Mark Kennedy

**paul_oshea** · 07/04/2009, 9:56 PM

Mark kennedy on the right wiinngg waaaas suuuuuuupppeeeeerbb

**irishfan86** · 08/04/2009, 1:34 AM

People change and mature.

I don't know what he's said about playing for Ireland, but if he's playing well in a position where we are short of options, I don't see the point in writing him off completely.

**SilkCut** · 08/04/2009, 6:41 AM

Originally Posted by Paddy Garcia

I'm afraid for many players Anfield has been a graveyard for up & coming Irish talent.

Kennedy was a red hot prospect when he went there.
McAteer was one of the leagues best midfielders - only to be stuck as a wing/full back.
Babb was wanted by many top teams & playing fantastic football.
Keane was one of the Premierships top strikers.

They managed not to ruin Finnan I guess.

Or Whelan, Staunton, Lawrenson, Houghton, Aldridge or any other Irish player that was actually good enough to play for one of the top clubs in Europe. McAteer and Babb did quite well considering their "Spice Boys" reputation.

**seanfhear** · 08/04/2009, 9:04 AM

Originally Posted by Paddy Garcia

I'm afraid for many players Anfield has been a graveyard for up & coming Irish talent.

Kennedy was a red hot prospect when he went there.
McAteer was one of the leagues best midfielders - only to be stuck as a wing/full back.
Babb was wanted by many top teams & playing fantastic football.
Keane was one of the Premierships top strikers.

They managed not to ruin Finnan I guess.

Houllier was the manager for most of the time(bar Keane) that most of these players were at liverpool.

I was not a fan of Houllier and think that he did not do a lot for the career of many players and not just Irish players either.

**as_i_say** · 08/04/2009, 2:33 PM

I love it when these old threads appear. From page one "Alan O Brien" one to watch

**backstothewall** · 23/04/2009, 12:07 AM

I would certainly have another look at him. Thats what friendlies are for. Any option at left back is worth having atm.

Though i would be more keen to have a look at Marcos Painter or Stephen O'Halloran if either of them can get fit and playing regularly for Swansea

**Drumcondra 69er** · 23/04/2009, 9:33 AM

Originally Posted by backtowalsall

I would certainly have another look at him. Thats what friendlies are for. Any option at left back is worth having atm.

Though i would be more keen to have a look at Marcos Painter or Stephen O'Halloran if either of them can get fit and playing regularly for Swansea

Think Stephen Ward would be a better option to have a look at for left back then any of the above myself.

**Stuttgart88** · 23/04/2009, 3:32 PM

Damien Delaney has had 2 looks and has done well.

**backstothewall** · 23/04/2009, 6:03 PM

Have to hold my hands up on this one. Didn't realise Ward could play leftback, never mind actually doing it for Wolves. I always thought he was a forward. must watch them the next chance i get.

**John83** · 23/04/2009, 6:22 PM

Originally Posted by backtowalsall

Have to hold my hands up on this one. Didn't realise Ward could play leftback, never mind actually doing it for Wolves. I always thought he was a forward. must watch them the next chance i get.

He was. Then he moved to the left wing, and then further back again. Expect him to be a ball-boy by next year.

**Stuttgart88** · 23/04/2009, 8:55 PM

Originally Posted by backtowalsall

Have to hold my hands up on this one. Didn't realise Ward could play leftback, never mind actually doing it for Wolves. I always thought he was a forward. must watch them the next chance i get.

You should read Manc Irish Wolf's regular match reports on Wolves. Good stuff.

**backstothewall** · 23/04/2009, 9:11 PM

Is he someone who plays fullback, as well as further up the park (like Phil Neville), or is he someone who plays further up if given a choice, but can do a job at left full (like Kevin Kilbane)??

Did he ever play left full for Bohs?

**fergalr** · 23/04/2009, 9:18 PM

This is the Mark Kennedy thread. Posts about up and coming (and worth watching) Irish full-backs should go elsewhere.

**Manc Irish Wolf** · 23/04/2009, 9:20 PM

Gradually migrated back after a spell on the left wing last year. Said that he's never played there prior to Miick converting him, but has all the physcial attributes, overlaps well and has a good range of passing - needs to be guided slightly by the more experienceed centre halfs as it's not his natural position but is learning fast and is one to keep an eye on.

**John83** · 23/04/2009, 9:23 PM

Originally Posted by backtowalsall

Is he someone who plays fullback, as well as further up the park (like Phil Neville), or is he someone who plays further up if given a choice, but can do a job at left full (like Kevin Kilbane)??

Did he ever play left full for Bohs?

He seems to play wherever Wolves have the most players injured. He's only been a left back this season, I think, though I seem to remember him on the wing a couple of times at Bohs. I suspect the Kilbane comparison is closer to the truth for now, but perhaps he may settle at full back yet.

**John83** · 23/04/2009, 9:25 PM

Originally Posted by fergalr

This is the Mark Kennedy thread. Posts about up and coming (and worth watching) Irish full-backs should go elsewhere.

This is true. Perhaps a mod would be good enough to split the half dozen or so recent posts on Ward into their own thread.

**Manc Irish Wolf** · 23/04/2009, 9:32 PM

Originally Posted by fergalr

This is the Mark Kennedy thread. Posts about up and coming (and worth watching) Irish full-backs should go elsewhere.

Valid point. Kennedy is the twighlight of his career. Great potential and player on his day, but sadly never truly fulfilled. Let him be remembered for his classic strike against Croatia (? - battered in Turkey at the time) not a failed spell at left back.

**SkStu** · 23/04/2009, 9:34 PM

Originally Posted by Manc Irish Wolf

Valid point. Kennedy is the twighlight of his career. Great potential and player on his day, but sadly never truly fulfilled. Let him be remembered for his classic strike against Croatia (? - battered in Turkey at the time) not a failed spell at left back.

it was against Yugoslavia - beautiful goal. Was at that game that night and the atmosphere was incredible (even for an Irish game...!). Was buzzin for days afterwards. Keano got the first i think...

Kennedy was great for us for about a year around then. Really thought he would kick on and be an important player for us for years.

**fergalr** · 23/04/2009, 9:44 PM

Great talent but lacked the extra something to stay in the big time.

I've a vivid memory of an interview where he basically said he got really cheesed off with criticism from Irish fans and said he didn't think that playing for his country was worth that hassle.