Stephen Ireland

**tetsujin1979** · 10/08/2005, 9:27 AM

Confirmed broken arm, but definately in Pearce's thoughts for this season:
http://www.manchesteronline.co.uk/sp...bad_break.html

**finlma** · 19/09/2005, 10:38 AM

I was well impressed by what I saw of Ireland yesterday. He had some lovely touches and played a few great through balls. Some real potential there.

**tetsujin1979** · 19/09/2005, 10:57 AM

Saw the highlights on Sky Sports last night, Ireland came on late on for Joey Barton (who had a fantastic game), and should have scored with his first touch, a volley from near the penalty spot, well saved by Jaaskelainen. He looked a little lost at first, but once he got on the ball, he looked good. From what I saw last night, and from what I've been reading around, he's more of a Scholes-type attacking central midfielder, than a ball winning Keane style player. Here's hoping he continues to develop.

**paul_oshea** · 19/09/2005, 11:09 AM

what age is he joe, i remember you on about him, i read about him today in the paper, didnt see much of the city game bar dunne jumping in like an orangatang, i still think he lacks 100% concentration and discipline for a whole game, as evident yesterday.

**Pablo** · 19/09/2005, 11:43 AM

he's a cork lad isn't he??

**drinkfeckarse** · 19/09/2005, 12:05 PM

A Cobh man

**tetsujin1979** · 19/09/2005, 1:00 PM

Originally Posted by paul_oshea

what age is he? i remember you on about him, i read about him today in the paper, didnt see much of the city game bar dunne jumping in like an orangatang, i still think he lacks 100% concentration and discipline for a whole game, as evident yesterday.

According to his profile here - http://www.4thegame.com/club/manches...enireland.html - he's 18
As for Dunne, check out the comments on this page - http://www.manchesteronline.co.uk/sp...tory_id=174580 - most fans accept it was a mistake and hope he'll learn from it, but the majority think he's still a class act
From my point of view Dunne's arm was up before Pedersen chipped him, it was an accident, Dunne will learn to keep his arm down in future. Thought Pearce's comments after the game were perfect "He's made a mistake, I've done it myself, and I learned from it. And so will he". Top man

**paul_oshea** · 19/09/2005, 1:13 PM

tets its an instinctive reaction i know that, but the thing is he still jumped up in the air like an ape grabbing bananas from the tree. i do really hope he can rid his game of this "achilles heel", but at the moment i am with this poster from the above site posted:

"It was a stupid thing to do why does Dunne do idiotic things? he brought his hand up like he was playing NETBALL it was so unprofessional and it cost us the game,in essence despite his improved form he is a total liabillity and something like this WILL occur in the future I'm sure! "

dunne really needs to sort this irratic behaviour out, i know he's solid 99% of the time, but that 1% will cost us dearly sometime, just like it has for city yesterday, but in our case it could be more costly.

**tetsujin1979** · 19/09/2005, 4:17 PM

Originally Posted by paul_oshea

dunne really needs to sort this irratic behaviour out, i know he's solid 99% of the time, but that 1% will cost us dearly sometime, just like it has for city yesterday, but in our case it could be more costly.

The other side to this is that mistakes from defender and keepers prove more costly than a mistake by a striker or a midfielder. Dunne really has been fantastic this season, and every player makes mistakes, he's still relatively young for a defender, he won't his prime for at least another 5-6 years, so I'm not too worried right now.

As for Stephen Ireland, there's an interview with him on the Man City official site here
He should be involved with the Doncaster game on Wednesday, it's on Sky Sports 2

**colster** · 19/09/2005, 5:05 PM

I think I read somewhere that he had a falling out with Brian Kerr a while ago and hasn't played for Ireland since.
Also said he could declare for England though still prefers to play for Ireland.

**paul_oshea** · 19/09/2005, 5:09 PM

dunnes 25 now isnt he or very close to it if not. his prime would surely be in another 2 or more years? anyhow thats not all that relevant. we need an experienced and accomplished defender, who is ALWAYS composed to replace kenny and dunne looks like that replacement and to me it doesnt inspire confidence. I dont necessarily agree either that those mistakes by defenders cost us more so, i think morrisions miss cost us in the france game as much as dunne holding back against henry, but in the case for man city yes it is.

**cheifo** · 20/09/2005, 3:37 PM

It sayes on the BBC website that Stephen Irelands nationality is English.
Whats the story with him.Has he actually played for an Irish youth side?
For a lad who has only turned 17,seems like a hell of a prospect.How about a future Irish side with Stokes,Garvan and Ireland.

**superfrank** · 20/09/2005, 3:41 PM

I saw his chance. In fairness, he was unlucky not to score!!

**Pablo** · 20/09/2005, 3:43 PM

Originally Posted by drinkfeckarse

A Cobh man

Queenstown is actually part of the Peoples Republic still i'm afraid! so yes he's from Cork!

**Pablo** · 20/09/2005, 3:44 PM

He walked out on one of Brian Kerrs youth squads before a big qualifying tournament in Turners Cross. Mini Keano they were calling him!

**drinkfeckarse** · 20/09/2005, 3:47 PM

Originally Posted by Pablo

Queenstown is actually part of the Peoples Republic still i'm afraid! so yes he's from Cork!

I know, I was just being picky

**drinkfeckarse** · 20/09/2005, 3:48 PM

Originally Posted by cheifo

It sayes on the BBC website that Stephen Irelands nationality is English.
Whats the story with him.Has he actually played for an Irish youth side?
For a lad who has only turned 17,seems like a hell of a prospect.How about a future Irish side with Stokes,Garvan and Ireland.

Don't know where they got that, his Dad played for Ireland U/18's.

**cheifo** · 20/09/2005, 3:51 PM

Originally Posted by Pablo

He walked out on one of Brian Kerrs youth squads before a big qualifying tournament in Turners Cross. Mini Keano they were calling him!

Jesus, what is it with you Cork lads?
Perfectionists.I suppose.

**youngirish** · 20/09/2005, 5:40 PM

Originally Posted by cheifo

It sayes on the BBC website that Stephen Irelands nationality is English.
Whats the story with him.Has he actually played for an Irish youth side?
For a lad who has only turned 17,seems like a hell of a prospect.How about a future Irish side with Stokes,Garvan and Ireland.

Joey O'Brien looks potentially better than both Garvan and Ireland. He was excellent in pre-season for Bolton and has been on the fringes of breaking into the first team since. Unfortunately for him Bolton are particularly strong in central midfield with Okocha, Speed, Nolan, Nakata and Campo all jostling for places there. Its only a matter of time though before he gets a chance to impress.

**eirebhoy** · 20/09/2005, 5:48 PM

Originally Posted by cheifo

It sayes on the BBC website that Stephen Irelands nationality is English.
Whats the story with him.Has he actually played for an Irish youth side?
For a lad who has only turned 17,seems like a hell of a prospect.How about a future Irish side with Stokes,Garvan and Ireland.

I think Ireland is 19.