An Aussie-born recruit now?

[SaucyJack]

apparently the guy mentioned in the linked article, Shane Lowry, from Oz , has been named to the Under-17 squad

http://www.soccerhut.net/home/read.php?id=16779

Two Aussies sign for Aston Villa
Thu 14th Apr 2005

Aston Villa have made a double raid on Australia for two fledgling talents. Manager David O'Leary has obviously been casting his net far and wide in the search for fresh blood and two teenagers have caught the Midlanders' eye.

The players in question are Shane Lowry and Chris Herd.

Lowry has agreed a three-year deal with Villa after decided to leave ECU Joondalup, with sources in WA also revealing that Herd, a 15-year-old from Bayswater City, has penned similar terms.

The contracts are made up of two years of YTS, followed by one year's professional terms.

Villa are currently in mid-table in The Premiership and manager O'Leary has been promised a transfer kitty to spend in the summer on first-team candidates.

And Middlesborough have come to Australia again to bring another keeper to The Riverside.

Mark Schwarzer is the undisputed number one on Teesside and recently pledged his future to the club by signing a new contract.

Fellow Aussie Brad Jones, who played in the 1-0 defeat to champions Arsenal on Saturday, has penned fresh terms this week and looks one for the future.

And it can be revealed that Rhys Williams has joined the North East club on a three-year deal.

The 16-year-old has already played first team football in his homeland for ECU Joondalup and will be heading for England to start a new chapter in his life.

Boro have links with ECU Joondalup after they offered another keeper from the Australian club, Nick Ward, a trial back in 2003. There were also some rumours about Paul Gascoigne being farmed out to Joondalup during his stint on Teesside.

There have been some suggestions that Middlesborough will look to tour Australia in the close season if they are not competing in the InterToto Cup.

Furthermore, striker Mark Viduka, who is out for the remainder of the season through injury, is another link between Australia and Boro.

[eirebhoy]

The squad:
http://www.eleven-a-side.com/search/...p?newsid=21596

[joema]

The squad:
http://www.eleven-a-side.com/search/...p?newsid=21596

I see Terry Dixon is in there aswell - wasnt there a few question marks surronding his decision to play for us instead of england a while back??

[eirebhoy]

I see Terry Dixon is in there aswell - wasnt there a few question marks surronding his decision to play for us instead of england a while back??

Don't think so. He was mentioned a few times because he is so highly rated but he's always turned up the the Ireland squad.

[joema]

Don't think so. He was mentioned a few times because he is so highly rated but he's always turned up the the Ireland squad.

I definitly remember reading something about his decision to play for us over England in an old issue of YBIG - I'll see if I can find it

[joema]

I definitly remember reading something about his decision to play for us over England in an old issue of YBIG - I'll see if I can find it

At least I think thats the lad anyway. He's a got red hair iirc

[co. down green]

Both of Shane Lowry's parents are Irish.

Kevin McDonald must have had a quiet word with him !!

"McCaffrey took in Aston Villa's match against Southampton on Tuesday night with Shane Lowry uppermost in his mind.

Lowry has made a good impression on new Ireland coach Kevin MacDonald at Villa Park this season and McCaffrey saw him produce another good display against the Saints."

http://oneteaminireland.bravehost.com/

[tetsujin1979]

I definitly remember reading something about his decision to play for us over England in an old issue of YBIG - I'll see if I can find it

There was a rumour going around that his Irish mother wants him to play for Ireland but his English dad wants him to play for England, don't know if there's anything more than that but he'll be playing in the games next week. I should make 2 of them, if not all 3. Anyone else going?

[TheJamaicanP.M.]

There was a rumour going around that his Irish mother wants him to play for Ireland but his English dad wants him to play for England, don't know if there's anything more than that but he'll be playing in the games next week. I should make 2 of them, if not all 3. Anyone else going?

That's true about his father wanting him to declare for England as far as I know. A bit like Aiden McGeady's dad, lets hope Mr. Dixon Senior doesn't get his way. Where are the games being played next week? I think I'm getting confused with the upcoming Under-19 games.

[tetsujin1979]

A bit like Aiden McGeady's dad, lets hope Mr. Dixon Senior doesn't get his way.

Didn't hear that one, any report or interview I've seen all said his dad left it up to Aiden who he wanted to play for.

Where are the games being played next week? I think I'm getting confused with the upcoming Under-19 games.

From http://www.fai.ie/article138.html

Monday 27th March
Republic of Ireland v Romania
Dalymount Park, Kick-off 7.00 pm

Wednesday 29th March
Israel v Republic of Ireland
Richmond Park, Kick-off 7.00 pm

Friday 31st March
Republic of Ireland v Serbia & Montenegro
Tolka Park, Kick-off 7.00 pm

[TheJamaicanP.M.]

Thanks for that. Should hopefully make it to 2 of those games.

I read that initially Aiden's dad wanted him to play for Scotland, but now he is fully behind his decision to play for Ireland.

[Donal81]

Here's another Aussie, in the U21 squad, anyone know anything about him?

Sean Cooney (Coventry City)
Born: 31/10/83 Caps: 2 Goals: 0 Debut: v Italy 25/2/04
Born in Australia, Sean Cooney qualifies for Ireland on the parentage rule. He moved to Coventry City in 2001 and has been closely monitored by Ireland since then before receiving his first Ireland call-up for the four national tournament in Madeira in February 2004.

http://www.fai.ie/staticarticle76a0.html?hlid=221701

[Qwerty]

Cooney is with Bohs now...