U21s v Portugal

**eirebhoy** · 10/09/2008, 1:09 AM

Originally Posted by geysir

That's great stuff.
The first Portugal goal was an awful defensive blunder.
Superb goal from Scannell to Garvan.

And it was Garvan that passed the ball to Scannell first of all so a 1-2.

Scannell really looks class when he has the ball. Even more so than a McGeady at that level for some reason I can't explain. Maybe more of a continental style of play to Scannell.

**Fergie's Son** · 10/09/2008, 3:06 AM

Good result alright. Too bad they were so inconsistent throughout the campaign. Garvan has to be getting close to a call-up and we really ought to fully cap McCarthy just in case

**razor** · 10/09/2008, 8:25 AM

Originally Posted by Stuttgart88

Givens will get a 5 year contract extension for that result.

Doesn't he already have a job for life?
Joke of a man.
Great result for the kids though, despite the manager.
Garvan is a class act.

**tetsujin1979** · 10/09/2008, 9:04 AM

Originally Posted by Fergie's Son

Good result alright. Too bad they were so inconsistent throughout the campaign. Garvan has to be getting close to a call-up and we really ought to fully cap McCarthy just in case

The game last night was a competitive international at U-21 level, doesn't that tie McCarthy to us?
Also, I'd really like to see Garvan and possible Scannell called into the squad for the Poland friendly in November, just to see what options we have should any of the first XI get injured, or suspended.

**Razors left peg** · 10/09/2008, 9:09 AM

Originally Posted by tetsujin1979

The game last night was a competitive international at U-21 level, doesn't that tie McCarthy to us?
Also, I'd really like to see Garvan and possible Scannell called into the squad for the Poland friendly in November, just to see what options we have should any of the first XI get injured, or suspended.

Pretty certain that he can still change before his 21st birthday unless he gets full call up

**Dodge** · 10/09/2008, 9:54 AM

I watched most of the game last night (online) and the result hugely flattered Ireland. Obviously showed tremendous spirit to come back though, something you don't always associate with Don Givens teams.

Bottom of the group

**ifk101** · 10/09/2008, 10:24 AM

Originally Posted by Dodge

I watched most of the game last night (online) and the result hugely flattered Ireland. Obviously showed tremendous spirit to come back though, something you don't always associate with Don Givens teams.

Bottom of the group

I also watched the game via a stream from Portuguese TV and I think you are a little bit harsh. We weren't good in the first half, I thought our goalie looked very dodgy and the 2 goals came from defensive blunders. Portugal seem to completely lose their momentum when Garvan got the first of his 2 goals and from that point on I thought we looked comfortable.

**Dodge** · 10/09/2008, 10:41 AM

Originally Posted by ifk101

Portugal seem to completely lose their momentum when Garvan got the first of his 2 goals and from that point on I thought we looked comfortable.

True enough, but for long periods of the first half we couldn't get near them. I probably was a little harsh...

**WembleyGreen** · 10/09/2008, 11:13 AM

Decent result for what is young team. I'm obviously not the only one who thinks Don Givens should be replaced though! He's been in the job too long and at the end of the day these young lads need to be winning and therefore getting a winning mentality. A look at the results under Givens makes shocking reading. Last in this latest qualifying group with a mere 5 points and one win and just 5 goals scored. Dismal!
Take a look at this (courtesy of RISSC London)

2009 UEFA Championship Group 3 Results
09.09.2008 Portugal 2-2 Republic of Ireland (O Garvan 2)
05.09.2008 Bulgaria 2-0 Republic of Ireland
25.03.2008 Republic of Ireland 1-1 Montenegro (A Keogh)
05.02.2008 England 3-0 Republic of Ireland
20.11.2007 Republic of Ireland 1-0 Bulgaria (JJ O'Toole)
16.11.2007 Montenegro 1-0 Republic of Ireland
16.10.2007 Republic of Ireland 0-3 England
07.09.2007 Republic of Ireland 0-2 Portugal

Intercontinental Cup
22.05.2008 Australia 3-1 Republic of Ireland (A Judge)
19.05.2008 Iran 0-0 Republic of Ireland
17.05.2008 Nigeria 3-1 Republic of Ireland (B Clarke)
15.05.2008 Malaysia 1-3 Republic of Ireland (M Collins 2, S Ward)

Friendly International
19.08.2008 Austria 1-1 Republic of Ireland (K Treacy)

Dismal to say the least, the time is now to make a change and get an Under 21 manager who can get these lads playing and winning, clearly something Givens is incapable of doing. Of course it won't happen, like someone else has pointed out on here the guy has a job for life and our U21's will continue to drift from one defeat to another with a losers mentality. It certainly won't appeal to any young players who may be thinking of declaring for us in the future either. Ditch the Don!