U-21 Squad VS Sweden

[tetsujin1979]

from http://eleven-a-side.com/boysingreen...p?newsid=21271
Nothing on fai.ie (yet) and it does seem a bit small for a squad. Willo Flood is only just back from injury, don't know how Stuart Pearce would react to him being called up so soon afterwards
Also Whelan is in the squad, which may explain why he's not in the seniors, on the other hand, I thought he was overage for the U-21s?
Lastly, Leon Best is in the squad so we may see him end all the talk about him.

Squad:
Republic of Ireland under-21 (friendly v Sweden, 28/2/06):

Goalkeepers:
Quigley (UCD),
Doyle (Birmingham City – on loan at Millwal).

Defenders:
Foley (Luton Town),
McShane (Manchester United – on loan at Brighton),
R. Keogh (Bristol City),
Painter (Birmingham City),
Bruce (Birmingham City),
Hand (Huddersfield Town).

Midfielders:
Flood (Manchester City),
Dicker (UCD),
Potter (Liverpool - on loan at Southampton),
Whelan (Sheffield Wednesday),
Timlin (Fulham),
O’Donovan (Cork City).

Forwards:
Tabb (Brentford),
Ward (Bohemians),
A. Keogh (S****horpe United),
Best (Southampton – on loan at Sheffield Wednesday).

[Superhoops]

Lastly, Leon Best is in the squad so we may see him end all the talk about him.

Any bets he will pull out injured before next Tuesday.

[Donal81]

Where's the game on?

[Donal81]

Is that Alex Bruce that has been called up? Now that's controversial...

[tetsujin1979]

Where's the game on?

Drogheda I believe, but I'm open to correction on this

Is that Alex Bruce that has been called up? Now that's controversial...

Not really, he declared for Ireland and was called into the next available squad.

[Donal81]

Drogheda I believe, but I'm open to correction on this

Cheers mate

Not really, he declared for Ireland and was called into the next available squad.

You know what I mean. The manner of his declaration wasn't exactly bursting with honour and pride, was it?

[Dodge]

Only turned down NI last week in a statement...

[Roverstillidie]

Is that Alex Bruce that has been called up? Now that's controversial...

what possible connection has he to ireland?

[Donal81]

what possible connection has he to ireland?

His grandparents, as far as I know. It's his audacity that bugs me.

"I am going to pick the Republic purely because I think they are a better team," said Bruce.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/foot...sh/4662544.stm

[pete]

"I am going to pick the Republic purely because I think they are a better team," said Bruce.

Mercenary. Why do we devalue the honour of playing for our country so much?

[gustavo]

does anyone here call us "the Republic" either

[Superhoops]

what possible connection has he to ireland?

He had a cup of tea with Kenny Cunningham once at Birmingham!!!!!

[Fergie's Son]

What about Garvan at Ipswich. Why isn't he in the panel?

[Superhoops]

Any bets he will pull out injured before next Tuesday.

Best taken off injured after 61 minutes today in Owls reserve game against Barnsley.

Although Wednesday have an injury crisis at the minute, Best cannot play in weekend game against Southampton cause of his loan agreement. Doubt if he will be allowed travel next week.

[Superhoops]

What about Garvan at Ipswich. Why isn't he in the panel?

He will be in La Manga with the U-19's who are playing in a tournament in preparation for their Elite Phase of this year’s European Championships.

[Poor Student]

Any chance this will be on TV?

[eirebhoy]

Any chance this will be on TV?

Football 17:00 Sky Sports 1 Wales U21 v Northern Ireland U21 International Friendly
Football 19:45 Sky Sports 1 England U21 v Norway U21 International Friendly

No Ireland.

[Stuttgart88]

Extract from this morning's Indo:

Givens' preparations have also been boosted by Steve Staunton's decision to allow the U21s to share the senior team's headquarters at Portmarnock. Staunton is also keen to reintroduce training matches between the senior and U21s.

In my view this is an excellent decision. What better way for the senior manager to get a good, regular look at the younger players and especially any domestic based players.

The morning after the Swiss game, I was beside Robbie Keane at the baggage carousel at Heathrow waiting for our luggage. I asked him what he thought of players like Paul McShane. He said he didn't know him & they didn't train with the U21s. I couldn't believe it.

I don't know that guy Hand at Huddersfield. Anyone know him? 11-a-side.com says Gary Dicker is being watched by Charlton.

Tets, Whelan played against the Swiss that night. By that stage Givens was only picking players who remained U21 eligible as they had sunk like a stone in the qualifying group. So Whelan must still be eligible though I thought he's 22 now.

Am I right in thinking that both Randolph & Supple are in the U19 squad also?

It looks like a good squad (especially when you think that U19s like Garvan would probably get in too) but only 15 months ago we were saying on this board that the then U21 squad was possibly our best ever!

[Dassa]

does anyone here call us "the Republic" either

Yes I do Ireland in football terms havent existed for many years. so yes I do stops the confusion.

[tetsujin1979]

Tets, Whelan played against the Swiss that night. By that stage Givens was only picking players who remained U21 eligible as they had sunk like a stone in the qualifying group. So Whelan must still be eligible though I thought he's 22 now.

O'Brien and Kelly both played that night too, O'Brien beside Whelan in central midfield, and Kelly at centre half. Both in the senior squad now too, although I'm fairly sure O'Brien still qualifies for the U-21's, not certain about Kelly. As I said, this is only on eleven-a-side.com, not on fai.ie, so don't go taking it as gospel just yet.