U21s versus Austria (9/8/11) and Hungary (1/9/11) Sligo Showgrounds

**Predator** · 05/08/2011, 10:24 AM

So much for players not wanting to play for Ireland with Brady back in the squad and Duffy tweeting thus:

ShaneDuffy1 Shane Duffy

Last day of training tommorow! Then off to ireland for international duty looking forward to be pulling the ireland top on again!!

12 hours ago

**gustavo** · 05/08/2011, 2:59 PM

Only a fiver in to the Austria game. Was fairly heavily promoted at the game last night

**TrapAPony** · 07/08/2011, 4:41 PM

Changes to U-21 Squad for game v Austria. Lanre Oyebanjo (York) and Aaron Greene (Sligo) called up for Adam Barton and Sean Scannell.

**gastric** · 08/08/2011, 11:36 PM

Shane Duffy's thoughts on the game.

http://www.fai.ie/index.php?option=c...r-21&Itemid=11

**Predator** · 09/08/2011, 9:20 AM

Another interview with Duffy: http://www.independent.ie/sport/socc...t-2842802.html

Ireland (probable) -- McLoughlin (MK Dons ); Connolly (Bolton), Duffy (Everton), Gunning (Blackburn), Stevens (Shamrock Rovers); Clifford (Chelsea), Kiernan (Wigan), Hendrick (Derby); Brady (Hull), Mason (Cardiff City), Doran (Inverness CT).

Does Kiernan play in midfield? I've a feeling it might be Duffy and Kiernan in defence with Connolly in midfield and Gunning at full back.

**TrapAPony** · 09/08/2011, 11:04 AM

U-21 Team: I. McLoughlin, M. Connolly, R. Kiernan (c), N. Canavan, G. Gunning, R. Towell, J. Hendrick, C. Clifford, R. Brady, A. White, A. Doran

**The Fly** · 09/08/2011, 11:46 AM

Are either of these matches on TV?

**bwagner** · 09/08/2011, 1:20 PM

do we know why rhys murphy wasnt called up ????

**Alf Honn** · 09/08/2011, 1:47 PM

Originally Posted by bwagner

do we know why rhys murphy wasnt called up ????

Probably because he's pony

**Sullivinho** · 09/08/2011, 1:49 PM

Originally Posted by Predator

Another interview with Duffy: http://www.independent.ie/sport/socc...t-2842802.html

Another loan move is being lined up from Goodison Park this week, probably for the season.

That's good news. I wonder where he's off to.

**tetsujin1979** · 09/08/2011, 2:32 PM

Originally Posted by Sullivinho

That's good news. I wonder where he's off to.

I'm going to guess Preston, they're missing a centre half after selling St Ledger, and are Moyes's previous club before Everton, so there's a connection there

**Carrigaline** · 09/08/2011, 3:26 PM

Match not on Sky, no links on the usual streaming sites either.

**the bear** · 09/08/2011, 5:53 PM

anyone got a link to a stream??

**Charlie Darwin** · 09/08/2011, 6:40 PM

2-1 Ireland now, going into injury time. Robbie Brady with his second of the game from the penalty spot on 90 minutes.

**Closed Account** · 09/08/2011, 6:51 PM

Good win, hopefully Brady keeps up his scoring form.
Won't be long before he's a full international.

**red bellied** · 09/08/2011, 7:35 PM

Originally Posted by joe_denilson

Good win, hopefully Brady keeps up his scoring form.
Won't be long before he's a full international.

Thats true he was the best player on the pitch by a mile, won the penalty as well.

**Predator** · 09/08/2011, 11:47 PM

Not long back from the match. King sets up 4-2-3-1 and it worked. Quite a few things stood out to me; Both McLoughlin and McCarey had strangely dodgy moments in goal. Towell was a beast in the middle - he's a tireless Gattuso-type with a bit of skill. Connolly was much better in midfield than at right back. Brady was just outstanding. He started and finished the move for the first goal and won the penalty after a tremendously skillful touch from a goalkeeper kickout. He is very competent in the air and, importantly, works hard to track back for the team, driving forward on the counter. Clifford seemed like he was already in Dublin. Doran's work-rate was impressive.

If King was unsure between Canavan or Duffy to partner Keirnan for Hungary, he can be sure now. Canavan unfortunately had a bit of a nightmare - he almost scored an own goal and later kicked the ground, gifting possession to Austria outside the box - and it affected the defence. Duffy on the other hand had quite a solid half. He looked very calm on the ball and that confidence was evident in the Kiernan-Duffy partnership as the defence showed much more composure and organisation. He blocked a shot that was destined for the top corner with McCarey beaten and was a serious threat in the opposition box. White looked impressive, as did Gunning and Stevens did not look at all out of place in the back four. Oyebanjo was decent, but it was evident that he is playing at a lower level.

Ireland were always the better team and never looked like losing. The Austrian free leading to the goal was never a free, but what can you expect with IFA referees?

I was pleased with the crowd and look forward to seeing youth games being staged all around Ireland, including, perhaps, The Brandywell.

**Sullivinho** · 09/08/2011, 11:58 PM

The buzz Brady is starting to generate is very encouraging.

**Predator** · 10/08/2011, 12:32 AM

Brady is a definite star in the making and his confidence is high at the moment. He (along with the likes of Duffy, say) had a big point to prove and he did so emphatically.

**kennedmc** · 10/08/2011, 12:19 PM

Originally Posted by Predator

Not long back from the match. King sets up 4-2-3-1 and it worked. Quite a few things stood out to me; Both McLoughlin and McCarey had strangely dodgy moments in goal. Towell was a beast in the middle - he's a tireless Gattuso-type with a bit of skill. Connolly was much better in midfield than at right back. Brady was just outstanding. He started and finished the move for the first goal and won the penalty after a tremendously skillful touch from a goalkeeper kickout. He is very competent in the air and, importantly, works hard to track back for the team, driving forward on the counter. Clifford seemed like he was already in Dublin. Doran's work-rate was impressive.

If King was unsure between Canavan or Duffy to partner Keirnan for Hungary, he can be sure now. Canavan unfortunately had a bit of a nightmare - he almost scored an own goal and later kicked the ground, gifting possession to Austria outside the box - and it affected the defence. Duffy on the other hand had quite a solid half. He looked very calm on the ball and that confidence was evident in the Kiernan-Duffy partnership as the defence showed much more composure and organisation. He blocked a shot that was destined for the top corner with McCarey beaten and was a serious threat in the opposition box. White looked impressive, as did Gunning and Stevens did not look at all out of place in the back four. Oyebanjo was decent, but it was evident that he is playing at a lower level.

Ireland were always the better team and never looked like losing. The Austrian free leading to the goal was never a free, but what can you expect with IFA referees?

I was pleased with the crowd and look forward to seeing youth games being staged all around Ireland, including, perhaps, The Brandywell.

good report - what do you mean by the Clifford comment?

Great to hear Brady doing well/ Saw him a few years ago for the u17s in Tallaght and wasn't impressed especially with his attitude. Maybe he's grown up abit