James McCarthy M free agent b.1990

**SkStu** · 28/03/2011, 2:26 AM

Originally Posted by Sullivinho

McGeady and Keane on James' competitive debut.

McGeady: "I was talking to him in the dressing room and he just said he was delighted that he came on and that's it put to bed now. He was getting phone calls from all sorts of people asking if he was going back to Scotland, but he said it was never in doubt and he was never going to do that. Now it's sorted."

Keane: "He's delighted more than anyone, to be honest with you, he's delighted just to get it out of the way. I was speaking to him before the game and he was desperate just to stop people talking about it. He's an Irish player now - there was never any question about it anyway because he always wanted to be. It was other people in the background slowing things up. But he is happy now because he was desperate to play for us."

No prizes for guessing which manager he is referring to there....

Trap.

joke, joke, relax, relax...

**dr_peepee** · 28/03/2011, 7:55 AM

Thought I heard it myself at the very start to be honest...

**OwlsFan** · 28/03/2011, 9:33 AM

Originally Posted by tetsujin1979

Not a bit of it, the place erupted! A much as for Keane as anything else. Every touch was likewise cheered.

I was a bit embarrassed by the standing ovation for his appearance to be honest. As a young lad beside me said "Christ, you'd swear it was Lionel Messi coming on". It might be justified in 5 years time but he's just a young lad with some promise at the moment. I can understand the relief that he's now tied to us but I thought the reaction was ott. I was too busy biting my nails about the result to care too much who was coming on. Mind you he showed lots of maturity when he came on and did his best to keep possession unlike that ****-up against Italy at home in the last campaign.

Also where were the 25 thousand missing so-called fans? In the pub watching the game and spending money on drink rather than football? We used to fill Lansdowne for competitive games during the last recession. I know the tickets didn't cost as much then but it was relative.

A vital qualifier and the ground only about 3 fifths full.

**geysir** · 28/03/2011, 11:25 AM

Throughout the 70's, a ticket was about the price of 2 to 3 pints.

**Colbert Report** · 28/03/2011, 11:49 AM

Originally Posted by OwlsFan

I was a bit embarrassed by the standing ovation for his appearance to be honest. As a young lad beside me said "Christ, you'd swear it was Lionel Messi coming on". It might be justified in 5 years time but he's just a young lad with some promise at the moment. I can understand the relief that he's now tied to us but I thought the reaction was ott. I was too busy biting my nails about the result to care too much who was coming on. Mind you he showed lots of maturity when he came on and did his best to keep possession unlike that ****-up against Italy at home in the last campaign.

Also where were the 25 thousand missing so-called fans? In the pub watching the game and spending money on drink rather than football? We used to fill Lansdowne for competitive games during the last recession. I know the tickets didn't cost as much then but it was relative.

A vital qualifier and the ground only about 3 fifths full.

I was cheering him from the pub barstool. Think of all the stuff he's had to put up with, especially his last season with Hamilton and the abuse he took at every away ground. This kid never took the easy way out, which would have been to choose Scotland. That's why I cheered him.

**LFCSixty/Eighty** · 28/03/2011, 12:27 PM

Originally Posted by Drumcondra 69er

Honourable mention to LFCSixty/Eighty by the way, really like that chant, a few of us were trying to get it going in the SS last night, hope it catches on!

Cheers Drumcondra 69er. Your too nice!! Chuffed to hear you like it. The more songs we can sing the better. I'm sure the players love when their name is being sung by the fans, makes them feel part of something. Saw Keane clapping the fans when they were singing his name during a break in play the other night so they def hear us!!

**LFCSixty/Eighty** · 28/03/2011, 12:30 PM

Originally Posted by Colbert Report

I was cheering him from the pub barstool. Think of all the stuff he's had to put up with, especially his last season with Hamilton and the abuse he took at every away ground. This kid never took the easy way out, which would have been to choose Scotland. That's why I cheered him.

Absolutely Colbert. the abuse he took was unmerciful and I think the fans were showing their appreciation towards him for sticking with us. There is surely nothing wrong with this.

**TiocfaidhArmani** · 28/03/2011, 2:52 PM

Originally Posted by Colbert Report

I was cheering him from the pub barstool. Think of all the stuff he's had to put up with, especially his last season with Hamilton and the abuse he took at every away ground. This kid never took the easy way out, which would have been to choose Scotland. That's why I cheered him.

Exactly. There was a video kicking about of him on the coach after a game against St Mirren and the racist abuse he was getting was vile. The guy has taken some abuse and stood through it all to play for Ireland. His family are all very much Irish as well, I can tell you they were proud as punch Saturday.

He's been getting it since he was 15 years old as well as he's been involved in the first team. Just shows the pride some have in being Irish despite not born there. God bless ya, James!

**TiocfaidhArmani** · 28/03/2011, 3:02 PM

Originally Posted by Fergie's Son

He did quite well when he came including a cheeky shot on goal and a solid tackle. It is clear that he wants to be here. All of the naysayers (myself included) were wrong. Let's just relax and enjoy the fact we have a potentially top class player committed to playing for Ireland!

It was never in doubt for me, I know some of his family and they all consider themselves Irish. Never underestimate the pride those of Irish descent in the west of Scotland have in their Irishness. I lived in Glasgow for seven years, believe me some are hard about it. He comes from a traditional Scottish/Irish family.

McGeady is the same. The SFA even had him in Hampden with the national manager at the time, Berti Vogts, begging him to play for Scotland and he never turned.

**paul_oshea** · 28/03/2011, 3:08 PM

Ya could people see how delighted mcgeady was saturday? He seemed genuinely chuffed.

**Docboy** · 28/03/2011, 4:46 PM

As others have said above the cheer was just to let him know that he's part of the family. All of that abuse is now in the past and he can get on with his Ireland career. And let's be honest a quality CM is exactly what we've been crying out for and this lad may just cut the mustard.

**TrapAPony** · 28/03/2011, 5:19 PM

Originally Posted by LFCSixty/Eighty

I'm sure the players love when their name is being sung by the fans, makes them feel part of something.

Don't ever sing about Keogh or Green so.

**Drumcondra 69er** · 28/03/2011, 8:27 PM

Originally Posted by LFCSixty/Eighty

Cheers Drumcondra 69er. Your too nice!! Chuffed to hear you like it. The more songs we can sing the better. I'm sure the players love when their name is being sung by the fans, makes them feel part of something. Saw Keane clapping the fans when they were singing his name during a break in play the other night so they def hear us!!

No worries mate, posted it on YBIG as well, it got a good response over there too.

http://ybig.ie/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=22020&PN=104

**geysir** · 28/03/2011, 8:40 PM

On the Wigan club news site, manager Roberto Martinez is reported to be delighted.

"James has made his decision and can now put an end to all the talk,"

"and after playing for his country this week, can focus 100% on club matters. James is an outstanding professional already, even though he has only just turned 20, and he is a credit to both his club and his country."

**Scooby Doo** · 28/03/2011, 10:28 PM

Originally Posted by geysir

On the Wigan club news site, manager Roberto Martinez is reported to be delighted.

"James has made his decision and can now put an end to all the talk,"

"and after playing for his country this week, can focus 100% on club matters. James is an outstanding professional already, even though he has only just turned 20, and he is a credit to both his club and his country."

Funnily enough, his nationality is currently listed as 'Scottish' on the Wigan website.

http://www.wiganlatics.co.uk/page/Pr...~41884,00.html

**strangeirish** · 28/03/2011, 10:48 PM

Originally Posted by Scooby Doo

Funnily enough, his nationality is currently listed as 'Scottish' on the Wigan website.

http://www.wiganlatics.co.uk/page/Pr...~41884,00.html

I guess Martinez is as good at being a webmaster, as he is a manager...

**BonnieShels** · 28/03/2011, 10:50 PM

Originally Posted by Scooby Doo

Funnily enough, his nationality is currently listed as 'Scottish' on the Wigan website.

http://www.wiganlatics.co.uk/page/Pr...~41884,00.html

We could go down the whole Citizenship v Nationality road?

...
...
...

Yeah...

Let's not.

**Scooby Doo** · 28/03/2011, 11:01 PM

Originally Posted by BonnieShels

We could go down the whole Citizenship v Nationality road?

...
...
...

Yeah...

Let's not.

Why not? I'm intrigued...really, should we be picking players who are born outside of the ROI? Discuss.

**BonnieShels** · 28/03/2011, 11:11 PM

Originally Posted by Scooby Doo

Why not? I'm intrigued...really, should we be picking players who are born outside of the ROI? Discuss.

No... It'll end up a AB v EG dog fight... I'm too tired for that.

For the record my firm belief is "If you want to play for Ireland and you "feel Irish" (and have a right to a passport) then by all means tar isteach.
If you are waiting around to keep your options open "Get lost!"

I think this whole "feeling" Irish thing that Killer we say has is something that would be difficult for us born in Ireland to understand and it would actually I believe take for someone like Kevin himself or Shane McGowan or Mick McCarthy etc to explain.

NB. This may already be out there. I'm just saying is all. Also I'm loathe for this comment to hijack Jimmy Mac's page.

**Scooby Doo** · 28/03/2011, 11:19 PM

Originally Posted by BonnieShels

No... It'll end up a AB v EG dog fight... I'm too tired for that.

For the record my firm belief is "If you want to play for Ireland and you "feel Irish" (and have a right to a passport) then by all means tar isteach.
If you are waiting around to keep your options open "Get lost!"

I think this whole "feeling" Irish thing that Killer we say has is something that would be difficult for us born in Ireland to understand and it would actually I believe take for someone like Kevin himself or Shane McGowan or Mick McCarthy etc to explain.

NB. This may already be out there. I'm just saying is all. Also I'm loathe for this comment to hijack Jimmy Mac's page.

Think I should have ended that last post with a