U21s versus Austria (9/8/11) and Hungary (1/9/11) Sligo Showgrounds

**Longshanks** · 10/08/2011, 1:38 PM

was at the game too. didnt know many of the team but heres my take on it. left winger No. 11 was good in the first half, left full No.3 seemed like a mouthy git, giving it loads to their winger. Brady was decent in the first half on the right side. The Austrian No. 8 was the standout player in the first half for me, a tall classy elegant player with a wonderful left foot. 2nd half No. 11 and Brady switched flanks and Brady burst into life, great attitude and work rate and no end of skill, although he butchered a 4 on 2 break on the edge of the Austrian box, he got a lucky break off a defender and got his shot away which the keeper parried, but he really should've played in 1 of 2 players before he tried to take on his man. He was really good for his first goal, attacked down the right flank towards the box, laid it off and continued his run into the box, great header a bit Tim Cahillesque. His second goal was a wonderful piece of skill, such a touch with his back to goal and his marker all over him, he plucked the goal keepers punt out of the air and turned all in one movement, to beat the defender all ends up, he was tackled from behind, borderline in the box. he tucked the penalty away. The Irish No. 2 had a very stellar 2nd half and won a lot of ball. The Austrian No. 8 got their goal from a freekick, the wall obscured my view of it, but he was their best player by a mile, apparently he is a 1st teamer for Stuttgart.

All in all a very enjoyable game, the late winner added to it and it was great value, meself and 2 kids for €9. looking forward to the Hungery game already but I believe its all ticket

**Longshanks** · 10/08/2011, 1:40 PM

was at the game too. didnt know many of the team but heres my take on it. left winger No. 11 was good in the first half, left full No.3 seemed like a mouthy git, giving it loads to their winger. Brady was decent in the first half on the right side. The Austrian No. 8 was the standout player in the first half for me, a tall classy elegant player with a wonderful left foot. 2nd half No. 11 and Brady switched flanks and Brady burst into life, great attitude and work rate and no end of skill, although he butchered a 4 on 2 break on the edge of the Austrian box, he got a lucky break off a defender and got his shot away which the keeper parried, but he really should've played in 1 of 2 players before he tried to take on his man. He was really good for his first goal, attacked down the right flank towards the box, laid it off and continued his run into the box, great header a bit Tim Cahillesque. His second goal was a wonderful piece of skill, such a touch with his back to goal and his marker all over him, he plucked the goal keepers punt out of the air and turned all in one movement, to beat the defender all ends up, he was tackled from behind, borderline in the box. he tucked the penalty away. The Irish No. 2 had a very stellar 2nd half and won a lot of ball. The Austrian No. 8 got their goal from a freekick, the wall obscured my view of it, but he was their best player by a mile, apparently he is a 1st teamer for Stuttgart.

All in all a very enjoyable game, the late winner added to it and it was great value, meself and 2 kids for �9. looking forward to the Hungery game already but I believe its all ticket

**Junior** · 11/08/2011, 10:22 AM

Originally Posted by kennedmc

good report - what do you mean by the Clifford comment?

Presumably its just a reference to the fact that possibly his mind was elsewhere with his call up to the senior squad.

**Predator** · 11/08/2011, 1:54 PM

Yeah, I thought he looked like he was holding himself back a bit for the senior squad. Still played some decent passes though.

**Predator** · 24/08/2011, 1:20 PM

Squad announced: http://faireland.posterous.com/repub...uad-for-uefa-q

Ian McLoughlin MK Dons FC
Aaron McCarey Wolverhampton Wanderers FC
Lanre Oyebanjo York City FC
Shane Duffy Everton FC
Gavin Gunning Dundee United FC
Rob Kiernan Wigan Athletic FC
Niall Canavan Scunthorpe United FC
Aidan White Leeds United FC
Richie Towell Celtic FC
Mark Connolly Bolton Wanderers FC
Adam Barton Preston North End FC
Conor Clifford Chelsea FC
James McCarthy Wigan Athletic FC
Jeff Hendrick Derby County FC
Aaron Doran Inverness CT FC
Robbie Brady Hull City FC (on loan from Manchester United FC)
Sean Scannell Crystal Palace FC
Joe Mason Cardiff City FC

**tetsujin1979** · 24/08/2011, 2:39 PM

Strong looking team, little weak up front though.

**Stuttgart88** · 24/08/2011, 2:44 PM

If the Celtic guy came on as sub, would King be throwing in the Towell?

**IsMiseSean** · 24/08/2011, 6:04 PM

Rhys Murphy has been added to the squad after receiving clearance from FIFA according to the FAI twitter feed.

**tommy_c12000** · 24/08/2011, 6:11 PM

Originally Posted by Stuttgart88

If the Celtic guy came on as sub, would King be throwing in the Towell?

Don't think so, apparently King will have the lads Gunning for this one

**tommy_c12000** · 24/08/2011, 6:16 PM

Originally Posted by tetsujin1979

Strong looking team, little weak up front though.

Little weak on the number front perhaps but not quality. Brady certainly can play up front and has looked really good with Hull this season. Scanell has got his season off to a flyer with 2 league goals and an assist already. Don't know much about Mason (but I hear he's a hard worker . . . Stutts u shouldn't have started me off!). And with Murphy just added to that squad that's 4 strikers. Think it's a really strong team, depending if everyone shows up of course

**CraftyToePoke** · 24/08/2011, 9:44 PM

Originally Posted by tetsujin1979

Strong looking team, little weak up front though.

True but I am encouraged by Masons start at Cardiff, the fans seem to love him and most encouragingly, he was on the bench for the League Cup game in the week, one of several key first teamers rested for the three pointers. I think he could do well for us.

**tetsujin1979** · 24/08/2011, 10:21 PM

just to clarify, when I said the squad looks weak up front, midfield, defence and in goals we can call on players in Premier League squads, some with Premier League experience, but not up front

**tetsujin1979** · 24/08/2011, 11:10 PM

Originally Posted by JGKyne

Rhys Murphy has been added to the squad after receiving clearance from FIFA according to the FAI twitter feed.

He's still on trial at Rangers, and scored for them in a friendly earlier in the week. Can't find a match report though.

**CraftyToePoke** · 25/08/2011, 12:42 AM

Originally Posted by tetsujin1979

He's still on trial at Rangers, and scored for them in a friendly earlier in the week. Can't find a match report though.

I wonder if Gerry Mainland Armstrong will be after him so .. (CTP ducks and runs)

**gastric** · 25/08/2011, 10:56 AM

Originally Posted by CraftyToePoke

I wonder if Gerry Mainland Armstrong will be after him so .. (CTP ducks and runs)

Gerry wouldn't be looking at the likes of Rhys Murphy as he is only interested in elite players. Oh, hold on....

**Junior** · 25/08/2011, 9:38 PM

Originally Posted by Stuttgart88

If the Celtic guy came on as sub, would King be throwing in the Towell?

Throwing in the Towell or not, he's a Hibs man now (on loan) until Jan anyway.

**Sullivinho** · 25/08/2011, 9:53 PM

Originally Posted by CraftyToePoke

I wonder if Gerry Mainland Armstrong will be after him so .. (CTP ducks and runs)

Originally Posted by gastric

Gerry wouldn't be looking at the likes of Rhys Murphy as he is only interested in elite players. Oh, hold on....

I feel it could all hinge on Rhys' receptiveness to mentoring.

**Predator** · 27/08/2011, 1:24 PM

Based on the last game I'd go for this lineup:

Code:

             McLoughlin

Connolly           Duffy Kiernan ( c )     Gunning

                        Clifford Towell
                            McCarthy
Brady                                                        Doran
                           Mason
Subs: McCarey, Oyebanjo, Canavan, White, Hendrick, Barton, Scannell, Murphy

Both keepers are decent but I chose McLoughlin over McCarey because he's older and looked less dodgy than McCarey in the last game. Wasn't sure about Connolly at right back, as he was much better in centre midfield, but Towell was excellent in midfield against Austria. Tough call between White and Doran for left wing, but have gone for Doran because he reminded me of Hunt. Chose Mason as the front man because he's a hard worker. The likes of Scannell and Barton could start, but I don't know if King will be willing to throw in players who missed the warm ups through injury. Haven't got a clue about Murphy and I think Stevens should have been in the squad ahead of Oyebanjo.