Mexico v Republic of Ireland - Met Life Stadium NJ - Friday, 2nd June 2017 - Friendly

Exactly. I don't think there's been any indication Rice would jump ship. So why call him up when he hasn't made a single senior appearance at club level?

I get that he has potential. But so did Crowley, Henderson, Dixon and several others at a similar age.

I'd go as far as to say it's debatable whether Grealish would have merited an Intl debut based on what he's done, if he had stayed with us.

He's unlikely to make an appearance against Austria anyway, so if he is inclined (doesn't look like it) he could still opt for England.

Cullen, Manning, Forrester and Darragh Lenihan must be scratching their heads.

This link says Rice was called up to ward off interest from England.

http://www.football.london/west-ham-...-rice-13080166

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Originally Posted by TheOneWhoKnocks

Calling up a forward would show more forward thinking

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Can't argue with that.

Daniel McDonnell reaching the same conclusion as myself.

http://m.independent.ie/sport/soccer...-35749255.html

few of the squad were at the Cork City game last night: https://twitter.com/Thomas_Stafford/...91760027250689

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Originally Posted by tetsujin1979

few of the squad were at the Cork City game last night: https://twitter.com/Thomas_Stafford/...91760027250689

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Cork City were playing away in Sligo on Monday night. From reading the comments that appears to be the Beamish Cup Final between Cobh Wanderers and Ringmahon Rangers at Turners Cross. Alan Browne started out at Ringmahon.

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Originally Posted by TheOneWhoKnocks

This link says Rice was called up to ward off interest from England.

http://www.football.london/west-ham-...-rice-13080166

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It says that. But it refers to the Irish Independent. In effect, it's regurgitating McDonnell's assertion that "it's difficult to avoid the conclusion" which isn't very conclusive at all.

I really think that arriving at this conclusion ignores the fact that this lad is clearly one of the best prospects to play underage for us in some time. To captain your under 23 club side at 18. To make your PL debut at 18. The other names you mention that could feel disgruntled were never developing at this rate. Lenihan found his feet at Championship level at 22, for example.

Maybe MON is right to set the PL as the standard for call ups. Kevin Long called up before Darragh Lenihan? That demonstrates to Lenihan that he has to aim for the top level before a call up. He has to set himself aside from all the other lads at Championship and League One level who have minimal or no PL experience. What sets Greg Cunningham aside from Matt Doherty aside from Derrick Williams for LB? Hard to say. All have won POTY At their club this year or last. But Stephen Ward has consistently managed to get himself into a PL side. Cyrus Christie managed to nip in ahead of these lads by virtue of the fact that he was playing Championship whilst Cunningham and Williams (and maybe Doherty) were in L1.

I'm not saying it's the perfect yard mark as MON acknowledged during the week that he has a lot of Championship players. Most of our defenders and midfielders have come in off the back of PL experience bar some exceptions (Christie, Keogh, Duffy came in at opportune times when we were short on numbers). McShane and Pearce, for instance, can be marked aside on that basis.

I have to say this is the funniest squad announcement of all time, for so many reasons.

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Originally Posted by Stuttgart88

I have to say this is the funniest squad announcement of all time, for so many reasons.

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Nobody has mentioned Alan Smith was at Rangers... Grrrrrrrrr

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Originally Posted by Olé Olé

It says that. But it refers to the Irish Independent. In effect, it's regurgitating McDonnell's assertion that "it's difficult to avoid the conclusion" which isn't very conclusive at all.

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Aidan Fitzmaurice also said "it's thought that this call-up to the senior panel is a move by the FAI to fend off any attempt by England to 'sign' Rice", but that's similarly vague and inconclusive.

It's thought by whom?... Fitzmaurice? Dan McDonnell? The wider media? Supporters? Or is the thinking from people in the know? The FAI? Martin O'Neill?

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Originally Posted by Stuttgart88

I have to say this is the funniest squad announcement of all time, for so many reasons.

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I also think it's unusual myself given the additional or late call-ups - some of them very much out-of-the-blue - and then the absence of the in-form Sean Maguire, despite the selection of other Cork-based players, but care to elaborate? :)

Does O'Neill harbour a reluctance or hang-up over potentially being seen to have been led in his selections my the media? He does have a fairly lukewarm relationship with the press and can be quite sarcastic with them in press conferences. His exchanges with Tony O'Donoghue are often icy, for example, and I get the impression he likes to go against the grain. Could it be a stubbornness then on O'Neill's part that has cost Maguire a place or does he genuinely not rate the player as worthy of even a closer look?

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Originally Posted by Olé Olé

Nobody has mentioned Alan Smith was at Rangers... Grrrrrrrrr

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I hadn't even realised he was the Alan Smith who had played for Rangers. Have we ever had a Rangers player called up to the senior international squad before? (Is Smith considered an official squad call-up or is he essentially a "training prop" for the outfield squad?)

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Originally Posted by DannyInvincible

Aidan Fitzmaurice also said "it's thought that this call-up to the senior panel is a move by the FAI to fend off any attempt by England to 'sign' Rice", but that's similarly vague and inconclusive.

It's thought by whom?... Fitzmaurice? Dan McDonnell? The wider media? Supporters? Or is the thinking from people in the know? The FAI? Martin O'Neill?

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"it is thought" = "we have no idea why, but we're not going to admit that"
See also "famous person on date with mystery partner" = "we have no idea who their partner is, but we're not going to admit that"

'Decline of Irish players at top level clubs shows no sign of stopping': http://www.irishtimes.com/sport/socc...ping-1.3093289

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Originally Posted by Emmet Malone

As it grows richer and more rapacious the English Premier League seems to cast a darker shadow than ever over the club competitions of neighbouring countries, but it no longer benefits their national teams in anything like the same way. In Ireland’s case the season just ended suggests the problem is becoming more and more acute.

Barely 20 players who are, or have been, available to play for the Republic featured in the English top flight since last summer. None played for a top six club over the past nine months, only a handful prospered at any of the rest and a couple of the international team’s stalwarts had seasons to forget.

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I read that earlier, why did he say "barely 20" instead of "19"?

I think we can all reach the same conclusion, deep down, that Rice wouldn't have been called up because of his underage accomplishments if he was born in Roscommon.

I would be very surprised if O'Neill or Keane have even seen him kick a ball.

I don't think someone should get a national team call up so someone can take a look at him.

I think it's a prerequisite that management scout a player before calling him up.

And calling Rice a Premier League player is virtually the same as calling McEvoy one because he made the bench against Tromso.

Winning POTY awards over a season while playing with grown men should be a greater estimate of whether you are ready to play Intl ball.

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Originally Posted by Stuttgart88

I have to say this is the funniest squad announcement of all time, for so many reasons.

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Genuine question. What does it take, barring injury, to be dropped from an O'Neill squad?

Green, Kelly and Cox have finally stopped making squads.

Quinn has been injured.

It's very hard to get out of one.

It's like the mafia.

I agree, and some of the omissions and inclusions confuse me. But with about 3 exceptions that I feel strongly about we're debating the margins. None of this stops this thread from amusing me though.

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Originally Posted by TheOneWhoKnocks

I think we can all reach the same conclusion, deep down, that Rice wouldn't have been called up because of his underage accomplishments if he was born in Roscommon.

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That's a bit disingenuous, Jack Byrne was called up to train with them last year at the age of 19 and Alan Browne also last year at the age of 20, although Browne missed out through injury.

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Originally Posted by TheOneWhoKnocks

I think we can all reach the same conclusion, deep down, that Rice wouldn't have been called up because of his underage accomplishments if he was born in Roscommon.

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What players from Roscommon would you call up, because of their underage accomplishments

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Originally Posted by TheOneWhoKnocks

I would be very surprised if O'Neill or Keane have even seen him kick a ball.

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Can you prove that? Even if they haven't, you don't think they didn't consult his U19 manager?

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Originally Posted by TheOneWhoKnocks

I don't think someone should get a national team call up so someone can take a look at him.

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what about Jack Byrne, Callum O'Dowda, or Ian Lawlor, or (under the previous manager) Shane Duffy, Greg Cunningham, Conor Clifford

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Originally Posted by TheOneWhoKnocks

I think it's a prerequisite that management scout a player before calling him up.

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By that logic, Cillian Sheridan will never get a call up

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Originally Posted by TheOneWhoKnocks

And calling Rice a Premier League player is virtually the same as calling McEvoy one because he made the bench against Tromso.

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Nobody is calling McEvoy a Premier League player because he's never played in the Premier League. People aren't even calling him a Europa League player because he was on the bench against Tromso. People are calling Rice a Premier League player because he has played in the Premier League. It's pretty logical.

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Originally Posted by TheOneWhoKnocks

Winning POTY awards over a season while playing with grown men should be a greater estimate of whether you are ready to play Intl ball.

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What players who have won POTY are not in the squad?

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Originally Posted by TheOneWhoKnocks

Genuine question. What does it take, barring injury, to be dropped from an O'Neill squad?

Green, Kelly and Cox have finally stopped making squads.

Quinn has been injured.

It's very hard to get out of one.

It's like the mafia.

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So you want to know what it takes to be dropped from the squad, and then name players who have been dropped from the squad.

In fairness to TOWK I wouldn't call up anyone from Roscommon. End of.

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Originally Posted by joe_denilson

That's a bit disingenuous, Jack Byrne was called up to train with them last year at the age of 19 and Alan Browne also last year at the age of 20, although Browne missed out through injury.

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Byrne was playing in the Dutch top flight for almost a full season and Browne had a hundred odd senior games, including Championship level. IMO there is no comparison.

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Originally Posted by Stuttgart88

In fairness to TOWK I wouldn't call up anyone from Roscommon. End of.

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I hear Chris O'Dowd is a decent goalie if we're stuck.

Matt Doherty and Derrick Williams have won POTY awards. Williams hasn't been called up and Doherty hasn't even made a revised squad yet.

Playing one minute of Premier League football is not adequate though. I used the Harriman, Grego-Cox and Toner examples. He needs the transition to U-21 level and semi-regular senior football - if this is truly a footballing decision.

In fairness, those lads you mentioned all had plenty of senior football and Rice doesn't.

I can't prove it but they go to one, two games max a week and I have never heard them taking in West Ham U-21's though; and I don't think they should be taking cues, or leaps of faith, from an U-19 coach.

Difficult to quote on phone. Apologies.

Has O'Neill ever flat out stated or implied that lads like Boyle, Horgan and Maguire need to move to England to be truly considered?

It's hard to reconcile that with the fact he's willing to call up someone on the back of one minute of Premier League football.

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Originally Posted by TheOneWhoKnocks

Matt Doherty and Derrick Williams have won POTY awards. Williams hasn't been called up and Doherty hasn't even made a revised squad yet.

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Doherty's been injured since the end of April, didn't play Wolves' last three games. Williams was relegated with Blackburn, hardly deserving of a call up

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Originally Posted by TheOneWhoKnocks

Playing one minute of Premier League football is not adequate though. I used the Harriman, Grego-Cox and Toner examples. He needs the transition to U-21 level and semi-regular senior football - if this is truly a footballing decision.

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Nobody is saying a minute of Premier League football is enough.

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Originally Posted by TheOneWhoKnocks

In fairness, those lads you mentioned all had plenty of senior football and Rice doesn't.

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Lawlor hadn't played senior football when he was called up, Cunningham hadn't made his senior debut when he was first called up, Duffy had played three games when first called up

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Originally Posted by TheOneWhoKnocks

I can't prove it but they go to one, two games max a week and I have never heard them taking in West Ham U-21's though; and I don't think they should be taking cues, or leaps of faith, from an U-19 coach.

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If you've no proof, then don't post it. Why wouldn't they listen to the U19 coach?

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Originally Posted by TheOneWhoKnocks

Has O'Neill ever flat out stated or implied that lads like Boyle, Horgan and Maguire need to move to England to be truly considered?

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Horgan was first called up before he moved to England

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Originally Posted by TheOneWhoKnocks

It's hard to reconcile that with the fact he's willing to call up someone on the back of one minute of Premier League football.

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It really isn't, like I said, players have been called into the international squad before playing senior football for their club

Norman Whiteside made his debut in a World Cup for the north with only 3 appearances for his club. All that has happened here is that a kid has been called up to train with the seniors for a (slightly) glorified post-season B international.

He's been doing well for his club and our U21s. It all seems terribly sensible to me.

In MONROY we trust. I am sure the know what they are doing and long may they continue to surprise. I like this move. There is no room for complacency. I remember when a certain Steve Staunton and Jim Beglin were parachuted in. Turns out the manager knew what he was doing.

Damn you Gastric! I was just about to post I didn't hear any complaints when Staunton was called up for Euro 88. There weren't many Irish Times articles bemoaning lack of top flight players then either. I suppose there was no social media though.

EIR sports advertised coverage of both these games during Europa league final.

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Originally Posted by Stuttgart88

Damn you Gastric! I was just about to post I didn't hear any complaints when Staunton was called up for Euro 88. There weren't many Irish Times articles bemoaning lack of top flight players then either. I suppose there was no social media though.

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The reason why there were no complaints about young Stan being called up for Euro 88, is simply because he wasn't called up for Euro 88.
Otherwise point well taken :)

Some video footage from the training camp: https://www.facebook.com/sseairtrici...PAGES_TIMELINE

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Originally Posted by joe_denilson

EIR sports advertised coverage of both these games during Europa league final.

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Can you remember if they specified 'live' coverage for the Mexico game? On their programme planner they only have it down for 08:00 on Friday morning and again for 21:30 that night.

https://www.eirsport.ie/tv-guides

live-footballontv have it listed as being broadcast live at 1am on Premier Sports: http://www.live-footballontv.com/

Kevin Long is a good strong boy
http://www.irishtimes.com/sport/socc...ance-1.3096192

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James McClean and three of the squad’s more established goalkeepers will join up with the 17 players who training at Fota island on Thursday morning ahead of Monday’s flight to New Jersey where Ireland will play Mexico next Thursday evening.

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About Kevin Long specifically

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Originally Posted by Roy Keane

“I’ve seen him a couple of times. He’s a good strong boy. Obviously, he’s not a kid and I’m sure if he gets a chance in Mexico he’ll take it. And that’s what happens in football sometimes. Sometimes fellas come into the squad at 18 or 19 years of age whether it’s a Robbie Keane or a Brady and then other lads come in a bit later in their career and that’s fine also.
“As I’ve said, we don’t have the biggest pool of players so if lads are playing, particularly at Premier league level, then obviously they are going to be considered.”

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Anyone know if the Mexico match is being screened live please?

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Originally Posted by KK77

Anyone know if the Mexico match is being screened live please?

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See two posts above your own ^^

Shame Westwood isn't travelling. Would have liked to see what a good strong boy and a good catholic boy could get up toin the Shtates.

With no left backs in the squad, it may be an opportunity to go Antonio Conté/Celtic O'Neill

http://i.imgur.com/JwPC6KK.png

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Originally Posted by tetsujin1979

live-footballontv have it listed as being broadcast live at 1am on Premier Sports: http://www.live-footballontv.com/

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confirmed on Premier Sports' website: http://www.premiersports.com/footbal...nd-friendlies/
1am, guess I'm working from home on Friday week.

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Originally Posted by Charlie Darwin

Shame Westwood isn't travelling.

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Is there confirmation of the squad that will be travelling to the US anywhere?

Why isn't Westwood travelling? Didn't O'Neill indicate that the team chosen against Uruguay will pretty much be the team to play Austria or did I imagine that? If Westwood isn't travelling to the US, maybe he's going to get a game against Uruguay? Could there be a chance of him starting against Austria?