Stephen Ireland

**back of the net** · 15/04/2009, 12:45 PM

Originally Posted by Ciaran

I understand your frustration but there's two things worth pointing out that makes Stephen Ireland discussion eligible on this forum.

a) He has represented Ireland in the past and represented us very well with a string of crucial goals in our last campaign.

b) He has never once ruled out a return to Ireland, he's simply said the time isn't right at the moment. Not what fans of the country want to hear but understand its done as a testament to his own personal difficulties and not as a mark of disrespect on the country.

He's both a past and potential future player, he's still a kid and that needs to be considered. He will grow up, he will mature and he will address this issue. There's a lot more to be said about Stephen and Ireland so the time for distancing himself from Ireland discussion is certainly not here and hopefully never will be.

i would agree with that

**Wolfie** · 15/04/2009, 1:13 PM

Originally Posted by Ciaran

b) He has never once ruled out a return to Ireland, he's simply said the time isn't right at the moment. Not what fans of the country want to hear but understand its done as a testament to his own personal difficulties and not as a mark of disrespect on the country.

So when is he going to condescend to make a come back? The middle of the next campaign? The one after that?

What exactly are these "personal difficulties" anyway? They haven't been traumatic enough to affect his great club form.

Any fall out with the international players has been continually denied on both sides.

Everyone has "personal difficulties" to some degree or another at certain stages in their lives. Its how you react to them is what matters.

**bellavistaman** · 15/04/2009, 2:25 PM

Stephen Ireland is always the talk of cobh good or bd. We are very proud for a town our size to have such a dominant footballer in the best league in the world!

**Emmet7** · 15/04/2009, 3:05 PM

While there is no doubting Stephen Ireland's talent, there are serious question marks over his maturity and his committment to the Irish cause.

We cannot have a player in our team and as some have argued, have our team built around a player, who you just don't know if he will turn up for the next game or not.

SI has to earn the respect and trust of the Irish manager and team by showing up at every game, every friendly no matter where it is in snow, rain and sunshine.

At the moment we could build the team around him and it comes to a crucial match and he decides he doesn't fancy it or he thinks he doesn't get along with this player or that player, and we'd be left in the lurch.

Like I say give me your O'Shea, Kilbane, McShane, Whelan, Andrews, Doyle and Hunts any day to SI. At least you know they will turn up on the day and give it their best shot.

You can't win if you don't turn up.

**The Legend** · 15/04/2009, 3:35 PM

Originally Posted by bellavistaman

Stephen Ireland is always the talk of cobh good or bd. We are very proud for a town our size to have such a dominant footballer in the best league in the world!

I live in Northern California and a recent baseball incident reminded me of Stephen Ireland.

Dustin Pedroia, current baseball superstar basically called his hometown of Woodland,CA a shi*hole (and ok, it is). But anyway, the town went from worshipping the guy to sending death threats to his family.

Although that's a bit extreme, that's what I feel Stephen Ireland is saying to Ireland, Cork and Cobh.

**back of the net** · 15/04/2009, 3:55 PM

Originally Posted by The Legend

I live in Northern California and a recent baseball incident reminded me of Stephen Ireland.

Dustin Pedroia, current baseball superstar basically called his hometown of Woodland,CA a shi*hole (and ok, it is). But anyway, the town went from worshipping the guy to sending death threats to his family.

Although that's a bit extreme, that's what I feel Stephen Ireland is saying to Ireland, Cork and Cobh.

A bit extreme!!!! thats putting it mildly

sorry legend but that comparison is ridiculous imo

**back of the net** · 15/04/2009, 3:55 PM

Originally Posted by bellavistaman

Stephen Ireland is always the talk of cobh good or bd. We are very proud for a town our size to have such a dominant footballer in the best league in the world!

and so ye should be BVM

**dr_peepee** · 15/04/2009, 4:57 PM

It's hard to deduce anything other than he's a raging coward

Afraid to face team mates he may not like
Afraid to face potential boos from fans
Afraid to tell the truth
Afraid to go bald
Afraid to give nothing other than vague comments regarding his commitment or lack there of.

How people here can defend him is beyond me. He's a chump. Talented obviously and things are going well. We'll see when it's not going well how he fairs. He's a Tabloid story waiting to happen.... He's gonna go all Sol Campbell as some stage, mark my words.

If someone could add a "Still Unavailible" in brackets to the title of the thread I think it would serve the purpose some people want. Like I said previously, I only checks in to this particular thread to see if there's any breaking news about the schmuck. I wouldn't bother with it other wise, li'l bitch that he is...

**SUB of the day** · 15/04/2009, 5:05 PM

Originally Posted by bellavistaman

Stephen Ireland is always the talk of cobh good or bd. We are very proud for a town our size to have such a dominant footballer in the best league in the world!

Being a resident of Cobh for the last 12 years, I have to agree that he is a regular topic in conversation.BUT....saying we are very proud is stretching it bigtime.Hand on heart BVM is the only Cobh man I have heard echo such sentiments.The overwhelming majority that I talk to, express emotions ranging from shame and embarrassment to anger and frustration.Langer, *******, ********,eejit appear in most dialogues re Mr Ireland.The irony of his name eh?

**Conor 123** · 15/04/2009, 5:14 PM

Stephen ireland needs to grow up and stop taking offence,big baby

**The Legend** · 15/04/2009, 6:22 PM

Originally Posted by back of the net

A bit extreme!!!! thats putting it mildly

sorry legend but that comparison is ridiculous imo

well ok, in the other case locals extreme overreacting, but its essentially a valid comparison... 2 sportsmen doing extremely well giving 2 fingers to where they are from.

**seanfhear** · 15/04/2009, 8:38 PM

Originally Posted by The Legend

I live in Northern California and a recent baseball incident reminded me of Stephen Ireland.

Dustin Pedroia, current baseball superstar basically called his hometown of Woodland,CA a shi*hole (and ok, it is). But anyway, the town went from worshipping the guy to sending death threats to his family.

Although that's a bit extreme, that's what I feel Stephen Ireland is saying to Ireland, Cork and Cobh.

If I ever get me hands on Stephen Ireland I will pull the hairs out of his head one by one

**bellavistaman** · 15/04/2009, 10:53 PM

Well in the room with 4 of my buddies, cobh natives, 3 of us played with the lad, were all proud to have a cobh lad play in the premier league. End of. nothing to do with anything else of that statement alone we are proud of.

**tricky_colour** · 16/04/2009, 12:30 AM

He should get a few beers down him and just turn up at the next training camp.

Problem solved.

(please don't send me money, donate it to charity if you must

).

**seanfhear** · 16/04/2009, 9:49 AM

Originally Posted by tricky_colour

He should get a few beers down him and just turn up at the next training camp.

Problem solved.

And start a fight. Sometimes a good fight can clear the air.

**magnumpi** · 16/04/2009, 11:06 AM

i can see it now, a few slaps thrown around and then they all break into tears and a massive hugfest ensues and everyone becomes best friends again.

in fairness, if he repents, he should be welcomed back into the fold, just like in that bible story, "the footballer who came home and played again."

**Drumcondra 69er** · 16/04/2009, 11:44 AM

Originally Posted by magnumpi

i can see it now, a few slaps thrown around and then they all break into tears and a massive hugfest ensues and everyone becomes best friends again.

in fairness, if he repents, he should be welcomed back into the fold, just like in that bible story, "the footballer who came home and played again."

They should play 'Give Ireland back to the Irish' by Paul McCartney and Wings when he walks in if he ever does come back!

**wexfordned** · 16/04/2009, 12:57 PM

If he really wanted to play for Ireland he would, end of story.

At this stage the squad (especially Dunne & now Given) must be sick of being asked will he come back etc, etc.

If I was Trap next Irish press conference first thing I would do would be announce he didn't make himself available for selection & ban any further mention of his name going forward.

**Stuttgart88** · 16/04/2009, 3:12 PM

Originally Posted by wexfordned

If I was Trap next Irish press conference first thing I would do would be announce he didn't make himself available for selection & ban any further mention of his name going forward.

In fairness, the Ireland issue was much further down the agenda for the last 2 games. I think even the media now see how jaded the "story" is.

**Scram** · 16/04/2009, 3:43 PM

Stephen Ireland takes his new supercar for a spin yesterday — after changing its trim to the blue of his Manchester City club from the red of the other Mancs..
He had to get the �100,000 Audi R8 re-sprayed at a cost of �10,000 after outraging team-mates with his first choice. A source said: “They gave him a real ribbing.” No sh!t !!