Stephen Ireland

Oh, that wasn't aimed directly at you francesco_1... you posted at the same time... coincidence is all.

Nonetheless, good timing.

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Originally Posted by Wheels

Oh, that wasn't aimed directly at you francesco_1... you posted at the same time... coincidence is all.

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I just want us to have a chance and with him in the team we would have a better chance,spur of the moment.

He is no David Beckham.

There are plenty of people in this country that openly admit that they support the likes of ManU, Liverpool etc and arent that bothered at all about the national team.Its hard for us on this forum to understand that way of thinking because we are so passionate about International football, but I think we just have to accept that Steven Ireland has basically the same mentality as these other people. Its unfortunate because he is a top player but we have some other very exciting prospects coming through the ranks in midfield so I think its time we just let it go and move on

I would be happy to have this shipped out into world football now.
He is not intersted in playing for Ireland so I would rather not see this thread in the forum.

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Originally Posted by tricky_colour

I would be happy to have this shipped out into world football now.
He is not intersted in playing for Ireland so I would rather not see this thread in the forum.

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Totally agree.

Was all for him coming back but after this weekend and listening to his comments I am begining to think that we should forget about him. Although an interesting article on todays Star suggests that we should copy what French manager Domenech did with Makelele and pick him anyway. Hed face a suspension if he refused to play.

I can understand (and share) the frustration, but some of you are going way over the top. It's not like he's the first player to ever take a break from international football. There are other players still playing for Ireland who have done so in the past. He hasn't ruled out ever playing for us again.

The idea that he shouldn't be mentioned in this forum is ridiculous. He has not retired from international football. And even if he had, are we not supposed to talk about ex Irish international football players in this forum???

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Originally Posted by musicinmouth

I can understand (and share) the frustration, but some of you are going way over the top. It's not like he's the first player to ever take a break from international football. There are other players still playing for Ireland who have done so in the past. He hasn't ruled out ever playing for us again.

The idea that he shouldn't be mentioned in this forum is ridiculous. He has not retired from international football. And even if he had, are we not supposed to talk about ex Irish international football players in this forum???

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I think the difference is people could understand they reasons why those players no longer wished to play, this just seems like a direct snub, he does not seem to consider himself Irish and quite frankly neither do I. Maybe Italy will cal him up.

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Originally Posted by tricky_colour

I think the difference is people could understand they reasons why those players no longer wished to play, this just seems like a direct snub, he does not seem to consider himself Irish and quite frankly neither do I. Maybe Italy will cal him up.

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He's played in a competitive game for Ireland, he can't declare for anyone else

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Originally Posted by musicinmouth

I can understand (and share) the frustration, but some of you are going way over the top. It's not like he's the first player to ever take a break from international football. There are other players still playing for Ireland who have done so in the past. He hasn't ruled out ever playing for us again.

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I happen to believe if he was 2gen or 3gen he'd be getting much worse.

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Originally Posted by musicinmouth

I can understand (and share) the frustration, but some of you are going way over the top. It's not like he's the first player to ever take a break from international football. There are other players still playing for Ireland who have done so in the past. He hasn't ruled out ever playing for us again.

The idea that he shouldn't be mentioned in this forum is ridiculous. He has not retired from international football. And even if he had, are we not supposed to talk about ex Irish international football players in this forum???

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Regarding him taking a break, he is only 22 with only a handful of caps. It is not as though he has been around for a decade. I myself was very open minded until i saw him on tv on saturday. How many times has he walking out on irish squads. I like many others on this forum spend our hard earned cash travelling to see the national team play and i would now rather concentrate on the lads that want to play and who show up for meaningless friendlies etc.

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Originally Posted by tricky_colour

He is no David Beckham.

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Not sure whether its David Beckham the product or David Beckham the person but he does seem to love playing for his country..

On another note I couldn't see the equivalent happening in England with a promising young talent turning his back on his country, imagine the furore if Theo Walcott refused to play for England in forthcoming friendlies..

To happen twice in the space of a few years and both players coming from the same County, Its like our own version of the Mason-Dixon line splitting Cork from the Northern parts of country - maybe Cork could petition FIFA to qualify separately for major tournaments in the future, so the ordinary Irish Fans wouldn't have to put up with the uncertainy and disappointment of these Rebel county fellows turning their backs on their countries of Birth.

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Originally Posted by Reality Bites

To happen twice in the space of a few years and both players coming from the same County,

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And both cases to be so completely identical too, what are the odds?;)
You and your can of worms. :D

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Originally Posted by Reality Bites

Not sure whether its David Beckham the product or David Beckham the person but he does seem to love playing for his country..

On another note I couldn't see the equivalent happening in England with a promising young talent turning his back on his country, imagine the furore if Theo Walcott refused to play for England in forthcoming friendlies..

To happen twice in the space of a few years and both players coming from the same County, Its like our own version of the Mason-Dixon line splitting Cork from the Northern parts of country - maybe Cork could petition FIFA to qualify separately for major tournaments in the future, so the ordinary Irish Fans wouldn't have to put up with the uncertainy and disappointment of these Rebel county fellows turning their backs on their countries of Birth.

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Oh come on man. You cannot compare Steven Ireland and Roy Keane. One is a spoilt sociopath who puts himself in the spotlight by wearing a thatch, sporting pink wheels on his jeep, lets half the world view his bepo site and shows millions his superman’s pants on TV, told lies about his dead gran,gets a bit of slagging from his Ireland team mates and never wants to play for his country again. The other is a legend in Irish football who won us many a game single handed and is proud to be Irish.Ok he pulled out of a couple of friendlies but mainly through injury and the other incident which I will not mention but overall Roy Keane proudly wore the green jersey and retired when he was in his thirties.

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Originally Posted by FarBeag

Oh come on man. You cannot compare Steven Ireland and Roy Keane. One is a spoilt sociopath who puts himself in the spotlight by wearing a thatch, sporting pink wheels on his jeep, lets half the world view his bepo site and shows millions his superman’s pants on TV, told lies about his dead gran,gets a bit of slagging from his Ireland team mates and never wants to play for his country again. The other is a legend in Irish football who won us many a game single handed and is proud to be Irish.Ok he pulled out of a couple of friendlies but mainly through injury and the other incident which I will not mention but overall Roy Keane proudly wore the green jersey and retired when he was in his thirties.

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:rolleyes: The comparison was obvioulsy tounge in cheek.

And are you for real with the quote in bold? A couple of friendlies?? :D And who's definition of injury is that, Alex Ferguson's? What about the US Cup where, as appointed captian, he simply didn't bother turning up at the airport for example?

I agree let's not forget his performances when he bothered turing up but to suggest he only missed a couple of friendles and that was just because of injuries and then to whitewash 'the other incident' is laughable and misses the point entirely.

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Originally Posted by Drumcondra 69er

:rolleyes: The comparison was obvioulsy tounge in cheek.

And are you for real with the quote in bold? A couple of friendlies?? :D And who's definition of injury is that, Alex Ferguson's? What about the US Cup where, as appointed captian, he simply didn't bother turning up at the airport for example?

I agree let's not forget his performances when he bothered turing up but to suggest he only missed a couple of friendles and that was just because of injuries and then to whitewash 'the other incident' is laughable and misses the point entirely.

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Really! maybe on you reading of it:rolleyes:. Look the point I am trying to make is there is no comparison between the two individuals.I will defend Roy keane to the last based on how he played in the green jersey when he turned up. Sod the American cup and a couple of meaningless friendlies. Keane had a problem with the organisation and preparation surrounding the Irish team from day one not a problem with his team mates. How many caps has he got? A lot more than the other doughnut that’s for sure. You can defend SI and slag of RK all you want but I know where my alliances lie.

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Originally Posted by FarBeag

Really! maybe on you reading of it:rolleyes:. Look the point I am trying to make is there is no comparison between the two individuals.I will defend Roy keane to the last based on how he played in the green jersey when he turned up. Sod the American cup and a couple of meaningless friendlies. Keane had a problem with the organisation and preparation surrounding the Irish team from day one not a problem with his team mates. How many caps has he got? A lot more than the other doughnut that’s for sure. You can defend SI and slag of RK all you want but I know where my alliances lie.

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I'm not defending Stephen Ireland in the least, his behaviour is despicable. He's done reasonably well when he's turned up though, should that be defended?

Mind you somehow I think that if he wore a red shirt in Manchster rather then a blue one he'd be getting blindly defended an awful more.

You'll defend someone not turning up and not letting management know in advance even if it was a US Cup trip? When a phone would have sufficed? Speaks volumes. And trust me RK had problems with various team mates over the years, in particular one who went on to manage him. Organisation and preperation was an excuse for a patholigical dislike of said team mate, regardless of the spin many have swallowed.

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Originally Posted by Drumcondra 69er

I'm not defending Stephen Ireland in the least, his behaviour is despicable. He's done reasonably well when he's turned up though, should that be defended?

Mind you somehow I think that if he wore a red shirt in Manchster rather then a blue one he'd be getting blindly defended an awful more.

You'll defend someone not turning up and not letting management know in advance even if it was a US Cup trip? When a phone would have sufficed? Speaks volumes. And trust me RK had problems with various team mates over the years, in particular one who went on to manage him. Organisation and preperation was an excuse for a patholigical dislike of said team mate, regardless of the spin many have swallowed.

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Ok I get your point on the phone call and I agree he had issues with some of his team mates but for totally different reasons than SI. When Keane played football he played for the Irish team and left his likes/dislikes of fellow colleagues behind him while on the pitch at least. SI could not cope with a bit of banter among his and deserted his country because of it, a big difference imo.

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Originally Posted by FarBeag

Ok I get your point on the phone call and I agree he had issues with some of his team mates but for totally different reasons than SI. When Keane played football he played for the Irish team and left his likes/dislikes of fellow colleagues behind him while on the pitch at least. SI could not cope with a bit of banter among his and deserted his country because of it, a big difference imo.

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That's fair enough, I don't disagree in general. Although it really is all speculation as to why Stephen Ireland actually left, the banter thing has been denied by various people.

I genuinely think his weave might have got rubbed a bit too hard when he was being patted on the head being congratulated after scoring in Slovakia and he had to rush home to get it tightened! :eek:

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Originally Posted by Reality Bites

On another note I couldn't see the equivalent happening in England with a promising young talent turning his back on his country, imagine the furore if Theo Walcott refused to play for England in forthcoming friendlies..

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I pointed this out before, David Bentley refused to play in the U-21 Championships for England, and is still booed by the crowd at Wembley for that.

It worries me that people are still giving their support to Ireland. Yes he is probably our most talented player but he has refused to play international football for abosultly no bloody reason. Even Andy O'Brien gave a reson even if it was a bit patethic. Ireland hasnt even had the balls to explain to the Irish people why he refuses to wear the jersey

Says he has three young children...was the miscarriage thing a lie too?

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Originally Posted by Reality Bites

Not sure whether its David Beckham the product or David Beckham the person but he does seem to love playing for his country..

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but didnt he kind of give up on his football career by going to the USA on behalf of his wife? Not much commitment to the cause there
(where he has been getting booed on a regular basis apparently)

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Originally Posted by theworm2345

Says he has three young children...was the miscarriage thing a lie too?

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I think the villification of Stephen Ireland just hit a new low.

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Originally Posted by third policeman

I think the villification of Stephen Ireland just hit a new low.

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On the other hand, after claiming family deaths, you could argue that "you reap what you sow"

.... A Dingo took my Baby!!!!

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Originally Posted by third policeman

I think the villification of Stephen Ireland just hit a new low.

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I never saw anything to suggest that the miscarriage story was true though, it's just that bit harder to disprove than either of the grandmothers. If his partner had lost a baby I can't imagine anybody would have expected him to do anything other than go home to his family in their hour of need. Though wasn't he simply 'trapped' by his girlfriend's original lie? :rolleyes:

In light of the fact that he was caught out committing two unbelievable lies, I think I'd excuse a bit of cynicism surrounding his final answer. All he had to say initially was that it was a family matter and it would have been left alone.

It's time to move on, he doesn't want to play for us so let's concentrate on those who do.

Until/if stephen Ireland decides to play for Ireland this thread should be removed from the Ireland forum.
It is an afront and displays a lack of respect to the footballers that are honoured to play for Ireland.

Let those who want to cowtow to the follically challenged one do so in private and spare the rest of us the unedifying sight of Irish people on their knees to the King of baldness.

This man has single handedly made the lives of slapheads more difficult in the whole of Ireland.If I was a slaphead I would not rest until the good name of slapheads is restored.

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Originally Posted by seanfhear

Until/if stephen Ireland decides to play for Ireland this thread should be removed from the Ireland forum.
It is an afront and displays a lack of respect to the footballers that are honoured to play for Ireland.

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wow... that couldn't be more ridiculous... just because he takes a break from international football to look after his 3 young children, you say we can't talk about him... so we can only talk about the present squad? we can't talk about other players who take breaks from international football? maybe we can't talk about retired players either then?

i also think those personal insults are childish and cruel and just make everything else you say less credible...

i think seanfhear's posts should be moved to the kids forum.

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Originally Posted by musicinmouth

wow... that couldn't be more ridiculous... just because he takes a break from international football to look after his 3 young children, you say we can't talk about him... .

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:eek:

I can't believe I'm getting sucked into speculating on the personal details of any players life because, frankly they're none of my business and I couldn't give a tuppenny fcuk, BUT is it not widely reported and unchallenged in the print media that he walked out on the mother of these kids you say he's taken a break from international football to mind? The girl he's with now, the one who phoned Bratislava, is not the mother of his kids ...am I right?

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Originally Posted by Lionel Ritchie

:eek:

I can't believe I'm getting sucked into speculating on the personal details of any players life because, frankly they're none of my business and I couldn't give a tuppenny fcuk, BUT is it not widely reported and unchallenged in the print media that he walked out on the mother of these kids you say he's taken a break from international football to mind? The girl he's with now, the one who phoned Bratislava, is not the mother of his kids ...am I right?

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You are right, his current girlfriend is the mother of his 3rd child, he left the mother of his other 2 kids.

While I agree with you that his private life is his own business, it's all the crap about him and his girlfriend being on their own with no support etc, I just wonder why his grandparents are not happy to help out, or his own parents etc, possibly they've had enough of his self pity too.

To have stephen ireland on the same forum as a player of the standing as Dave Langan is a travesty.

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Originally Posted by Greenforever

While I agree with you that his private life is his own business, it's all the crap about him and his girlfriend being on their own with no support etc, I just wonder why his grandparents are not happy to help out, or his own parents etc, possibly they've had enough of his self pity too.

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They're probably concerned he'll really kill them this time

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Originally Posted by seanfhear

To have stephen ireland on the same forum as a player of the standing as Dave Langan is a travesty.

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Dave was a terrific player for us and always 100% committed. However, I think he'd be the first to concede that he had his own personal problems off the pitch (particularly after all the horrific injuries). No saint was our Dave but hopefully a ton of money will be raised at the dinner to help him through life.

S.Ireland obviously has a fair few problems himself and I think he's rapidly burning any bridges he had left to the Irish team. If he wanted to play for us I'd happily take him back but that doesn't look like it's going to happen. However its perfectly reasonable for his attitude to be debated on the Ireland forum - whether you like it or not he will always be an Irish international (or at least a former International).

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Originally Posted by Drumcondra 69er

And trust me RK had problems with various team mates over the years, in particular one who went on to manage him. Organisation and preperation was an excuse for a patholigical dislike of said team mate, regardless of the spin many have swallowed.

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I have to agree with this but another parallel with that situation was that "said teammate" left the Ireland manager's job in September 2002 but it was almost two years later before Roy Keane decided he wanted to play for his country again. Even then there were apparently a few players in the squad who he never spoke with. With that precedent, perhaps Stephen Ireland will change his mind eventually as well - I'm not holding my breath though.

He seems to be a different player this year... maybe he's getting himself back together and a little more time will see him want to play for us again.

Tonights performance is further evidence of what we're missing:

"STAR PLAYER: Stephen Ireland.
I am not quite sure whats happened to him. His performances recently are as good as anyone. He always looked a threat on the break and never stopped running. Keep it up son."

I've just been looking at the FAI website and Ireland and Andy O'Brien are still included in the Squad Profile. I know they have always been slow about upading the site but other players stats have been updated since the last two games, you would think that they could delete these two from the system when they were at it.:mad: