Given the choice - Seniors qualify for Euros or U21s qualify for theirs, which would people here pick?
Despite flying home for the Danish game my gut (yes, him again) told me on the Tuesday that I had more invested in the U21s for some reason.
Given the choice - Seniors qualify for Euros or U21s qualify for theirs, which would people here pick?
Despite flying home for the Danish game my gut (yes, him again) told me on the Tuesday that I had more invested in the U21s for some reason.
It's no fun to add "both" as an option. The fun is in an "either / or" option!
The u21's are, in every way, the future. Its not a surprise that your gut was rumbling again. Great question.
Despite our disagreement on whether the senior squad should be calling up more promising U21's as injury replacements instead of the never-will-be's that we usually call up (my thinking at the time being that senior success was far more important than underage), I think I would lean towards the u21's and more big tournament exposure for them. But i am sure i will be in the minority (dont @ me).
I think the U21s qualifying would lift the football fans, but the seniors qualifying would lift the entire country.
I'd say a lot of us are more invested in the U21's but their progress won't stall too much as a result of not qualifying. We'll probably never have a major tournament in our own country again so the seniors is a no brainer for me. And even if we didn't have some games in Dublin I would still say the seniors.
I see the U21 Euros will be in Hungary & Slovenia though, never been to either so could be a good opportunity!
Last edited by DeLorean; 28/11/2019 at 12:40 PM.
I'd take the seniors qualifying. I think you'd have to. As good as a successful tournament at underage level is, and as much as i like the management and players, memories are made at major tournaments and kids become life-long fans...
You could argue it's really important for the group of players and that in the long run it might be better for Ireland but I think that would be overstating it slightly.
It obviously depends how it goes, if the choice was winning the U21 championships, I would probably flip my vote.
Equally if it was a horror show akin to Euro 2012, I think I'd take the U21s.
Seniors for me, the problem with the 21s is that the finals aren't until June 2021. By then a lot of our under 21 players (and of course the manager) will be in the middle of a World Cup qualifying campaign with the seniors and probably would end up not travelling to the Under 21 finals anyway.
We'll end up with Tom Mohan coaching a team missing a dozen of its best players, similar to the Under 19 championships a few months ago. Which is a shame, but that's the way of it, underage championships are always stacked in favour of the bigger nations.
Interestingly, Kilkenny on the bench today for Bournemouth. Outside chance of him making his premier league debut. Molumby starts for millwall, Knight returns to Derby bench. No Collins or Masterson in match day squad. Ronan not starting for FC DAC who are about to win 1-0
For anyone who is interested, I am very reliably informed, that the 21s are playing in Beggen for the qualifier in Luxembourg next month. It's about 15 mins by car from Luxembourg Gare Central.
https://www.wichtelweb.net/club/stadion/
Here they come! It’s the charge of the “Thanks” Brigade!
Small ground. We'll be beggen for tickets. Ooops...
Kelleher has a knee ligament injury, unfortunate timing with Alisson's injury...
This would be my squad assuming there are no call ups:
Travers (McGinty)
Bazunu
L O’Connor
McNamara
Masterson
O’Shea (Conor McCarthy)
Scales
Collins
T O’Connor
T Clarke
Coventry
Mandriou
Molumby (Taylor)
Knight
Ronan
Smallbone
Connolly (Farrugia)
Elbouzedi
Obafemi (Farrugia)
Afolabi
Parrott
Idah
I would say that Jacko will be a definite in the squad given the form he's been in for Peterborough.
Here they come! It’s the charge of the “Thanks” Brigade!
to be honest, i would imagine Taylor will be picked ahead of Mandriou by Kenny. They've both impressed me, I've seen a little more of Mandriou which is maybe why I rate him a little higher. They're also different types of midfielder with different strengths... I think both have the potential to play at a much higher level than they currently play.
Coventry, Molumby and Ronan have been ever-presents when fit and been really good. Knight and Smallbone are both performing at a level for their club, where they need to be included. Which just leaves the the last slot between those two lads and probably Gavin Kilkenny (assuming Smallbone accepts a call-up)...
I'd also say Kenny will have Darragh Leahy in the squad over Trevor Clarke, which is also an entirely justifiable decision...
New management team of Jim Crawford and John O'Shea confirmed: https://www.fai.ie/ireland/news/fai-...nagement-teams
Jim Crawford has been promoted to manager of the Ireland Under-21 side and will be assisted by John O’Shea.
Dates for final qualifiers, and a friendly, confirmed: https://www.fai.ie/ireland/news/date...-21-qualifiers
Table: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2021_U...cation#Group_1Ireland U-21 Fixtures - 2020
07/09 - Slovenia v Ireland - International Friendly
13/10 - Italy v Ireland - U-21 European Championships Qualifier
12/11 - Ireland v Iceland - U-21 European Championships Qualifier
17/11 - Luxembourg v Ireland - U-21 European Championships Qualifier
currently top the group on 16 points, ahead of Italy on 13 who have a game in hand, and better goal difference
Saw Mandriou has been linked with a Dutch side, FC Twente. Maybe Jack Byrne could advise him of the merits of the move. Definitely a step up from LOI and if he does well there, are probably a platform to move to a better club
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