Irish Abroad 2008/2009

[tetsujin1979]

From football365's "Other Teams Have Teenagers Too" article: http://www.football365.com/story/0,17033,8750_4189913,00.html

BLACKBURN: Alan Judge (19)
Republic of Ireland Under-21 midfielder/striker given the no 25 shirt this season by Paul Ince after a reserve season that reaped seven goals from just 15 games. Spent time with the Rovers' first-team squad in pre-season and made his debut against Grimsby in the first round of the League Cup.

HULL: Jamie Devitt (18)
Republic of Ireland youth international who was voted the club's Young Player of the Year last season and was awarded the number 36 jersey for this season. But with 12 midfielders ahead of him in the pecking order, he will almost certainly have to wait for a first-team chance.

Have to say I know nothing about the lad at Hull

[Colbert Report]

Stephen Carr

Ian Harte

Where or will these players play this season? Why not trot out together for an Eircom League side instead of "training".

[Carrigaline]

Ireland got a decent goal against Brighton, despite the fact they lost on penalties.

[Carrigaline]

Stephen Carr

Ian Harte

Where or will these players play this season? Why not trot out together for an Eircom League side instead of "training".
No way either player would join an Eircom League team. The most they would get paid would be about €3k a week. If they were willing to lower their pay demands, they could easily find a club for double what any Eircom League team would pay.

[eirebhoy]

For anyone that cares, I see Ben Burgess and Barry Roche are both studying for a degree in professional sports writing and broadcasting at Stafford University.

Source:
http://www.bbc.co.uk/blogs/gavinstrachan/2008/09/welcome_to_the_gavin_strachan.html

[theworm2345]

For anyone that cares, I see Ben Burgess and Barry Roche are both studying for a degree in professional sports writing and broadcasting at Stafford University.

Source:
http://www.bbc.co.uk/blogs/gavinstrachan/2008/09/welcome_to_the_gavin_strachan.html
They're smart, giving them a career after football.

[Dodge]

No way either player would join an Eircom League team. The most they would get paid would be about €3k a week. If they were willing to lower their pay demands, they could easily find a club for double what any Eircom League team would pay.

Easily? Both still out of work are they?

And LOI teams most certainly would not pay full backs €3k per week...

[co. down green]

Marc Wilson (http://footballtube.magnify.net/video/portsmouth-young-player-of-th) made his first team debut for Portsmouth in their defeat to Chelsea mid-week.

[Carrigaline]

Easily? Both still out of work are they?
Carr would have been on about £20k at Newcastle. Harte would have been on £10k a Sunderland. The Championship clubs looking at either player would probably only be offering half the wages of what they used to be on. Harte especially will be asking, "Is it worth my while to move half-way accross England to work for £5k a week?".

Gary Kelly was in the same situation last year with Leeds. Rather than take a salary cut to continue playing, he retired at 32.

[Supreme feet]

Was it 2006 or 2007 that Kelly retired? If it was last year, he would have been 34. I remember there was talk of him joining Drogs, but it never happened.

Great stuff at the Madejski - Noel Hunt, Steven Hunt and Doyle (2) on the scoresheet in a 4-0 win. Ben Burgess and John-Joe O'Toole scored for their clubs too. Only five Irish players started in the Premiership today. :(

[Carrigaline]

I see Reading won 4-0 today and Irish players scored all the goals.

2 for Doyle and a goal apeice for the brothers Hunt.

[Wexford Delboy]

doyle seems to be on a bit of form...pity he picked up an injury going for his hattrick:(

[tetsujin1979]

Only five Irish players started in the Premiership today. :(

I counted 7 -Keane, Miller, Duff, Given, Liam Lawrence, Andy O'Brien and McShane

[Manc Irish Wolf]

Sorry to keep banging on about it but Foley & Ward are playing blinding at the minute. Few links from molineux mix below:

http://www.molineuxmix.co.uk/vb/showthread.php?t=31126&page=3

http://www.molineuxmix.co.uk/vb/showthread.php?t=31943

Reading on Tuesday will be a real test.

[Supreme feet]

I counted 7 -Keane, Miller, Duff, Given, Liam Lawrence, Andy O'Brien and McShane

Ah you're right, I posted before the Hull game, discounting McShane, and I simply ignored Andy O'Brien!

[tetsujin1979]

Ah you're right, I posted before the Hull game, discounting McShane, and I simply ignored Andy O'Brien!
Well, if you wanted to get technical, 5 squad players started!

[theworm2345]

Keane considers Connolly loan
http://www.skysports.com/story/0,19528,11095_4206829,00.html

[Manc Irish Wolf]

Steven Quinn was the star man in the Sunday Times getting 9 out of 10 - although reading some of the Sheff Utd fansites it appears that he's not universally liked. His brother Keith is supposed to be on the fringes and sounds like a decent central midfielder (bizarrely likened to Ben Watson)

:http://boards.footymad.net/mboard/fmb.php?tno=463&fid=221&sty=2&act=1&mid=2128267985

They've also got another player who has broken through and impressesd as an attacking right back called Kyle Naughton who could be eligible. Only 19 and the blades fans are raving about him. Trained with England U15 as a schoolboy but not capped at under age level.

[robertob]

Patrick Kohlmann -> http://www.transfermarkt.de/de/spieler/2169/patrickkohlmann/profil.html

He is a regular for the german 3. Bundesliga club Union Berlin and gaves an assist today in the Derby against Jena.
I've saw him this season two times and think he is a really good left back.

[Irish_Praha]

Patrick Kohlmann -> http://www.transfermarkt.de/de/spieler/2169/patrickkohlmann/profil.html

He is a regular for the german 3. Bundesliga club Union Berlin and gaves an assist today in the Derby against Jena.
I've saw him this season two times and think he is a really good left back.

If I remember correctly he couldn't even get his game for Dortmund's second team. Didn't know he moved on. The German 3rd league is about the same standard as the EL 1st division and he's already 25. So I wouldn't see much chance of him imporving enough to be considered for the Irish squad. Maybe he looked good because he's finally found his level?

[eirebhoy]

Stephen Hunt has 9 assists this season (7 in league and 2 in the cup)! Next best is 4 players on 4 assists (Noel Hunt and Jonathan Walters 2 of those).

[third policeman]

Stephen Hunt has 9 assists this season (7 in league and 2 in the cup)! Next best is 4 players on 4 assists (Noel Hunt and Jonathan Walters 2 of those).




Maybe another one who "has found his level." (I know i'm harsh on Hunt but I feel obliged to compensate for all the inaproppriate hype he gets from some quarters)

[third policeman]

Stephen Hunt has 9 assists this season (7 in league and 2 in the cup)! Next best is 4 players on 4 assists (Noel Hunt and Jonathan Walters 2 of those).




Maybe another one who "has found his level." (I know i'm harsh on Hunt but I feel obliged to compensate for all the inaproppriate hype he gets from some quarters)

[Manc Irish Wolf]

Went to the Wolves v Reading game last night (the scoreline was flattering after we were chasing the game from a fortuitous early goal from a corner)Quick lowdown on the Irish Boys:

Kevin Foley: Absolutely Immense - great passing, positioning (cleared off the line), was actually the most inventive attacking player we had in the latter stages shooting from range and at one point taking around three players - not sure if he was incentivised by Old Trap being there (If he was there? enough players on show) as he was exceptional. Essentially had Hunt in his pocket with all the goals coming from set pieces and the from the other side.

Stephen Ward: Was getting doubled up on as they obviously saw him as a potential weak link on the left however dealt with it masterfully. Tackling and distribution are quality. Got caught a couple of times put had pace enough to rectify the situation up against good winger (Jimmy Kebe)

Andy Keogh - Playing up front but confidence is shot. Crowd have no confidence in his striking ability and it's filtered fully down to him. Had a one on one to equalise and essentially passed it into the keepers arms.

Kevin Doyle - Quality movement and a constant threat as you'd expect. Best striker on the pitch by miles. Hope he leaves at Christmas.

Stephen Hunt - Full of running however nullified by Foley. His corners are a constant menace though - him and delap as a set piece sub combination if is a prospect.

Shane Long - Didn't play with James Henry preffered as sub. Worrying that a 19 year old is coming on at his expense. Needs goals quick when his next chance arises.

Foley plaudits from the Wolvesboard here. The new Irwin/Finnan - throw him in.

http://www.molineuxmix.co.uk/vb/showthread.php?t=32080

[Supreme feet]

With Scholes and Possebon injured for Man Utd, and Carrick and Hargreaves constantly in and out, Darron Gibson might get his chance soon - particularly in the Carling Cup, or if Man U get out of their CL group with games to spare. He's a good prospect, and I'd like to see him prove himself.

[Colbert Report]

Stephen Carr linked with a return to Newcastle

[zackmorris]

Does anyone know where Stephen Bradley is these days? he was at Falkirk but they couldn't afford to keep him so they had had to let him go. Also, bad news for Conor Henderson, looks like he is out for the rest of the season after getting injured on his debut for the Arsenal reserves. let's hope that we don't have another Terry Dixon on our hands...

[bwagner]

steven capper ???? what the hell happened him ??

[Dodge]

He was on trial at a number of LOI teams and none deemed him worthy or a contract

[co. down green]

With Scholes and Possebon injured for Man Utd, and Carrick and Hargreaves constantly in and out, Darron Gibson might get his chance soon - particularly in the Carling Cup, or if Man U get out of their CL group with games to spare. He's a good prospect, and I'd like to see him prove himself.

Seems to have had a decent game for Man U reserves (http://www.northwichguardian.co.uk/sport/football/3724652.Reserves_Report__United_1_Wigan_Athletic_2/) on Thursday and Fergie did give him a mention as a possible option (http://www.goal.com/en/Articolo.aspx?ContenutoId=895181).

[Longfordian]

He was on trial at a number of LOI teams and none deemed him worthy or a contract

Harps gave him one for a while if I recall correctly. I remember him getting picked for Ireland U21s ahead of Paisley and Dillon when both were at Longford, and our then manager Alan Mathews saying he wouldn't put him on the Town team never mind Ireland. It seems his fellow EL managers weren't far removed from that opinion.

[Carrigaline]

I noticed that former Cork City player, John O' Flynn, nabbed a goal for Barnet today.

[Wangball]

Billy Mehmet has started the season very well for St Mirren, if I'm not mistaken he already has a couple of U21 caps...may play his way into contention for the B Squad

[tetsujin1979]

Irish Abroad for Sunday, 5th October 2008: http://www.chatsoccer.net/irishabroad/dateDetails.xquery
Damien Duff gets his second goal for Newcastle
Stephen Ireland scores his third of the season, his first at Eastlands
Graham Barrett scored his second of the season

I've added in a Team Statistics page, so you can see how an Irish player starting for each team affects the overall team performance: http://www.chatsoccer.net/irishabroad/teamStats.xquery
For instance, Paul McShane has a 100% win ratio away from home, which is far better than Hull's overall record of 60% away wins

Also added are the statistics for September: http://www.chatsoccer.net/irishabroad/september.xquery

I've been on holidays lately, so I haven't been updating the site regularly, but it's all up to date now

[zackmorris]

Eddie Nolan has joined preston on a 3 month loan deal, could be a good move for him...

[tetsujin1979]

Liverpool's Shane O'Connor played for Stockport County last night against Wrexham in a trial game: http://www.stockportcounty.premiumtv.co.uk/page/DevelopmentSquad/0,,10419~1416280,00.html

[Closed Account]

Givens calls Pilkington into U21 squad to replace McCarthy (http://www.fai.ie/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=3679)

Don Givens has called Anthony Pilkington of Stockport County into the Republic of Ireland Under-21 squad to face Lithuania next Tuesday. Pilkington, who is yet to be capped for Ireland, will replace James McCarthy of Hamilton Academicals, whom Givens has decided to withdraw from the squad in order to give the player a rest.Know anything about this lad? First I've heard of him. Thank god Don Givens scouting techniques are better than mine.

[tetsujin1979]

Givens calls Pilkington into U21 squad to replace McCarthy (http://www.fai.ie/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=3679)
Know anything about this lad? First I've heard of him. Thank god Don Givens scouting techniques are better than mine.
Nothing, here's his wiki entry: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Anthony_Pilkington
He was born in Blackburn, wonder how he qualifies? I presume this means his brother qualifies as well?

[co. down green]

Maybe Stephen Gleesen alerted Givens to Pilkington (http://www.stockportcounty.premiumtv.co.uk/page/ProfilesDetail/0,,10419~38092,00.html).

He's also in the u21 squad.

[Closed Account]

Anthony Pilkington (http://www.stockportcounty.premiumtv.co.uk/page/ProfilesDetail/0,,10419%7E38092,00.html)

Anthony, who has represented British Catholic Colleges and the England College Under-19 side,Maybe he qualifies the same way as Kieran Westwood.....

[RiffRaff]

I'm not too sure why Paddy Kenny hasnt been given a look by Trap, but he seems determined

http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/teams/s/sheff_utd/7663220.stm

[theworm2345]

Graham Kavanagh joins League One Carlisle on loan

[livehead1]

Anthony Pilkington (http://www.stockportcounty.premiumtv.co.uk/page/ProfilesDetail/0,,10419%7E38092,00.html)
Maybe he qualifies the same way as Kieran Westwood.....

The College sides don't have a lot to do with nationality. They select the best players in the colleges regardless of nationality.

[the doc]

Preston North End Vital showcases the work of a young USA journalist Andrew McCarten, who combines his interest in PNE and the Eire team.

ASSESING PRESTON NORTH END`S IRISH DUO AND THEIR INTERNATIONAL CHANCES

With Giovanni Trapattoni having taken the reins as the Republic of Ireland`s new manager after Steve Staunton`s tenuous spell, Preston`s Irish pair of Wayne Henderson and Sean St. Ledger will surely have been reassessed by the new management team, including Italian legend Marco Tardelli and former Irish star Liam Brady. This article will look at how Henderson and St. Ledger can be of use to the Boys in Green, and what their international careers may hold. As a devout Irish fan who has taken an interest in PNE recently, this piece seemed an interesting combination of both.

Wayne Henderson- In a perfect world, the Irish goalkeeping setup is quite simple; Shay Given is always healthy and starting, while the younger goalkeepers battle it out to fill out the depth chart and stake their claim for keeper of the future. Sadly, Given`s track record is littered with injuries, and this has opened the door for many Irish goalkeepers to make their way into the squad and onto the field. Wayne Henderson has 6 senior caps for Ireland, the last coming in August of 2007, when Ireland thrashed Denmark 4-0. Henderson was included in the Trap`s initial 40 man squad to face Serbia and Colombia, along with 5 other goalkeepers. However he did not make the cut for the final squad, which saw Dean Kiely (West Brom) return for Ireland after a five year hiatus, as well as little-used Colin Doyle (Birmingham City) and Joe Murphy (Scunthorpe United). Dean Kiely`s return will mean he will surely be Given`s deputy, presumably until after the World Cup 2010 should Ireland qualify. But Scott Carson`s recent move to West Brom means that Kiely may end up having to share time or sit the bench, which could hurt his chances. This means that there is probably just one spot left in the squad, as Ireland always carries three goalkeepers. The contenders: Colin Doyle, Joe Murphy, Darren Randolph (Charlton Athletic, U21 keeper), Kierin Westwood (Coventry City) and Brian Murphy (Bohemians FC). Doyle has just one senior cap, against Ecuador on the USA tour in May of 2007, and since he continues to have Northern Irish #1 Maik Taylor picked ahead of him in the Birmingham City squad his chances have drastically decreased of becoming the third goalkeeper, although with more playing time the 23 year old Cork native could be a bright prospect for the future. Joe Murphy has been desperate to leave Scunthopre after their relegation to League One in hopes of improving his international chances. His only senior appearance came in 2003, although he had been included in many of Staunton`s recent squads and was on the bench for the friendlies against Serbia and Colombia. He has recently suffered a torn groin and will miss the start of the season, and if he doesn`t switch to a higher level club he may be out of the reckoning for Ireland. Darren Randolph is the current U21 goalkeeper, but his erratic form both for country and during his loan spell at Bury last year meant he was probably the easiest cut from the 40 man squad. Unless a breakthrough comes at Charlton, or he dazzles on loan somewhere, Randolph has a few years yet before making an impact for the senior squad, although he does have time at just 21 years of age. Kierin Westwood was a surprise pick for the May friendlies, and was called up to replace Doyle after he suffered an injury. This sparked outrage from many Irish fans, as Brian Murphy of Bohemians, the best goalkeeper in the domestic league, was overlooked although English-born Westwood described himself by saying: "I`m not Irish but I`m a good Catholic boy." His move to Coventry City greatly improve his chances of being picked, as Trap seems to rate him highly. If he can capture the starting job then a strong case will have been made. Although he could be there on merit alone, adding Murphy to the squad would be a very important gesture to eircom league to show its rapid rise up the European league totem pole. So where does this leave Henderson, you may be asking? Well, Henderson`s first job will be assuring at least a part-time share of Preston`s starting goalkeeper. If Andy Londregan continually starts while Henderson rides the pine, there is virtually no hope of a call-up. However, if Henderson can capture and maintain the starting spot than good things may lie ahead. Surely he would be, in my opinion, the favorite to be the third goalkeeper in the squad, and with the injuries hitting Irish goalkeepers as of late (including himself), if he stays healthy his chances greatly improve. Given will surely be the starter if fit, and Kiely the backup, but Henderson can learn many things from these two experienced keepers and this will help his form for Preston. Also, playing in World Cup qualifiers and potentially World Cup matches if the chips fall his way will make him a much better player for both club and country. With Given 32, and Kiely 37, the next generation of Irish goalkeepers are set to take the torch in the coming years. At the very least, I would expect Henderson to be in the squad in the coming years for Ireland, and if he can become the starter for PNE (and maybe a promotion to the Premier League, who knows!) it is conceivable to see
Henderson being the Irish number 1 for at least a short period of time in the future; at the very least, I would expect him to build on his 6 cap total.

Sean St. Ledger- Perhaps the most odd thing the Birmingham native`s Irish career is that he is still yet to receive a cap for Ireland! Steve Staunton discovered St. Ledger`s Irish roots during his tenure, however, and he was a regular in Stan`s squads. Surprisingly, he was left out of Trapattoni`s 40 man squad, which included the enigma that is Paul McShane (Sunderland), Damien Delaney (QPR), Alex Bruce (Ipswich Town), and Kevin Foley (Wolves). The Irish back four is pretty much set in stone, as Richie Dunne (Man City) and John O`Shea (Man U) are the best choice for centre backs, and Stephen Kelly (Birmingham City) is certain to be the choice for left back. Steve Finnan`s pending return to international football means the right back situation is unsolved. If Finnan were to return, he would most likely regain his RB starting spot. If not, Kelly would perhaps move to right back while Darren O`Dea`s (Celtic) rapid progress has seen him go from a U21 regular, to U21 captain and star, to starting hopeful, despite not earning a senior cap yet. He has repeatedly pleaded with Bhoys boss Gordon Strachan to allow him to play more, and it seems to be working as this season saw him make the most appearances of any during his time at Celtic. But since O`Dea is primarily used as a centre back, any lineup with him partnering Richie Dunne would likely see the versatile O`Shea move to LB/RB. O`Dea will also have to hope for continued playing time at Parkhead to stay in Trap`s reckoning. Alex Bruce, son of famous Manchester United and England legend Steve Bruce, has just one cap for the Irish senior side, against Ecuador in May 2007. He has been a regular in the squad though, and is good cover at least. His versatility also plays a major part in his inclusions, as he can play both CB and left or right back. And now on to Sean St. LEGEND. His continued excellent displays for PNE seem to have gone overlooked mostly, although he has been regularly included in the squad before. His exclusion from Trap`s 40 man squad came as a real shock to myself and many Irish and PNE fans I know, as his versatility and talent seemed capable of at least the 40 man squad. He provides excellent cover at the very least, and is surely more suitable to international football than the likes of Alex Bruce. Ideally, St. Ledger can make the squads as a backup defender, able to play both CB and on the flanks. If he stays fit and continues to play as well as he has at Deepdale, there is no reason why he shouldn`t be a semi-regular in the upcoming Irish squads.
The upcoming season should tell us a lot about these two players. Henderson will have to prove he deserves to be the Whites` starting keeper, and St. Ledger will have to show Trapattoni and the Irish backroom staff that they made a mistake by overlooking him for the 40 man squad. At the very least I would expect someone involved with the Irish setup to attend one or two of Preston`s matches, probably against another team with many Irish internationals such as Reading or Wolves. If both players put their heads down and work hard this season, they can make a difference playing for both Preston North End and the Republic of Ireland.

[tetsujin1979]

Preston North End Vital showcases the work of a young USA journalist Andrew McCarten, who combines his interest in PNE and the Eire team.

If not, Kelly would perhaps move to right back while Darren O`Dea`s (Celtic) rapid progress has seen him go from a U21 regular, to U21 aptain and star, to starting hopeful, despite not earning a senior cap yet. He has repeatedly pleaded with Bhoys boss Gordon Strachan to allow him to play more, and it seems to be working as this season saw him make the most appearances of any during his time at Celtic. But since O`Dea is primarily used as a centre back, any lineup with him partnering Richie Dunne would likely see the versatile O`Shea move to LB/RB. O`Dea will also have to hope for continued playing time at Parkhead to stay in Trap`s reckoning.
Good article, but I'd have a problem with the highlighted section above.
Darren played 21 times for Celtic in 2006/2007 (14 starts, 7 introductions from the bench), but only 9 times in 2007/2008 (5 starts, 4 introductions from the bench) and spent a quite frankly astonishing 34 games on the bench. So far this season he's come off the bench once and been an unused sub 6 times.

[Qwerty]

Does anyone know where Stephen Bradley is these days? he was at Falkirk but they couldn't afford to keep him so they had had to let him go. Also, bad news for Conor Henderson, looks like he is out for the rest of the season after getting injured on his debut for the Arsenal reserves. let's hope that we don't have another Terry Dixon on our hands...

He is unattached as they say.

[the doc]

St Ledger disappointed not to be called up for the B squad! Not even been contacted by anyone involved in selection of the squads either.

Seems we are stuck with the mediocrity that is McShane and Bruce!

Whats even more compounding is that St Ledger is playing even better now than when he was first selected for Ireland.

Whats going on?


http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/teams/p/preston/7671571.stm

[eirebhoy]

Seems we are stuck with the mediocrity that is McShane and Bruce!
We? I'd never have guessed you were an Ireland fan. :) It won't do you any harm to make posts that don't contain the words St Ledger every now and then. ;)

As I said to you before, McShane was bloody outstanding for Brighton in the Championship.

[the doc]

We? I'd never have guessed you were an Ireland fan. :) It won't do you any harm to make posts that don't contain the words St Ledger every now and then. ;)

As I said to you before, McShane was bloody outstanding for Brighton in the Championship.

Did you see him play for Brighton? I doubt it! McShane was poor at WBA and even worse at Sunderland too.

Next you will be telling me that Alex Bruce was outstanding at Birmingham and Ipswich!

[eirebhoy]

Did you see him play for Brighton? I doubt it! McShane was poor at WBA and even worse at Sunderland too.

So you followed McShane's time at West Brom enough to make judgement on him. Yet you dismiss my opinion of his time at Brighton, in the same league... Get a grip.