An eircom league striker???

**Slash/ED** · 02/08/2004, 1:32 AM

Fitzpatrick has been as good as any EL player this season, though I wouldn't put him in the Ireland squad there's been stupider suggestions.

The players Kerr have called up from the lower divisions have not always been getting their game.

**Pablo** · 02/08/2004, 1:37 AM

Its pointless talking about City players. The FAi dont know There is a country outside the Pale

Dublin bias-it exists

**liam88** · 02/08/2004, 6:53 AM

Aye-give Steve Yelverton a try-out against Cyrpus, he's class!

Ma mate Steve

**Cosmo** · 02/08/2004, 10:19 AM

I'd be very unsure if wes deserves a chance - o'flynn definitely does though rate him alot higher than crowe or byrne

**eirebhoy** · 02/08/2004, 10:36 AM

Quinn and Rowlands were called up to the squad because there were 15 players unavailable and Kerr needed a squad of 30 players for 4 matches. Eircom league players were out of the question because of the timing of the matches. Do you think the Shel's board would be happy with Houllihan missing 3/4 matches (or even 1 for that matter)?

**Slash/ED** · 02/08/2004, 10:53 AM

Yes, they would, because the knock on effect of having playeres getting into the Ireland squad would be very beneficial to Shels. It would raise the profile of the club and might bring people through the gates, it would be free advertisement basically at the cost of loseing a player for two or so weeks.

And Quinns been called up for alot of squads under Kerr.

**EamonD** · 02/08/2004, 3:02 PM

Originally Posted by eirebhoy

Quinn and Rowlands were called up to the squad because there were 15 players unavailable and Kerr needed a squad of 30 players for 4 matches. Eircom league players were out of the question because of the timing of the matches. Do you think the Shel's board would be happy with Houllihan missing 3/4 matches (or even 1 for that matter)?

That's a bit unfiair now, Kerr watched Rowlands several times last season. He also called up Quinn a coupe of times before that and knew him from the youths. Brian did say alright that eL players weren't available for that many games.

**eirebhoy** · 02/08/2004, 8:34 PM

Originally Posted by EamonD

That's a bit unfiair now

I wasn't trying to be unfair but people are saying Houlihan has just as much right to a call up as Rowlands and Quinn. He probably does but the timing of the games meant Rowlands and Quinn got the call ups. BTW, do you honestly think that Rowlands and Quinn would have got a call up if all players were available? Kilbane, Delap, Kavanagh, McAteer, Healy are all fighting for a place in midfield and I'm sure Brian would have wanted to find out his first choice midfield during those friendlies.

**1MickCollins** · 03/08/2004, 1:56 AM

Originally Posted by eirebhoy

I wasn't trying to be unfair but people are saying Houlihan has just as much right to a call up as Rowlands and Quinn. He probably does but the timing of the games meant Rowlands and Quinn got the call ups. BTW, do you honestly think that Rowlands and Quinn would have got a call up if all players were available? Kilbane, Delap, Kavanagh, McAteer, Healy are all fighting for a place in midfield and I'm sure Brian would have wanted to find out his first choice midfield during those friendlies.

Who is this Delap chap everyone is talking about on this board?

**tricky_colour** · 03/08/2004, 2:52 AM

Apparently Martin O'Neil has been very pleased with McGeady
on their USA tour.

**tiktok** · 03/08/2004, 9:05 AM

To be honest the front two Kerr plays against Bulgaria will be the front two that start the qualifiers, they have to be. With Robbie practically ever present, we've had little chance to blood alternative front two's so Kerr will have to try and look at those alternatives against Bulgaria.

I reckon he'll go with Morrison and Connolly/Duff (didn't say i agree, just what I think he'll do).

For the record, Liam Miller's reputation was built on u21 performances before he ever played a senior gaem for Celtic, I don't think it's unreasonable to look at it as a guage of a player's quality.
Flynny scored something like 4 goals in 6 games at that level.
However, I don't think Flynn's been that good for City recently, I wouldn't call him up.

**Bowsy** · 03/08/2004, 9:29 AM

[QUOTE=tiktok]
For the record, Liam Miller's reputation was built on u21 performances before he ever played a senior gaem for Celtic, I don't think it's unreasonable to look at it as a guage of a player's quality.
[QUOTE]

Would agree with that but i don't think it's his ability that's holding him back but rather the level of football he's playing at. Anyone who watched the u21s would see O'Flynn up there with Miller as the stand out players. They looked far better than Barrett and Andy Reid in those games IMO. If O'Flynn was playing Championship(god, that doesn't feel right to type) football he would be in the Irish Squad. EL players will struggle to make Ireland squads for quite a few years yet.

**Peadar** · 03/08/2004, 9:39 AM

Originally Posted by tiktok

However, I don't think Flynn's been that good for City recently, I wouldn't call him up.

I have to disagree.
His movement in both games against NEC and against Nantes (only saw the away game) was tremendous!
In fact I'd go as far as saying that he reminded me of Robbie Keane.
Due to being out for so long with injury I'd forgotten just how good he is.
Many people judge forwards by the goals they score or fail to score but forwards can play very important roles and have great games without hitting the back of the net. John O'Flynn would need more than just a token run out with 5 minutes remaining though. I think Brian Kerr knows how good he is but may not be willing to take a chance on him with such important games looming. Brian isn't a risk taker.

**sylvo** · 03/08/2004, 9:54 AM

Originally Posted by davros

If they were that good.....they'd be playing in better Leagues or for bigger clubs....pointless debate!

What about playing in better competion's then like Europe, unlike someone from the third division in England. If Wes Hoolahan is able to prove himself against a team like Hadjuk Spilt this week then IMO he should be worthy of getting a look in for the next friendly and also the game v Cyprus.

**sylvo** · 03/08/2004, 10:03 AM

[QUOTE=Peadar]. John O'Flynn would need more than just a token run out with 5 minutes remaining though.

Totally, playing someone for the last few minute's or in Jason Byrne's case in Poland last few second's is pointless.

**Peadar** · 03/08/2004, 10:21 AM

Originally Posted by sylvo

If Wes Hoolahan is able to prove himself against a team like Hadjuk Spilt this week then IMO he should be worthy of getting a look in for the next friendly and also the game v Cyprus.

That's it exactly and no matter how people like to dismiss the success of Cork City FC, they played and won in a UEFA competition. Won 3 times in fact and drew twice. That was in 6 games, scoring in 5 of those 6 games. The fact of the matter is that over half of the starting 11 at Cork City were playing for clubs in England when the ITV Digital deal collapsed and clubs were forced to trim their squads. This is true for players at many eircom League clubs. It doesn't mean that they're not good enough now to play for Ireland.
I'd love to see Brian Kerr bring his boys over to play an eircom League XI.
Now that would be some game!

Steve Williams
Cillian Lordan - Owen Heary - Dan Murray - Danny Murphy
Fergal Harkin - Wes Hoolahan - Kevin Hunt - Liam Kearney
John O'Flynn - Jason Byrne

**Peadar** · 03/08/2004, 10:41 AM

Originally Posted by davros

making it in the Eng.top 2 Divs.,the S.P.L. or top divs.of countries who regularly feature in the CL,is the Minimum criteria for aspiring internationals.

You're avin' a larf!?!
Outside of the Biggot Brothers, Scottish football is brutal!
Their national side is testimony to that.
You clearly don't know anything about the eircom League outside of the results.

**Peadar** · 03/08/2004, 11:37 AM

Originally Posted by davros

PS.only one 'g' in Bigot........

You'll have to excuse me, I'm not a Celtic fan and have only heard about the term. Your correction has been duely noted.

**Peadar** · 03/08/2004, 11:50 AM

Originally Posted by davros

You're confusing the Tims with 'Watford F.C.'& their fans

........dont think they'd like that label in Corcaigh......have you told RMK ?

I really don't know anything about Celtic so you'll have to simplify your posts to me on that respect. I assume you're reffering to Roy Keane when you say "RMK"?
What have Watford FC done?