Latics trial for Murphy

Latics trial for Murphy
by Alex Dunn - created on 28 Jun 2005

Oldham Athletic have taken West Brom goalkeeper Joe Murphy on trial.

The 23-year-old custodian has been pushed out of Bryan Robson's first team plans over the past couple of seasons and is now looking for a move to resurrect his stalled career.

Latics boss Ronnie Moore is keen to add another goalkeeper to his ranks as he looks for competition for regular number one Les Pogliacomi.

Murphy joined West Brom from Tranmere having shown tremendous promise at the League One outfit but has struggled to ever establish himself at The Hawthorns.

The Republic of Ireland international will report for pre-season training at Boundary Park as he looks to earn a permanent contract.

Bit of a drop... He's still getting in the Ireland squad ahead of Colgan, isn't he? That might have to change... Colgan or Stack maybe. Any other decent keepers coming through?

Colgan should never have been near an international squad in the past or in the future.

I saw him a few times and he was brutal although I accept we're not exactly blessed with cover in that department.

Actually there's a good argument there for ignoring EL talent again. Mick Devine for one would be a much better choice than Colgan.

Please may we never see Colgan in an Irish squad again. What's the point?

Having a 31 year-old who can't get into Dundee United's first-team is a waste of a squad place IMHO. The only benefit I can see in having a 3rd 'keeper is to give a young guy the experience, perparing for the future. Stack is the obvious 3rd choice at the moment but I think he will be out of the squad until his legal troubles are cleared up. Joe Murphy is probably next up.

Saul Deeney had a great year at Notts County but is rumoured to have refused a new contract. Wayne Henderson is highly rated but needs to get his career started properly. Darren Randolph at Charlton is supposed to be good and Shane Supple at Ipswich was MOTM in the FA Youth Cup Final second leg, live on SKY.

I've seen virtually no eL football in the last 6 years but I was impressed by Dan Connor when he played for the Irish U21s against Russia. Any young eL keepers making waves?

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Originally Posted by pineapple stu

Bit of a drop... He's still getting in the Ireland squad ahead of Colgan, isn't he? That might have to change... Colgan or Stack maybe. Any other decent keepers coming through?

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Darren Randolph is the reserve keeper at Charlton, excellent prospect and highly rated, defo an Irish keeper of the future.

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Originally Posted by Stuttgart88

Wayne Henderson is highly rated but needs to get his career started properly.

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I thought with Postma having to move on over the stories about his private life that Henderson would get his chance, then Villa signed Stuart Taylor.

At least it'll be one less keeper for Stack to face at Arsenal

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Originally Posted by tetsujin1979

I thought with Postma having to move on over the stories about his private life

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Haven't heard anything about this, what's the craic? He hasn't done a Bernt Haas has he :D

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Originally Posted by Roo69

Darren Randolph is the reserve keeper at Charlton, excellent prospect and highly rated, defo an Irish keeper of the future.

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This is what Sean McCaffrey says of Randolph:

“I’ve never seen anyone as good in my time in youth football. He’s confident, has great technique and takes the ball in so many different positions. He’s brave, intelligent and a good kicker. He’s a fantastic prospect. Plus he’s also a good lad and very easy to work with.”

Plus, he's well over 6 feet tall which is unusual for Irish goalies!

His father was a pro-Basketball player who came to Ireland from US.

Not many young keepers in the eL these days a smost are well established at respective clubs especially the fulltime clubs.

alan o hara is a good young goalie in the eL been one of our best players this season!

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Originally Posted by Stuttgart88

Any young eL keepers making waves?

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Remember saying to a couple of the UCD committee that Barry Ryan wouldn't be too far off an international cap (this would have been in the year he won Goalkeeper of the Year here with 13 clean sheets from 26 games, so he was officially the best keeper in the league, and I think most fans agreed) - they said he was nowhere near good enough.

Who's around at the moment in the eL?

Williams (Shels) - Welsh.
Devine (Cork) - is he near 30 at this stage?
Connor (Drogs) - Ireland U-21, but hasn't progressed since (as opposed to other U-21 players who can progress from English teams' reserves to first team and play at a better level).
Quigley (UCD) - Current Ireland U-19 behind Randolph and someone else. Definitely one to watch, but not at senior international level.
O'Brien (Longford) - 34 and retiring.
O'Connor (Bray) - Australian.
Bazza (Pat's) - see above
Forde (Derry) - actually don't rate him, to be honest.
Gregg (Bohs) - English I think
Holden (Waterford), Murphy (Rovers) and Cullen (?) (Harps) - goals against tally says it all.

No-one near international level, I'd say.

Colm Doyle from Birmingham is supposed to be usefull. He spent last year on loan at Forrest. He made a blunder against spurs in the cup but played good otherwise according to some reports i read.

Doyle played for Birmingham in the Premier League Asia Cup before the start of last season, don't think he's played for them since