Ireland to play Ecuador and Bolivia in May

It's end of season and seeing the new names included is exciting, but I just think it's a lost opportunity to have a look at other CMF options, most notably Whelan, but also Garvan and Gibson, and Nick Colgan's inclusion astounds me.

If he wants to take a look at Folan up close then fair enough but I'd have far preferred to see Leon Best, and likewise if he thinks that Potter is the new CMF face he most wants to see than that's his call. He's right to bring Potter, but he could have brought Whelan too.

I read that the Quinns have family commitments so are unavailable.

Dunne is out of the squad because he's getting married, and he's played every minute of every game this season for Man City.

On Off The Ball on NewsTalk last night they announced they had contacted Toronto FC about speaking to Ronnie O'Brien, but he would only speak to them if the Irish team was not part of the interview. Which clearly was not going to happen....

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Originally Posted by NeilMcD

On the promotion of Sunderland and Birmingham to the Premiership:

“It’s good news for us. As well as the Sunderland players, Colin Doyle and Stephen Kelly have gone up with Birmingham. The more players we have in the Premiership, the easier my job is to assess them. It’s great for both clubs.”
”

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Does Stan just sit at home and watch Match of the Day to assess the players?

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Originally Posted by Stuttgart88

It's end of season and seeing the new names included is exciting, but I just think it's a lost opportunity to have a look at other CMF options, most notably Whelan, but also Garvan and Gibson

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Apparently Gibson is going to be involved in play off matches in Belgium that clash with our games. Garvan and especially Whelan should have been included.

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Originally Posted by Paulie

Apparently Gibson is going to be involved in play off matches in Belgium that clash with our games.

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That's fair enough, I was wondering if that may have been the case.

I'm looking forward to the games. Good chance for the young lads to make an impression. I think Folan could surprise one or two.

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Originally Posted by gustavo

Does Stan just sit at home and watch Match of the Day to assess the players?

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I think so! Unless he thinks that Sunderland and Birmingham will move location after being promoted thus making them easier to get to. :eek:

Here have a look at what our small minded cousins to the far North are saying about our trip to the USA (including EalingGreen):

http://ourweecountry.ipbhost.com/ind...howtopic=18038

It always brings a smile to my face reading their comments and then they wonder why Gibson, Kane etc don't want to play for them.

I can't access their forums for some reason. What are they saying?

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Originally Posted by Paulie

I can't access their forums for some reason. What are they saying?

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F#ck all. I wasted 60 seconds of my life reading it.

Jealous minnows with a chip on their shoulder. And they wear green?:D

KOH

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Originally Posted by youngirish

Here have a look at what our small minded cousins to the far North are saying about our trip to the USA (including EalingGreen):

http://ourweecountry.ipbhost.com/ind...howtopic=18038

It always brings a smile to my face reading their comments and then they wonder why Gibson, Kane etc don't want to play for them.

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I'm not allowed on that site, IT security settings at work.

Care to summarise?

what a muppet that grand'homme is , "beggars" dont make me laugh , take a trip down here and check your prejudices out.

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Originally Posted by Stuttgart88

I'm not allowed on that site, IT security settings at work.

Care to summarise?

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EalingGreen refers to the thread as Stan's comedy trip to the US and his cronies spend the entire time moaning about the whole X-Files conspiracy of the FAI 'defectors' Kane, O'Connor and Gibson and that they probably aren't in the squad because the FAI are still unsure about their elligibility and are afraid to include them (in preference to the more realistic reason that Kane and O'Connor are nowhere near ready for the senior squad yet and Gibson is tied up in Belgium). That and the usual beggars insults being thrown about though admittedly EalingGreen doesn't use this phrase.

Why do they care is all I want to know?

i understand that NI fans might be worried they could lose some players who perhaps may qualify for them. some serious clowns on that site though , every time i think i might thaw in my attitudes to the NI team this kind of thing sends me right back to wanting them to lose every game they play.

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Originally Posted by youngirish

Why do they care is all I want to know?

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Why do we care is all I want to know...

Who is Kane and who is O'Connor. I've never heard of these guys.

Are they now talking about us talking about them?

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Originally Posted by drummerboy

Who is Kane and who is O'Connor. I've never heard of these guys.

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Tony Kane, on loan from Blackburn to Brugge. He was born in Belfast, hence the grief about him.
Michael O'Connor at Crewe Alexandra, he switched allegiances from the North after playing for them at U-21 level
I believe Portsmouth's Marc Wilson is a similar case, born in Belfast, declared for the Republic

I think read somewhere earlier in the year Kane is doing well over there... He's a right full yeah?

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Originally Posted by tetsujin1979

Tony Kane, on loan from Blackburn to Brugge. He was born in Belfast, hence the grief about him.
Michael O'Connor at Crewe Alexandra, he switched allegiances from the North after playing for them at U-21 level
I believe Portsmouth's Marc Wilson is a similar case, born in Belfast, declared for the Republic

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19 year old Kane has being doing well at Cercle Brugge since his loan move in January. He's had a couple of man of the match awards. Spent three months on loan with Stockport before Christmas, who were keen to keep him on loan.But was recalled to Blackburn due to a lack of defensive cover in January and was then sent over to the Blackburn feeder club for the remainder of the season. Kane was named in an Ireland u17 squad a couple of seasons ago before being called up to the u21 squad.

Michael O'Connor (19) has never represented the North at u21 level, he has had an injury-hit season with Crewe after signing a new three and a half year deal last September.

19 year old Marc Wilson is from Aghagallen, near Lurgan. He has spent the last six months on loan at Bournemouth from Portsmouth. Bournemouth manager Kevin Bond has credited him with being a big part in the clubs fight away from relegation. He's also knocked in a few goals for the Cherries during his loan spell. Had been named in McCaffreys u17 squad before being called up to the u21's.

Darron Gibson is currently involved in the play-offs with Royal Antwerp and was unavailable for the American friendlies. He signed a three year extension to his present Man U contract earlier in the year.

17 year old Ruairi Harkin from Derry has recently broken into the Crystal Palace reserves from the academy side and has played a couple of games for the u18's. http://oneteaminireland.bravehost.com/46.html

A few other lads like Kevin Derry & Eugene Ferry have been playing for the u19/u21's.

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Originally Posted by co. down green

Michael O'Connor (19) has never represented the North at u21 level, he has had an injury-hit season with Crewe after signing a new three and a half year deal last September.

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You sure about that? According to his wikipedia profile - http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Michael...r_(footballer) - he was a regular.
Usual wikipedia disclaimers apply

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Originally Posted by tetsujin1979

You sure about that? According to his wikipedia profile - http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Michael...r_(footballer) - he was a regular.
Usual wikipedia disclaimers apply

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Never appeared for the North's u21's.

UEFA/FIFA need to address the rights of Irish players in the North who should have the same support at underage level as those in Dublin,Cork,Dundalk or wherever.

From Caleb Folan's most recent diary on icons.com: http://www.icons.com/folan/diary.html?26.04.07

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Finally I just want to say how pleased I am to have been called up to the Republic of Ireland squad for the forthcoming tour of the USA. I've known the tour was taking place for a while but wasn't counting my chickens, so I'm buzzing at getting the call-up. I hadn't booked a holiday just in case and now it looks like that was a good decision. It will be such a good experience to face the likes of Bolivia and Ecuador later this month. It will be a great way to round off the season that's for sure.

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Ronnie O'Brien and another two exiles will train with the team.
Don't know why he doesn't just call them up.

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Originally Posted by Risteard

Ronnie O'Brien and another two exiles will train with the team.
Don't know why he doesn't just call them up.

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If it was any other manager I'd say it was because they wouldn't be getting called up on merit.

Anyone know how much the tickets v Bolivia in Foxborough are ??? I assume there are some available and might just drive down on the day. With 2 year old son in tow - assume he'd be free ?????

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Originally Posted by BobbySands

Anyone know how much the tickets v Bolivia in Foxborough are ??? I assume there are some available and might just drive down on the day. With 2 year old son in tow - assume he'd be free ?????

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I think its $37

Ipswich star Garvan fumes at Irish snub
By Phil Campion

IPSWICH Town midfielder Owen Garvan said he has been left shaking his head after being ignored again for Republic of Ireland international squads.

Over the last two seasons the Dubliner has been picked for every game he’s been fit to play for Ipswich yet he hasn’t represented Ireland since U-16 level.

“My aims next season are to do well for Ipswich and to play international football again,” said the 19-year-old who has been dubbed the Steven Gerrard of the future.

“I have been left shaking my head at not being called up, and it has been very frustrating. I enjoy playing first team football, but missing out on the international scene is something I am desperate to rectify.”

Meanwhile Lee Carsley, linked with moves to Birmingham City and Mick McCarthy’s Wolves has made it clear he wants at least another season with Everton.

The Ireland midfielder who is out of contract at Goodison Park in the summer was thought to be seeking a transfer nearer to his Midlands home.

Manager David Moyes put a hold on all players’ contract negotiations until the end of the season but Carsley hopes to fix up a new contract soon.

“It has never been the case that I have wanted to cut the travelling and go back to the Midlands where my family is, despite what some people seem to think,” said the 33-year-old.

“It is a case of the gaffer and me sitting down to see what he has in mind with my contract ending in the summer.

“I feel so proud to play for Everton, and this is a massive chance to experience European football now.

“So to consider walking away from the club is not really in my mind,” he added.

“But my contract is up and we need to have some talks. I have already had a chat with David Moyes, and he expressed his desire to keep me here.”

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Originally Posted by Risteard

Ronnie O'Brien and another two exiles will train with the team.
Don't know why he doesn't just call them up.

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Exactly - far more motivational to be involved legitimately. Come & do some training, no chance of a game by the way, however you perform!!!!!

O'Brien wont be training with Ireland,he has been out injured. Plus he would not accept a chance to just "train" if he had no chance of playing. Toronto are in the middle of their season (MLS is March-November similar to EL).

Stan would be last person to be aware of such mundane matters but I suspect also that Ronnie's boots haven't grown at the same pace as his opinion about his abilities.

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Originally Posted by geysir

Stan would be last person to be aware of such mundane matters but I suspect also that Ronnie's boots haven't grown at the same pace as his opinion about his abilities.

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From http://www.fai.ie/index.php?option=c...=2012&Itemid=9

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Staunton gave his views on various matters today upon unveiling his squad and the following is a selection of those.
....
On the participation of the USA-based Irish players in the training schedule of the squad in New York and Boston:Ronnie O’Brien has a knee brace on at the moment and wouldn’t be up to playing a friendly international. We’ll be looking at bringing in three or four of the lads in to train with us and assess them that way.

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I'm not as surprised as most people that Nick Colgan is there. His experience put him ahead of some of the younger keepers up to now. Now that Doyle has arrived as a likely no. 2 to Given, maybe its only fair to bring Colgan along, give him a game as a swansong and thank you for travelling around to sit on the bench for the last few years. I dont think he will be in the squad next season. Some of the other selections in this squad and previous squads make me wonder in Stan is aware of all the players at his disposal. I genuinely dont think he knows everyone he has available.

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Originally Posted by RiffRaff

I genuinely dont think he knows everyone he has available.

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And it's not like Bobby would be of assistance in that regard.:p

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Originally Posted by tetsujin1979

From http://www.fai.ie/index.php?option=c...=2012&Itemid=9

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Tets, I see from that article that Ronnie was not in the frame on the 8th.

I suppose I was wondering why Ronnie would refuse an interview on Radio if he had answer questions about the call up/invite by Stan to train with the national squad.

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Originally Posted by geysir

Tets, I see from that article that Ronnie was not in the frame on the 8th.

I suppose I was wondering why Ronnie would refuse an interview on Radio if he had answer questions about the call up/invite by Stan to train with the national squad.

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Fair enough, I was just pointing out that Stan is aware of such "mundane matters" as O'Brien's knee injury

As stated in the other Ronnie O thread, he played great in his first game for Toronto today. I still dont think he will go with the Irish team just to train. Toronto has a friendly at home to Benfica the same night as the Ecuador game and an away game at Columbus on the 26th.

Joe Gamble and Stephen O'Halloran called up.

http://www.rte.ie/sport/2007/0515/repireland.html

any exiles in canada/america know the chances of the matches been shown on tv?? Or where i might be able to check?