Young Irish players to watch in the UK in 2006/07

**Plastic Paddy** · 19/04/2006, 6:05 AM

Originally Posted by TheJamaicanP.M.

I think every Irish person will be supporting Reading next season

You live in hope JPM. The ManYoos and Liverpools will still dominate the thoughts of the "barstool brigade" whatever the composition of the Reading team - Christ, we could have eleven "Royal" Irishmen and that would still be the case.

I'll "adopt" Reading unless Watford are promoted - there will be a few less Irishmen following Reading's fortunes if they are.

(Sligo Hornet, I'm talking to you...

)

PP

**youngirish** · 19/04/2006, 12:24 PM

This must run in the family.

Coventry boss issues Thornton ultimatum

April 19, 2006

Coventry City manager Micky Adams has issued a stern warning to teenage Irish star Kevin Thornton: Forget about the money and just sign a new contract.

Thornton�s current deal expires at the end of the season and he is dragging his heels about signing a new one.

And Adams is angry that the 19-year-old is thinking more about money than football at this early stage of his development � also revealing that he had received no enquiries about the Drogheda lad�s availability.

He said: �Kevin is thinking about his future and as with all young kids these days he has got an agent, but if it was me I�d get it done and concentrate on my football.

"That�s how it worked when I was a boy, when I was shown into a room and told to sign or I would be sent back home to Sheffield.

"It shouldn�t be about money now, if that is an issue, because no young professional should concern himself with that aspect at this stage of his career.

"We�ve had no calls about Kevin so as far as other clubs are concerned that is just pie in the sky at the moment. I�ll bring him along and continue to give him opportunities like he has had this season.

"We think we are a progressive football club but I shouldn�t have to sell this club to Kevin Thornton.�

**soccerc** · 19/04/2006, 1:43 PM

Sheffield United have offered 17 year old Keith Quinn a new 2 year pro deal.

**Bungle** · 19/04/2006, 4:30 PM

Tbh im a massive Liverpool fan but I am working in Norwich at the moment and heard from Norwich fans that he was by far the best young player at the club.Worthington has said that apart from his great talent,he has a tremendous attitude,which is so important at that age group.

**gustavo** · 19/04/2006, 10:56 PM

Call me silly here now but isnt it a bit ridiculous when one guy plays a single game for an second tier English club and gets a thread devoted to him in the National Team forum!

**youngirish** · 20/04/2006, 8:55 AM

I agree. Stick him in the Young Irish Players to Watch Next Season thread.

**youngirish** · 20/04/2006, 11:58 AM

Another Irish lad getting a run in the first team and making a name for himself in the Championship this season. Things are looking up for the future.

Potters skipper hails Rooney
Stoke skipper Michael Duberry has heaped praise on Adam Rooney after the youngster scored his first senior goal at Reading on Monday.

Irishman Rooney, who turns 19 on Friday, has impressed in his first season at the Britannia Stadium and Duberry insists he deserves his first team call-up.

Duberry told the club's official website: "He's been brilliant ever since his introduction into the first team at Tamworth.

"He's a level headed kid, who listens and learns and he deserves to be in and around the squad."

**youngirish** · 21/04/2006, 12:36 PM

Thornton finalises Coventry deal

April 21, 2006

Up-and-coming Irish midfielder Kevin Thornton has put an end to speculation on his future by signing a new two-year contract at Coca-Cola Championship side Coventry City.

Thornton has made the first-team breakthrough at the Ricoh Arena this season with 14 league appearances for Micky Adams�s side.

Out of contract at the end of the season, the 19-year-old � younger brother of former Sunderland man Sean � had been dragging his heels on agreeing a new deal, but he has finally put pen to paper on a contract which will keep him at Coventry until the summer of 2008.

Adams said: �Kevin has undoubted potential, which I believe he has shown when he has appeared for the first team this season.

"He is one of a batch of young players that we see as playing a part in the future of Coventry City and I look forward to working with him further.�

**tetsujin1979** · 21/04/2006, 2:37 PM

The second round of the FA Youth Cup between Manchester City and Liverpool is on Sky Sports tonight, with the reds leading 3-0 from the first leg. Garry Breen and Karl Moore will be in the Man City team again, with James Ryan expected to be a substitute for Liverpool.

**youngirish** · 24/04/2006, 9:22 AM

Villa linked with Foley swoop

April 23, 2006

Aston Villa have become the latest Premiership club to be linked with a summer move for highly-regarded young Luton Town defender Kevin Foley.

Irish under-21 star Foley has enjoyed a fine first season in the Coca-Cola Championship, starting 34 games for Mike Newell�s side.

He also showed that he is well-equipped to make the step-up in grade with an exceptional personal display in the FA Cup third-round defeat against Liverpool in January.

London clubs Tottenham and West Ham United are already monitoring the 21-year-old�s progress at Kenilworth Road.

And Aston Villa boss David O�Leary, mindful of the need to bolster his depleted squad in the summer, is tempted to open the cheque-book at the end of the season.

**youngirish** · 24/04/2006, 9:23 AM

Young guns need to toughen up � Cotterill

April 23, 2006

Burnley manager Steve Cotterill feels talented youngsters Chris McCann and Kyle Lafferty must hit the weights if they are to build on the success of their debut season in the Coca-Cola Championship when battle begins once more in the autumn.

Lafferty and Dublin teenager McCann have made a sustained breakthrough to the first-team picture at Turfmoor over the past eight months.

McCann, 18, has started 14 times in English football�s second tier � and Cotterill hopes both he and his fellow young gun can continue to have an impact next season.

He said: �Chris McCann and Kyle Lafferty have been tremendous. It�s fantastic but it�s still only a start for them.

"I think a summer weights programme will enhance them again next year. [Against Hull City last week] I just felt a couple of times just a bit more body strength was needed because of the modern game and the way it�s played.

"I bet in the last year they�ve both grown four or five inches and that growth spurt takes it out of kids. With that growth and trying to play games and do all the things that is required from a modern footballer is very difficult during a season.

"If they can feed themselves properly at the end of the season and get on a weights programme we�ll be looking for a further improvement come July.�

**youngirish** · 26/04/2006, 12:32 PM

More promising news about Mc Cann.

McCann cleans up at Burnley awards

April 26, 2006

Republic of Ireland youth international star Chris McCann has capped a memorable breakthrough season by landing SEVEN accolades at the club�s Player of the Year awards ceremony this week.

McCann walked away with all five Young Player of the Year awards handed out by the various supporters clubs.

And he added two Goal of the Season awards for his strike against QPR in January.

The 18-year-old Dubliner was understandably chuffed the plaudits. He told the Burnley Citizen: �I am absolutely delighted with all the awards I received and I have to thank all the supporters who voted for me.

"I look back at the last nine months now and pinch myself at what has happened because it�s just unbelievable.

�The gaffer has given me a chance and hopefully I have taken it with both hands. I�m delighted at the way things have gone and there have been so many highlights, such as my first senior goal and signing my first professional contract.

�These awards are just the icing on the cake and I really couldn�t be happier. The target now is to take everything on board and improve again next year. Right now I want to come back fit and strong and hopefully hold down a regular place in the side.�

There was also joy for another of the Clarets� Irish contingent on the night, with former Bohemians and Bournemouth star Garreth O�Connor picking up two Goal of the Season awards for his free kick against Wolves last September.

**sligoman** · 26/04/2006, 12:39 PM

youngirish, you just robbed that from me

.

**youngirish** · 26/04/2006, 12:45 PM

Originally Posted by sligoman

youngirish, you just robbed that from me

.

Got it off eleven-a-side.com. Was busy posting it when you were posting yours probably. He's a midfield player have a look earlier in this thread there are a number of articles on him.

**sligoman** · 26/04/2006, 12:48 PM

Originally Posted by youngirish

Got it off eleven-a-side.com. Did you post it somewhere else?

Click the link and you'll see. What position does McCann play?

**Plastic Paddy** · 26/04/2006, 1:34 PM

Originally Posted by sligoman

youngirish, you just robbed that from me

.

As it happens eirebhoy had posted it before both of you. Sligoman, use Google and you can find out all you want to know about Chris McCann. Meantime I'm deleting the thread you started on the grounds of duplication as I'm sure people will get back to you if they have anything to add.

PP

**TheJamaicanP.M.** · 30/04/2006, 2:14 PM

I'm not sure if this topic deserves a new thread so feel free to put it in one of the other threads if needs be.

Stoke City's 18-year old Irish striker, Adam Rooney has just scored a hattrick against Brighton in the Championship. He scored his first goal a few ago against Reading. This lad would appear to be an excellent prospect.

For anyone who wants to know more about the lad, Saucy Jack has posted an excellent article on Rooney from Stoke's website in the thread entitled 'Ireland's Next Superstar'.