QuoteGraham Kavanagh joins League One Carlisle on loan
I'm not too sure why Paddy Kenny hasnt been given a look by Trap, but he seems determined
http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/foot...td/7663220.stm
Graham Kavanagh joins League One Carlisle on loan
My Guarantee
Am looking for old Irish matches on VHS, PM me if you have some and I'll upload them here
The College sides don't have a lot to do with nationality. They select the best players in the colleges regardless of nationality.Originally Posted by joe_denilson
Preston North End Vital showcases the work of a young USA journalist Andrew McCarten, who combines his interest in PNE and the Eire team.
ASSESING PRESTON NORTH END`S IRISH DUO AND THEIR INTERNATIONAL CHANCES
With Giovanni Trapattoni having taken the reins as the Republic of Ireland`s new manager after Steve Staunton`s tenuous spell, Preston`s Irish pair of Wayne Henderson and Sean St. Ledger will surely have been reassessed by the new management team, including Italian legend Marco Tardelli and former Irish star Liam Brady. This article will look at how Henderson and St. Ledger can be of use to the Boys in Green, and what their international careers may hold. As a devout Irish fan who has taken an interest in PNE recently, this piece seemed an interesting combination of both.
Wayne Henderson- In a perfect world, the Irish goalkeeping setup is quite simple; Shay Given is always healthy and starting, while the younger goalkeepers battle it out to fill out the depth chart and stake their claim for keeper of the future. Sadly, Given`s track record is littered with injuries, and this has opened the door for many Irish goalkeepers to make their way into the squad and onto the field. Wayne Henderson has 6 senior caps for Ireland, the last coming in August of 2007, when Ireland thrashed Denmark 4-0. Henderson was included in the Trap`s initial 40 man squad to face Serbia and Colombia, along with 5 other goalkeepers. However he did not make the cut for the final squad, which saw Dean Kiely (West Brom) return for Ireland after a five year hiatus, as well as little-used Colin Doyle (Birmingham City) and Joe Murphy (Scunthorpe United). Dean Kiely`s return will mean he will surely be Given`s deputy, presumably until after the World Cup 2010 should Ireland qualify. But Scott Carson`s recent move to West Brom means that Kiely may end up having to share time or sit the bench, which could hurt his chances. This means that there is probably just one spot left in the squad, as Ireland always carries three goalkeepers. The contenders: Colin Doyle, Joe Murphy, Darren Randolph (Charlton Athletic, U21 keeper), Kierin Westwood (Coventry City) and Brian Murphy (Bohemians FC). Doyle has just one senior cap, against Ecuador on the USA tour in May of 2007, and since he continues to have Northern Irish #1 Maik Taylor picked ahead of him in the Birmingham City squad his chances have drastically decreased of becoming the third goalkeeper, although with more playing time the 23 year old Cork native could be a bright prospect for the future. Joe Murphy has been desperate to leave Scunthopre after their relegation to League One in hopes of improving his international chances. His only senior appearance came in 2003, although he had been included in many of Staunton`s recent squads and was on the bench for the friendlies against Serbia and Colombia. He has recently suffered a torn groin and will miss the start of the season, and if he doesn`t switch to a higher level club he may be out of the reckoning for Ireland. Darren Randolph is the current U21 goalkeeper, but his erratic form both for country and during his loan spell at Bury last year meant he was probably the easiest cut from the 40 man squad. Unless a breakthrough comes at Charlton, or he dazzles on loan somewhere, Randolph has a few years yet before making an impact for the senior squad, although he does have time at just 21 years of age. Kierin Westwood was a surprise pick for the May friendlies, and was called up to replace Doyle after he suffered an injury. This sparked outrage from many Irish fans, as Brian Murphy of Bohemians, the best goalkeeper in the domestic league, was overlooked although English-born Westwood described himself by saying: "I`m not Irish but I`m a good Catholic boy." His move to Coventry City greatly improve his chances of being picked, as Trap seems to rate him highly. If he can capture the starting job then a strong case will have been made. Although he could be there on merit alone, adding Murphy to the squad would be a very important gesture to eircom league to show its rapid rise up the European league totem pole. So where does this leave Henderson, you may be asking? Well, Henderson`s first job will be assuring at least a part-time share of Preston`s starting goalkeeper. If Andy Londregan continually starts while Henderson rides the pine, there is virtually no hope of a call-up. However, if Henderson can capture and maintain the starting spot than good things may lie ahead. Surely he would be, in my opinion, the favorite to be the third goalkeeper in the squad, and with the injuries hitting Irish goalkeepers as of late (including himself), if he stays healthy his chances greatly improve. Given will surely be the starter if fit, and Kiely the backup, but Henderson can learn many things from these two experienced keepers and this will help his form for Preston. Also, playing in World Cup qualifiers and potentially World Cup matches if the chips fall his way will make him a much better player for both club and country. With Given 32, and Kiely 37, the next generation of Irish goalkeepers are set to take the torch in the coming years. At the very least, I would expect Henderson to be in the squad in the coming years for Ireland, and if he can become the starter for PNE (and maybe a promotion to the Premier League, who knows!) it is conceivable to see
Henderson being the Irish number 1 for at least a short period of time in the future; at the very least, I would expect him to build on his 6 cap total.
Sean St. Ledger- Perhaps the most odd thing the Birmingham native`s Irish career is that he is still yet to receive a cap for Ireland! Steve Staunton discovered St. Ledger`s Irish roots during his tenure, however, and he was a regular in Stan`s squads. Surprisingly, he was left out of Trapattoni`s 40 man squad, which included the enigma that is Paul McShane (Sunderland), Damien Delaney (QPR), Alex Bruce (Ipswich Town), and Kevin Foley (Wolves). The Irish back four is pretty much set in stone, as Richie Dunne (Man City) and John O`Shea (Man U) are the best choice for centre backs, and Stephen Kelly (Birmingham City) is certain to be the choice for left back. Steve Finnan`s pending return to international football means the right back situation is unsolved. If Finnan were to return, he would most likely regain his RB starting spot. If not, Kelly would perhaps move to right back while Darren O`Dea`s (Celtic) rapid progress has seen him go from a U21 regular, to U21 captain and star, to starting hopeful, despite not earning a senior cap yet. He has repeatedly pleaded with Bhoys boss Gordon Strachan to allow him to play more, and it seems to be working as this season saw him make the most appearances of any during his time at Celtic. But since O`Dea is primarily used as a centre back, any lineup with him partnering Richie Dunne would likely see the versatile O`Shea move to LB/RB. O`Dea will also have to hope for continued playing time at Parkhead to stay in Trap`s reckoning. Alex Bruce, son of famous Manchester United and England legend Steve Bruce, has just one cap for the Irish senior side, against Ecuador in May 2007. He has been a regular in the squad though, and is good cover at least. His versatility also plays a major part in his inclusions, as he can play both CB and left or right back. And now on to Sean St. LEGEND. His continued excellent displays for PNE seem to have gone overlooked mostly, although he has been regularly included in the squad before. His exclusion from Trap`s 40 man squad came as a real shock to myself and many Irish and PNE fans I know, as his versatility and talent seemed capable of at least the 40 man squad. He provides excellent cover at the very least, and is surely more suitable to international football than the likes of Alex Bruce. Ideally, St. Ledger can make the squads as a backup defender, able to play both CB and on the flanks. If he stays fit and continues to play as well as he has at Deepdale, there is no reason why he shouldn`t be a semi-regular in the upcoming Irish squads.
The upcoming season should tell us a lot about these two players. Henderson will have to prove he deserves to be the Whites` starting keeper, and St. Ledger will have to show Trapattoni and the Irish backroom staff that they made a mistake by overlooking him for the 40 man squad. At the very least I would expect someone involved with the Irish setup to attend one or two of Preston`s matches, probably against another team with many Irish internationals such as Reading or Wolves. If both players put their heads down and work hard this season, they can make a difference playing for both Preston North End and the Republic of Ireland.
Good article, but I'd have a problem with the highlighted section above.
Darren played 21 times for Celtic in 2006/2007 (14 starts, 7 introductions from the bench), but only 9 times in 2007/2008 (5 starts, 4 introductions from the bench) and spent a quite frankly astonishing 34 games on the bench. So far this season he's come off the bench once and been an unused sub 6 times.
He is unattached as they say.
St Ledger disappointed not to be called up for the B squad! Not even been contacted by anyone involved in selection of the squads either.
Seems we are stuck with the mediocrity that is McShane and Bruce!
Whats even more compounding is that St Ledger is playing even better now than when he was first selected for Ireland.
Whats going on?
http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/foot...on/7671571.stm
We? I'd never have guessed you were an Ireland fan.It won't do you any harm to make posts that don't contain the words St Ledger every now and then.
As I said to you before, McShane was bloody outstanding for Brighton in the Championship.
Did you see him play for Brighton? I doubt it! McShane was poor at WBA and even worse at Sunderland too.We? I'd never have guessed you were an Ireland fan.
As I said to you before, McShane was bloody outstanding for Brighton in the Championship.
Next you will be telling me that Alex Bruce was outstanding at Birmingham and Ipswich!
So you followed McShane's time at West Brom enough to make judgement on him. Yet you dismiss my opinion of his time at Brighton, in the same league... Get a grip.
No doubt you were drooling over McShane's performance last night! Next you will be telling me all about Alex Bruce's wonderful achievements!We? I'd never have guessed you were an Ireland fan.
As I said to you before, McShane was bloody outstanding for Brighton in the Championship.
I don't really know what you're at.No doubt you were drooling over McShane's performance last night! Next you will be telling me all about Alex Bruce's wonderful achievements!
McShane is an inconsistent and mysterious player.
He can be your best defender or your worst.
He never shies away from things, and this sometimes ends up making him look worse than he is.
You never know how he'll perform, but he'll always be committed.
If you want to judge him on last night, go for it, but I don't believe in judging a player on one game.
I think he was our worst player last night, but there was a night against the Czechs in Croker during our last campaign when he was arguably our best player.
St. Ledger seems to be getting good reviews, and I'd love to see him get a chance to impress in the Poland friendly next month, because I'm not totally convinced with our defensive depth.
Here's my stance on McShane: he is a player who has done well at Championship level to the point where he has earned player of the year accolades.
At premiership level he is unproven. He has had some nightmare games (Everton-Sunderland), and some very good games (impressive by all accounts in the Arsenal-Hull match).
Once he gains some consistency he could develop into quite a player. Remember, he is still very young for a defender. Most peak in their late twenties.
For me, I would have him as cover for centre-half, and in a pinch at right-full during an injury crisis.
To be honest I would have probably gone with Foley or Joey O'Brien (was he injured?) at right-full for this match, but given his form with Hull recently I think Trap was not wrong to go with McShane on this occasion.
It worked out, but he was probably our worst player on the pitch. Doesn't mean he won't work out long-term, but I really don't see him as a full-back.
I saw him play a couple of times at Brighton and he was very good. I also seem to remember him being absolutely outstanding for Ireland against the Czechs.
I mentioned both of these points within my post. Essentially I said he was a mixed bag, and lacks consistency. I wouldn't exile him from the squad altogether, but he wouldn't be in my first XI at this stage.
I think everyone knows I don't rate McShane at right back and would have him as 5th or 6th choice for that position. Beside Richard Dunne in the centre I'd be more than happy with McShane though.
That seems to be your answer for everything.Next you will be telling me all about Alex Bruce's wonderful achievements!
Last edited by eirebhoy; 16/10/2008 at 5:05 PM.
Stokes going on loan to Sheffield Utd
Good move for him IMO, regular football with a competitive side.
Sunderland report on the move: http://www.safc.com/news/?page_id=15924
Sheffield United report: http://www.sufc.premiumtv.co.uk/page...423095,00.html
interesting that his loan deal is until January. When the sales are on....
Vennegoor and Samaras are out for 4 and 3 weeks respectively for Celtic. Sheridan might just get a chance now. He's the only striker on the bench today and as we know Strachan rates him highly.
Sheridan came on for the last 25 mins. Had a good chance to make it 3-1.
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