Legend Breen released by Sunderland

**as_i_say** · 18/05/2006, 8:12 AM

Sad day this. one of my favorite players. I heard from friends who "heard" that sheffield utd were interested, maybe someone here could deny or confirm. If he doesnt at least get a high profile championship club, the dream of a team of gary breens for ireland could be over.

**Beavis** · 18/05/2006, 8:25 AM

yeah I'd second that. an irish legend up there with Terry Phelan.

And number 1 is Gary Breen.......

**Roo69** · 18/05/2006, 8:58 AM

Legend ?

**as_i_say** · 18/05/2006, 9:25 AM

yes thats right. legend. never let ireland down, even when he played for kerr the odd time.

**Plastic Paddy** · 18/05/2006, 10:06 AM

Originally Posted by Beavis

And number 1 is Gary Breen.......

That brings to mind one of my favourite football memories - a group of us on the Paris RER the day of the France match at the SdF bursting (well, spluttering) into song... "Nous tout le r�ve d'une �quipe de Gary Breens..."

Even the haughty Parisians were impressed!

PP

**Roo69** · 18/05/2006, 10:10 AM

Originally Posted by as_i_say

yes thats right. legend. never let ireland down, even when he played for kerr the odd time.

Would not put Gary Breen and Legend in the same sentence myself, now Paul McGrath = Legend, Liam Brady = Legend, Johnny Giles = Legend etc...

**Plastic Paddy** · 18/05/2006, 10:43 AM

Originally Posted by Roo69

Would not put Gary Breen and Legend in the same sentence myself, now Paul McGrath = Legend, Liam Brady = Legend, Johnny Giles = Legend etc...

I can't speak for anyone else but to 2G and 3G Irish of a certain age or outlook Gary Breen is a legend. And I fall into those categories.

PP

**Dodge** · 18/05/2006, 11:05 AM

Likeable guy. Thought he was generally underrated by most. Certainly not a legend in footballing terms in my mind but why begrudge him

**Donal81** · 18/05/2006, 11:35 AM

He had a fabulous World Cup in 2002, I reckon he really helped to galvanise the team after Saipan. He wanted to play for us so badly, I always got that sense, and I won't forget that. He had everything you want from a 2G player (other than world class talent, of course) and here's to him finding himself another club for a couple of years. Himself and Kilbane are really the poster boys of 2G players, who are born, raised and educated in England but grow up wanting to play for what they consider their country.

Purely on the pitch, his marking was ropey at times and that's being polite. If McCarthy's team was an example of the sum being greater than its parts, Breen personified it.

**dr_peepee** · 18/05/2006, 11:56 AM

He shouldn't have any trouble picking up a top Championship club. He was on their team of the year last year and has the experience of captaining a league winning team.

I'd like to see him maintain premiership status for his and our sake. But he never seemed to be able to bridge the gap from Championship to top flight. He'd be an inexpensive gamble for a premiership club though.

Glenn Roeder might sign him again him at Newcaslte

**John83** · 18/05/2006, 11:59 AM

Originally Posted by as_i_say

yes thats right. legend. never let ireland down, even when he played for kerr the odd time.

Well, never that he could help, anyway! Decent, if limited player.

**tetsujin1979** · 18/05/2006, 12:29 PM

linked with Reading today, according to football365

**as_i_say** · 18/05/2006, 12:35 PM

yeah himself and kilbane were the 2 players that developed from very limited nobodies into 50+ cap international players thanks in part to mccarthy's man management. but it looks like neither will get much of a look in in the future unless we're short

**tricky_colour** · 18/05/2006, 2:49 PM

Well with both Reading and Shefield United chasing him it sounds
more of a case of Sunderland realising that they would not be able
to keep him anyway?

http://www.sunderlandtoday.co.uk/Vie...icleID=1508336

He's a far better player than many give him credit for.

**DmanDmythDledge** · 18/05/2006, 4:07 PM

One of the most under-rated players to play for Ireland. Were there any truth in the rumours after the 2002 WC that Inter Milan were interested in signing him?

**John83** · 18/05/2006, 4:20 PM

Originally Posted by dmandmythdledge

One of the most under-rated players to play for Ireland. Were there any truth in the rumours after the 2002 WC that Inter Milan were interested in signing him?

Yes there was - he was available free. They soon realised the error of their ways. I wouldn't consider him underrated at all. Most people acknowledge that he was good at times but he was inconsistant and tended to do very poorly in the Premiership - West Ham and Sunderland fans won't be missing him.

**tricky_colour** · 18/05/2006, 5:06 PM

Originally Posted by John83

Yes there was - he was available free. They soon realised the error of their ways. I wouldn't consider him underrated at all. Most people acknowledge that he was good at times but he was inconsistant and tended to do very poorly in the Premiership - West Ham and Sunderland fans won't be missing him.

"The 32-year-old had an option to stay at Sunderland for another season,
but only if they survived in the top flight."
So whether he was 'released' or not is irrelevant, he would be pretty
much free to go anyway, I am pretty confident Breen will be playing
Premiership football next season, he might not be good enough for
the fans of a Championship team but he may well be playing in the top
half of the Premiership next season rather than the bottom half of the
Championship. Being 'released' might be the best thing that ever happened
to him!!

**zinedineontour** · 18/05/2006, 5:42 PM

Originally Posted by Dodge

Likeable guy. Thought he was generally underrated by most. Certainly not a legend in footballing terms in my mind but why begrudge him

Likeable guy my hole ... One of the rudest footballers I have ever met and wont be missed by Sunderland fans.. Has a very inflated opinion of himself and am happy to see the back of him .

**zinedineontour** · 18/05/2006, 5:43 PM

Originally Posted by dmandmythdledge

One of the most under-rated players to play for Ireland. Were there any truth in the rumours after the 2002 WC that Inter Milan were interested in signing him?

Under Rated ??? Is his own mind maybe .. But a very average footballer who if anyone watched Man City v Sunderland this season will see why him been a captain was a disgrace. Wont be missed in Sunderland

**zinedineontour** · 18/05/2006, 5:45 PM

Originally Posted by tricky_colour

"The 32-year-old had an option to stay at Sunderland for another season,
but only if they survived in the top flight."
So whether he was 'released' or not is irrelevant, he would be pretty
much free to go anyway, I am pretty confident Breen will be playing
Premiership football next season, he might not be good enough for
the fans of a Championship team but he may well be playing in the top
half of the Premiership next season rather than the bottom half of the
Championship. Being 'released' might be the best thing that ever happened
to him!!

Best thing that ever happened to Sunderland more like ... Doubt he will play in top half of prem though as he said earlier in the season " Im a premiership player and thats where I need to be playing " .. Poor deluded lad played more like a conference player this season..