O'Mahoney Dilemna

Ireland have arranged a under 19 friendly in France for December 3rd next, and of course have named Steven O'Mahoney in their squad. Presuming we get what we deserve against Kildare on Sunday, we'll be otherwise engaged on Wednesday 3rd December, hopefully in the Brandywell or Belfield or Pike.
This leaves our kid with a dilemna: does he support the club and line out for us, maybe jeapordising his future international prospects, and the prospect of a big move: Or play for his country, and put himself in the shop window in the event we don't get promoted??
I know its easy for us to all go with the 'support the club, they got you where you are today' moniker, but it could be a dreadfully hard call for Steven to make. Either way, we should respect his wishes.
SLK, fancy setting up a 'what should steven do'?? poll...

I couldn't agree more that it's O'Mahony's decision at the end of the day and we should respect it regardless. Hopefully he'll stick around though! :)

And the poll is on it's way!

Club or country dilemna here...

well, lets hope the Lad has a choice to make after the weekend game.

With LFC form and Kildare stumbling I believe he will have to make a choice. :)

I would hope he would opt for country, if his ambition is to get on in soccer.;).

You left out an option SLK, will he go to Kerry for the weekend?:D

I voted for Ireland thought he was playing County on that day;)

Kerry sounds like a very good option for a weekend!!:p now why would I say that.

IMHO he should play with us but either way he has pleayed great stuff all year. Must mention however the other fellow countyman of mine..James Sugrue has developed as the season has gone on to be a model team member and solid player and big thanks must go out to him as well.

As Stephen's No. 1 fan it would be terrible if he were to miss the first play-off game. As was said earlier it is a dilemma I hope he has to face.

The issue I suppose for him is whether he would actually play if he went out to France. It would probably be better for his long-term career to be involved with as many international squads as possible, so if he goes that's fair enough.

I just hope McCaffrey woul dbe understanding if he did decide to play with Limerick and wouldn't hold it against him. He is also the U-20 manager and Stephen should bear that in mind too.

On balance, if he has a call to make I think he should go and good luck to him. By the way he is the only eL player in the squad

Who would take his place at right full? Jamesie? And put Heff on the left and Shane on the right side of midfield I guess. It would leave us even lighter in terms of bodies in case there are suspensions or injuries coming out of Sunday.

Quote:

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Originally posted by JohnD
the other fellow countyman of mine

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The penny drops. Now that explains it all.... :)

Very tough one - there is no black or white answer. It would be better for us were he to invest all his energy into Limerick FC, but if the guy wants to develop as a player he will probably concentrate on the Ireland game.

Surely playing premier division football next season matters more than an international friendly, in terms of his career? The irish manager should understand, after all Stephen was on all the other squads, so if he's good enough now, missing one game shouldn't make a difference.

Then again it is international football, so its a hard call. I'd find it hard to leave Limerick in mid-battle if it was myself.

Quote:

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Originally posted by 4tothefloor
Surely playing premier division football next season matters more than an international friendly, in terms of his career?

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I think the problem for Stephen is that playing first division football (and there is a slight outside minor possibility we might not get promoted) does not put him in the line of sight of an international manager. He has to take every opportunity to impress McCaffery. What if he doesn't go and some Crewe or Doncaster full back is brought and does well. Stephen won't have any competitive games between now and the January tournament. The Euro championships come up next Summer (there is a qualifying tournament in January) and that would be a huge opportunity for Stephen in terms of his career. The more I think about it the more I think he would crazy not to go, sorry and all as I would be to see it.

In any event it is only one match out of four that he will miss. And if doesn't get a game in France he will be nice and fresh for the Sunday match. :)

respect for the man whatever decision he makes . great propect.

Hopefully he stays and plays for limerick we need him he's been super all season.It's a tough decision to make im sure the ireland management team would understand if he wanted to play in the playoffs they surely know by now what he can do.