Eoin Keating Scenario

**joeSoap** · 20/10/2003, 11:40 AM

Rumours are circulating that Eoin Keating has played his last game for Limerick FC. If this is true, then it's a crying shame and a massive loss. I understand that a combo of him being pi**ed off at being left out for the past few games coupled with his desire to re-join the Limerick GAA Football panel are contributing factors.
My opinion on it is that I don't agree at all with him being dropped...he's far too good, and not going through any kind of 'bad patch'. But I'd be a bit disappointed if he's letting us down so he can play GAA...after all he did make a commitment that he should honour....And before anyone says it, I know the club haven't been able to honour their commitment to him, by not paying him. But this is because they can't...not 'cos they don't want to.

**gael353** · 20/10/2003, 6:50 PM

so the guy cant get his place for three games so decides to walk? very noble of him following his walkout earlier in the season.

**joeSoap** · 21/10/2003, 10:10 AM

We don't know his reasons to walk (if thats what he's doing..at the moment its only hearsay) and knowing the fella, theres more to it than meets the eye.
It's not hard to understand why he's peeved if the only reason he's been dropped is because of the GAA angle. Brendan Hughes and Ross Cosgrave being other examples of this, who actually have a stronger standing since they went and played GAA.
He's not played badly all season, and has been quite outstanding in some games, so its equally hard to fathom that logic.So, why has he been dropped, is it:
a). Over his GAA commitments
b). Lack of form.
c). Some other reason we know nothing about.
Mike Kerley & Eoin obviously have difficulties...I just hope they sort them out positively.

**JohnD** · 21/10/2003, 10:45 AM

Eoin should be playing judging by his perfromance v Cobh, where he had a blinder !

He is consistently good and doe not deserve to be dropped

**sadloserkid** · 21/10/2003, 11:42 AM

I can understand Keating being dropped for one game after the whole Monaleen/GAA thing but it's getting ridiculous by now. Keating is one of our better players and it's ludicrous that he's rotting on the bench just like Welderick did last year. I'd be very disappointed if he leaves, especially over something as stupid as this. Conor Molan's consistency has dipped alrmingly over the last three games and i wouldn't mind seeing him given a rest against Monaghan.

**LFC in Exile** · 21/10/2003, 1:11 PM

Stall a ball a minute lads. Keating is probably a better player than Molan and a couple of the others as well, but how can Kerley make any changes to the side after beating Dublin City. He should stick with the same team. How will Molan react to being dropped coming off a great win?

Keating is out right now - for whatever reason. The team is performing, if it ain't broke don't fix it. Keating will get his chance when Molan or any of the others aren't doing it - but they obviously are so leave well enough alone. What's being said here is that certain players should be playing irrespective of the performance of those that get a chance in their place and do really well. Conor is playing fine - leave him there. Eoin will get his chance and then it is up to him to take it.

**deise deserter** · 21/10/2003, 1:21 PM

... but Keating had an incredible second half against Cobh when he came on. He hasn't played since.

**sadloserkid** · 21/10/2003, 2:18 PM

Originally posted by LFC in Exile
Conor is playing fine

Well personally I don't think he is. He was very shaky against Bray (especially early on)and then missed the Cobh game. Yet for the next fixture against Kilkenny, a winning side was changed to accomodate him anyway, which makes that argument pretty pointless. He was horribly at fault for the Kilkenny equaliser in that game and had several moments of indecision and error against Dublin City as well, even if his overall game was quite good. I don't think he's in good form right now.

**LFC in Exile** · 21/10/2003, 2:57 PM

Originally posted by sadloserkid
He was horribly at fault for the Kilkenny equaliser

That's very harsh. Jamesie gave the ball away in a terrible position and the Kilkenny player got between the two centre halves.

I don't pick the team so how is 'my argument out the window' if Molan was picked again, I'm only talking about forthcoming matches, and off the back of a solid win don't go messing around with the selection. IMO you don't change a winning side.

I wouldn't have brought Keating on against Cobh - O'Mahoney was doing fine, but that is beside the point.

The same 11 for the Mons game

**sadloserkid** · 21/10/2003, 3:05 PM

Originally posted by LFC in Exile
The team is performing, if it ain't broke don't fix it.

This was the point I was addressing. The team was clearly performing against Cobh and by that logic Conor shouldn't have been called back in in the first place.

As for Kilkenny goal the player who scored was behind Conor who missed his header allowing the man in one on one where he slotted home. Conor's had a good season and I rate him highly as a player but if I was picking the team (and I'm aware that it's all about opinions) it would be either himself or James Sugrue that would make way to accomodate Keating.

**JohnD** · 21/10/2003, 3:11 PM

Team for next week imho should be:

Healy

O'Mahony Purcell Finnucane Keating

Sugrue Hughes Sweeny Heffernan

Mc Carthy O'Flynn

Awaiting the follow on attack on my football (lack of) knowledge!!

**joeSoap** · 21/10/2003, 6:10 PM

dont have a problem with your 'knowledge' based on that side John...should be enough to whack Monaghan

**maineman** · 21/10/2003, 11:06 PM

Eoin keating let the whole team down when he went off to play gaa,when most players who remember were not getting paided either stuck together and are the reason that were still in with a chance of a playoff spot.I think Mike Kerley has done the correct thing and had no option but to leave keating out.

**joeSoap** · 22/10/2003, 9:40 AM

Originally posted by maineman
Eoin keating let the whole team down when he went off to play gaa,when most players who remember were not getting paided either stuck together and are the reason that were still in with a chance of a playoff spot.I think Mike Kerley has done the correct thing and had no option but to leave keating out.

Don't know how up to speed you are Maineman, but Eoin Keating was not the only one to go and play foreign sports...Brendan Hughes and Ross Cosgrave also did it yet have not incurred the wrath of Kerley for doing so it seems.
Why???

**maineman** · 22/10/2003, 10:10 PM

Brendan Hughes had'nt returned to play for limerick when he played gaa and ross cosgrave has'nt been there nowhere near as long as eoin keating you'd think that eoin keating would at least feel committed and have desire to play for his teammates and for limerick.

**joeSoap** · 23/10/2003, 9:37 AM

Brendan Hughes HAD returned to play for Limerick at the time...yet went to play GAA immediately. Whats the difference? Same with Rossi. Thats the secondary issue here.What we're trying to ascertain is whether or not Keatso has been dropped to 'teach him a lesson' over this in which case it would be highly unfair to punish only one man for a crime three men are guilty of.
Theres obviously more to this than the GAA thing. A personality clash or something maybe?

**sadloserkid** · 23/10/2003, 10:25 AM

Originally posted by joeSoap
Theres obviously more to this than the GAA thing. A personality clash or something maybe?

You'd imagine so wouldn't you? On paper Eoin is far too good to be left out of the team for a prolonged period of time so it looks as though something else must be up. I'm certainly not privy to the details myself but it has echoes of the sort of thing Noel O'Connor was criticised for during his tenure as boss (with McCarthy, O'Connor, J.Purcell et al). Personal issues shouldn't be having an impact.

**joeSoap** · 23/10/2003, 1:23 PM

I think everybody has personal issues, but when you're manager of an Eircom League club you should be able to rise above any personal feelings, and be professional about how you treat players, both collectively and as individuals. Mike doesn't seem to be doing that very well in this instance.

**deise deserter** · 24/10/2003, 6:54 PM

The thread seems to be heading into subjectivity a little too much. At the risk of exposing my lack of info, can someone please state the actual facts of the matter?

Is he gone? Who has heard that there is a personalilty thing with Mike Kerley? Will he be travelling to Monaghan?

**joeSoap** · 24/10/2003, 7:18 PM

At the moment, its just speculation as such...we know that he's said he's packing it in. He's been dropped, inexcusably, for the past three games. Other GAA players have escaped without this punishment (Rossi & Brendie Hughes). All we're speculating about is why he's been singled out. It can't be for his performances, so we're presuming it's punishment for GAA offences, which would be a tad biased since the other two got off scot free, or a personality clash. Which one???