Kevin O'Connor

Royals eye Bees and Spurs

Reading look set to pounce for Brentford defender Kevin O'Connor in the New Year.

The Championship leaders have been given the go-ahead to strengthen their squad during the approaching transfer window, and it is reported that O'Connor heads manager Steve Coppell's list of potential targets.

Although the former Crystal Palace boss is refusing to reveal names, The Royals are also understood to be preparing a raid on Tottenham in an attempt to lure stopper Calum Davenport to the Madejski Stadium.

The England Under-21 star has previously been allowed to leave White Hart Lane on loan, although Spurs may decide to cut him loose if they receive the right offer.

"We've got our eye on the market, but that's all I'll say," Coppell told the Reading Chronicle. "I won't discuss individuals.

"However, it's important to take stock at this time of year when there's an opportunity in January."

If/when Reading go up they are going to have a good few Irish players on board which only bodes well for us.

So what?

"The England Under-21 star ".... am i missing something here?:confused:

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Originally Posted by livehead1

So what?

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Surely you want to see more Irish in the prem?

Kevin O'Connor is an Irish U21 player who is a right back and can actually take a decent penalty!!! The part about Davenport was just part of the article.

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Originally Posted by The Legend

"The England Under-21 star ".... am i missing something here?:confused:

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that's the problem with reading stuff off a screen .. I also thought Kevin O Connor was an england U-21 international. I guess it must be Dolan connections at Reading now beginning to kick in

Reading already signed Stephen Hunt (Dunfermlines Noels Brother) from Brentford last Summer and the Clubs have been involved on a number of transfers over the last few seasons too. One infamous ex player for Reading and Brentford is Terry Hurlock.
Among the Irish Connections to eminate from Reading are Dave Bacuzzi one time player manager of Cork Hibs. Mike Conroy ex Cork City manager played there, Mr Eamon Dunphy had a few years there, during which time he wrote "Only a Game". Ray Houghton finished his League career at Reading.
In more recent times Nick Colgan and Alan Maybury played there on loan. Joe Gamble played there whilst of course former Cork Colleagues Kevin Doyle and Shane Long are at Reading also.

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Originally Posted by macdermesser

that's the problem with reading stuff off a screen .. I also thought Kevin O Connor was an england U-21 international. I guess it must be Dolan connections at Reading now beginning to kick in

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You obviously take a keen interest in Irish football and Irish fooballers!!!:rolleyes:

Is O'Connor a current or former U21 International? I don'r recall seeing him in any of our U21 squads, not recently anyway.

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Originally Posted by Stuttgart88

Is O'Connor a current or former U21 International? I don'r recall seeing him in any of our U21 squads, not recently anyway.

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Coppell plans signings

Reading manager Steve Coppell is reportedly weighing up a move for Brentford's Kevin O'Connor as he looks to cement the club's promotion bid.

O'Connor has been outstanding for Brentford, who are eyeing promotion themselves, albeit from League One.

The former Ireland Under-21 international is believed to have attracted interest from other clubs in The Championship but it is Reading who would be in pole position should they mount a bid in January.

One man who will not be joining Reading is Drogheda United midfielder Stephen Bradley, with whom Coppell had been credited with holding an interest.

The 21-year-old has decided to continue his career in Ireland, having this week put pen-to-paper on a two-year deal.

Meanwhile, Reading starlet Peter Castle has joined Rushden & Diamonds on trial, with a view to a permanent deal.

The 18-year-old defender has made just one senior appearance for The Royals and will now play two second string games at Rushden in a bid to earn a permanent stay.

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Originally Posted by Superhoops

You obviously take a keen interest in Irish football and Irish fooballers!!!:rolleyes:

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well i'm another that had'nt heard of him before!

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Originally Posted by Superhoops

You obviously take a keen interest in Irish football and Irish fooballers!!!:rolleyes:

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What are you on about? :rolleyes: Thats why I bother posting on an irish football forum .. eejit.

Another case of not reading a post properly?

If you took a poll of people on this forum (i.e. people with an interest in irish football) who knew Kevin O Connor before this all started it would be single figures.

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Originally Posted by gustavo

well i'm another that had'nt heard of him before!

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Kevin O'Connor is 23 years old and has played in all but three of Brentford's first team games this season. He is their highest goalscorer with 6 goals (including one today against Swansea).

He was born of Irish parentage in Blackburn and made his first appearance for the Bees in February 2000.

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Originally Posted by Superhoops

Kevin O'Connor is 23 years old and has played in all but three of Brentford's first team games this season. He is their highest goalscorer with 6 goals (including one today against Swansea).

He was born of Irish parentage in Blackburn and made his first appearance for the Bees in February 2000.

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the original point was that the way the first post written, led people to believe (who don't have the encylopedia knowledge of every irish football playing in the UK) that this guy was an English U/21. First few posts came to the same false conclusion.

Ah whats the point .. you are only going to bold England U/21 and berate me again:rolleyes: ;)

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Originally Posted by macdermesser

the original point was that the way the first post written, led people to believe (who don't have the encylopedia knowledge of every irish football playing in the UK) that this guy was an English U/21. First few posts came to the same false conclusion.

Ah whats the point .. you are only going to bold England U/21 and berate me again:rolleyes: ;)

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You're right...no point!. However, a lot more people know a lot more about Kevin O'Connor now!:rolleyes:

http://www.eleven-a-side.com/acrosst...p?newsid=20565

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Originally Posted by Superhoops

You're right...no point!. However, a lot more people know a lot more about Kevin O'Connor now!:rolleyes:

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are you Kevin's ma? Mission accomplished, I know who he is now. thanks. I bow to your superior knowledge of occasional U/21 Irish internationals. Happy new year to you.

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Originally Posted by macdermesser

are you Kevin's ma? Mission accomplished, I know who he is now. thanks. I bow to your superior knowledge of occasional U/21 Irish internationals. Happy new year to you.

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No relation to Kevin at all!

However, there are several members of this forum who not only have an interest in who gets capped at U-21 level (after all it is these players who are potentially future senior internationals) but who actually go to watch our U-21's play.

Unfortunately, there are many more who, although they have had the chance to do, have never seen an Irish U-21 team play, or know little or nothing about the players who get capped at that level unless it is players who have a 'higher' profile because of the clubs they play for (Aiden McGeady, for example) or because they play for a club that an individual supports.

As someone who has been watching our U-21's regularly for several years, the two most common questions asked by 'occasional' fans are;
(1) who is 'Number X'? and (2) who does he play for?

It is nothing to do with 'superior knowledge', more to do with an interest in how our younger players are doing, which should be of interest to all Irish fans.

Anyway, thanks for your new year wishes, the same to you.