Nonsense. Your excuse for Worthington not picking Paddy McCourt doesn't stand up. The players you mention are still playing. Paddy was easily the best player on the pitch when Linfield played Derry City at windsor, yet three Linfield players got picked ahead of him. Paddy is still the same player now as he was with Derry City, yet he never got picked playing for them.Originally Posted by EalingGreen
No, since:
1. There is no reported interest by the FAI;
2. Having played U-23 level for NI and now being over 21, he may be tied already (not sure of the status of his U-23 cap);
3. The player himself seems quite happy to play for us:
There has been a lot of talk about one thing and another over the last few weeks, but to get a call up for my country is amazing," he said.
"If Nigel Worthington were to call me up and say I was part of his plans, firstly I would be shocked, but then it would be unbelievable.
http://www.londonderrysentinel.co.uk...lup.4659088.jp
Nonsense. Having just moved to Rochdale the previous year, the 18 year-old McCourt was picked by (the ineffably incompetent) Sammy McIlroy to come on as sub for his NI debut at home to Spain in 2002. We got beaten 5-0 at home in that game, the second in a run of 13 games where we didn't even score! We were embarrassed, and no harm to McCourt, but he was completely out of his depth. As was the other Rochdale substitute who came on, Liverpool-born Lee McEvilly, now with Cambridge Utd in the Conference. I don't hear people claiming he was picked to keep England out...
Anyhow, after a sparkling start in England, during which Rochdale turned down high bids from big clubs(!), McCourt's career went absolutely nowhere, so that he ended up making just 31 starts in four years for arguably the worst team in the entire professional game in England.
He then drifted back to Ireland, where his career revived. However, Lawrie Sanchez was by now manager, and despite (because of?) his having been a former Sligo Rovers manager, he clearly didn't rate players from either EL or IL, and so didn't pick him. Notably, however, he did gain the last of his 9 U-21 caps for NI as late as 2005.
The other factor which mitigated against McCourt was that NI's first choice in his position is the incredibly consistent and injury-free Keith Gillespie (81 caps), or Damien Johnson (48 caps), now a central midfielder, but who started his career with Blackburn on the right wing.
Anyhow, the good news is that with McCourt's stock continuing to rise, and with Worthington being much more receptive to EL/IL players, the move to Celtic could finally see Paddy get right back on track towards realising the wonderful talent which he has always undoubtedly possessed.
Here's hoping, since with Gillespie now 33, the opening is there for him - unless Niall McGinn sneaks in there first!
Yea but are those Linfield players that got picked ahead of McCourt in the NI squad in the same position as him? If not the point is moot as they might have more quality in his position than the ones the Linfield guys Gault , Thompson and Mannus I presume
Lads can we not just leave all the political crap to the side for a change and wish this young lad all the best.
I hope Niall enjoys the experience and that he develops as a player.
Spot on, his star is rising and best of luck to him. He's still a little raw but has metric tonnes of potential and is fast developing into the most exciting player in the league.
Alan Mannus is a goalkeeper, Michael Gault is a ball-winning midfielder and Peter Thompson is a goalscoring No.9. Whereas McCourt is a ball-playing right winger like Keith Gillespie, only not remotely so accomplished.
Besides, unlike Sanchez, Nigel Worthington's willingness to consider domestic players is unquestionable, whether IL or EL.
Otherwise, how do account for his decision to pick Niall McGinn? Is he only prejudiced against Derry City players whose surname starts with "McC", not "McG"?
As DCFC Steve said, "Damned if you do, Damned if you don't..."
Did the FAI give the lad the opportunity to play for Ireland.
He should have been given the choice as we need to have as many options as possible.
No - it's part of the FAI's politically-inspired conspiracy to ignore Derry City players....
Whatever the inspiration they are ignoring all LOI players not just the Derry ones.
The SFAI are the governing body for grassroots football in Ireland, not the FAI. Its success or the lack of is all down to them.
Exactly.
The FAI ignored EL players, even during the dark days of Stan, for no reason.
Whereas the IFA ignored EL players from the one club which had eligible players, for purely political reasons.
That figures.
P.S. I am disappointed that we are now onto the second page of this thread without someone bringing up Neil Lennon...
It was sad that the best of The Beatles was also the first to die......P.S. I am disappointed that we are now onto the second page of this thread without someone bringing up Neil Lennon...
For the record, I was referring to the FAI
The SFAI are the governing body for grassroots football in Ireland, not the FAI. Its success or the lack of is all down to them.
Ha, I doubt he would have been mentioned at all but for your comment, you're some sheet stirrer. Everyone knows that the 'Lennon incident' won't be brought up until McGinn makes his full debut for NI and is roundly booed by the Windsor Loyal ...P.S. I am disappointed that we are now onto the second page of this thread without someone bringing up Neil Lennon...
I'm delighted for McGinn, and hope he gets a run out against Hungary.
So now you're condemning us for something before it even happens? The best I can say about that comment is that it is pathetic.Ha, I doubt he would have been mentioned at all but for your comment, you're some sheet stirrer. Everyone knows that the 'Lennon incident' won't be brought up until McGinn makes his full debut for NI and is roundly booed by the Windsor Loyal ...
P.S. Unless you're suggesting Nigel has only called McGinn up in order to give the "Windsor Loyal" a new figure to boo, in the absence of Lennon? Aye, you're right, I wouldn't put it past those hooers...
If you've taken my post seriously, you're an idiot.So now you're condemning us for something before it even happens? The best I can say about that comment is that it is pathetic.
P.S. Unless you're suggesting Nigel has only called McGinn up in order to give the "Windsor Loyal" a new figure to boo, in the absence of Lennon? Aye, you're right, I wouldn't put it past those hooers...
You're right, I'm an idiot. Anyone who takes you seriously is an idiot.
All I can say is Kenny you theiving barsteward, we had McGinn lined up to sign for us along with Callaghan and he signed both of them without seeing them play
Sour grapes? Most definitely
Best of luck to the lad, quality player and a move to the championship in England would be well deserved.
His goal on Sunday night in the Randywell was a contender for goal of the month imo.
I think you're mistaken, Callaghan Yes but not mcGinn.All I can say is Kenny you theiving barsteward, we had McGinn lined up to sign for us along with Callaghan and he signed both of them without seeing them play
Sour grapes? Most definitely
Best of luck to the lad, quality player and a move to the championship in England would be well deserved.
His goal on Sunday night in the Randywell was a contender for goal of the month imo.
Kenny had been preparing to take McGinn to Dunfermline and had watched him play several times before signing him.
That wasn't Neil Lennon. It was George Best
Incorrect Sam...All I can say is Kenny you theiving barsteward, we had McGinn lined up to sign for us along with Callaghan and he signed both of them without seeing them play
Sour grapes? Most definitely
Best of luck to the lad, quality player and a move to the championship in England would be well deserved.
His goal on Sunday night in the Randywell was a contender for goal of the month imo.
Stephen Kenny went to watch Coleraine play at Dungannon Swifts to watch Stephen Carson play for Coleraine, as i was at the game as i've been to quite a few Dungannon games. Niall McGinn was the best player on the field and his interest snowballed from then.
I know Derry made a few offers before the final one was accepted. Im not sure if Harps even made him a bid for him, but i know Derry were after Niall for a few weeks before they got him. Hardly thieving a player if your club never got an offer accepted by his club.
Meh, either ay, we had both McGinn and Callaghan lined up with bids accepted and players agreeing terms but Mr.Kenny knicked them.
Thats football though I don't hold it against Kenny at all *cough* w****er *cough*
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