Irish Players Abroad 06/07

**Soper** · 30/09/2006, 9:14 PM

Jason Byrne is better than him.Would even say Macken, Adam Rooney, and Alan Lee are better!

**gspain** · 30/09/2006, 9:27 PM

Originally Posted by BobbySands

He's currently joint top scorer in the Scottish prem. His club Motherwell are in last place so it's not like he's getting good supply from the rest of the team. Rather it points to a natural predator. I think he's certainly more deserving of a call up than Terry Dixon.

If he keeps playing like that he could earn a move to a bigger club like Shels or Derry.

**Dodge** · 30/09/2006, 10:17 PM

If Stephen Kenny kicks him out of Pats, thats good enough for me. Wouldn't be in top 3/4 strikers in our league

**theworm2345** · 30/09/2006, 11:23 PM

If he gets called up over Connolly (or even Murphy), I am flying over to Ireland right now.
He keeps scoring against teams that arent even in the SPL, and the one he did score in the SPL was in a 5-0 blow out
http://www.soccerbase.com/players_de...playerid=21187
He should go down to England, then we can see him in a better light

**gustavo** · 01/10/2006, 2:37 AM

Doesnt deserve a thread in his own light merging with the Irish players in foreign leagues thread

**eirebhoy** · 01/10/2006, 11:16 AM

Originally Posted by BobbySands

He's currently joint top scorer in the Scottish prem. His club Motherwell are in last place so it's not like he's getting good supply from the rest of the team. Rather it points to a natural predator. I think he's certainly more deserving of a call up than Terry Dixon.

Eh, yesterday was his 1st SPL goal this season... Foran is nowhere near good enough for Ireland. Opening threads like that just gives people another reason to slate the SPL.

btw, Falkirk play Celtic at 2.00 on Setanta if anyone wants to watch Stokes.

**tetsujin1979** · 01/10/2006, 1:19 PM

Cregg also in the Falkirk line up, McGeady starts for Celtic with O'Dea on the bench

**eirebhoy** · 01/10/2006, 1:54 PM

Half time and Falkirk have been the better team. Stokes having a great game. He likes to position himself out wide and drift inside. Celtic's defence haven't looked this bad all month and Stokes is the main reason for that.

**FarBeag** · 01/10/2006, 2:23 PM

A goal each for James O' Connor and Alan Mahon for Burnley against Norwich.The 'Doc' was sent off after a beautiful rugby tackle.

**eirebhoy** · 01/10/2006, 3:02 PM

McGeady scored the only goal of the game today against Falkirk. Stokes looks to be some player. Cregg played well too but ruined a good performance with a terrible "tackle" near the end that deserved a red. Stokes is one arrogant player.

He won a free kick on the edge of the box and demanded to take it. He did very well in the box to win the ball off Naylor and then beat 2 Celtic challenges but couldn't get past Boruc in a packed box.

**tetsujin1979** · 01/10/2006, 7:39 PM

from today's Indo

ONE TO WATCH . . .
CIAR�N O'BRIEN, 19 in November, has an excellent footballing pedigree, being the son of former Bohemians, Phildephia Fury and Republic of Ireland left-back, Fran O'Brien.

The O'Briens settled in Seattle and Ciar�n was capped at U17 level by the USA in a friendly in Mexico, but he has his heart set on playing for the Republic of Ireland. And the playmaker appears to have talent worth checking out.

In the summer he was included among the 100 best Americans chosen for a coaching course run by Jurgen Klinsmann and adidas, after which he was selected on an all-American team. There is a suggestion that he might figure in future Ireland B games.

**FootballsKing** · 02/10/2006, 7:59 AM

was impressed with stokes-hopefully staunton and others were watching! not only impressed with him in attack but also looks capable in defence-put in some quality hefty challanges-not afraid to get stuck in. on the other hand his arrogance was indeed striking-complaining when balls played to him were not inch perfect,demanding to take that free kick etc.

**Stuttgart88** · 02/10/2006, 12:10 PM

I'll let Crafty give his own views but here's what today's Guardian says about Conrad Logan:

After defeat at Leeds and a draw with Ipswich this was a game Birmingham needed to win, and they would have but for a fine display from Conrad Logan in his second Championship appearance. The young Irish goalkeeper was possibly lucky to receive only a yellow card for his challenge on DJ Campbell in the 42nd minute but then made a stunning save from McSheffrey's resulting free-kick.

Encouraging. Kelly played for Brum, despite having supposed to be out injured for a bit, but no sign of Painter. McCarthy played 90 kins for Leicester too.

**CraftyToePoke** · 02/10/2006, 12:17 PM

Originally Posted by Stuttgart88

I'll let Crafty give his own views

already posted, check page 4 of the thread Stutt.

**Stuttgart88** · 02/10/2006, 12:23 PM

Ooops, sorry.

I see Mark Yeates got the full 90 for Hull this weekend, first time this season I think but can't confirm.

**CraftyToePoke** · 03/10/2006, 5:45 PM

Gareth Farelly is on trial/training with leicester

http://www.lcfc.premiumtv.co.uk/page...906684,00.html

**tetsujin1979** · 03/10/2006, 9:34 PM

Joe O'Cearuill scored the winner as Arsenal reserves beat West Ham's second XI 2-1. Any final word on his eligibility?

Arsenal review: http://www.arsenal.com/matchreport.a...es&fxid=304893
West Ham review: http://www.whufc.com/articles/article.php?page_id=8362

**tetsujin1979** · 03/10/2006, 9:44 PM

Garry Breen started for Man City's reserve side, and Donal McDermott came on late in the first half as the Blues recorded a 3-0 win over their Wigan counterparts.

Man City review: http://www.mcfc.co.uk/default.sps?pa...&newsid=368397
Wigan review: http://www.wiganlatics.premiumtv.co.uk/page/News/ReservesDetail/0,,10429~906907,00.html?ptvParm=

**CraftyToePoke** · 04/10/2006, 9:47 AM

Heres an interview with Conrad Logan from the bluearmy site:

Logan going one better than great hero Bonner

More than 30 years ago, a young goalkeeper from Donegal failed to make the grade at Leicester City.

But now his biggest fan has restored county pride because Conrad Logan is the Blue Army's man of the moment.

A certain Pat Bonner left the Filbert Street youth team and went on to great things with Celtic and the Republic of Ireland, not knowing he was the inspiration for the 20-year-old who will now take some shifting from the City No.1 spot.

Logan has risen from emphatic third choice to well-earned first name on the teamsheet, ironically succeeding where his hero failed as a City player.

Logan has certainly made a dramatic impact.

He produced man-of-the-match displays in the Carling Cup victory at Hereford and in the Championship game at Birmingham.

And, ironically, he received yellow cards in both games - with opposing fans thinking he should have seen red.

On both occasions, he kept his composure to produce a string of outstanding saves.

And it seems that Logan has learned well from watching other top goalkeepers.

When he arrived at City, signed under the Peter Taylor regime, Ian Walker was the first choice and Tim Flowers was on the staff as well, later becoming goalkeeping coach.

It was a wealth of talent that Logan knew he could benefit from just by being around them, and he pays tribute to them, and others, who have helped him.

In a way, it could have been frustrating to see a series of goalkeepers drafted in ahead of him. But he said: "When more experienced 'keepers were brought in, I used that to my advantage, to learn things to add to my game.

"Ian Walker had just signed and he was the first choice. There have been several international goalkeepers here, so I just picked up bits from each of them, Walker, Danny Coyne, Tim Flowers and Rab Douglas."

Now Douglas and Paul Henderson, who is on the fringe of Australian honours, are in his wake, which marks a big turnaround for Logan who could not have foreseen this situation in the close season.

He said: "With three goalkeepers, and the other two being experienced, I did not expect to get in, but Rab got injured, I got my chance in a few pre-season games, and then it was a question of pushing them.

"It was also a time when some of the younger players were getting through. I think there were five academy lads in the side for Macclesfield as the manager showed faith in the younger players."

Last season's loan spell at Boston United gave Logan valuable experience and, while he points to circumstances thrusting him into the spotlight, his form in pre-season was good enough to warrant him being seriously considered.

The Macclesfield Carling Cup tie was the breakthrough, and after a good display in the next round at Hereford, his step-up was secure. Now the other two 'keepers have to push him the way he pushed them.

Recalling his early days, Logan said: "Since about six years of age, I was always a goalkeeper, and the reason was Bonner.

"He made a great save in the World Cup in 1990 to get Ireland through to the quarter-finals, and he was from Donegal as well so there was that local connection."

Logan was spotted playing for his local boys club team, Swilly Rovers, and arrived here as a 14-year-old, a daunting prospect.

He said: "That was the hardest part, coming over to city life from a small place in Donegal, a town called Ramelton which is quite small, so it took some time to get used to but it had to be done."

Eventually, Bonner was replaced in his thoughts by Ireland star Shay Given, and Logan switched allegiance from Liverpool to Newcastle.

And, with Given not getting any younger, surely an up-and-coming 20-year-old, capped at under-18 level, can see another door opening at national level?

Logan's feet, however, are firmly on the ground. He said: "Wayne Henderson, the third-choice Ireland 'keeper, is only 23 and there are more young keepers coming through.

"I just have to try to keep on doing well at Leicester and in time things will eventually fall into place."

**CraftyToePoke** · 04/10/2006, 6:23 PM

Ex wolves keeper, Mike Stowell, who is currently leicesters assistant manager/goalkeping coach, on Conrad Logans present scenario

http://www.lcfc.premiumtv.co.uk/page...907007,00.html