Shamrock Rovers

I'm not a Rovers fan (KCFC 'till they died!), but I think it's borderline embarrassing that their players are given no attention here yet every move Lapira (for example) makes is updated.

We have very few players playing in the Europa League of CL this year. Rovers have qualified for the group on their own merit and with a vast majority of Irish players. Who does anybody who actually knows what they are talking about think could make the senior step-up from Rovers to international level? I couldn't care less for the usual "Irishman v. LOI" rubbish. If anyone has an honest opinion on Rovers players and their Ireland chances lets hear them!

I think Trapattoni, after going to a Bohs game a couple of years ago, said he basically wouldn't pick any LOI players. They'd have to move abroad first.

There's a vast gulf between who could step up and who has an actual chance. I for one can't see Trappatoni considering any Rovers player for a call-up, though on the strength of their performances, surely Dennehy, McCabe and a host of their central midfielders could be considered for at least a pre or post season trainign camp to show what they can do.

Rovers have shown their class tonight, and if they give a good account of themselves against some decent European teams this Autumn surely their squad deserves a scouting. If they get routinely hockied in the group, with no stand-out performances, however, maybe Trap could be forgiven for still overlooking them.

TL;DR
Dennehy, McCabe, Finn, O'Donnell, etc.

btw I haven't seen enough of him defensively to judge, but Stevens seems to be quite comfortable going forward. Impressed me against Juve last year, and in the games I've seen him in since. Any opinions on him as a prospect?

Well Sullivan was arguably the best performer over the two legs so he'd probably be one of the first in line; I think Trapattoni also made mention of McCabe as far back as last year's cup final at the Aviva. McCormack definitely has potential as well, but they'll probably all need to reproduce their great performances in the forthcoming group games to really stand a chance of gaining caps.

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Originally Posted by Philly

I'm not a Rovers fan (KCFC 'till they died!), but I think it's borderline embarrassing that their players are given no attention here yet every move Lapira (for example) makes is updated.

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Unfortunately, Lapira did get a cap while not a single Rovers player has (I'm not saying its right, but its a fact, though likely to change soon as Ryan Thompson could get called up for Jamaica). Thats why I keep up to date with his moves, if Stan hadn't decided to usher in a new low and throw him on I really wouldn't care.

Ryan Thompson was already capped for Jamaica in 2004. Although not whilst at Rovers.

I've always held Ken Oman in very high esteem. He's an absolute brute. He was fantastic when playing with Derry anyway. Conor McCormack is another excellent player and still only 21. Same for Ronan Finn although he's a bit older.

Who else?... Oh, reckon we could poach Chris Turner? ;)

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Originally Posted by DannyInvincible

Ryan Thompson was already capped for Jamaica in 2004. Although not whilst at Rovers.

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Egg on the face!

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Originally Posted by theworm2345

Egg on the face!

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I can understand why someone might assume he'd never been anywhere near an international set-up though.

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Originally Posted by DannyInvincible

Ryan Thompson was already capped for Jamaica in 2004. Although not whilst at Rovers.

I've always held Ken Oman in very high esteem. He's an absolute brute. He was fantastic when playing with Derry anyway. Conor McCormack is another excellent player and still only 21. Same for Ronan Finn although he's a bit older.

Who else?... Oh, reckon we could poach Chris Turner? ;)

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Turner is more than good enough for the Northern Ireland squad. It's the same as Mannus - if the SPL came knocking he'd be the first name of Nigel's teamsheet.

Speaking as a Rovers fan, no player on our team could immediately make the step up to international football. If they went full-time and performed well in Europe, I think Finn, Stevens and McCormack would be able to make the step up. Oman is a quality LOI defender but he's too slow to make it at international level.

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Originally Posted by DannyInvincible

I can understand why someone might assume he'd never been anywhere near an international set-up though.

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I run a website on Caribbean Football and am a regular at The Reggae Boyz forum...no excuses!

Nothing thread irrelevant to the Irish team, move to rubbish please.

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Originally Posted by Philly

I'm not a Rovers fan (KCFC 'till they died!), but I think it's borderline embarrassing that their players are given no attention here yet every move Lapira (for example) makes is updated.

We have very few players playing in the Europa League of CL this year. Rovers have qualified for the group on their own merit and with a vast majority of Irish players. Who does anybody who actually knows what they are talking about think could make the senior step-up from Rovers to international level? I couldn't care less for the usual "Irishman v. LOI" rubbish. If anyone has an honest opinion on Rovers players and their Ireland chances lets hear them!

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In fairness you will find plenty of discussion on them in the LOI section. Realistically I dont think any would merit a call up right away but there is a few of the younger lads who have a chance. Have been very impressed with Stevens and think he could make the step up in the next few years - a good europa league campaign would have him attracting many 'bigger' clubs.

I think every section of foot.ie should havea thread on rovers' achievement. Sensational.

I can't comment on who may be good enough for the senior team, but plenty of LOI players have been in the underage teams of late.

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Originally Posted by Murfinator

Nothing thread irrelevant to the Irish team, move to rubbish please.

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nothing post irrelevant to this thread, move to rubbish please

To be fair, the reason why there is little LOI discussion on here is because successive Irish management teams have failed to show any interest in selecting LOI players. Rovers' fantastic achievement could be the dawn of a new era for the LOI or it could be a flash in the pan. If it's the former then hopefully this will force the Irish management (as well as the public) to take a closer look at the domestic game.

Considering that a growing number of our senior internationals have a LOI background, I don't see why a clearly talented footballer like Ronan Finn shouldn't be in the frame for a senior call-up.

Chris Turner should be in the NI squad anyways. Call him up Nigel or otherwise we will!

I would have said before that Oman should be playing at a higher level - but that sounds very wrong after last night. He's a fine centre half and any team he's a member of looks weaker without him. Given how many kids are associated with the National team at centre half, unproven or not rated at club level (Clark/O'Dea), there's no reason why he shouldn't be considered if he performs as one would expect him to in the group stages

Enda Stevens has been technically very good anytime I've seen him, he's a current 21 and it's a position we're weak in. He's an obvious candidate. Haven't seen as much of Finn, but loads of good reports about him.

The one player I'd jizz myself over is McCormack. Very young, continental background, and looks composed on the ball. He'll shine in the group stages I'd reckon. He's the one to watch.

Is it feasible for LOI players to go straight into international footbal though (excepting the minnows, obviously). The LOI is beginning to look like a great foundation stone for player development in the international context with c.10 ex-LOI players in or around the senior squad right now. However, I still think that these guys need some time in "finishing school*" to make the transition.

* not talking about goalscoring here!

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Originally Posted by Stuttgart88

Is it feasible for LOI players to go straight into international footbal though (excepting the minnows, obviously). The LOI is beginning to look like a great foundation stone for player development in the international context with c.10 ex-LOI players in or around the senior squad right now.

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It'd be very nice to see that be the case: any number of players start out in the third flight or lower in England and gradually work their way up, and if the LoI was widely seen a viable alternative route, I think everyone would benefit from it. Lots of other countries do this.

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However, I still think that these guys need some time in "finishing school*" to make the transition.

* not talking about goalscoring here!

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I suspect it's only true of some of them - I remember an LoI fan pointing out a little bitterly that Kevin Doyle was suddenly good enough for international selection after a pre-season with Reading but not before. Probably the difficulty is figuring out who does and who doesn't. Games at the level of the group stages of the Europa league might be interesting to Trapattoni for that purpose. Or not - who knows?

As a Shamrock Rovers supporter since the 1960s I am thrilled that they have made it through to the group stages of the Europa League. However, I have heard all these arguments before and I recall a few LoI players representing Ireland but it doesn't work out long term. If they are good enough, they go abroad and that's a fact. By way of example, Stephen O'Donnell was signed by Arsenal, didn't get a game, moved to Falkirk and then came home. A useful player but not international class. Is there a clamour in Scotland for Gary Twigg to play for them? I doubt it.

Let's just rejoice in the achievement. If anything as a friend of mine said, it's a vindication for Summer football as well.

Roll on Spurs!!