Ireland to play Ecuador and Bolivia in May

**co. down green** · 09/05/2007, 9:08 PM

Originally Posted by tetsujin1979

Tony Kane, on loan from Blackburn to Brugge. He was born in Belfast, hence the grief about him.
Michael O'Connor at Crewe Alexandra, he switched allegiances from the North after playing for them at U-21 level
I believe Portsmouth's Marc Wilson is a similar case, born in Belfast, declared for the Republic

19 year old Kane has being doing well at Cercle Brugge since his loan move in January. He's had a couple of man of the match awards. Spent three months on loan with Stockport before Christmas, who were keen to keep him on loan.But was recalled to Blackburn due to a lack of defensive cover in January and was then sent over to the Blackburn feeder club for the remainder of the season. Kane was named in an Ireland u17 squad a couple of seasons ago before being called up to the u21 squad.

Michael O'Connor (19) has never represented the North at u21 level, he has had an injury-hit season with Crewe after signing a new three and a half year deal last September.

19 year old Marc Wilson is from Aghagallen, near Lurgan. He has spent the last six months on loan at Bournemouth from Portsmouth. Bournemouth manager Kevin Bond has credited him with being a big part in the clubs fight away from relegation. He's also knocked in a few goals for the Cherries during his loan spell. Had been named in McCaffreys u17 squad before being called up to the u21's.

Darron Gibson is currently involved in the play-offs with Royal Antwerp and was unavailable for the American friendlies. He signed a three year extension to his present Man U contract earlier in the year.

17 year old Ruairi Harkin from Derry has recently broken into the Crystal Palace reserves from the academy side and has played a couple of games for the u18's. http://oneteaminireland.bravehost.com/46.html

A few other lads like Kevin Derry & Eugene Ferry have been playing for the u19/u21's.

**tetsujin1979** · 09/05/2007, 9:41 PM

Originally Posted by co. down green

Michael O'Connor (19) has never represented the North at u21 level, he has had an injury-hit season with Crewe after signing a new three and a half year deal last September.

You sure about that? According to his wikipedia profile - http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Michael...r_(footballer) - he was a regular.
Usual wikipedia disclaimers apply

**co. down green** · 09/05/2007, 11:35 PM

Originally Posted by tetsujin1979

You sure about that? According to his wikipedia profile - http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Michael...r_(footballer) - he was a regular.
Usual wikipedia disclaimers apply

Never appeared for the North's u21's.

UEFA/FIFA need to address the rights of Irish players in the North who should have the same support at underage level as those in Dublin,Cork,Dundalk or wherever.

**tetsujin1979** · 10/05/2007, 9:46 AM

From Caleb Folan's most recent diary on icons.com: http://www.icons.com/folan/diary.html?26.04.07

Finally I just want to say how pleased I am to have been called up to the Republic of Ireland squad for the forthcoming tour of the USA. I've known the tour was taking place for a while but wasn't counting my chickens, so I'm buzzing at getting the call-up. I hadn't booked a holiday just in case and now it looks like that was a good decision. It will be such a good experience to face the likes of Bolivia and Ecuador later this month. It will be a great way to round off the season that's for sure.

**Risteard** · 10/05/2007, 8:07 PM

Ronnie O'Brien and another two exiles will train with the team.
Don't know why he doesn't just call them up.

**eirebhoy** · 10/05/2007, 9:55 PM

Originally Posted by Risteard

Ronnie O'Brien and another two exiles will train with the team.
Don't know why he doesn't just call them up.

If it was any other manager I'd say it was because they wouldn't be getting called up on merit.

**BobbySands** · 11/05/2007, 1:10 AM

Anyone know how much the tickets v Bolivia in Foxborough are ??? I assume there are some available and might just drive down on the day. With 2 year old son in tow - assume he'd be free ?????

**theworm2345** · 11/05/2007, 2:51 AM

Originally Posted by BobbySands

Anyone know how much the tickets v Bolivia in Foxborough are ??? I assume there are some available and might just drive down on the day. With 2 year old son in tow - assume he'd be free ?????

I think its $37

**Stuttgart88** · 11/05/2007, 10:07 AM

Ipswich star Garvan fumes at Irish snub
By Phil Campion

IPSWICH Town midfielder Owen Garvan said he has been left shaking his head after being ignored again for Republic of Ireland international squads.

Over the last two seasons the Dubliner has been picked for every game he�s been fit to play for Ipswich yet he hasn�t represented Ireland since U-16 level.

�My aims next season are to do well for Ipswich and to play international football again,� said the 19-year-old who has been dubbed the Steven Gerrard of the future.

�I have been left shaking my head at not being called up, and it has been very frustrating. I enjoy playing first team football, but missing out on the international scene is something I am desperate to rectify.�

Meanwhile Lee Carsley, linked with moves to Birmingham City and Mick McCarthy�s Wolves has made it clear he wants at least another season with Everton.

The Ireland midfielder who is out of contract at Goodison Park in the summer was thought to be seeking a transfer nearer to his Midlands home.

Manager David Moyes put a hold on all players� contract negotiations until the end of the season but Carsley hopes to fix up a new contract soon.

�It has never been the case that I have wanted to cut the travelling and go back to the Midlands where my family is, despite what some people seem to think,� said the 33-year-old.

�It is a case of the gaffer and me sitting down to see what he has in mind with my contract ending in the summer.

�I feel so proud to play for Everton, and this is a massive chance to experience European football now.

�So to consider walking away from the club is not really in my mind,� he added.

�But my contract is up and we need to have some talks. I have already had a chat with David Moyes, and he expressed his desire to keep me here.�

**Paddy Garcia** · 11/05/2007, 12:35 PM

Originally Posted by Risteard

Ronnie O'Brien and another two exiles will train with the team.
Don't know why he doesn't just call them up.

Exactly - far more motivational to be involved legitimately. Come & do some training, no chance of a game by the way, however you perform!!!!!

**Metrostars** · 11/05/2007, 7:21 PM

O'Brien wont be training with Ireland,he has been out injured. Plus he would not accept a chance to just "train" if he had no chance of playing. Toronto are in the middle of their season (MLS is March-November similar to EL).

**geysir** · 11/05/2007, 7:33 PM

Stan would be last person to be aware of such mundane matters but I suspect also that Ronnie's boots haven't grown at the same pace as his opinion about his abilities.

**tetsujin1979** · 11/05/2007, 7:40 PM

Originally Posted by geysir

Stan would be last person to be aware of such mundane matters but I suspect also that Ronnie's boots haven't grown at the same pace as his opinion about his abilities.

From http://www.fai.ie/index.php?option=c...=2012&Itemid=9

Staunton gave his views on various matters today upon unveiling his squad and the following is a selection of those.
....
On the participation of the USA-based Irish players in the training schedule of the squad in New York and Boston:Ronnie O’Brien has a knee brace on at the moment and wouldn’t be up to playing a friendly international. We’ll be looking at bringing in three or four of the lads in to train with us and assess them that way.

**RiffRaff** · 11/05/2007, 10:16 PM

I'm not as surprised as most people that Nick Colgan is there. His experience put him ahead of some of the younger keepers up to now. Now that Doyle has arrived as a likely no. 2 to Given, maybe its only fair to bring Colgan along, give him a game as a swansong and thank you for travelling around to sit on the bench for the last few years. I dont think he will be in the squad next season. Some of the other selections in this squad and previous squads make me wonder in Stan is aware of all the players at his disposal. I genuinely dont think he knows everyone he has available.

**kingdom hoop** · 11/05/2007, 10:26 PM

Originally Posted by RiffRaff

I genuinely dont think he knows everyone he has available.

And it's not like Bobby would be of assistance in that regard.

**geysir** · 12/05/2007, 10:08 AM

Originally Posted by tetsujin1979

From http://www.fai.ie/index.php?option=c...=2012&Itemid=9

Tets, I see from that article that Ronnie was not in the frame on the 8th.

I suppose I was wondering why Ronnie would refuse an interview on Radio if he had answer questions about the call up/invite by Stan to train with the national squad.

**tetsujin1979** · 12/05/2007, 11:50 AM

Originally Posted by geysir

Tets, I see from that article that Ronnie was not in the frame on the 8th.

I suppose I was wondering why Ronnie would refuse an interview on Radio if he had answer questions about the call up/invite by Stan to train with the national squad.

Fair enough, I was just pointing out that Stan is aware of such "mundane matters" as O'Brien's knee injury

**Metrostars** · 13/05/2007, 1:17 AM

As stated in the other Ronnie O thread, he played great in his first game for Toronto today. I still dont think he will go with the Irish team just to train. Toronto has a friendly at home to Benfica the same night as the Ecuador game and an away game at Columbus on the 26th.