Not sure what the craic is with Rio. Sounds like he has been hedging his bets a little and we have a lot of options at his age. His mother is from Newry which is how he qualifies for the North but his father is Dundalk so you'd have to think there's not much affinity towards NI.Originally Posted by JR89
There's a third brother, Kai, in the Man United academy. Some going that all three have spent or are spending time there.
Glenn McCourt and Oli Devlin of Derry are on the bench and fresh from playing with NI a couple of weeks back. Jay McEvoy was playing too:
https://www.irishfa.com/news/2022/oc...at-to-slovenia
Was scanning through that NI side. They have a lad called Noah McDonnell who is attending an Irish speaking school in Belfast and captained the side:
https://www.irishnews.com/sport/foot...kdown-2284647/
Last edited by Olé Olé; 12/11/2022 at 10:24 AM.
i was at the latvia u15 game today. some interesting names in the squad:
https://www.fai.ie/ireland/news/mu15...lies-in-dublin
Ali Topcu who was an unused sub and is a keeper for Shels, he's the younger brother of Emre Topcu who is a Turkey u18 who plays for Drogheda.
Christian Coyle of Bohs is in the link above that Ole posted, on the bench for NI. He played right back and was good and composed. Think he might be Robbie Coyle's kid.
First time seeing these lads in person. Ramon Martos was the best footballer on the pitch - reminded me of Ferizaj. Dictated the game, first half at number 10, second half in centre midfield and a few minutes at centre back. Really good.
In some respects, it's hard to judge because the opposition were so so poor or Ireland were so dominant but it easily could have been 12-0.
Jaydon Umeh impressed, very good first half in particular, curious to see which brother will be the better one, him or Franco.
Ade Solanke captained the side at left back and was good. Nothing extravagant but a good polished footballer.
Don't think either of the keepers (Cullen and Noonan) had a save to make.
The centre halves weren't tested at all defensively but looked good: Sam Stewart of Pats was the taller of the pair and both him and Oisin McDonagh carried the ball well and passed well and won their headers - but hard to judge against that quality of opposition.
The remainder of the starts had good moments and bad moments. Chukwu took his goal well and showed real pace at times but still a work in progress. Akinrintayo up top scored two as well - a tap in to open the scoring and a penalty, which he won well - but equally there were times he was waiting for the pass and was robbed, Oladiti and Ogbonna in midfield the same - curious to see them against better opposition cause it's still a work in progress.
There were some really interesting lads off the bench: Aaron Heaney was about 4'8 and looked physically like a 12 year old, skinny as anything - but jesus he could play. Could be outstanding once he matures and grows. Really great close control, and passing. He could struggle against better opposition currently just cause of his stature but he was the real surprise.
Also off the bench, all of Grady McDonnell, Billy O'Neill and Michael Noonan took their goals well and in their own ways looked really impressive. McDonnell showed an impressive range of passing. Michael Noonan was a physical unit and had two or three really impressive moments and Billy O'Neill was really bright and full of energy and spark.
Disappointed not to have seen Brody Lee involved as I've heard good things but possibly he'll play in the second game. Kian McMahon Brown of Burnley and Rory Finneran of Blackburn were also used, Finneran in midfield until Brown came on - and then he moved to centre half. Neither really had enough time in midfield to make a real judgement.
Last edited by elatedscum; 21/03/2023 at 4:00 PM.
I saw the squad for the tournament in Italy was announced today, in that context, never got the chance to say I went to the second 15s game against Latvia as well. Brody Lee was very impressive as expected. Also there were a few players playing in different positions who really stood out.
Solanke, who played the previous game at left back, was in centre back and looked really good. Similarly, Oladiti who played the previous game in midfield and struggled a little, he looked really good at right back. Similarly, Goodness Ogbana who previously played in midfield, came on on the left wing. All three went up in my estimation playing in those positions.
Ali Topcu was in goal for 60 mins, didn't have a save to make - but looked excellent with his feet - not the tallest at this age. Ramon Matos still the best player on the pitch. Positive displays across the pitch really - was an overall better display than the previous game - the lads from Blackburn (McMahon Brown) and Burnley (Finneran) looked better - the kid Grady McDonnell from Vancouver also looked good.
There was a young lad Sam Rooney who came off the bench and scored a peach but not really enough time to see him in action. I’d love to see them against a better side. Latvia probably only had 3 players who were anywhere near the same calibre as the irish kids.
Squad announced for an end of season tournament in Italy: https://www.fai.ie/ireland/news/mu15...son-tournament
Tayo Dunne is Richard Dunne's son.Republic of Ireland Men’s Under-15 Squad
Goalkeepers: Alex Noonan (Shamrock Rovers), Ali Topcu (Shelbourne)
Defenders: Christian Coyle (Bohemians), Tayo Dunne (U.S Cap d’Ail Monaco), Oisin McDonagh (Shamrock Rovers), Cead McGrath (Finn Harps), Muhammad Oladiti (Shamrock Rovers), Ade Solanke (Shamrock Rovers), Sam Steward (St.Patrick’s Athletic)
Midfielders: Daniel Costello (Bohemians), Rory Finneran (Blackburn Rovers), Ramon Martos (Almeria), Grady McDonnell (Vancouver Whitecaps), Goodness Ogbonna (Shamrock Rovers), Oskar Schubo Keeley (Bohemians), Finn Sherlock (Shelbourne)
Forwards: Billy Hayes (St. Patrick’s Athletic), Max Kovalevskis (Shamrock Rovers), Brody Lee (Shamrock Rovers), Michael Noonan (St. Patrick’s Athletic), Billy O'Neill (Bray Wanderers), Jayden Umeh (Cork City)
Is Alan Kelly Jnr the last son of a former international to play for Ireland at senior level?
He's also the first guy I think of everytime I see Brody Lee mentioned for the U15s. You a wrestling fan Tets?
Brody Lee.
Fun fact, the guy getting ragdolled in that gif is Luke Perry's son
Yes, and no. During lockdown I got into the habit of watching wrestling videos on YouTube. I'm still working from home at the moment, and in the office once a week, so I usually watch the whatculture news with Adam Wilbourn and Andy H Murray on my lunchbreak.
I haven't watched Raw, or Smackdown, or AEW in months, but I did check out WrestleMania and the Royal Rumble. It's fun and pointless and passes the time.
won the tournament with a 2-1 win against the italians. the italians hit the post where they could have made it 2-1, then ireland went down the other end and should have scored an open goal, instead the attacker gets fouled and we miss the subsequent penalty
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