Eircom League Players for Ireland

**cavan_fan** · 25/05/2007, 2:25 PM

The truth is that the eL has produced one undoubted successful export over the last few years. There are a few promising ones and a few holding their own but only Doyle is a top player. A good comparison is Andy Keogh who was a good League 1 player (though not the best). He has fitted in well at Wolves. Compare this to his eL equivalents (Byrne and Ward???) who are finding it harder to fit in. Now this may all be about settling in and different close seasons but when people scorn League 1 players as Ireland prospects Keogh is a good example. It might even be worth eL players looking to move into L1 (big fish in small pond likel Hoolahan) rather than the Championship where they may no get a prolonged chance?

**Ceirtlis** · 25/05/2007, 2:30 PM

Originally Posted by finnpark

Now for an original thread...

1. Darrly Murphy one of Sunderland's best players in premiership and in 2nd division this year!

2. Stephen Ward struggled at Bohs , scored 1 goal all season went to top 6 size in championship, Wolves, walks straight into team despite being not fit and scores a lump of goals and gets player of the month in his first month.

3. George O'Calaghan, Cork City reserves, walks straight into Ipswich team. Regular with several premiership teams reported to be interested.

4. Shane Long, Cork City reserves into Reading premiership, should make the breakthrough this year.

5. Kevin Doyle, as one LOI pro said to me, "He wasnt nothing special playing against us". Says it all really.

6. Colin Hawkins walks straight into Coventry team and gets MOTM in 1st game despite being not fit.

7. Alan Bennet, MOTM displays by Reading, expected to make breakthorugh this season after a few months there.

8. Sheff Wed goalkeeper, not much good at Pats, a regular with them.

I could go on but its getting late...Jonathan Douglas, Cardiff City palyers, Scotland etc etc.

The LOI is becoming a hotbed for producing top quality players capable of playing at International Level. The LOI players are outperforming the likes of Duff and Keane in the premiership.

Has the time come for a fully home based International team?

The LOI is the 20th best league in Europe out of over 50 leagues. Our International team is nowhere near that I believe.

I think LOI players are finally good enough to play at International level.

Sweet jesus, you are either taking the **** or you dont know what your talking about.

**Sam_Heggy** · 26/05/2007, 6:44 PM

Originally Posted by finnpark

Now for an original thread...

Has the time come for a fully home based International team?

The LOI is the 20th best league in Europe out of over 50 leagues. Our International team is nowhere near that I believe.

I think LOI players are finally good enough to play at International level.

I think we could have a LOI "B" International team but to suggest that a fully home-based Ireland team is madness.
Would u drop, Finnan, Given, McShane, Doyle, Keane, or for that matter most of the panel, for an all LOI team?
If Stan done that I bet u'd be 1st on here to slate him bud.

**Kildare Lad** · 26/05/2007, 10:46 PM

Well if you where to make an Irish team out of LOI players alone, what would it be?

**finnpark** · 27/05/2007, 1:05 PM

Originally Posted by Sam_Heggy

I think we could have a LOI "B" International team but to suggest that a fully home-based Ireland team is madness.
Would u drop, Finnan, Given, McShane, Doyle, Keane, or for that matter most of the panel, for an all LOI team?
If Stan done that I bet u'd be 1st on here to slate him bud.

The truth be told many of those players not trying/not performing. Doyle, Finnan, Given, Hunt, McGeady, Dunne try hard and are above Eircom League standard. The rest are not although Stokes , Long etc should improve if they keep their heads down. I definetly think the B team should be Eircom League players only. My team, on present form bar injuries would be:

-------------------------------- Ryan (St Pats)

Heary (Bohs) -----Gavin (Drogs) ----Gartland (Drogs)-----Tracey (Galway)

O'Donovan (Cork) ----- Byrne (Drogs) ----- Gamble (cork) ---- O'Brien (Galway) or Brennan (Derry)

------------- Zayed (Drogs) ----------- Farren (Derry) ---------------

SUBS:
Murphy (Bohs) Glk
Ferguson (Shamrock)
Maguire (Stpats)
Webb (Drogs)
Shelley (Drogs)
Molloy (Derry)
Kirby (St Pats)
Brennan or O'Brien
Robinson (Drogs)
O'Neill (St Pats)

**Kildare Lad** · 27/05/2007, 4:11 PM

The only player in that team that I think would even come close to having a chance of starting for Ireland would be O'Donovan. Other players may make the squad but not the XI IMO.

Im not saying that the LOI isnt good or anything, but most players are nowhere near good enough to be starting for Ireland.

And by the way, did you forget about Keith Fahey in that team or did you just not put him in it?

**pineapple stu** · 27/05/2007, 4:32 PM

Originally Posted by finnpark

I definetly think the B team should be Eircom League players only. My team, on present form bar injuries would be:

-------------------------------- Ryan (St Pats)

Heary (Bohs) -----Gavin (Drogs) ----Gartland (Drogs)-----Tracey (Galway)

O'Donovan (Cork) ----- Byrne (Drogs) ----- Gamble (cork) ---- O'Brien (Galway) or Brennan (Derry)

------------- Zayed (Drogs) ----------- Farren (Derry) ---------------

SUBS:
Murphy (Bohs) Glk
Ferguson (Shamrock)
Maguire (Stpats)
Webb (Drogs)
Shelley (Drogs)
Molloy (Derry)
Kirby (St Pats)
Brennan or O'Brien
Robinson (Drogs)
O'Neill (St Pats)

So you've two players from Galway, second bottom in the league, but one player from the team seven points clear in the table? You've two forwards selected on the "form" of five goals all season while leaving out three players who've scored more than that?

At what stage do you just admit you're winding everyone up?

**pete** · 27/05/2007, 4:43 PM

Originally Posted by Kildare Lad

Im not saying that the LOI isnt good or anything, but most players are nowhere near good enough to be starting for Ireland.

No LOI is good enough to start a competitive International.

Only players proven at the top of the league or/and with decent european experience could even be considered for the squad.

**cheifo** · 27/05/2007, 9:43 PM

Sean Ryan writes in todays Sindo about this issue and ties it in with Lapiras inclusion in an article titled "Lapira cap of convenience a kick in the teeth for league". He also quotes from a strongly written letter he recieved from Pat Devlin who sayes 'I am just writing to you to express my disgust at the selection of an American college player to play for my Country....and to think someone gets capped who happens to live in the states is a disgrace when the league of Ireland is full of good players.Steve Staunton should be ashamed of himself"
Sean Ryan continues "For players like Devlin and O Donavon Lapiras selection
was a kick in the teeth they didnt deserve.It also made nonsense of Stauntons original excuse for excluding the Corkman when he claimed he already had too many strikers in the squad...........And Staunton has made aone more blunder."

Strong words indeed, if this has been covered somewhere else please delete.

**Soper** · 27/05/2007, 9:59 PM

Players like Pat Devlin?

**ColinR** · 27/05/2007, 10:05 PM

frank devlin - not pat!!

**cheifo** · 27/05/2007, 10:14 PM

Originally Posted by ColinR

frank devlin - not pat!!

Whoops, apologies Frank it is.

**Soper** · 27/05/2007, 10:17 PM

Haha.

I was worried for a second

**Pablo** · 28/05/2007, 9:37 AM

pointless thread really. And selective on Facts!

However, Quite a few EL players could make the step up, and unfortunately i fear another player drain in the summer to the UK

**finnpark** · 29/05/2007, 10:22 AM

Originally Posted by pineapple stu

So you've two players from Galway, second bottom in the league, but one player from the team seven points clear in the table? You've two forwards selected on the "form" of five goals all season while leaving out three players who've scored more than that?

At what stage do you just admit you're winding everyone up?

The left full position is weak, the lad his only 18 but has shown himself to have great potential. O'Brien is an excellent player. Glaway's performances to date are down to their defensive minds and lack of fire power up front.

St Pats are decent but their best players clash with the best players in the league in their relevant positions. For example I don't think Maguire is better than Jason GAVIN OR gRAHAM gARTLAND FROM WHAT Ive seen. Ndo would be included but hes not Irish. Pats have a good system of playing but that is about it. One player that could be included is JP Kelly.

**BohsPartisan** · 29/05/2007, 10:50 AM

Originally Posted by pete

No LOI is good enough to start a competitive International.

Don't agree with that. If there is a position where there is no premiership first team regular and there is an EL first team regular for one of the top sides available and based upon which player it was, the EL player should play.
Could you not foresee any circumstance where an EL player should get a game. If you think for example O Donovan is good enough to play at the top level in England, shouldn't he be considered?