Owen Garvan again

**irishbaz** · 26/08/2007, 5:48 PM

Hello all while not a regular poster on this forum I am an avid Irish fan and it constantly baffles me why Owen Garvan is not getting a call up to the Irish squad at any level. I am not one of these people who sees an Irish lad having a good game for any team and then tout them as the next Brady or Keane. I went to the Ipswich game today and the lad was sheer class not a world class player but what potential. He is 19 and the post match review in the pub was all about him the Ipswich fans and the Palace fans all agreed he ran the show today. One for the future definitely look at out current midfield lads in the under 21 squad

Stephen Quinn (Sheffield United), Michael Collins (Huddersfield Town), Stephen Gleeson (Wolves), Patrick Cregg (Falkirk), Keith Treacy (Blackburn Rovers), Shane McFaul (UCD)

No Garvan a comedy or a tragedy? We need to be looking at these players now he will be a premiership player next year no doubt. Why is he not being picked? Is it because of Don Givens or is it because of Stan. As a Country we do not have the luxury of having a load of world class players and to ignore him in my opinion is a disgrace. I want to stress this is not just based on today�s performance!

**TheJamaicanP.M.** · 26/08/2007, 6:15 PM

Great post.

I agree 100%. I watched all of today's match, albeit on the tv. Garvan was outstanding. His passing was magnificent and he made a few good tackles. His vision and passing ability reminds me of Paul Scholes. He can definitely see a pass and just seems to be central to the way Ipswich play. Obviously he was injured for the majority of last season, but I cannot understand why he is not in the Irish U-21 squad. Garvan is an outstanding prospect and I think it would be great if he could help Ipswich get promoted this season.

On a separate note, I was impressed with Jonathon Walters on the right wing today. Given our lack of options down the right flank in recent years, he may provide a good option in that position sometime in the future.

**dr_peepee** · 27/08/2007, 4:33 AM

Strange one alright.... Hard to believe that the association could be so fickle at all levels. Whatever about not getting on with one manager, like say Givens & Stokes now or Ireland and Kerr.... To be overlooked by McCaffrey, Givens and arguably Stan reeks.

On the other hand, if he stays off the international scene for a bit it might help keep him off the radar for another season. He'll be better off playing a full season in the middle in the Championship than moving up to be a benchwarmer at a premiership club.

**OwlsFan** · 27/08/2007, 6:16 AM

Originally Posted by irishbaz

I went to the Ipswich game today and the lad was sheer class not a world class player !

Sheer class but not world class

I saw the game on TV. I thought he did well. I wouldn't go as far as to say "sheer class" but he has potential. However, it would be a mistake to rush someone in to the senior squad too early because if you fail early on, you get forgotton about. If he's good enough, he'll make the break through. Whelan has had excellent games for Wednesday but I have also seen him have some poor ones and I wouldn't be calling for his inclusion in the national squad.

"Gently, gently, catch a monkey".

**irishbaz** · 27/08/2007, 7:56 AM

In the post I was not making an argument for him to be called up to the senior squad but to be recognised at some level, when at the game you don’t just get to see what the camera man or woman is focusing on, off the ball he was very influential bossing the game, when on the ball he made things happen when not on the ball he was creating space and demanding the ball. The point is he’s an exciting prospect and in my opinion over the past 18 months has been a consistent and competent performer also as good as any other midfielder we currently have at under 21 level anyway. I recorded the match as well (sad) and Matty Holland, Peter Begrie and Jim Magiliton singled him out for specific praise. Sheer class on the day yes not world class as with any young player he still has to prove himself that’s the difference for Ipswich he is a class act. I am just baffled that he doesn’t even get an under 21 call up. I see your argument about Whelan but he’s not a consistent performer from what I have seen and read. To omit a potential talent like Garvan from the under 21 squad is a luxury we as a country don’t have.

**NeilMcD** · 27/08/2007, 9:10 AM

Yeah I saw the game too and he looked to be the outstanding player. Obviously it is nothing to do with ability why he is not in the squad. I dont know the reason but its not his ability.

**Bungle** · 27/08/2007, 1:00 PM

If we was English he would walk into their under 21 squad. Most Norwich fans reckon he's the best young midefielder by a distance in the Championship. Can't for the life of me understand why he isn't being called up for any of the underage teams.

I wonder did McCafferty have a problem with him and Don 'Corleone' Givens is forming opinions about him based on what he has heard. There is no other possible reason.

**cavan_fan** · 27/08/2007, 1:38 PM

There is something odd about Garvan, big absence last year, the walk out from Ipswich and I'm always surprised no Premiership club has looked to buy hime. We really don't know the situation.

**irishbaz** · 27/08/2007, 2:23 PM

Its sad if there is a political agenda behind it as with Kerr and Ireland he would add quality and competition to the squad at under 21 level and let the FANS have a look at him some of this petty feud mentality really gets on my ***s

**pateen** · 28/08/2007, 11:42 AM

Wasnt Owen Garvans dad a famous player as well. Wonder does something go back to when Givens might have played with Garvan Sr. Just said I throw that in the mix

**beautifulrock** · 28/08/2007, 11:55 AM

Originally Posted by pateen

Wasnt Owen Garvans dad a famous player as well. Wonder does something go back to when Givens might have played with Garvan Sr. Just said I throw that in the mix

Mick Martin would be his uncle and Con Martin his grandfather. Mick and Don would certainly have played together but I feel it is unlikely that this is connected to his absence from the current U21 squad. A strange one alright from what I have seen of Garvan, but maybe there is more to it than meets the eye.

**paul_oshea** · 28/08/2007, 11:59 AM

I was first told about this fella about 2 or so years ago when he was on their youth team by an ipswich fan. He raved and raved about him, all he ever talked about was garvan ( when talking about ipswich! ) and how class he will be. Haven't spoken to the fella in a while due to not workign together anymore but I know he is revered among ipswich fans. As Neil said though there must be something more to it.

**Superhoops** · 28/08/2007, 12:36 PM

There was a story going around about a year or so ago that he pulled out of several underage squads (Under 18/19?) on the basis that he thought he should be straight into the senior squad as he was playing well for Ipswich at the time. Heard that Givens spoke to him about making the step up gradually through the U21's but he did not want to know.

There was another story that he was pi**ed off when Terry Dixon and Anthony Stokes were brought into senior squads.

I don't know if these are true or not, but it would go some way to explain his absence from squads he would have been eligible for. I think he is still eleigible for the u-19's as he is listed as being born in January 1988.

**Stuttgart88** · 28/08/2007, 12:45 PM

That sounds feasible.

Why doesn't the Irish media ask these questions?

**Dr. Ogba** · 28/08/2007, 12:48 PM

Originally Posted by Stuttgart88

That sounds feasible.

Why doesn't the Irish media ask these questions?

Wouldn't surprise me if half of the Irish sports hacks hadn't even heard of him...

**eirebhoy** · 28/08/2007, 1:11 PM

Originally Posted by Dr. Ogba

Wouldn't surprise me if half of the Irish sports hacks hadn't even heard of him...

It'd surprise me. They all read this forum.

**paul_oshea** · 28/08/2007, 1:17 PM

Originally Posted by eirebhoy

It'd surprise me. They all read this forum.

Source?!

**irishbaz** · 28/08/2007, 1:55 PM

Just seems a pity that this guy is being overlooked, who in our current crop of young players who HAVE MADE THE STEP UP or not as the case maybe who would you rate as good as or better than him at present playing regular first team football in central midfield?