Ireland to play Ecuador and Bolivia in May

**danonion** · 02/04/2007, 11:28 PM

Originally Posted by eirebhoy

Ah ffs. This was the ideal time for McGeady to settle in.

At the end of last season Strachan pulled Maloney out of the Scotland squad to play in a tour of Japan. He still hasn't broken into the team and I personally think he's their best player. McGeady will miss this tour and will probably have to wait for the next campaign now. I certainly wouldn't be confident if he was to play in Slovakia. I said before Wednesday's match that it was 50/50 whether McGeady would play well. I think it's about bloody 10/90 for the next competitive.

It'll take him a right while to break into the Celtic first XI since he plays for Aston Villa.

**tetsujin1979** · 03/04/2007, 12:41 AM

Think eirebhoy meant the Scotland team, not Celtic

**danonion** · 03/04/2007, 2:13 AM

oh, i'm a dumbass.

**Bottle of Tonic** · 03/04/2007, 8:17 PM

I would not be expecting anything from these games. End of season friendlies are notoriously turgid affairs. I predict a half strength squad goes out, completed by players likely to be no where near our first 11 when the competitive stuff starts up again. It'll be a couple of games bereft of pace in the summer sun, half the players laid up with 'injuries', the half playing thinking of their few weeks off coming up. The only benefit we might get would be one we won't see at the time, like maybe a new cap getting the debut out of his system, or a bit of team bonding/banter between players who don't get to see much of each other. I'd be eternally surprised if we see any good football, or any meaningful tactical advancement.

Pity about McGeady as ye are saying (thats if the Hoops can account for a sticky St. Johnstone on April 14!) cos he would be the one player I could see getting actual footballing benefit from these fixtures. Still think he's a fantastic player and would be very surprised if he doesn't come good for Ireland in years to come. Still only 20.

**danonion** · 03/04/2007, 10:08 PM

I see big potential for these games, if the FAI do it properly. There are huge pockets of wannabe Irish (3rd generation types) here on the east coast, who look to embrace anything Irish (even if they have no fundamental understanding of the culture). The FAI should take the oppurtunity to take their money, in essence do some brand building here in the United States. Send a half strength squad with a few big names, use squad numbers and names on the jerseys to appeal to thse american youths and then they'd be fit tp bring in some serious money selling shirts. Plenty of people here shell out to buy Celtic tops et cetera, big market for the plastics here.

**Condex** · 03/04/2007, 10:24 PM

Originally Posted by danonion

oh, i'm a dumbass.

I didn't like to say, you being so objective and all that!!!

**SkStu** · 03/04/2007, 10:50 PM

Originally Posted by Ciaran

Kevin Doyle needs some experience in goals.

i think he should stick with being a striker for now...

**Galwayexile** · 10/04/2007, 4:01 PM

Anyone have any idea if the tickets gone on sale for the game yet. I know its a double header with the revs game against kansas that night.

My parents are over that week so i was thinking of bringing my dad to the game. Tried ticketmaster but they have no mention of the game.

**Dodge** · 10/04/2007, 4:18 PM

http://www.revolutionsoccer.net/TicketPackages/

Keep an eye on that page

**geysir** · 11/04/2007, 1:17 PM

http://www.revolutionsoccer.net/TicketPackages/
I fancy the Beckham 4 pack.
Soccer icon David Beckham and the L.A. Galaxy come to the Gillette ("The Best a Man Can Get.") Stadium on Sunday, August 12th. Purchase a Beckham 4-pack of tickets and see the following games .....
Also part of the Beckham 4-pack is a free commemorative photo!

**DeNiro** · 11/04/2007, 3:48 PM

I wonder how many sunderland players will go on this tour? That'll be an interesting squad. I'd say Stokes and maybe Elliott. Can't see Connolly making it.

**Noelys Guitar** · 12/04/2007, 5:42 PM

I called the Boston venue today (April 12th) and they told me they should have full details of tickets within the next 7 days for the Bolivia game. You have to leave a message and then they call you back.

**DeNiro** · 17/04/2007, 12:59 PM

McGeady and O'Dea out of summer tour due to Scottish Cup Final. As is Duff. We could possibly count out O'Shea and Finnan as well.

I'm sure we'll have people involved in the playoffs in Championship. Equally managers will withdraw players. Hard to call a squad at this stage. Might be for the best if some of the regulars don't go. I presume the Denmark game in August will take on a greater significance as it will be the only real warm up before the two crunch ties in September.

**tetsujin1979** · 17/04/2007, 1:46 PM

Originally Posted by DeNiro

McGeady and O'Dea out of summer tour due to Scottish Cup Final. As is Duff. We could possibly count out O'Shea and Finnan as well.

I'm sure we'll have people involved in the playoffs in Championship. Equally managers will withdraw players. Hard to call a squad at this stage. Might be for the best if some of the regulars don't go. I presume the Denmark game in August will take on a greater significance as it will be the only real warm up before the two crunch ties in September.

Damn, wanted to see McGeady given another chance on the right.
I'd imagine Hunt will start on the left so, with McGeady and Duff out.

**youngirish** · 17/04/2007, 1:47 PM

S Quinn should be available on the left also. Probably will start one of the games though it could depend on how he performs in the last few games of the season.

**Kingdom** · 17/04/2007, 1:53 PM

Have to be honest and would be delighted if we brought the backup first team squad and the B squad as they could gain invalkuable experience, particularily if he keeps up with this bullshyte of working towards 2010.
At least at the time of the Denmark friendly he would have a fair idea of what players he wants for the double header in Sept.

**danonion** · 17/04/2007, 11:05 PM

I'd imagine C. Doyle will play one game and Kenny the other, as Given is ruled out. Doubt Keane will go, Kilbane or Dunne will probably captain the side

**DeNiro** · 22/04/2007, 11:58 AM

Just watching Birmingham v Wolves. Doyle and Keogh both look excellent. There was talk of a premiership move for Doyle if if Birmingham don't go up. Keogh is a very busy front player and knows where the goal is as well. Jack Charlton would have loved him.

**Irish_Praha** · 22/04/2007, 1:59 PM

Whatever the final squad will be it would be worth Staunton's while to have a short press conference to announce the squad, to clear up why some players are excluded and some included. At this stage sections of the media and fans will of course criticise him whatever squad he chooses. Just as long as he has some valid excuses ready and not something stupid like "Robbie never plays well in the last week of May so I decided to leave him at home" A few made up injuries would do the trick.

IMO he could leave O'Shea, Finnan, Keane and Kilbane at home.
Duff and Given are injured and McGeady and O'Dea are ruled out. There is the potential for Keogh, Miller, Stokes, Connolly and others to be involved in the play-offs. So there will be 5 to 10 players gone from the last squad.

Chances for Alan Lee, O'Donovan, Garvan, McCarthy (if he makes a return), S. Quinn, Randolf, Kenny, Tabb, Kelly

**tetsujin1979** · 22/04/2007, 2:34 PM

RT� will be showing both games on the US tour.
From http://www.unison.ie/sportsdesk/stor...=12&si=1817678

A further coup in the national station's strong soccer portfolio is the securing of rights to all the Republic of Ireland's remaining away games in the Euro 2008 qualifiers and their friendlies in the USA next month.

"We will be showing the Ecuador game live from New York," said Killane. "It's a Wednesday night game which will mean a 1.0 Thursday morning show for us. The Bolivia game is on Saturday and we are showing deferred coverage, starting at 11.30."