Potentially eligible players thread

**Gather round** · 18/01/2018, 10:01 AM

I've no idea of Smyth or Lewis's longer term ambitions, but in reality their most likely short-term highlight is a full NI cap in the March/ May friendlies. That's inevitable while our teams are of similar standard but one has a much smaller pool to draw on.

**samhaydenjr** · 20/01/2018, 12:58 AM

Will Keane expected to be in Hull's squad for their trip to Sunderland after 14 months out injured: https://www.hullcitytigers.com/news/...d-a-team-news/

**liamoo11** · 20/01/2018, 12:15 PM

Originally Posted by samhaydenjr

Will Keane expected to be in Hull's squad for their trip to Sunderland after 14 months out injured: https://www.hullcitytigers.com/news/...d-a-team-news/

Hopefully he can be in our march squad

**samhaydenjr** · 21/01/2018, 3:35 AM

Originally Posted by liamoo11

Hopefully he can be in our march squad

Might be a bit premature to say that after a 15-minute cameo - given the recent form of Hogan and O'Brien they would probably be the priorities for the game in Turkey, along with McGoldrick and Maguire, if he's back by then. However it would definitely be worth MON's while keeping an eye on him with a view to including him in post-season squads if he does make a goalscoring impact over the next few months

**liamoo11** · 21/01/2018, 1:35 PM

Originally Posted by samhaydenjr

Might be a bit premature to say that after a 15-minute cameo - given the recent form of Hogan and O'Brien they would probably be the priorities for the game in Turkey, along with McGoldrick and Maguire, if he's back by then. However it would definitely be worth MON's while keeping an eye on him with a view to including him in post-season squads if he does make a goalscoring impact over the next few months

We need to get away from picking players based on who is in form for a few weeks and look at the type of player we need for the way o Neill will play. We need a front man who can hold ball up link play and give us a chance to get our midfield into attacking positions as well as having a bit of pace in behind. That is what Keane offers Hogan certainly doesn't offer that and neither does o brien. Keane and Hogan or Keane and long seem like possible front men partnerships on the basis that Murphy and Walters will not be around for the Euro qualifiers. So to me trying to integrate Keane is important if o Neill is staying and we are going to play 2 up like we did against Denmark . Mcgoldrick and Mcguire are not going to be the hold up target man if we are playing a two up

**liamoo11** · 27/01/2018, 2:16 PM

heneghan starting today for Sheff utd

**samhaydenjr** · 29/01/2018, 2:15 AM

Originally Posted by liamoo11

We need to get away from picking players based on who is in form for a few weeks and look at the type of player we need for the way o Neill will play. We need a front man who can hold ball up link play and give us a chance to get our midfield into attacking positions as well as having a bit of pace in behind. That is what Keane offers Hogan certainly doesn't offer that and neither does o brien. Keane and Hogan or Keane and long seem like possible front men partnerships on the basis that Murphy and Walters will not be around for the Euro qualifiers. So to me trying to integrate Keane is important if o Neill is staying and we are going to play 2 up like we did against Denmark . Mcgoldrick and Mcguire are not going to be the hold up target man if we are playing a two up

Interesting thoughts about Keane - TBH I don't know much about his playing style, just that Hull's manager at the time thought he was good enough to be a regular Premier League starter before his injury and that Nigel Adkins seems to have faith in him, now that he is back - got 27 minutes in their victory against Forest yesterday: http://www.bbc.com/sport/football/42756108 - would like to see him start to score goals, though, before leapfrogging him over Hogan/Maguire/O'Brien - also, surely Hogan or Long could be instructed to be a bit more of a hold-up player if we decide that's what's needed - otherwise couldn't we just use the pace of both of them to stretch defences?

**DannyInvincible** · 29/01/2018, 1:36 PM

Limerick's Chiedozie Ogbene is to sign for Brentford: https://www.thesun.ie/sport/football...sing-on-trial/

**osarusan** · 29/01/2018, 2:11 PM

Ogbene's eligibility isn't really in question is it? Born and raised in Ireland.

I appreciate that there might be no better thread to put it in though...the thread seems to function both as a 'he might be eligible' and a 'he might be good enough in the future' thread.

Do we have a 'potentially good-enough-in-the-future players' thread to mention these up-and-coming players?

**DeLorean** · 29/01/2018, 2:19 PM

Born in Nigeria and moved to Cork when he was 12 - https://www.thesun.ie/sport/football...-on-the-bench/

Ogbene ultimately wants to move abroad and win international honours, having moved to Cork from Lagos, Nigeria 12 years ago after his father got a nursing job.

He added: “I’m still waiting for that international call, be it Nigeria or Ireland.

“It could happen some day, I’ll just keep believing and keep working hard, hopefully it will be happen.

“Obviously my heart belongs to Nigeria. One day I’d love to wear the Golden Eagle. Nigeria would be first for me.”

**osarusan** · 29/01/2018, 2:25 PM

Well well well, the internet gave me some bad information. First time for everything.

**samhaydenjr** · 29/01/2018, 11:45 PM

Originally Posted by DeLorean

Born in Nigeria and moved to Cork when he was 12 - https://www.thesun.ie/sport/football...-on-the-bench/

Just to be pedantic, article said he moved to Ireland 12 years ago, when he would have been eight - at least he leaves the door open for playing for Ireland, even though his first choice would be Nigeria.

**tetsujin1979** · 30/01/2018, 9:14 AM

Ogbene move confirmed, three and a half year deal: https://www.brentfordfc.com/news/201...igns-30.01.18/

**osarusan** · 30/01/2018, 9:21 AM

Best of luck to him, one of the most exciting players I've seen at Limerick in a long time.

He has real pace but is still very raw. He needs good coaching, hopefully he will get it.

**gastric** · 31/01/2018, 3:32 AM

I wonder might McGuane still be interested in playing for us? Might be worth someone from the FAI following this development.

https://www.irishtimes.com/sport/soc...uane-1.3374320

**Murph 1** · 31/01/2018, 8:57 AM

Afraid that boat has sailed, McGuane is no longer available for us as he switched his allegiance from Irl to Eng, a player can only switch once so that's rules him out from our point of view.
On another note-just wondering has anyone any info on Sheffield United defender Jack O Connell. He is having a fine season and would be a real addition if eligible- heard he was but not sure.

**DeLorean** · 31/01/2018, 9:06 AM

Originally Posted by Murph 1

On another note-just wondering has anyone any info on Sheffield United defender Jack O Connell. He is having a fine season and would be a real addition if eligible- heard he was but not sure.

There was some speculation about this on here previously - https://foot.ie/threads/119079-Poten...=1#post1879463

**Murph 1** · 31/01/2018, 9:27 AM

Thanks for that, really think he would be an addition to our squad, O Connell has played for Eng at U 17 and U 19 level. However they have never included him in any of their U 21 squads. He will be 24 in March so would be a perfect age for Inclusion in an Irish Senior Squad. Hope the FAI are looking into his case and clarifying his situation one way or the other.

**Metrostars** · 01/02/2018, 11:28 PM

In the US, college player Jon Gallagher from Notre Dame University was select by Atlanta United in the MLS draft a few weeks ago. #14 pick overall. Born in Dundalk:
https://www.mlssoccer.com/players/jon-gallagher

Strange though because he was born in Dundalk and his bio says he represented England at underage level. Moved around a bit due to his father's job at Guiness, he also lived in Singapore and in Connecticut(where I am

). Also says he had trials At Juventus, Marseille and Newcastle Blackburn:
http://www.myajc.com/sports/gallaghe...pAk6CQS9LAZKN/

http://www.und.com/sports/m-soccer/m...er_904790.html

Other eligible players in MLS:
Tommy McNamera - NYCFC: https://www.mlssoccer.com/players/thomas-mcnamara
Lamar Neagle - Seattle: https://www.sounderatheart.com/2015/...neagle-ireland
Ryan Meara - NY Red Bulls: https://www.mlssoccer.com/players/ryan-meara