to help condemn Cardiff to a 3-1 loss.
This was the first home game Cardiff have lost when Mark Kennedy (http://www.chatsoccer.net/irishabroad/playerDetails.xquery?playerID=4136) has started
Willo Flood (http://www.chatsoccer.net/irishabroad/playerDetails.xquery?playerID=36241) made his first appearance in over a month for Celtic as a second half substitute

[theworm2345]

A jeraime Pennant looking dude was called into our under 19s , He is a striker and already played a few games for his club Barnsley

Looked him up, Jamil Adam is his name and apparently he's played for the Nigeria under 20s already so this would be a good steal if he ends up being good, also could spice up the Nigeria friendly (though thats probably too soon)

[tetsujin1979]

A jeraime Pennant looking dude was called into our under 19s , He is a striker and already played a few games for his club Barnsley
Just the once, a cup tie in January against West Ham, he came on late in the game. He was an unused sub in the League Cup game against Crewe in August

According to the fai site here - http://www.fai.ie/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=4122 - he qualifies through his parents

"Terry Conroy, who is the FAI’s Welfare Officer in Britain, brought Jamil Adam to our attention. He qualifies through parentage and was keen to represent Ireland. He is a player that can play on the wing or just off the main striker, so he could give us something different attack. Like a lot of this squad, he is still Under-18 and is eligible to play again at this level next season.”

[tetsujin1979]

Jay O'Shea being scouted by West Ham: http://www.imscouting.com/global_news_item.aspx?id=1627

[Tipp Townie]

Just signed Gary on loan till the end of the season:

http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/foot...on/7965559.stm

Might've missed out on Gannon for manager, but at least he has the decency to give us some players instead!

Can anyone tell me a bit more about Dicker? ie. strengths, weaknesses etc?

[Longfordian]

Dave Mooney extends his loan at Norwich til the end of the season.

http://www.eleven-a-side.com/acrossthewater/news.asp?n=36203

[zackmorris]

David Hutton to Cheltenham:

http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/teams/c/cheltenham_town/7966509.stm

Stephen Gleeson to Mk dons:

http://www.skysports.com/story/0,19528,11719_5099766,00.html

Scannell out for season:

http://www.skysports.com/story/0,19528,11688_5103397,00.html

[cheifo]

I have never seen Alan Judge play but seems like he could be a genuine contender for the senior match.

[zackmorris]

Hutton could earn a permanent move to Cheltenham:

http://www.thisisgloucestershire.co.uk/sport/news/Spurs-duo-s-chance-earn-deals/article-851005-detail/article.html

[zackmorris]

Interview with Harry Arter:


http://www.kentonline.co.uk/kol08/article/default.asp?article_id=58528

[tetsujin1979]

Greg Cunningham is in the Man City squad for the prestigious (it says here) Dallas Tournament, also including AC Milan, Eintracht Frankfurt, Toronto, Tigres, River Plate, Sao Paolo, and Vancouver Whitecaps

Despite being a winger/forward when he signed for City, Cunningham has been playing at left back for the youth team

[zackmorris]

Chris Fagan signs for Hamilton, good be a good move for him if he gets game time:

http://www.skysports.com/story/0,19528,11781_5128921,00.html

[Colbert Report]

Ian Harte out with a broken hand

http://www.skysports.com/story/0,19528,11732_5139583,00.html

[Colbert Report]

No Kevin Doyle or Noel Hunt in the Reading matchday sixteen for the game at Coventry today. Stephen Hunt named on the bench. What's going on here? Are they too knackered to play?

[tetsujin1979]

Irish Abroad Statistics for March 2009: http://www.chatsoccer.net/irishabroad/march.xquery
Paddy Kenny (http://www.chatsoccer.net/irishabroad/playerDetails.xquery?playerID=15285), Chris McCann (http://www.chatsoccer.net/irishabroad/playerDetails.xquery?playerID=41613), Kevin Foley (http://www.chatsoccer.net/irishabroad/playerDetails.xquery?playerID=32354) and Stephen Quinn (http://www.chatsoccer.net/irishabroad/playerDetails.xquery?playerID=41911) tied for the most wins. Each player claimed three points in four separate games in March
Coventry players Kieran Westwood (http://www.chatsoccer.net/irishabroad/playerDetails.xquery?playerID=37039) and Michael Doyle (http://www.chatsoccer.net/irishabroad/playerDetails.xquery?playerID=35384) topped the biggests losers table, both players lost the same four games
Alan Judge (http://www.chatsoccer.net/irishabroad/playerDetails.xquery?playerID=49809) and Anthony Stokes (http://www.chatsoccer.net/irishabroad/playerDetails.xquery?playerID=42483) were both substituted more than any other player. Both were summoned to the bench four times
Conversely, Andy Keogh (http://www.chatsoccer.net/irishabroad/playerDetails.xquery?playerID=39039) was introduced more than any other player. The Wolves striker was brought on five times in March
Another sparse month in front of goal for Irish players. Shane Long (http://www.chatsoccer.net/irishabroad/playerDetails.xquery?playerID=41355) was top scorer with just three goals

[The Good Son]

Irish Abroad Statistics for March 2009: http://www.chatsoccer.net/irishabroad/march.xquery


Unless I'm mistaken, John O Flynn doesn't seem to be included in that site.
I think he would've been the top Irish scorer for March with five for Barnet.

[tetsujin1979]

Unless I'm mistaken, John O Flynn doesn't seem to be included in that site.
I think he would've been the top Irish scorer for March with five for Barnet.
Nope, he's there: http://www.chatsoccer.net/irishabroad/playerDetails.xquery?playerID=49962&seasonID=138
I don't include players in League One, League Two and the Scottish First Division in the monthly stats, it would simply be unreadable. I'm considering limiting the amount of players in each category to the top 10 for that reason.
Also, since players in those divisions have little to no chance of being included in the senior International side, it's not really worth comparing their records to players who are more than likely in contention for a squad place under Trapattoni. If you really want the entire list of scorers for March, or any other statistic for that matter, feel free to ask and I'll post it here.

I am aware of a minor bug that means that players from Championship or Premiership club who are on loan at League One or League Two clubs (eg Wayne Henderson, Scott Davies, etc) get included in the monthly stats pages, but I should have that sorted out soon.

[The Good Son]

Nope, he's there: http://www.chatsoccer.net/irishabroad/playerDetails.xquery?playerID=49962&seasonID=138
I don't include players in League One, League Two and the Scottish First Division in the monthly stats, it would simply be unreadable. I'm considering limiting the amount of players in each category to the top 10 for that reason.
Also, since players in those divisions have little to no chance of being included in the senior International side, it's not really worth comparing their records to players who are more than likely in contention for a squad place under Trapattoni. If you really want the entire list of scorers for March, or any other statistic for that matter, feel free to ask and I'll post it here.

I am aware of a minor bug that means that players from Championship or Premiership club who are on loan at League One or League Two clubs (eg Wayne Henderson, Scott Davies, etc) get included in the monthly stats pages, but I should have that sorted out soon.
Very good, that makes sense.

[Wexford Delboy]

john o flynn joint third top scorer in league 2 with 17goals leader has 19

[tetsujin1979]

Irish Abroad for Saturday, 4th April 2009: http://www.chatsoccer.net/irishabroad/dateDetails.xquery?seasonID=138&date=2009-04-04
Robbie Keane (http://www.chatsoccer.net/irishabroad/playerDetails.xquery?playerID=11957) scored his first penalty of the season, his tenth goal of the season
Richard Dunne (http://www.chatsoccer.net/irishabroad/playerDetails.xquery?playerID=10583) picked up his fifth booking of the season
Daryl Murphy (http://www.chatsoccer.net/irishabroad/playerDetails.xquery?playerID=41274) started two league games in a row for the first time since August 2008
Julian Kelly (http://www.chatsoccer.net/irishabroad/playerDetails.xquery?playerID=49554) started his first game for Reading since the 27th January 2009
Chris McCann (http://www.chatsoccer.net/irishabroad/playerDetails.xquery?playerID=41613) scored his eighth of the season, and only his second away from Turf Moor
Ian Morris (http://www.chatsoccer.net/irishabroad/playerDetails.xquery?playerID=41485) completed 90 minutes for only the sixth time this season
Stephen Gleeson (http://www.chatsoccer.net/irishabroad/playerDetails.xquery?playerID=45301) made his debut on loan for MK Dons
Billy Clarke (http://www.chatsoccer.net/irishabroad/playerDetails.xquery?playerID=41447) scored in his second game for Brentford. That's the third different club the Ipswich striker has scored for this season.
John O'Flynn (http://www.chatsoccer.net/irishabroad/playerDetails.xquery?playerID=49962) scored his third penalty of the season, that's his eighteenth goal for Barnet in 2008/2009
Paul Marshall (http://www.chatsoccer.net/irishabroad/playerDetails.xquery?playerID=50981) was booked for the first time this season
James O'Brien (http://www.chatsoccer.net/irishabroad/playerDetails.xquery?playerID=47373) scored his first goal of the season

Irish Abroad for Sunday, 5th April 2009: http://www.chatsoccer.net/irishabroad/dateDetails.xquery?seasonID=138&date=2009-04-05
Darron Gibson (http://www.chatsoccer.net/irishabroad/playerDetails.xquery?playerID=42488) was an unused sub for the fifteenth time this season
John O'Shea (http://www.chatsoccer.net/irishabroad/playerDetails.xquery?playerID=18121) completed his 26th game of the season for Manchester United, double his total in 2007/2008
Mark Kennedy (http://www.chatsoccer.net/irishabroad/playerDetails.xquery?playerID=4136) and Stephen McPhail (http://www.chatsoccer.net/irishabroad/playerDetails.xquery?playerID=13638) both started for Cardiff for the first time since 30th November 2008
Patrick Cregg (http://www.chatsoccer.net/irishabroad/playerDetails.xquery?playerID=39953) picked up his sixth booking of the season
Congratulations to Lewis Emanuel (http://www.chatsoccer.net/irishabroad/playerDetails.xquery?playerID=20948), Dean Brill (http://www.chatsoccer.net/irishabroad/playerDetails.xquery?playerID=33656), Keith Keane (http://www.chatsoccer.net/irishabroad/playerDetails.xquery?playerID=36727), and Michael Spillane (http://www.chatsoccer.net/irishabroad/playerDetails.xquery?playerID=43110) on winning the Football League Trophy with Luton

[Stuttgart88]

Check this out

http://www.guardian.co.uk/football/chalkboards/create

Applicable to any player in the Premiership over the last few seasons but useful if you want to check an Irish player's performance / stats in any given game.

[eirebhoy]

Check this out

http://www.guardian.co.uk/football/chalkboards/create

Applicable to any player in the Premiership over the last few seasons but useful if you want to check an Irish player's performance / stats in any given game.
****ing hell that's a brilliant app!

Just picked a random Sunderland match vs Stoke in February. Andy Reid certainly gets around the pitch.

[shakermaker1982]

yeah I've been messing around with the chalkboard for a while now and it's a quality application. Geek heaven!!!

[WexCar]

Mcgeady and O'Dea scored for celtic against Falkirk tonight
JJ o'Toole started and scored for Sheff Utd yesterday

[zackmorris]

Kurtis Byrne doing well in Scotland:

http://edinburghnews.scotsman.com/sport/Hibs-spirit-symbolised-by-Byrne.5124024.jp

Also Ryan Carolan on trial at Gillingham:

http://www.kent-online.co.uk/kol08/article/default.asp?article_id=59618

[theworm2345]

John Egan, a defender from Cork and Patrick McEleney, a striker from Derry will join Sunderland as full time scholars.

Both are u17 internationals
http://www.safc.com/news/sunderland-finalise-2009-academy-intake.html?

[zackmorris]

Aaron Doran on the bench for blackburn today, keith treacy starts. David Hutton scores first league goal of his career for Cheltenham last night.

[tetsujin1979]

Irish Abroad for Tuesday, 7th April 2009: http://www.chatsoccer.net/irishabroad/dateDetails.xquery?seasonID=138&date=2009-04-07
JJ O'Toole (http://www.chatsoccer.net/irishabroad/playerDetails.xquery?playerID=47180) scored his ninth of the season. That was the midfielder's first goal since the 13th December 2008
Sean Thornton (http://www.chatsoccer.net/irishabroad/playerDetails.xquery?playerID=26299) scored his third of the season

Irish Abroad for Wednesday, 8th April 2009: http://www.chatsoccer.net/irishabroad/dateDetails.xquery?seasonID=138&date=2009-04-08
Aiden McGeady (http://www.chatsoccer.net/irishabroad/playerDetails.xquery?playerID=38265) scored his seventh goal of the season, and second in successive games
Darren O'Dea (http://www.chatsoccer.net/irishabroad/playerDetails.xquery?playerID=41533) scored his second of the season in the same game

Irish Abroad for Thursday, 9th April 2009: http://www.chatsoccer.net/irishabroad/dateDetails.xquery?seasonID=138&date=2009-04-09
Stephen Ireland (http://www.chatsoccer.net/irishabroad/playerDetails.xquery?playerID=41708) scored his eleventh goal of the season, this was the midfielder's third goal in Europe this season
Shay Given (http://www.chatsoccer.net/irishabroad/playerDetails.xquery?playerID=2898) picked up his third booking of the season in the same game

Irish Abroad for Friday, 10th April 2009: http://www.chatsoccer.net/irishabroad/dateDetails.xquery?seasonID=138&date=2009-04-10
Julian Kelly (http://www.chatsoccer.net/irishabroad/playerDetails.xquery?playerID=49554) completed two successive games for Reading for the first time
Congratulations to David Hutton (http://www.chatsoccer.net/irishabroad/playerDetails.xquery?playerID=51293) on scoring the first goal of his professional career
Alan Dunne (http://www.chatsoccer.net/irishabroad/playerDetails.xquery?playerID=21674) was the second Irishman sent off in less than a week, following Lee Carsley's dismissal against Wolves

[zackmorris]

hutton doing well at cheltenham:

http://www.thisisgloucestershire.co.uk/sport/cheltenhamtown/news/Hutton-confident-Robins-contract/article-901400-detail/article.html

Spillane signs new contract at Norwich:

http://www.skysports.com/story/0,19528,11688_5192162,00.html

[Colbert Report]

No Kevin Doyle in the matchday squad for Reading today.

[tetsujin1979]

missed out with a knee problem, didn't play on monday either
more info here: http://www.sportinglife.com/football/nationwide1/news/story_get.cgi?STORY_NAME=nonwire_soccer/09/04/17/manual_114907.html

[SkStu]

Stoke Blackburn was the live game here today. Stoke are pretty close to guaranteeing their survival.

Whelan was outstanding today and (i would say) was better overall than Liam Lawrence who was superb and won man of the match. Delap was a little quieter than usual and Kelly was solid but unspectacular.

Andrews for Blackburn is not a premiership quality player based on that performance. Schoolboy errors of holding on to the ball too long, was directly at fault for the Stoke goal giving the ball away with a sloppy pass near his own box. Pretty unimpressive.

[DmanDmythDledge]

Liam Lawrence on target for Stoke today. Looks like Stoke are going to stay up to so he will get a proper shot at impressing in the Premiership next season.

[Longfordian]

Another goal for Dave Mooney for Norwich against Ipswich.

[Carrigaline]

Christy Fagan has signed for Hamilton Academicals from the Glenn Hoddle Academy.

http://www.glennhoddleacademy.com/player_signs_Hamilton_deal.html

Good to see the lad has gotten a second chance, also encouraging that James McCarthy put in a good word for him.

[tetsujin1979]

Irish Abroad for Saturday, 18th April 2009: http://www.chatsoccer.net/irishabroad/dateDetails.xquery?seasonID=138&date=2009-04-18
Liam Lawrence (http://www.chatsoccer.net/irishabroad/playerDetails.xquery?playerID=19046) scored his second goal of the season
Aaron Doran (http://www.chatsoccer.net/irishabroad/playerDetails.xquery?playerID=50870) was on the bench for Blackburn for the second consecutive game
Kevin Kilbane (http://www.chatsoccer.net/irishabroad/playerDetails.xquery?playerID=4193) picked up his second yellow of the season
Paul Heffernan (http://www.chatsoccer.net/irishabroad/playerDetails.xquery?playerID=17996) scored his second goal in three games, and tenth of the season
Mark Yeates (http://www.chatsoccer.net/irishabroad/playerDetails.xquery?playerID=35004) scored his twelfth goal of the season
Billy Clarke (http://www.chatsoccer.net/irishabroad/playerDetails.xquery?playerID=41447) scored his third penalty of the season

Irish Abroad for Sunday, 19th April 2009: http://www.chatsoccer.net/irishabroad/dateDetails.xquery?seasonID=138&date=2009-04-19
Alan Quinn (http://www.chatsoccer.net/irishabroad/playerDetails.xquery?playerID=14604) scored his second goal of the season
In the same game, Dave Mooney (http://www.chatsoccer.net/irishabroad/playerDetails.xquery?playerID=49791) notched his third goal on loan at Norwich

[drummerboy]

http://www.bbc.co.uk/blogs/paulfletcher/2009/04/lower_league_wanderer_looking.html#075814

Billy Clarke
Billy Clarke hates driving, so this must obviously be one of those cruel twists of fate that life sometimes throws up. That's because the 21-year-old is currently on his third loan spell of the season and racking up the miles behind the wheel.

First Darlington, then Northampton and now Brentford - no wonder the Irishman has developed an intimate knowledge of the motorway system. In the course of my entire interview with him he only swore once, it was almost an instinctive reaction and came immediately after I asked Clarke how many miles his car has done.

An added complication, though a very welcome one, is that Clarke's girlfriend is heavily pregnant and so he is coming to the end of one of the more unusual and hectic campaigns a lower league player is ever likely to encounter.

Or, as Clarke puts it: "You might say that I have been around the block."

Billy Clarke in action for Northampton TownClarke, technically, is an Ipswich Town player, has been since he came over to these shores from his native Cork at the age of 15. Having represented the Republic of Ireland at a range of junior levels, he was seen as a player with immense potential.

He made his first-team debut for the Tractor Boys as a 65th-minute substitute in a 2-1 defeat at Cardiff in late November 2005, replacing current boss Jim Magilton. A first start came the following month before Clarke was loaned out shortly afterwards to nearby Colchester to gain some first-team experience. He may not have known it then but it was the shape of things to come.

The forward played fairly regularly for Ipswich in the 2006-07 campaign, opening with three goals in five games, and again during the early months of last season. He slipped out of the picture after Christmas and was loaned out to Scottish side Falkirk for the final three months.

After failing to score in his previous 43 appearances for Town, Clarke realised at the start of the current campaign that he would be unlikely to play much of a role this season.

"I kind of knew from day one I wouldn't be getting a game," he told me.

Clarke was not about to sit around in the reserves. And if he felt like a young man with a point to prove, he has certainly put the miles in to change people's perception of him.

First up came Darlington, too far from Ipswich to commute so the club put him up in the same hotel as another new arrival, Liechtenstein international Franz Burgmeier.

Clarke scored eight goals in 20 appearances as Darlington started the season strongly. He often played in the hole between midfield and attack, earning rich praise from Steve Claridge, who did a scouting report on the player for The Guardian newspaper. Clarke's loan expired at the end of 2008 and Darlington's promotion hopes have since hit the buffers. Then again, many things at Darlington haven't worked out as anticipated. For example, entering administration wasn't part of the blueprint when the season started back in August.

Clarke did not hang around and joined League One side Northampton on loan at the end of January. The club put him up in a flat owned by a former player and he was able to train at Ipswich in the early part of the week before linking up with his new team-mates as matchday approached.

He made a breakneck start for the Cobblers, scoring after two minutes of his debut and notching a hat-trick in the 5-1 demolition of Crewe. "I seem to settle in and adapt quite well, which is obviously a good thing," he said.

His final stop this season was Brentford, joining in late March to help ease a striker crisis at the club after injuries to Jordan Rhodes and Nathan Elders. Charlie MacDonald, a key player at Griffin Park over the previous months, also suffered a season-ending injury shortly after Clarke's arrival.

Billy Clarke celebrates scoring for Brentford

As with Northampton, Clarke has trained with Ipswich on Monday and Tuesday before motoring down to London to train with the Bees on Thursday and Friday. He is staying in a hotel just a couple of minutes walk from the ground and seems to be genuinely enjoying his time with the club.

If the pressure was on Clarke when he arrived he has definitely responded, with three crucial goals in five games so far. All of his goals have come in different games and Brentford are now all but promoted. A win against Dagenham on Tuesday will ensure Andy Scott's team move into the (relatively) fast lane of League One football next season.

Should that happen, Clarke will once again end the season celebrating promotion. It was the same back in 2006, when he played the last six games for Colchester. The Essex club secured a place in the Championship and Clarke even got a medal. But talking to him about the experience, I got the impression that he felt a little like a gatecrasher at someone else's party. It may well be the same again this season.

"It is good to be part of something every footballer wants and it is good to see all the lads getting the rewards for the hard work they have put in," said Clarke.

More than anything, I got the feeling Clarke would like to celebrate a promotion having spent an entire season with a club, having been through the highs and the lows and done all the hard yards.

As it turns out, he will be released by Ipswich at the end of the season, which means his future is up in the air.

The Irishman says he has enjoyed his time at Brentford and would seriously consider an offer from them. He hopes his form has done enough to get him noticed, to earn him a permanent deal somewhere.

In the meantime, he will become a dad in July and, after spending a season on the road, living out of suitcases and continually meeting new team-mates, he is ready to settle down.

"I want to play for a good club that has a chance of doing well whatever league they are in," he said. "Fingers crossed, I'll have a baby by next season and I don't want to be moving around, leaving the missus to look after him all the time."

It is time for the lower league wanderer to find a permanent place to park.

[the doc]

http://www.pnefc.net/page/NewsDetail/0,,10362~1636071,00.html


http://www.lep.co.uk/pnenews/St-Ledger-pledges-to-stay.5192356.jp

More awards for St Ledger! :)

[irishfan86]

Thanks for the update doc, let's hope he gets a run in the Nigeria friendly.

O'Shea's injury shows us just how desperate we are at centre-half right now.

[seanfhear]

Thanks for the update doc, let's hope he gets a run in the Nigeria friendly.

O'Shea's injury shows us just how desperate we are at centre-half right now.
He certainly deserves an opportunity.

[Colbert Report]

Caleb Folan starts for Hull today against Liverpool.

[WexCar]

Alex Bruce taken off after 27 minutes and replaced by Jonathon Stead

[tetsujin1979]

Caleb Folan starts for Hull today against Liverpool.
Sent off, straight red.
Deserved it too, Skrtel was blocking him, fell over and Folan lashed out at him. Didn't make contact, but the intent was clear.

[micls]

Alan Bennett(captain) and Billy clarke both scoring for Brentford to send them up as champions.

[Colbert Report]

That might be it for Caleb Folan. I see him playing in the Championship at best next season, even if Hull do manage to stay up. He needs a good run of thirty or forty first team starts, even at a lower level.

[tetsujin1979]

Irish Abroad for Monday, 20th April 2009: http://www.chatsoccer.net/irishabroad/dateDetails.xquery?seasonID=138&date=2009-04-20
Stephen Quinn (http://www.chatsoccer.net/irishabroad/playerDetails.xquery?playerID=41911) was substituted for the second game running, that hasn't happened to the Dubliner since November

Irish Abroad for Tuesday, 21st April 2009: http://www.chatsoccer.net/irishabroad/dateDetails.xquery?seasonID=138&date=2009-04-21
Shane Long (http://www.chatsoccer.net/irishabroad/playerDetails.xquery?playerID=41355) scored his seventh goal of the season
Diarmuid O'Carroll (http://www.chatsoccer.net/irishabroad/playerDetails.xquery?playerID=45983) scored his fifth goal of 2008/2009
Matt Holland (http://www.chatsoccer.net/irishabroad/playerDetails.xquery?playerID=3567) came of the bench for the second consecutive game. He hasn't started a game since March 14th

Irish Abroad for Wednesday, 22nd April 2009: http://www.chatsoccer.net/irishabroad/dateDetails.xquery?seasonID=138&date=2009-04-21
John O'Shea (http://www.chatsoccer.net/irishabroad/playerDetails.xquery?playerID=18121) is the fifth Irish player this season to be introduced from the bench, and then substituted. The others are Cillian Sheridan, Lee Trundle, Karl Moore and Anthony Stokes