Irish Abroad 2008/2009

[theworm2345]

It will be interesting to see who Billy Clarke signs for.

If he has been released for nought he should be able to negotiate himself a decent contract given his end of season form.
I wouldn't be surprised if he just went back to Brentford, wouldn't be a bad move as they were promoted

[Colbert Report]

Darlington!

[Colbert Report]

Terrible day for Reading today. Down 1-0 heading into the home leg of the tie, they were played off the park by Burnley who looked very impressive and ran out eventual winners of 3-0 on aggregate.

Doyle was out with an achilles injury, according to the commentator.
Jay Tabb and Shane Long played the full 90.
Stephen Hunt came on at 52 minutes.

Michael Duff played the full 90 for Burnley and impressed me, but I don't know much if anything about him. Will he play in the Premiership next season if Burnley get promoted?

[tetsujin1979]

Michael Duff played the full 90 for Burnley and impressed me, but I don't know much if anything about him. Will he play in the Premiership next season if Burnley get promoted?Probably, but he's been capped by the North

[eirebhoy]

Terrible day for Reading today. Down 1-0 heading into the home leg of the tie, they were played off the park by Burnley who looked very impressive and ran out eventual winners of 3-0 on aggregate.

Doyle was out with an achilles injury, according to the commentator.
Jay Tabb and Shane Long played the full 90.
Stephen Hunt came on at 52 minutes.

Michael Duff played the full 90 for Burnley and impressed me, but I don't know much if anything about him. Will he play in the Premiership next season if Burnley get promoted?
How McCann play?

Burnley are actually probably the team I most wanted to get promoted from the 4.

I think Doyle and S.Hunt will be bought up. The other Irish at Reading are probably better off in the championship for another season.

I really think there's a lot of potential in McCann. He's not to dissimilar to James McCarthy in style and Owen Coyle rates him highly. Hope to see him in the premiership.

[Colbert Report]

How McCann play?

Burnley are actually probably the team I most wanted to get promoted from the 4.

I think Doyle and S.Hunt will be bought up. The other Irish at Reading are probably better off in the championship for another season.

I really think there's a lot of potential in McCann. He's not to dissimilar to James McCarthy in style and Owen Coyle rates him highly. Hope to see him in the premiership.

He played well, got into it with the ref a few times. Not sure if he's a Premiership player though.

[theworm2345]

Not sure if it counts but...

Aldridge, Whelan, and Staunton to play in Hillsborough Memorial Game
http://www.liverpoolfc.tv/news/drilldown/N164365090512-1738.htm

McAteer and Babb to play in Liverpool Legends Game in Grenada
http://www.liverpoolfc.tv/news/drilldown/N164354090512-1125.htm

[irishfan86]

David Forde looked good for Millwall between the sticks as they defeated Leeds 2-1 on aggregate to advance to the League 1 Playoff final.

He's 29 and this is only the second season he's been a starter, but if he continues to play as well as he is, he might sneak in as a third goalkeeper if we have a few injuries in the next couple of years.

[DmanDmythDledge]

He's 29 and this is only the second season he's been a starter, but if he continues to play as well as he is, he might sneak in as a third goalkeeper if we have a few injuries in the next couple of years.
Can think of five keepers better than him in the LOI off the top of my head. Plenty more across the water too I'd imagine. He shouldn't be near the squad.

[irishfan86]

Can think of five keepers better than him in the LOI off the top of my head. Plenty more across the water too I'd imagine. He shouldn't be near the squad.

Yeah, that's why I used the word sneak.

Clear top 3 are Given, Kiely, Westwood.

After that Kenny is probably the #4 choice.

No clue on LoI as I don't really have much access to the league but I'll take your word for it.

[theworm2345]

Aldridge, Whelan, and Staunton to play in Hillsborough Memorial Game
http://www.liverpoolfc.tv/news/drilldown/N164365090512-1738.htm

Aldridge scored the 2nd in a 3-1 win for Liverpool with a diving header :cool:

Aldo, Houghton, Whelan, and Stan all started

[co. down green]

Carr secures Birmingham contract

http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/teams/b/birmingham_city/8052550.stm

[Wexford Delboy]

how did doran get on today??

[tetsujin1979]

Greg Cunningham won the Man City Academy Player of the Month for April: http://www.mcfc.co.uk/default.sps?pagegid={DBD12D53-8346-431D-A04F-5D0F8664DE80}&newsid=6632747 (http://www.mcfc.co.uk/default.sps?pagegid=%7BDBD12D53-8346-431D-A04F-5D0F8664DE80%7D&newsid=6632747)

The Academy awards for March, April and May go to Dedryck Boyata, Gregory Cunningham and Kieran Trippier respectively.

[youngirish]

how did doran get on today??

He played well. Looks like he has talent though it's too early to say whether he'll go anywhere yet. He just turned 18 last week though so looks promising.

[tetsujin1979]

Irish Abroad for Sunday, 10th May 2009: http://www.chatsoccer.net/irishabroad/dateDetails.xquery?seasonID=138&date=2009-05-10
John O'Shea (http://www.chatsoccer.net/irishabroad/playerDetails.xquery?playerID=18121) came off the bench for the 12th time this season. Of the 20 games he's started on the bench, he's only been an unused sub eight times.
Stephen Ireland (http://www.chatsoccer.net/irishabroad/playerDetails.xquery?playerID=41708) picked up his ninth yellow of the season. Eight of these have been away from home
Richie Foran (http://www.chatsoccer.net/irishabroad/playerDetails.xquery?playerID=21187) scored his sixth goal of the season, and his third since moving to Inverness Caledonian Thistle
Stephen Dawson (http://www.chatsoccer.net/irishabroad/playerDetails.xquery?playerID=40420) was booked for the 12th time this season

Irish Abroad for Monday, 11th May 2009: http://www.chatsoccer.net/irishabroad/dateDetails.xquery?seasonID=138&date=2009-05-11
Damien Duff (http://www.chatsoccer.net/irishabroad/playerDetails.xquery?playerID=10515) was booked for the fourth time this season, all but one of these have come at St James' Park
Graham Barrett (http://www.chatsoccer.net/irishabroad/playerDetails.xquery?playerID=18804) scored his fifth goal of the season, and his first since moving to St Johnstone
Stephen Elliott (http://www.chatsoccer.net/irishabroad/playerDetails.xquery?playerID=37913) was introduced for the 17th time this season. He's only remained an unused substitute three times in the 20 games he's started on the bench
Stephen Quinn (http://www.chatsoccer.net/irishabroad/playerDetails.xquery?playerID=41911) picked up his seventh booking of the season, five of these have come at Bramall Lane

Irish Abroad for Tuesday, 12th May 2009: http://www.chatsoccer.net/irishabroad/dateDetails.xquery?seasonID=138&date=2009-05-12
Willo Flood (http://www.chatsoccer.net/irishabroad/playerDetails.xquery?playerID=36241) made his first appearance for Celtic in over a month, coming on as a sub in the 85th minute
Shane Long (http://www.chatsoccer.net/irishabroad/playerDetails.xquery?playerID=41355) was booked for the fourth time this season

[Closed Account]

Paddy McCarthy got into Championship and Football League Goals of the season
http://www.101greatgoals.com/videodisplay/2558701/
BQoKvnO9Xlg
Worth a watch.
Why is a Tevez goal stuck in there? League Cup, couldn't be arsed checking.
First thoughts are how the hell did Campbell Ryce not win it, but then you see
Simon Coxs winner, absolutely brilliant strike.

[tetsujin1979]

Irish Abroad for Saturday, 16th May 2009: http://www.chatsoccer.net/irishabroad/dateDetails.xquery?seasonID=138&date=2009-05-16
Robbie Keane (http://www.chatsoccer.net/irishabroad/playerDetails.xquery?playerID=11957) scored his eleventh goal of the season, this was the second penalty of 2008/2009 for the Tottenham striker
Billy Mehmet (http://www.chatsoccer.net/irishabroad/playerDetails.xquery?playerID=34664) scored his twelfth goal of the season, and his first since March 7th
Cillian Sheridan (http://www.chatsoccer.net/irishabroad/playerDetails.xquery?playerID=46153) scored his second goal on loan at Motherwell, this was the sixth goal of the season for the Celtic forward
Richie Foran (http://www.chatsoccer.net/irishabroad/playerDetails.xquery?playerID=21187) was booked for the second time in two games

Irish Abroad for Sunday, 17th May 2009: http://www.chatsoccer.net/irishabroad/dateDetails.xquery?seasonID=138&date=2009-05-17
Aaron Doran (http://www.chatsoccer.net/irishabroad/playerDetails.xquery?playerID=50870) made his third appearance of the season, and picked up his first booking
Dean Kiely (http://www.chatsoccer.net/irishabroad/playerDetails.xquery?playerID=4190) started two consecutive games for West Brom for the first time this season
Aiden McGeady (http://www.chatsoccer.net/irishabroad/playerDetails.xquery?playerID=38265) completed 90 minutes in two consecutive games for the first time since the end of March

Irish Abroad for Monday, 17th May 2009: http://www.chatsoccer.net/irishabroad/dateDetails.xquery?seasonID=138&date=2009-05-18
Four of Sunderland's seven substitutes were Irish, however only Daryl Murphy (http://www.chatsoccer.net/irishabroad/playerDetails.xquery?playerID=41274) was introduced

[drummerboy]

Liam Miller let go by QPR. Any other Irish players looking for clubs?

[tetsujin1979]

Liam Miller let go by QPR. Any other Irish players looking for clubs?
Short list in yesterday's independent: http://www.independent.ie/sport/soccer/perpetual-clouds-of-an-irish-summer-1746340.html
The list of released players is made available by the FA at the end of May I think

[youngirish]

Short list in yesterday's independent: http://www.independent.ie/sport/soccer/perpetual-clouds-of-an-irish-summer-1746340.html
The list of released players is made available by the FA at the end of May I think
Dunno whether this was posted before but it's worth a look (I followed the link from the last article).

http://www.independent.ie/sport/soccer/where-did-it-all-go-wrong-1649580.html

[SaucyJack]

Apparently Celtic have released they're entire Under-19 squad, which means Laurence Gaughan and one or two other Irish will be looking for clubs.

[tetsujin1979]

Conor Henderson came on for Arsenal in the last minute of the FA Youth Cup Final

[eirebhoy]

Yeh no time to make an impact. He did take a corner straight away though so obviously decent technique to be taking set pieces in that Arsenal team. :) I didn't realise he was as tall as that. Looks to be at least 6 foot.

[tetsujin1979]

Irish Abroad for Saturday, 23rd May 2009: http://www.chatsoccer.net/irishabroad/dateDetails.xquery?seasonID=138&date=2009-05-23
Patrick Cregg (http://www.chatsoccer.net/irishabroad/playerDetails.xquery?playerID=39953) made his first start since April 18th, and picked up his seventh booking of the season
James McCarthy (http://www.chatsoccer.net/irishabroad/playerDetails.xquery?playerID=44290) made what could be his final appearance for Hamilton Academicals. For an 18 year old to make 43 appearances (38 starts, 5 inroductions) is remarkable
Comiserations to Graham Coughlan (http://www.chatsoccer.net/irishabroad/playerDetails.xquery?playerID=9690) on losing the League Two Play Off Final

Irish Abroad for Saturday, 24th May 2009: http://www.chatsoccer.net/irishabroad/dateDetails.xquery?seasonID=138&date=2009-05-24
Darron Gibson (http://www.chatsoccer.net/irishabroad/playerDetails.xquery?playerID=42488) scored his first league goal for Manchester United, his third of the season. Gibson also picked up his first booking of the season in the final game of the Premiership season
Robbie Keane (http://www.chatsoccer.net/irishabroad/playerDetails.xquery?playerID=11957) scored his twelfth goal of the season, and second in two games
Congratulations to Joe Murphy (http://www.chatsoccer.net/irishabroad/playerDetails.xquery?playerID=15110), Cliff Byrne (http://www.chatsoccer.net/irishabroad/playerDetails.xquery?playerID=33801) and Ian Morris (http://www.chatsoccer.net/irishabroad/playerDetails.xquery?playerID=41485) on winning promotion to the Championship

I'll be compiling the season statistics soon, so let me know if there's anything you want included

[Lionel Ritchie]

Johnathan Douglas has been released by Leeds United. A new contract was on offer but seemingly the gap between the club and players valuation of his services was insurmountable.

http://www.leedsunited.com/page/LatestNewsDetail/0,,10273~1664840,00.html

[dr_peepee]

Johnathan Douglas has been released by Leeds United. A new contract was on offer but seemingly the gap between the club and players valuation of his services was insurmountable.

http://www.leedsunited.com/page/LatestNewsDetail/0,,10273~1664840,00.html

I'd say he'll have no problem finding a Championship CLub.. Was part of their midfield that got to the Championship Playoff plus a couple of League 1 play offs.

[Lionel Ritchie]

I'd say he'll have no problem finding a Championship CLub.. Was part of their midfield that got to the Championship Playoff plus a couple of League 1 play offs.

Inclined to agree. He's also earned himself quite a rep as a handy right back in recent times too. Made the L1 team of the month twice lately playing exclusively at RB. I'm sorry he's leaving but -best of luck to him.

[youngirish]

Hull are apparently interested in Miller. Hardly the sort of signing they need to be making if they want to survive in their second year in the Premiership. I thought they'd be looking for some players of a higher standard.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/gossip_and_transfers/8071304.stm

[SaucyJack]

Striker David Connolly, midfielder Arnau Riera, keepers Darren Ward and Nick Colgan and young defenders Peter Hartley and Niall McArdle have been released by Sunderland.

Of these 3, McArdle would be the most dissapointing because of his age, Maybe he'll get another team.

[irishfan86]

Hull are apparently interested in Miller. Hardly the sort of signing they need to be making if they want to survive in their second year in the Premiership. I thought they'd be looking for some players of a higher standard.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/gossip_and_transfers/8071304.stm

I suppose in fairness to Hull, Phil Brown took a team built of "Championship Players" and made them play well above their level for the first half of the season.

McShane looked a completely different player with them than he did at Sunderland, and perhaps Brown thinks he can make Miller a better player.

From their perspective, it's low risk (no transfer fee), and potentially high reward given his early potential.

Despite the fact that he's been a disappointment so far, there have been glimpses and hints of real calibre there. Does anybody remember Sunderland's match against Arsenal last season? He was the best player on the pitch.

The problem is that you get a different Liam Miller every week, and the consistency isn't there.

[tetsujin1979]

Irish Abroad statistics for May 2009: http://www.chatsoccer.net/irishabroad/may.xquery
Chris McCann (http://www.chatsoccer.net/irishabroad/playerDetails.xquery?playerID=41613), John O'Shea (http://www.chatsoccer.net/irishabroad/playerDetails.xquery?playerID=18121) and Tim Clancy (http://www.chatsoccer.net/irishabroad/playerDetails.xquery?playerID=35652) all started the most wins with three
Billy Mehmet (http://www.chatsoccer.net/irishabroad/playerDetails.xquery?playerID=34664) was the most unfortunate starter, starting four losses from his games this month
Billy Mehmet, Tim Clancy, John O'Shea, Richie Foran (http://www.chatsoccer.net/irishabroad/playerDetails.xquery?playerID=21187), and David Van Zanten (http://www.chatsoccer.net/irishabroad/playerDetails.xquery?playerID=17856) all started the most games. Each player was in the starting XI for their respective clubs five times
John O'Shea also completed 90 minutes more than any player in May, after remaining on the pitch for each of these games
Jamie McCarthy (http://www.chatsoccer.net/irishabroad/playerDetails.xquery?playerID=44290) and Cillian Sheridan (http://www.chatsoccer.net/irishabroad/playerDetails.xquery?playerID=46153) were withdrawn from the action more than anyone else in May, both were substituted twice
Midfielder Alan O'Brien (http://www.chatsoccer.net/irishabroad/playerDetails.xquery?playerID=40591) was introduced to the action three times in May, the most for any player
Nicky Colgan (http://www.chatsoccer.net/irishabroad/playerDetails.xquery?playerID=1548), Paul McShane (http://www.chatsoccer.net/irishabroad/playerDetails.xquery?playerID=11080) and Adam Rooney (http://www.chatsoccer.net/irishabroad/playerDetails.xquery?playerID=43228) remained on the substitutes bench four times each
Sean St Ledger (http://www.chatsoccer.net/irishabroad/playerDetails.xquery?playerID=34723), Jamie McCarthy (http://www.chatsoccer.net/irishabroad/playerDetails.xquery?playerID=44290) and Robbie Keane (http://www.chatsoccer.net/irishabroad/playerDetails.xquery?playerID=11957) were the top scorers in the fifth month of 2009. Each player found the back of the net twice
Robbie Keane scored the only penalty in May
Tim Clancy and Richie Foran were booked more than anyone else in May. Both players were shown the yellow card twice

[tetsujin1979]

Irish Abroad statistics for 2008/2009: http://www.chatsoccer.net/irishabroad/season.xquery
Chris McCann (http://www.chatsoccer.net/irishabroad/playerDetails.xquery?playerID=41613) started more wins this season than any other player. The Burnley midfielder won 29 times. Despite what some have called an indifferent season, Robbie Keane (http://www.chatsoccer.net/irishabroad/playerDetails.xquery?playerID=11957) won more games than any other striker, with 21
McCann also started more games than any other player. He was in the starting XI 56 times this season, Sean St Ledger (http://www.chatsoccer.net/irishabroad/playerDetails.xquery?playerID=34723) was second with 51 starts
Stephen Quinn (http://www.chatsoccer.net/irishabroad/playerDetails.xquery?playerID=41911), Paddy Kenny (http://www.chatsoccer.net/irishabroad/playerDetails.xquery?playerID=15285) and Keiren Westwood (http://www.chatsoccer.net/irishabroad/playerDetails.xquery?playerID=37039) all drew the most games in 2008/2009. Each player started a game that finished all square 15 times
McCann, St Ledger and Kenny also completed 90 minutes more than any other player. Each player started and finished 49 games
Shay Given (http://www.chatsoccer.net/irishabroad/playerDetails.xquery?playerID=2898) and Jamie McCarthy (http://www.chatsoccer.net/irishabroad/playerDetails.xquery?playerID=44290) were the surprising players with the most starting losses. The goalkeeper and promising midfielder both started on the losing side 20 times
Noel Hunt (http://www.chatsoccer.net/irishabroad/playerDetails.xquery?playerID=34469) was substituted more than any player. The Reading striker was withdrawn from the action 21 times. Keiren Westwood was the only goalkeeper substituted this season
Shane Long (http://www.chatsoccer.net/irishabroad/playerDetails.xquery?playerID=41355) was introduced from the bench more than any other player, coming on 26 times in 2008/2009
Colin Doyle (http://www.chatsoccer.net/irishabroad/playerDetails.xquery?playerID=38296) was the unfortunate player to remain on the bench for the greatest amount of games. The Birmingham goalkeeper was unused in 40 games this season. Dean Kiely (http://www.chatsoccer.net/irishabroad/playerDetails.xquery?playerID=4190) was second with 39 times on the bench. Darren O'Dea (http://www.chatsoccer.net/irishabroad/playerDetails.xquery?playerID=41533) was a distant third, staying on the bench for 26 games
Kevin Doyle (http://www.chatsoccer.net/irishabroad/playerDetails.xquery?playerID=41354) was the top scorer for 2008/2009. The Wexford striker scored 18 times for Reading this season. Sean St Ledger scored twice as many goals as any other defender, hitting six this season. Honourable mention for Barnet's John O'Flynn (http://www.chatsoccer.net/irishabroad/playerDetails.xquery?playerID=49962). The former Cork striker hit 18 goals for the Bees. Reading's Stephen Hunt (http://www.chatsoccer.net/irishabroad/playerDetails.xquery?playerID=17143) scored the most penalties, finding the back of the net four times from 12 yards
Celtic went on to win every game Aiden McGeady (http://www.chatsoccer.net/irishabroad/playerDetails.xquery?playerID=38265) scored in. Thje winger's goals contributed to no less than 9 wins for the Glasgow side. Noel Hunt and Kevin Doyle had similar records for Reading. Both players contributed goals to 10 wins and a single draw for the Royals
Stephen Ireland (http://www.chatsoccer.net/irishabroad/playerDetails.xquery?playerID=41708) and Richie Foran (http://www.chatsoccer.net/irishabroad/playerDetails.xquery?playerID=21187) both picked up the most bookings. Each player was shown a yellow card nine times. The vast majority of Ireland's booking were away from home, with only one coming at Eastlands

[tetsujin1979]

That's the Irish Abroad season done and dusted until 2009/2010 starts in August and ends in July (hopefully).
I'm working on something else at the moment to keep me going over the summer that I'm going to need some volunteers for. Details to follow...