Ciaran Clark D Stoke City b.1989

**paul_oshea** · 14/10/2010, 1:05 PM

I will always be rooting for the likes of John O'Shea, Graham Barrett, Stephen Reid and Richard Sadlier to achieve everything they can from the game and don't begrudge them anything.

That quote, coming from him and his experience, is quite sad, poignant and defines irony.

Are there that many injuries that curtail footballers throughout Europe, or is it just here and britain?

**tetsujin1979** · 14/10/2010, 1:48 PM

Originally Posted by paul_oshea

Ya but this crogan fella said it happend to his pelvis and he couldn't continue. Lennon had a whole career tets?! NO comparison

Of course there's a comparison, Lennon suffered from injuries late in his career because of the amount of exercise he had in his youth, when he should have been focussing on his technique instead of his fitness. Grogan had the misfortune of suffering his injuries before he ever had a career.

I've heard of Ferguson doing the whole "you're one of us now" routine to youth players before, think it might have happened to O'Shea as well.

**Adrock** · 14/10/2010, 1:56 PM

Originally Posted by cestlavie

Have been on about Clarke for ages now, basically his father and Granny are from Co Donegal and his Mother is from Leitrim or somewhere like that, we could have some team in the future if they fufill their potential. St Ledger, Coleman , Duffy, Clark, Wilson, Cunningham, McCarthy, Long, Doyle, Fahey, McGeady, Foley, Keogh, Treacy, Dunleavy, McDermott, McGinty, Gunning, Cliffford and Gibson (although he was poor enough last night). Will Trap be the man to bring these boys on????

I dont think thats exactly a worldclass talent pool in international terms. Long, St Ledger. Foley, Keough, Fahey are all second rate. There's some talented teenagers its true (Doran is another one and Robert Brady) but its too early to guess whether they'll make it or not and at the same time as they're coming through the likes of Dunne, Keane, Duff etc will be disappearing from the scene so I cant see us really improving for a while which is why it'd be good to see this generation qualify for something while they can. We wont get much better opportunity than with the current qualifying group we're in.

**paul_oshea** · 14/10/2010, 2:22 PM

Originally Posted by tetsujin1979

Of course there's a comparison, Lennon suffered from injuries late in his career because of the amount of exercise he had in his youth, when he should have been focussing on his technique instead of his fitness. Grogan had the misfortune of suffering his injuries before he ever had a career.

I've heard of Ferguson doing the whole "you're one of us now" routine to youth players before, think it might have happened to O'Shea as well.

I have a funny story of a young lad from home who did it, roles reversed, who it didnt work out too well for.

The comparison is minute, this lad obviouslly has had some problems, that are not just football related, his physical make up must have been a problem from birth, genetic whatever...Lennon had a career but because of overdoing it his body gave out, which is natural enough in anything you do....

**geysir** · 14/10/2010, 2:41 PM

I have a funny story of a young lad from home who did it, roles reversed, who it didnt work out too well for.

By all means Paul, inject a bit of fun and relate the story - I might even be able to find out what "it" you are referring to.

**tetsujin1979** · 14/10/2010, 2:44 PM

Originally Posted by paul_oshea

I have a funny story of a young lad from home who did it, roles reversed, who it didnt work out too well for.

He put Ferguson in a headlock and held a knife to his throat?

**paul_oshea** · 14/10/2010, 2:56 PM

Originally Posted by tetsujin1979

He put Ferguson in a headlock and held a knife to his throat?

No it didnt involve a knife. but that would have been funny.

Hamish knows the story too, whatever happened to the good fella.

There are two "It"'s there geysir.

**cestlavie** · 14/10/2010, 5:34 PM

[QUOTE=Adrock;1412371]I dont think thats exactly a worldclass talent pool in international terms. Long, St Ledger. Foley, Keough, Fahey are all second rate.

Long, St Ledger and Fahey were among our best performers against Slovakia, so if they are second rate it doesnt say much about this Irish team in general.

**gastric** · 14/10/2010, 11:31 PM

Just on Grogan, does anyone else remember the story he told when the players left their kit on the dreesing room floor and Ferguson hit some of them over the head with the handle of a cricket bat as punishment. Maybe I am going senile, and there is a strong possibility, but I would love if someone could verify this story!

**tetsujin1979** · 16/10/2010, 11:59 AM

Ciaran Clark added to Irish Abroad: http://irish-abroad.appspot.com/Play...playerID=50716

**irishfan86** · 16/10/2010, 4:43 PM

Just about to come on for Richard Dunne against Chelsea. Looks like Dunne has an Achilles problem.

**tommy_c12000** · 16/10/2010, 4:56 PM

Match on ESPN isn't it? Rushing home now from work to run the rule over Clarky

**The Fly** · 16/10/2010, 5:05 PM

Originally Posted by tetsujin1979

Ciaran Clark added to Irish Abroad: http://irish-abroad.appspot.com/Play...playerID=50716

Has he definately declared?

**boovidge** · 16/10/2010, 5:43 PM

How's he doing? I see the score's still 0-0 so he must be doing ok?

**ofjames** · 16/10/2010, 5:49 PM

he's doing very well. looks like a great addition

**tommy_c12000** · 16/10/2010, 6:06 PM

A couple of good interceptions from Chelsea crosses, one outstanding long range pass, couple of good challenges and looks comfortably on the ball. My one gripe would be that he looks a bit lightweight for a centre half. Has been beaten for headers a couple of times. Just booked for a challenge on Anelka. On the whole he has impressed me

**tommy_c12000** · 16/10/2010, 6:06 PM

Just hit the post with a glancing header

**The Fly** · 16/10/2010, 6:14 PM

I'd say the management of the English youth set-up are going to fight to keep hold him, so lets not get ahead of ourselves.

**irishfan86** · 16/10/2010, 6:21 PM

Looked a bit nervous when he first came on with a couple of misplaced passes, but overall did very well, especially when you consider the opposition.

Glad to have him with us, assuming that is accurate.

**tommy_c12000** · 16/10/2010, 6:27 PM

Looks like a very good propect. Impressed me. Very comfortable on the ball. I see he is only 12 stone, compare this with the 14 stone and 15 stone frames of Collins and Dunne respectively. He was brushed off the ball a couple of times a bit too easy. Still young though and plenty of time to strengthen that aspect of his game. Should see some game time V Norway