Who will retire from International play?

**elroy** · 19/11/2009, 11:11 AM

No way will Duffer go, the lads was crying as were pretty much all the time because we had come so so close to qualification and werent beaten were cheated out of it.

KK wont retire either but may no longer be first choice. I think he is a good exxperienced lad to have around in the squad, a bit like Quinny was towards the end of his career.

Unlikely we'll see Finnan again due a combination of age and injuries.

**The Betting Man** · 19/11/2009, 11:26 AM

Just like to echo what people are saying about Kevin Kilbane, would do anything to play for Ireland, he was never the most gifted player but would always give 100% when playing for Ireland. Doesnt get enough credit as he should but he should be proud to have 102 caps for Ireland and if last night was his last game for us then thanks for everything Kevin

**ShnaeGuevara715** · 19/11/2009, 11:30 AM

Hopefuly Killer gets put out to pasture. I think Eddie Nolan spent last season playing leftback successfuly for Preston. Stephen Kelly? O'Dea? Delaney? JO'SH? Even Maybury and Ian Harte are still knocking around if we get desperate...lol

Duffer might want to play for Ireland but his body is wearing out. Poor lad, first relegation and now this.

I think the rightmid spot has to be Liam Lawrence's for the immediate future and we have a deluge of lads to play leftmid. Hunt, McGeady, AReid and so on. Not to mention the younglings.

If only he could do a Killer and revert to left back for a campaign but he's a very naive defender. I genuinely don't know, but I can't/don't want to picture an Ireland squad without Duff!

Finnan can't carry on, injury, age, club-selection wise.

In general I think our squad is only going to get better. The return of the Reid's, people like Garvan coming to maturity. Defence is thin as ever though.

What ever happened to Andy O'Brien and Joey O'Brien?

**ShnaeGuevara715** · 19/11/2009, 11:36 AM

By the way I'm not calling for Andy O'Brien, I'm just genuinely wondering what became of him!

**tiktok** · 19/11/2009, 11:50 AM

The question that must be asked, already has been
http://foot.ie/forums/showthread.php?t=128161

**rambler14** · 19/11/2009, 12:35 PM

I reckon ther'll be no retirements until the Aviva Stadium opens.

**Colbert Report** · 19/11/2009, 12:39 PM

The Argentina match would be an excellent send-off for Kilbane but they'll hardly make that his testimonial, too big of a money maker for the FAI.

**Sunny Jim** · 19/11/2009, 1:21 PM

McShane. Hopefully.

**irishultra** · 19/11/2009, 1:23 PM

Originally Posted by PAFC

I dont think anybody will retire, just step back a little and become subs. It would be great to have the experience of these guys around a little longer. The future looks good and this campaign can only be built upon.
However i think the FAI need to look at the overall picture.

1) they need to appoint a new under 21 manager as Givens has lost the plot long ago. He is old school and cannot relate to the newer younger generation of Irish players. Time and time again arguements etc have blighted his tenure as Under 21 manager. Many players have suffered as a result and we seem to struggle from one crisis to another at this level. Surely we have talent in the Eircom League & U-20 LOI that is better than a player from Histon?

2) The FAI need to trawl the english, scotish and european leagues for players? There is one player in Holland (Surname) Maguire who has Irish parents. He refused an U-21 call up before but surely could be inticed into the senior setup. Our bench was wake last night and as a result we suffered.

3) the FAI also need to have a serious look at the LOI, its dying on its feet as we speak. Could we look at a celtic league? (Irish, Scotish, N.Ireland & Welsh clubs) Maybe the top clubs could play at this level as full time pro setups and in each country, a semi pro league could run in tamdem. All the above countries do not have a population to sustain pro football.

4) the FAI also need to demand of UEFA & FIFA that the rules for any future qualification tournament are clearly set out before the tournament starts.

Just a few thoughts and open to comment.

Course they do, and sure look at Cypriot football with a country much smaller than ours.

**Acornvilla** · 19/11/2009, 3:16 PM

Originally Posted by irishultra

Course they do, and sure look at Cypriot football with a country much smaller than ours.

they are bankrolled by millionares

**Riddickcule** · 19/11/2009, 3:33 PM

Some of you calling out Duffers name = madness.

He's got it in him for a while yet, he's only 30 i think give him a few more years, he clearly loves playing for his country so he'll keep playing imo.

My biggest worry is Shay, yes we probably will have him if we were in the Euro 2012.
But after that i feel he's a goner, he'd be 37 for the WC 2014.

And what kinda keeper we got lined up after him? Westwood? gimme a break..

**Lenny82** · 19/11/2009, 4:57 PM

I don't think we will see any retirements from this squad other than Finnan perhaps, unless he gets fit and has a good injury free season with Portsmouth.

The big positives of this campaign is the emergence of St. Ledger, Andrews, Whelan and Lawrence as international regulars and I feel players like Marc Wilson, Foley and Fahey will force their way into Traps plans for the next campaign.

**irishultra** · 19/11/2009, 5:06 PM

I think Gary Deegan could force his way in, maby not by 2012 but 2014 defo. If Keith Andrews could do it so can he.

**Yard of Pace** · 19/11/2009, 5:44 PM

I doubt Shay will retire. Ever! I just read something last week from his brother on a MBM of the Italy game on the Guardian saying he never misses a game. He's mad for Ireland and it appears his family are too. He's a fair few years left in him, I'd say.

**jebus** · 19/11/2009, 5:53 PM

Originally Posted by DonnyG

A more pertinent question what is the pipelien coming up behind to replace those who retire - the next Given/Keane etc

That is a worry.

Female housemate of mine was asking who will be gone now. For the next World Cup I said Duff, Kilbane, probably Dunne and Keane and maybe Given (though I doubt it) and she replied with 'but those are our best players'

How right she is

**elroy** · 19/11/2009, 5:55 PM

Originally Posted by Riddickcule

Some of you calling out Duffers name = madness.

He's got it in him for a while yet, he's only 30 i think give him a few more years, he clearly loves playing for his country so he'll keep playing imo.

My biggest worry is Shay, yes we probably will have him if we were in the Euro 2012.
But after that i feel he's a goner, he'd be 37 for the WC 2014.

And what kinda keeper we got lined up after him? Westwood? gimme a break..

Shay has only (as far as I can recall) had one injury of note in his career in the last number of years. Goalkeepers can perform to a very high level well into their late 30s, look at Van derSar for example. If Shay stays injury free I think he may well be around for 2014. The guy refuses to miss friendlies as it is.

I think the areas we need to develop is left back, right back, centre midfield and up front. Judging by the number of players Trap has brought through in the last two years, I hope a similar number will come through in the near future.

**cavan_fan** · 19/11/2009, 6:01 PM

Originally Posted by Riddickcule

And what kinda keeper we got lined up after him? Westwood? gimme a break..

Westwood will be a quality keeper, Hopefully Shay can play for 3- more years to let him come through

**irishultra** · 19/11/2009, 6:07 PM

given will be irish goalkeeper in june 2014 i bet and maby even 2016 euros who knows.

**Morbo** · 19/11/2009, 6:59 PM

Its not unprecedented for keepers to play at international level until they're 40, Seaman, Lehman, Oliver Kahn etc were all around 40 (or close to) and I'm sure there is lots of other examples. I'm sure Shay can at least play until he is 37 considering it doesn't look like there will be any decent competition for his place in the near future.