Stephen Ireland

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Originally Posted by Razors left peg

Why isnt Andy O Brien being subjected to the same abuse that Ireland gets.Hes retired at 28 and didnt even answer the phone to Givens when he tried to get in touch, and he like Ireland isnt in this squad....

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No comparison. Andy O'Brien never deserted the ship. All players retire at some point.

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Originally Posted by mypost

No comparison. Andy O'Brien never deserted the ship. All players retire at some point.

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Retiring at 28 is ridiculous

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Originally Posted by Razors left peg

Retiring at 28 is ridiculous

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Agreed, but he never took the **** with the team and fans etc

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Originally Posted by Greenforever

Ciaran you will never understand that football is a team game and to suceed you need players who WANT to play.

SI does not want to play and thats the end of it.

What do you want, another Siapan or Bratislava and him walking out on the team.

You obviously have no respect for the rest of the squad who want to play for their country.

Off course the fact you have to try and belittle people for their views rather than put up a reasonable argument proves what a narrow minded individual you are.

On Saturday week Davy Langan will be honoured as an Eircom Legend, off course maybe that honour should be awarded to Stephen Ireland as he is a legend all right.

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Top post. Agree completely

RTE Sport - 14/05/2008

The following quotes attributed to Trapp would suggest he's been made aware of a few "ishoos" affecting young Stephen and has made allowances:

Trapattoni said: 'The moment I left him, I told him, "I will wait for you", and he said to me, "okay".

'I understood Stephen. I understand he is young. I have children, I have a son and I understand him. I am confident, I trust he will come back. I spoke with him and normally when I speak with a player, I look the player in the eyes. The eyes never lie. I have trust he will come back.'

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Originally Posted by Ciaran

Like I've said time and time again, Stephen Ireland does want to play for his country. There's a lot of evidence for this, he came back after isolating himself from Kerr. He accepted his FAI award, indicating he hopes to return soon and criticised Don Givens for being unfair to him. He does care, he wants to be there.

But the most important thing in any job is to look after number one and that's where his problem lies. You don't understand what he's going through, I don't understand what he's going through and least of all the media understand what he's going through. He's a complex individual who is having a lot of difficulties with his teammates, with an unstable manager structure, with his girlfriend and who knows what else. The fact that some people on this board show a complete lack of understanding for somebody with a mental illness is disgusting, to the point where you make constant jokes about him and call him "retarded". It's childish and embarassing for me to posting with some of you people, this is coming from a 19 year old to probably a bunch of 40 year olds who really should know better.

You speak with pride of Dave Langan who has a physical disability yet speak with bile about Stephen Ireland who has a mental disability. It's horrible, that's the only way I can describe it.

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If he wanted to play for his country he would play.

It is SI and only SI that has stopped SI from being in the squad.

Are you really naive enough to think that any issues he may have with the Irish Squad wouldn't happen with Man City.

What makes you say that SI has a mental disability?

Davy Langan has a physical disability as a result of playing for Ireland.

Does SI have a mental disability as a result of playing for Ireland?

How can he be mentally alright to play for one team and not another?

So in your opinion it's alright to slag off someone with a physical disability but not with a mental disability?

As trap is quoted he is only a child, like yourself, young and immature. You probably will look back at this in years to come and be embarrased by your posts.

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Originally Posted by Ciaran

Like I've said time and time again, Stephen Ireland does want to play for his country. There's a lot of evidence for this, he came back after isolating himself from Kerr. He accepted his FAI award, indicating he hopes to return soon and criticised Don Givens for being unfair to him. He does care, he wants to be there.

But the most important thing in any job is to look after number one and that's where his problem lies. You don't understand what he's going through, I don't understand what he's going through and least of all the media understand what he's going through. He's a complex individual who is having a lot of difficulties with his teammates, with an unstable manager structure, with his girlfriend and who knows what else. The fact that some people on this board show a complete lack of understanding for somebody with a mental illness is disgusting, to the point where you make constant jokes about him and call him "retarded". It's childish and embarassing for me to posting with some of you people, this is coming from a 19 year old to probably a bunch of 40 year olds who really should know better.

You speak with pride of Dave Langan who has a physical disability yet speak with bile about Stephen Ireland who has a mental disability. It's horrible, that's the only way I can describe it.

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You write this as though you know SI personally and maybe you do. This could also be the reason why you are so defensive when others give their opinion on him. This could also be a reason why you know he has a mental disability as you quote above.


If you do know that its true about him having 'Mental health issues' then I for one will give him the benefit of the doubt. If you are just making it up to try and boost your argument, then you are a very sad little boy.

SI has wonderful ability. This goes without saying and I would have loved if he had made himself available to play for Ireland. He is just a very complicated individual and we can do without this for now. We have a new manager with some new additions to the team so I am happy enough to let them get on with it without Mr Ireland.

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Originally Posted by Ciaran

Manchester is where he's in his comfort zone, his friends and family are there.

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It doesn't stop him from travelling with his club to matches.

He walked out on his country by lieing through his teeth. He let himself down, his teammates down, and his country down in the process. On that basis alone, he should be banned from wearing the proud green shirt again, never mind his continued refusal to make himself available for selection since. If he plays again, it sends a signal to the rest of the squad that his behaviour is acceptable, and another player can do the same to us in the future. GT is 69, and doesn't have to go to 21 year olds to persuade them to play, when there are many players available, willing and able to take his place.

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Originally Posted by FarBeag

He is just a very complicated individual and we can do without this for now. We have a new manager with some new additions to the team so I am happy enough to let them get on with it without Mr Ireland.

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It actually appears to me that he's a very simple individual to be honest. He has the personality and mental prowess of a spoiled 8 year old child with the world at his feet. Nothing too complicated about that.

P.S. I've never heard of a mental illness that totally cripples you when trying to play for one football team in a voluntary capacity but seems to have no effect on you when playing for the other team that are paying you handsomely. SI knows which side his bread is buttered on. You haven't seem him causing any problems in all his time with his employer Man City.

Ciaran you're talking out of your anus. Too many people these days use falsified or exagerrated mental problems as an excuse for inappropriate behaviour.

not explaining away ireland's misdeeds (not knowing the full truth) but if he does have mental problems then it's very sad. it got me thinking slightly off-topic but mental health is something that rarely comes up in football, as has probably been pointed out ad nauseum. deisler from bayern was the only other player i could think of that sufferred from depression to a debilitating extent. everyone has stress in life and no one is 100% mentally healthy let's face it. but there can be very real sufferring involved and "just because so and so's a professional footballer with a cushy life" shouldn't discount the severity of some of these illnesses and disorders.

obviously GT knows more than we do on the situation, hes been around the block and is known as a disciplarian(excuse the spelling) he wouldnt let him decide when he wants to come back unless theres a very good reason. As for callin SI retarded or has a mental disability, lads this is disgusting unless one of SI's agents or Man Citys reps comes out and says it, its not true, total tripe and very unfair to the lad and his family, and stuff like that should not be stated on a public forum.

If he had such a disability, he wouldn't be playing any football whatsoever. He's played 40-odd games with his club without any ill effects. There is nothing wrong with him, only a refusal to be a part of the Ireland squad for about a month in the year, and to play the odd game or two.

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Originally Posted by bellavistaman

obviously GT knows more than we do on the situation, hes been around the block and is known as a disciplarian(excuse the spelling) he wouldnt let him decide when he wants to come back unless theres a very good reason. As for callin SI retarded or has a mental disability, lads this is disgusting unless one of SI's agents or Man Citys reps comes out and says it, its not true, total tripe and very unfair to the lad and his family, and stuff like that should not be stated on a public forum.

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The only one who has claimed he has a mental illness is Ciaran from what I can see.

I would agree totally with you on this one.

I would also say if SI just confirmed his desires one way or another most people would have more respect for him. He really is the cause of all his own problems.

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Originally Posted by Ciaran

I agree. It's an increasing problem with young people today which is probably why it hasn't really been seen before. People here need to stop confusing anxiety with laziness. Ireland met with Trap, he accepted an FAI award, he never even mentioned international retirement and he discussed his situation with Sven and Dunne several times. He didn't have to do any of these things, he could have much more easily taken the Andy O Brien route and given the middle finger to the manager, ignored calls and tell nothing to the fans but declaring his international retirement.

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And I'd prefer if he did that.

Sven IS not our manager.

He needs to say YES or NO and get off the fence.

And in reference to an increrasing problem with young people, us older posters have kids in that age group so we have plenty of 1st hand experience of problems they encounter.

And I know several kids (under 21) who will be in Fullham paying thier own way who would not agree with your view of anxiety etc, they would say get real and live in the real world.

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Originally Posted by Ciaran

I agree. It's an increasing problem with young people today which is probably why it hasn't really been seen before. People here need to stop confusing anxiety with laziness. Ireland met with Trap, he accepted an FAI award, he never even mentioned international retirement and he discussed his situation with Sven and Dunne several times. He didn't have to do any of these things, he could have much more easily taken the Andy O Brien route and given the middle finger to the manager, ignored calls and tell nothing to the fans but declaring his international retirement.

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You noticed the bit where his club captain and international team mate didn't present him with his international award didn't you. That spoke volumes to me more than anything else.

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Originally Posted by Kingdom

You noticed the bit where his club captain and international team mate didn't present him with his international award didn't you. That spoke volumes to me more than anything else.

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As I heard it, Dunner actually refused to present him with the award because of the Bratislava incident.

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Originally Posted by Superhoops

As I heard it, Dunner actually refused to present him with the award because of the Bratislava incident.

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rumours without anything to back it up. Micah Richards is his best mate so I dont see any big issue with him presenting Ireland the award

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Originally Posted by Razors left peg

rumours without anything to back it up. Micah Richards is his best mate so I dont see any big issue with him presenting Ireland the award

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Exactly, where is the confirmation that he has a 'mental illness' and if so what type of mental illness is he supposed to have? Some people on here have more excuses than he has.

Not to mention the trauma of going through a miscarriage.

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Originally Posted by Ciaran

Does pulling out of the international scene twice, driving a pink car, having a bebo page exposing your ass that you didnt think anyone would find, claiming both your grannies are dead when they aren't and pulling your pants down after scoring a goal. Does any of that sound like the doings of a rationally thinking guy?

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It does not confirm that he has a Mental Illness, none of it does. Seeing that you have laid the symptoms on the table for me. Here is my daignosis. He has either a very low IQ which suggests he has some sort of learning disability or It's more likely a Narcissistic personality disorder which consists of all the above type of behaviour. Defination 'a pervasive pattern of grandiosity, need for admiration, and a lack of empathy." Look it up if you think i am making it up.

Until Mr Ireland has mental Illness confirmed by a Psychiatrist, i will continue to believe that he is just a good for nothing lazy idiot that takes no pride in wanting to play for his country.

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Originally Posted by Razors left peg

rumours without anything to back it up. Micah Richards is his best mate so I dont see any big issue with him presenting Ireland the award

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Yea, winners of big awards usually have the award presented by their best mate. You see it happening every week. :rolleyes:

Maybe there was no one at all who had any connection with Irish football available to make an Irish football award to an Irish player who was based in far away Manchester, except for the guy's best mate? :confused:

Take you head out of the sand. No one in the Irish team or connected with the Irish team wants anything to do with him. I don't remember any of them lining up in his defence and pleading for him to be brought back.

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Originally Posted by Ciaran

he could have much more easily taken the Andy O Brien route and given the middle finger to the manager, ignored calls and tell nothing to the fans but declaring his international retirement.

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Maybe Andy O'Brien has mental problems (and Finnan), hey Ciaran.

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Originally Posted by Superhoops

Yea, winners of big awards usually have the award presented by their best mate. You see it happening every week. :rolleyes:

Maybe there was no one at all who had any connection with Irish football available to make an Irish football award to an Irish player who was based in far away Manchester, except for the guy's best mate? :confused:

Take you head out of the sand. No one in the Irish team or connected with the Irish team wants anything to do with him. I don't remember any of them lining up in his defence and pleading for him to be brought back.

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How many have being lining up to plead for O Brien, Finnan or Kiely to be brought back.Just because Steven Ireland mightnt be everybodies favorite person doesnt mean he wouldnt be welcomed back into the squad on a professional basis, players dont have to be best buddies to be able to play together on the same pitch.The majority of fans want him back in the squad because most people realise that he has something to offer the team and the players Im sure would react the same way. The same crap was put out after Siapan that none of the players would want Roy Keane back in the squad and it would lead to players refusing to turn up again while he was there etc..... did any of that happen then??? No and it wouldnt happen with Steven Ireland either.
The fella might be head case but if Trapattoni is willing to bring him into the squad and he says he is confident that he will return then thats good enough for me. Its a clean slate and if Steven Ireland scores the goal that qualifies us for the World Cup Im sure nobody will give a damn about what went on in the past

sorry but I don't buy into this whole mental illness excuse. Call me old fashioned but I think that a lot of this mental illness is an excuse for those who are natural victims and the weak minded.

I read a great article recently (it was actually about politics but is very apt from a sporting viewpoint) where it said that we are far too conscious of social inclusion nowadays and therefore not creating leaders in all walks of life. Long gone are the days of 'bullum' and 'tiggum' when selecting teams for PE as the fear of hurting someones feelings is too great.

Leaders are no longer created by natural selection from a very young age. Competitiveness is frowned upon in favor of inclusion. Instead of the youth of today tearing lumps out of each other on the playground in order to win a game the overweight youngsters are happily rolling around in the mud in a non-competitive all inclusive game where there are no winners and losers and all that matters is part-taking.

As a society we are too accepting of excuses. Mental illness/stress/depression are rolled out so often it is a wonder anyone is still able to progress in their chosen field. Personally I think that in order to make it as a top pro you need to have ability, drive and a very strong mentality. How else can you progress further than all the other people who are attempting to reach the top of the game??

Stephen Ireland may or may not suffer from one of these (imo) weak minded conditions. If he does then he will never make it to the top anyhow. We need leaders playing for the national team not those who we are to pander to. We live in a capitalist world where supposedly the cream rises to the top, however we are social socialists where natural selection is rapidly being replaced by Political correctness and social inclusion. Sport up until now has bucked the trend on this but it looks like it may be changing, unfortunately.

Galwayhoop - those are exactly the reasons why Stephen Ireland plays for Manchester City and not someone like Manchester United. He has the talent to be great but his mentality and attitude will prevent him from realising that.

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Originally Posted by Emmet

Galwayhoop - those are exactly the reasons why Stephen Ireland plays for Manchester City and not someone like Manchester United. He has the talent to be great but his mentality and attitude will prevent him from realising that.

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He joined City because he thought he'd have a better chance of playing for the first team there. He's on record as saying he was a United fan growing up.

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Originally Posted by Emmet

Galwayhoop - those are exactly the reasons why Stephen Ireland plays for Manchester City and not someone like Manchester United. He has the talent to be great but his mentality and attitude will prevent him from realising that.

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You must worship that great talent John O'Shea so

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Originally Posted by Ciaran

Does pulling out of the international scene twice, driving a pink car, having a bebo page exposing your ass that you didnt think anyone would find, claiming both your grannies are dead when they aren't and pulling your pants down after scoring a goal. Does any of that sound like the doings of a rationally thinking guy?

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i once done all that on a night out

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Originally Posted by sanity

i once done all that on a night out

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Your in the right thread here with a Username like that.

The issue of wanting our team full of leadership was raised and got me thinking that we should know the first task of leaders is appreciating their own fallibility; they, I mean we :p, are not perfect. You realise that there are those out there that even if a little short in the leadership-skills ledger, can overall be a positive inclusion on the balance sheet because they have other attributes to offer that we value.

You don't sacrifice someone's inclusion from your team (especially in sport) because they're a bit enigmatic, have a car with pink alloys, depressed, etc. And you certainly don't exclude them because you view yourself as a self-anointed custodian of what exact characteristics it takes to be a part of the team. If the likelihood of a better result is increased then you accept them as an asset and try to harness their talent.

How many very talented people, across all walks of life, have been 'a little off' mentally? And yet we have cherished their contributions and belittled the bad things, gotten over our narrow-minded views and seen the bigger picture? Stephen Ireland might be the next, say, Mark Kennedy but as long as he's showing the form he has over the past 2/3 years then I and my fellow leaders will welcome his return at any stage simply as the squad is better with him in it, everything else is secondary for my and my country's well-being. :)

By the way congrats to Galwayhoop for the most bizarre post of the day!

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Originally Posted by Ciaran

Does pulling out of the international scene twice, driving a pink car, having a bebo page exposing your ass that you didnt think anyone would find, claiming both your grannies are dead when they aren't and pulling your pants down after scoring a goal. Does any of that sound like the doings of a rationally thinking guy?

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No but neither does it sound like the doings of someone with a mental illness. It does sound like the doings of an idiot though.

Stephen has decided not to made himself available for this set of fixtures and training camp, which I think should now mean that he has given up his last chance. A guy in the early stages of his career should not be deciding when and when not he has to turn up for games.

Finnan (surgery) and I think O Brien has a viable excuse too (correct me if I'm wrong) not to be in Portugal but Ireland doesn't.

He has relinquished his opportunity to come back and I hope Trap agrees with me. A decent player that could cause disharony in the camp.

If he had decided to come back he should be meeting up tonight with the other members of the squad and he hasn't so there we go - no effort made by the player.

We don't need him. I think we should put this to bed.

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Originally Posted by zenokelly

Stephen has decided not to made himself available for this set of fixtures and training camp, which I think should now mean that he has given up his last chance. A guy in the early stages of his career should not be deciding when and when not he has to turn up for games.

Finnan (surgery) and I think O Brien has a viable excuse too (correct me if I'm wrong) not to be in Portugal but Ireland doesn't.

He has relinquished his opportunity to come back and I hope Trap agrees with me. A decent player that could cause disharony in the camp.

If he had decided to come back he should be meeting up tonight with the other members of the squad and he hasn't so there we go - no effort made by the player.

We don't need him. I think we should put this to bed.

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The only excuse that I have seen from O Brien is that he wants to stay in Bolton to sort out a new contract.... there is a long summer ahead to sort out things like that. End of season get togethers are not and have never been popular with players rightly or wrongly, and I still think that all 3 "retired" players will be back in the autumn

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Originally Posted by gustavo

You must worship that great talent John O'Shea so

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Good point :o

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Originally Posted by zenokelly

Stephen has decided not to made himself available for this set of fixtures and training camp, which I think should now mean that he has given up his last chance. A guy in the early stages of his career should not be deciding when and when not he has to turn up for games.

Finnan (surgery) and I think O Brien has a viable excuse too (correct me if I'm wrong) not to be in Portugal but Ireland doesn't.

He has relinquished his opportunity to come back and I hope Trap agrees with me. A decent player that could cause disharony in the camp.

If he had decided to come back he should be meeting up tonight with the other members of the squad and he hasn't so there we go - no effort made by the player.

We don't need him. I think we should put this to bed.

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Ha why do you think trap is so eager to bring him back he knows how much a talent he is,, trap has no alliagance to Ireland he only wants the best results that why he has and will continue to keep the door open for him,, he knows he needs him,,,
who said he was micahs best friend cause hes not,, and dunne has most definately not tried to talk to him about Ireland,

Its you lot who are mentally unstable for talking about him for so long,,
Im sure hell be back once things settle down.

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Originally Posted by Manblue

Ha why do you think trap is so eager to bring him back he knows how much a talent he is,, trap has no alliagance to Ireland he only wants the best results that why he has and will continue to keep the door open for him,, he knows he needs him,,,
who said he was micahs best friend cause hes not,, and dunne has most definately not tried to talk to him about Ireland,

Its you lot who are mentally unstable for talking about him for so long,,
Im sure hell be back once things settle down.

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Hi Steven. Glad you joined us here. Can you please put us all out of our misery and tell us if you are coming back or not? BTW get rid of that Syrup it doesnt suit you!

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Originally Posted by FarBeag

Hi Steven. Glad you joined us here. Can you please put us all out of our misery and tell us if you are coming back or not? BTW get rid of that Syrup it doesnt suit you!

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Stephen thanks

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Originally Posted by Manblue

Ha why do you think trap is so eager to bring him back he knows how much a talent he is,, trap has no alliagance to Ireland he only wants the best results

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HA, do you think we don't want the best results? I'd take him back if I thought it would improve our chances of qualifying but I really think Ireland coming back would do more harm to team moral than his talent justifies

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Originally Posted by Manblue

Its you lot who are mentally unstable for talking about him for so long,,
Im sure hell be back once things settle down.

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Things settle down? He's made a clown out of himself, and he's vastly overrated. He wouldn't get in the team at the minute, and I agree with you; we have spent too long talking about him. He's not worth a tenth of what's been written.

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Originally Posted by FarBeag

Hi Steven. Glad you joined us here. Can you please put us all out of our misery and tell us if you are coming back or not? BTW get rid of that Syrup it doesnt suit you!

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For the first time ever I think we actually could have Mr Ireland in our midst. Welcome Stephen! I'm surprised it took you so long to join our little community seeing as how we know you have a grá for internet chat rooms and the like.
As farbeag asked, can you put us out of our misery, whats the deal like? Most of us here want to like you, want to see you play for the country and for the country to do well, but you see, your not giving us much ammuntion on that score. If you make an effort for us, we'll reciprocate, I promise.