Irish Abroad 2009/2010

**SkStu** · 07/04/2010, 2:45 PM

Tets (or anyone else) - Connor Wickham, the 16year old who plays and scores for Ipswich. I know he has represented an English youth team but i could have swore that he was discussed on here before - any idea if he qualifies?

**tetsujin1979** · 07/04/2010, 2:53 PM

Originally Posted by SkStu

Tets (or anyone else) - Connor Wickham, the 16year old who plays and scores for Ipswich. I know he has represented an English youth team but i could have swore that he was discussed on here before - any idea if he qualifies?

He's actually changed nationality already, he was on the bench for Wales against Ireland in 2008: http://www.fai.ie/index.php?option=c...k=view&id=3494
And now he plays for the England U-19's. He was up front for them last Thursday VS Slovakia: http://www.thefa.com/England/mens-u1...-report-010410
(assuming it's the same guy)

**SkStu** · 07/04/2010, 2:55 PM

thanks Tets - i didnt know about him playing for Wales before. For some reason i had it in my head that he was somehow Irish (maybe i see the name Connor and make a jump in logic)

Cheers.

**tetsujin1979** · 07/04/2010, 3:44 PM

might not be the same guy, there's references to a Connor Wickham with Cardiff City on welshfootballtrust.org.uk: http://www.welshfootballtrust.org.uk/8624
According to -the Ipswich player's wikipedia entry - http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Connor_Wickham - he was born in Colchester, and came through the Reading academy.

**Wexford Delboy** · 09/04/2010, 10:31 PM

http://www.footballfancast.com/footb...rland_Blogs%29

3 irish in the top ten signings of the season, not bad

**Colbert Report** · 10/04/2010, 9:18 PM

Jamie O'Hara is on the list too, so let's say 3.5 Irish players.

**zackmorris** · 12/04/2010, 12:53 AM

Jamie Devitt scored a pretty decent goal against Hereford:

http://www.skysports.com/video/clips...,16479,00.html

**Wexford Delboy** · 18/04/2010, 12:13 PM

http://www.arsenal.com/news/news-arc...mpbell-captain

conor henderson on the bench

**drummerboy** · 30/04/2010, 11:15 AM

Can't find the CHRIS McCANN thread so i'll post this little bit of good news here. Shame he wasn't included in Traps training squad. Anyway he made his comback in the reserves against United the other night.

http://www.burnleyfootballclub.com/p...039444,00.html

**Closed Account** · 30/04/2010, 2:53 PM

Only Duff(45), Dunne(39) and Given(18) get in the Guardians top 50 Premier League Players 09-10

And hard to argue with it. Although Matt Jarvis is in there and Doyle isn't.
Stephen Hunt and Andy Reid might of made it injury permitting.
Link http://goo.gl/KZrA

**TrapAPony** · 01/05/2010, 2:59 AM

Originally Posted by SkStu

Tets (or anyone else) - Connor Wickham, the 16year old who plays and scores for Ipswich. I know he has represented an English youth team but i could have swore that he was discussed on here before - any idea if he qualifies?

Ya, he seemingly qualifies. Roy Keane was asked about him in one of the papers yesterday and said :

''Connor Wickham is English, if you know what I mean. He sees himself as English so I wouldn't try to twist a player's arm. He's under-age so he could change his mind. I won't be trying, he's got enough on his plate without me in his ear in the day, '' added Keane who believes the FAI are right to exploit the FIFA laws on players declaring for different countries.

''I spoke to Connor and to his dad a few times about his contract and stuff. He's English, if you know what I mean. But that doesn't mean they don't want to play if they know there is an option to play for Ireland.''

**theworm2345** · 01/05/2010, 5:50 AM

Originally Posted by TrapAPony

Ya, he seemingly qualifies. Roy Keane was asked about him in one of the papers yesterday and said :

''Connor Wickham is English, if you know what I mean. He sees himself as English so I wouldn't try to twist a player's arm. He's under-age so he could change his mind. I won't be trying, he's got enough on his plate without me in his ear in the day, '' added Keane who believes the FAI are right to exploit the FIFA laws on players declaring for different countries.

''I spoke to Connor and to his dad a few times about his contract and stuff. He's English, if you know what I mean. But that doesn't mean they don't want to play if they know there is an option to play for Ireland.''

If what Roy says is true, I say just let him be. Some players born in England with Irish parents or grandparents feel Irish and they only want to play for Ireland so they start young in the underage levels (such as Kilbane, Connolly, etc.). Some with the same background for whatever reason don't. This is where you can end up with the likes of Andy O'Brien who retired after only 5 years at the age of 26-27. Its not a knock against O'Brien as I never noticed any real lack of commitment when he played for Ireland, but obviously you'd prefer dedicated players. Then of course there is the case of those who are from Ireland who are bald and not dedicated but thats another argument for another thread.

In related news, U19 goalkeeper Ian McLoughlin (18 years old) survived the cull at Ipswich as he earned a contract for another 12 months. Defender Shane O'Connor (20) also was offered a two year contract.

**seanfhear** · 01/05/2010, 5:57 AM

Originally Posted by theworm2345

If what Roy says is true, I say just let him be. Some players born in England with Irish parents or grandparents feel Irish and they only want to play for Ireland so they start young in the underage levels (such as Kilbane or Connolly). Some with the same background for whatever reason don't. This is where you can end up with the likes of Andy O'Brien who retired after only 5 years at the age of 26-27. Its not a knock against O'Brien as I never noticed any real lack of commitment when he played for Ireland, but obviously you'd prefer dedicated players. Then of course there is the case of those who are from Ireland who are bald and not dedicated but thats another argument for another thread.

In related news, U19 goalkeeper Ian McLoughlin (18 years old) survived the cull at Ipswich as he earned a contract for another 12 months. Defender Shane O'Connor (20) also was offered a two year contract.

Has their been that many bald players that have played for Ireland.

Stephen (follically challenged) Ireland could have been the poster boy for the bald brigade but alas no.

**SkStu** · 01/05/2010, 3:48 PM

thanks for the info on Wickham TrapaPony - would be great to snare him to be honest.

McGeady and O'Dea with goals for Celtic today. McGeady with the assist for O'Deas. Keane started on the bench (and scored the fourth).

**theworm2345** · 01/05/2010, 4:09 PM

Originally Posted by seanfhear

Has their been that many bald players that have played for Ireland.

Stephen (follically challenged) Ireland could have been the poster boy for the bald brigade but alas no.

I don't think you read that right

**RiffRaff** · 01/05/2010, 5:37 PM

[QUOTE=seanfhear;1353255]Has their been that many bald players that have played for Ireland.

Terry Mancini. Can't think of anyone else. Maybe this should have a seperate thread!!

**third policeman** · 01/05/2010, 6:21 PM

[QUOTE=RiffRaff;1353415]

Originally Posted by seanfhear

Has their been that many bald players that have played for Ireland.

Terry Mancini. Can't think of anyone else. Maybe this should have a seperate thread!!

Mick Martin (mid- late 70's) was balding as was Brady at the end of his career. John Dempsey had a similarly spectacular pate to Mancini and played at about the same time, but I can never remember them playing together. Maybe there was an unofficial "one baldy only" policy applying at the time.

**theworm2345** · 01/05/2010, 6:31 PM

Well again this wasn't the point of my post, but Stephen Carr and Lee Carsley are certainly either close or already there.

Also, Mark Byrne of Rushden and Diamonds (on loan from Nottingham Forest) scored the equaliser for them in the first leg of their semi-final against Oxford on Thursday as they attempt to get promoted to League Two. He won the Conference with Burton last year as well.

**seanfhear** · 02/05/2010, 1:29 PM

Lots of Irish involved in the Sheffield Wednesday/Crystal Palace relegation battle (BBC 1 now).

And they are putting up a good fight for both of their teams.

A real old fashioned battle and a credit to both sets of players for fighting hard for their clubs.

**tetsujin1979** · 02/05/2010, 3:22 PM

Graham Barrett is another for the bald XI. He was bald when he won his caps anyway. Liam Brady said he used to shave his head, he's not naturally bald.