Ireland and Ireland

[Speranza]

Don't forget Darren Gibson from Derry who scored against Italy, he is only 17. Plays regularly for Man Utd youth squad.

[eirebhoy]

Don't forget Darren Gibson from Derry who scored against Italy, he is only 17. Plays regularly for Man Utd youth squad.

Don't mean to be petty but he's actually a regular in their reserves. Man Utd reserves at 17 is excellent. Spend a year or so there, then get a loan out like McShane/O'Shea. Just checked, its his 18th birthday tomorrow.

[TheBoss]

Don't forget Darren Gibson from Derry who scored against Italy, he is only 17. Plays regularly for Man Utd youth squad.

Do you mean Terry Gibson of Spurs. He has the choice to play for Ireland or England

[paul_oshea]

who is the other stephen elliot? what position does he play?

[dr_peepee]

I was going to start a separate thread but half the points I was going to make are here on this one anyway.

All the last few weeks I've been hearing that the cupboard is bare & there's nobody coming through, mainly from people who can barely see past their noses about Irish football but yet are happy to get paid by the media for offering their "expert" advice. Ronnie Whelan, Frank the Plank & Rayo Houghton spring to mind.

Paul Howard wrote an excellent article in yesterday's Tribune but spoilt it by saying that there's nothing coming through.

Is this really the case?

Under 19s, almost every one of which is a great prospect, thump Italy 4-1 & playing qaulity football on the way. OK, so getting the best out of these guys is out of our / FAI's control but it hardly spells a bleak future.
5 Irish in the side that wins the FA Youth Cup.
Joey O'Brien breaking into the Bolton first team.
Glenn Whelan captaining SWFC at 20.
Paul McShane.
Stephen Elliott.
Clinton Morrison showing great form & rewarding any manager that shows faith in him.
Stephen Elliott
Graham Kavanagh, OK no spring chicken, getting described as "excellent" by The Times, getting 8/10 for his latest quality premiership performance.
Alan Quinn showing again on Friday that he's got plenty to offer, always looking to do something positive on the ball.
Alan Mahon's goal.
Shame Supple getting Ipswich fans' MOTM yesterday.
Owen Garvan orchestrating central midfield for Ipswich aged 17.
Kevin Doyle
Stephen Ireland

And so on.

Maybe it's just me popping the happy pills too often but I think there's plenty that an inspirational manager can do to restore a spring in the step to this Irish side. Step forward Martin O'Neill

(OK, so I've changed my mind a bit on who should be next manager)

I agree with Stuttgart88 (Hard not to with the impcecable grammer and well structureed arguments ). But i think the former players have a point also. I haven't read in detail their individual comments about the playing resourses but I think the point they're making is that there's a break now in the conveyer of playing talent that's gonna take a few years to fill. We really need the need players of 22, 23, 24, 25 to be performing at a higher standard than they are now.

[Speranza]

Don't mean to be petty but he's actually a regular in their reserves. Man Utd reserves at 17 is excellent. Spend a year or so there, then get a loan out like McShane/O'Shea. Just checked, its his 18th birthday tomorrow.

Just heard tonight that he is in the squad for the Carling cup match.

[SaucyJack]

Do you mean Terry Gibson of Spurs. He has the choice to play for Ireland or England

that'd be Dixon, not Gibson.

[Clifford]

Ireland inks new deal


STEPHEN Ireland has signed a new four-year contract with Manchester City.

The deal, which was agreed in principle last week, will keep the 19-year-old at Eastlands until 2009 and confirms his reputation as one of the most promising young players on City's books.

Ireland has made his big breakthrough this season after Blues boss Stuart Pearce took the Cork-born midfielder on the club's pre-season tour to Thailand.
After making his first senior appearance in the home defeat to Bolton last month, Ireland has been an ever-present, making six appearances in total and is expected to be part of the side which faces Aston Villa on Monday.

"I am delighted with the contract," Ireland told www.mcfc.co.uk

"I spoke to the gaffer and said that I wanted to stay as long as I possibly could. To get an extension through to 2009 is absolutely brilliant for me. I want to stay here, keep playing and keep proving myself."

[silentbob]

I was going to start a separate thread but half the points I was going to make are here on this one anyway.

All the last few weeks I've been hearing that the cupboard is bare & there's nobody coming through, mainly from people who can barely see past their noses about Irish football but yet are happy to get paid by the media for offering their "expert" advice. Ronnie Whelan, Frank the Plank & Rayo Houghton spring to mind.

Paul Howard wrote an excellent article in yesterday's Tribune but spoilt it by saying that there's nothing coming through.

Is this really the case?

Under 19s, almost every one of which is a great prospect, thump Italy 4-1 & playing qaulity football on the way. OK, so getting the best out of these guys is out of our / FAI's control but it hardly spells a bleak future.
5 Irish in the side that wins the FA Youth Cup.
Joey O'Brien breaking into the Bolton first team.
Glenn Whelan captaining SWFC at 20.
Paul McShane.
Stephen Elliott.
Clinton Morrison showing great form & rewarding any manager that shows faith in him.
Stephen Elliott
Graham Kavanagh, OK no spring chicken, getting described as "excellent" by The Times, getting 8/10 for his latest quality premiership performance.
Alan Quinn showing again on Friday that he's got plenty to offer, always looking to do something positive on the ball.
Alan Mahon's goal.
Shame Supple getting Ipswich fans' MOTM yesterday.
Owen Garvan orchestrating central midfield for Ipswich aged 17.
Kevin Doyle
Stephen Ireland

And so on.

Maybe it's just me popping the happy pills too often but I think there's plenty that an inspirational manager can do to restore a spring in the step to this Irish side. Step forward Martin O'Neill

(OK, so I've changed my mind a bit on who should be next manager)

Go on stuttgart, A bit of optimision is very much appreciated by me. Maybe we should petition for you to be involved in the new Ireland management structure as a motivational coach or something. What do you other foot.ier think, worth starting a petition?!!

[Fergie's Son]

Thanks Stuggart. I needed that! Too much negativity lately. I love the national team. It's the only sporting event I can truly feel passionate about other than my Dubs.

Deligted to see a new crop (hopefully) coming up.

[Qwerty]

Ireland continues to get coverage, it is nice to see 2 Irish youngsters break into the first team at Premiership clubs - O'Brien & Ireland certainly have real potential to make the grade.

http://sport.independent.co.uk/footb...icle323384.ece

[Closed Account 2]

He just did a superb bit of skill, trap and side back-heel to feed in Andy Cole vs Villa tonight. He outfoxed the entire Villa defence with one move, great play. All in all he has had a good game so far, a little bit too over eager at times but there is lots of potential.

[thejollyrodger]

speaking of the U21's game against italy.. it is meant to be on the telly some of these days.. does anyone know when ?

[TheJamaicanP.M.]

speaking of the U21's game against italy.. it is meant to be on the telly some of these days.. does anyone know when ?

Do you mean the Under-19 game that took place almost 2 weeks ago. Highlights of it on Friday night at 8 o'clock on RTE, I think?

[tricky_colour]

You can see Irelands bit of skill on Sky Sports, in about 2 mins, and every hour thereafter presumably.

[thejollyrodger]

yes i mean the u19s

thanx T.J.PM. i must set the video

[The Legend]

Ireland's definitely worth a call up in the next friendly... there's plenty of open squad places now

[tricky_colour]

I suppose we can look forward to headlines such as:-

"Ireland scores two as Ireland score three"....

I'll get my coat...

[Clifford]

I suppose we can look forward to headlines such as:-

"Ireland scores two as Ireland score three"....

I'll get my coat...

He sure looked the real deal tonight, that's Everton, Ham and Villa now he's survived against and looked better each time. Worked hard tonight, but also found time on the ball to be delicate and sublime. Please Lord let him be the real deal for Irelands sake (pardon the pun)

[M@ttitude]

Just saw the Irish Irelands silky skill, reminded me of Zidane.. Im glad people have spotted a tiny light at the end of this dark depressing tunnell.