Trapattoni's first (extended) squad announced!

[theworm2345]

well that's even worse then. Calling him up is a waste of time IMO. Liam Miller needs booting out as well at the final cut. We need players who are playing regular football for their clubs.

I'd guess to point is to let him and Ireland know that if he does well, probably either in the CCC or EPL he will be considered, something Stan never did (and we all know how that turned out). Who knows, if he is fit by the training camp in May and does well there...

[the doc]

Shocked that DC has been named in the list, reserve football since January should not merit a place.

The same could be said of McShane!

[rambler14]

I only noticed the omission of James McCarthy from Hamilton Academicals. I thought he'd be there seeing as it's a 40 man squad.

[Razors left peg]

I only noticed the omission of James McCarthy from Hamilton Academicals. I thought he'd be there seeing as it's a 40 man squad.

hopefully he'll be in the under 21 squad that heads out to the tournament in Asia

[Paddy Garcia]

Lawrence turned the gamne today for Stoke with an outstanding display when he came on in the last Qtr.

[GavinZac]

I only noticed the omission of James McCarthy from Hamilton Academicals. I thought he'd be there seeing as it's a 40 man squad.

I played for Hamilton Academicals once, true story. Few lads were kicking a ball around in a park and someone miss hit it over the coke can corner flag, so i kicked it back over to them. Turned out they weren't playing strict on the ould touchlines and I was awarded an assist.

[Razors left peg]

I played for Hamilton Academicals once, true story. Few lads were kicking a ball around in a park and someone miss hit it over the coke can corner flag, so i kicked it back over to them. Turned out they weren't playing strict on the ould touchlines and I was awarded an assist.

Maybe u should give them a shout so and see if they will give u a game in the SPL next season

[Fr. Murphy]

From setanta.com...

The ill-fated Steve Staunton Republic of Ireland regime may be a thing of the past but the new management team have already embarrassed themselves for the first time after trying to coax an ineligible player into the squad.

Giovanni Trapattoni’s team had been keen to convince Tottenham Hotspur midfielder Jamie O’Hara to switch allegiances from England to Ireland, with assistant Liam Brady having spoken this week of his correspondence with the player and his will to set up a meeting between O’Hara and Ireland’s new Italian chief.

However, O’Hara is not eligible for Ireland. The midfielder – who has impressed when given the nod at White Hart Lane this term – played for England in a European U17 Championships qualifier in March 2003 and needed to declare for Ireland before his 21st birthday last September to be allowed to play for The Boys in Green.

Oblivious to this, Brady spoke this week of the player being receptive to an approach from Trapattoni’s team, saying: “His grandma and grandpa are from Ireland and I’ve asked him not to be hasty in playing for England in a European Championship game that will be coming up.

“I think he is receptive, but I’d like him to meet the manager – he’s the one you want to hear it from, not the assistant, but the kid was pleased to get the call.”

But, The Football Association of Ireland were forced into releasing a statement on Saturday evening, saying: “As he [O’Hara] turned 21 on September 25 last, he can’t apply for a change of nationality.

“Liam hadn’t been made aware of the 21st birthday rule.”

O’Hara made his debut for the England U21 side in a 0-0 draw with Poland last month, but is yet to taste competitive action at that level.

[Paddy Garcia]

From setanta.com...

“Liam hadn’t been made aware of the 21st birthday rule.”

Bring back Stan!

[highlight100]

Defensive options are despairing,could definitely of done with calling up more defenders in the hope of unearthing one that can do a job.

I think Gary Doherty should of at least got a call up,playing regular ball for Norwich at the moment.

[GavinZac]

I think Gary Doherty should of at least got a call up,playing regular ball for Norwich at the moment.

Why? He's useless. We've established that he's useless. He's neither a defender nor a forward. Unlike Norwich we can't just play people because they're lanky gits.

[Qwerty]

From setanta.com...

The ill-fated Steve Staunton Republic of Ireland regime may be a thing of the past but the new management team have already embarrassed themselves for the first time after trying to coax an ineligible player into the squad.

Giovanni Trapattoni’s team had been keen to convince Tottenham Hotspur midfielder Jamie O’Hara to switch allegiances from England to Ireland, with assistant Liam Brady having spoken this week of his correspondence with the player and his will to set up a meeting between O’Hara and Ireland’s new Italian chief.

However, O’Hara is not eligible for Ireland. The midfielder – who has impressed when given the nod at White Hart Lane this term – played for England in a European U17 Championships qualifier in March 2003 and needed to declare for Ireland before his 21st birthday last September to be allowed to play for The Boys in Green.

Oblivious to this, Brady spoke this week of the player being receptive to an approach from Trapattoni’s team, saying: “His grandma and grandpa are from Ireland and I’ve asked him not to be hasty in playing for England in a European Championship game that will be coming up.

“I think he is receptive, but I’d like him to meet the manager – he’s the one you want to hear it from, not the assistant, but the kid was pleased to get the call.”

But, The Football Association of Ireland were forced into releasing a statement on Saturday evening, saying: “As he [O’Hara] turned 21 on September 25 last, he can’t apply for a change of nationality.

“Liam hadn’t been made aware of the 21st birthday rule.”

O’Hara made his debut for the England U21 side in a 0-0 draw with Poland last month, but is yet to taste competitive action at that level.

That is sad, do any of these football guys have an IQ over 100? Where has he been for the past 10 years? FFS ask any Irish Granny and she'll be able to tell you about eligibility. How much is getting paid again?

I'm disappointed not to see Alan O'Brien & Jonathan Douglas.

[Serb]

That is sad, do any of these football guys have an IQ over 100? Where has he been for the past 10 years? FFS ask any Irish Granny and she'll be able to tell you about eligibility. How much is getting paid again?

I'm disappointed not to see Alan O'Brien & Jonathan Douglas.

He should know the rule, but in fairness, the 21st birthday rule is relatively new, and is certainly not 10 years old. It came in around 2005.

[theworm2345]

Well, you ****s can likely rejoice now, Connolly is hurt which I'd bet renders him unavailable for the training camp, which would be his only chance to get into the final team considering his form doesnt exist

[SkStu]

from BBC report on Stoke - Bristol City

"Mamady Sidibe put Stoke ahead in the 14th minute when he headed home Liam Lawrence's precise free-kick. "

he was also booked but its hard to see how he can not be in the top 40 players that can play for ireland. Hes having a great season in a pretty decent team.

[Paddy Garcia]

I'm disappointed not to see Alan O'Brien & Jonathan Douglas.

I'm relieved.

[dr_peepee]

Well, you ****s can likely rejoice now, Connolly is hurt which I'd bet renders him unavailable for the training camp, which would be his only chance to get into the final team considering his form doesnt exist

The dream is over!!!

[geysir]

He could have been a contender

[Wolfie]

Well, you ****s can likely rejoice now, Connolly is hurt which I'd bet renders him unavailable for the training camp, which would be his only chance to get into the final team considering his form doesnt exist

Cheer up, Worm. He'll be back - there's always the 2012 squad!!!

I'd imagine there'll be a cyborg version of Connolly for the 2070 World Cup Squad.

Adjustable leg heights will be standard - so he could make that currently unlikely target man role his own!!!

[amaccann]

Is Connolly the only injury from the weekend? I wasn't paying attention over the weekend; it seems odd that he would be the only one out of a squad of 40.