U21s v England

**eirebhoy** · 05/02/2008, 9:23 PM

Originally Posted by shanekerins

Garvan looked classy in stages but was a wee bit invisible at times (so a ready-made replacement for Stephen Ireland, then)

It really depends on who you're watching. When I'm watching Ireland/Celtic it's very rare I can tell you how well an opposing player is doing (unless I plan before the game on keeping an eye on a particular player). For example, seeing Noble's name on the screen when he was subbed off was honestly the first time I realised he was playing. When Ireland have the ball I'm watching the Irish players, when England have the ball I'm watching the Irish players. Garvan was everywhere tonight and never went missing imo. I have to listen to people say Nakamura goes missing all the time even though the stats say he averages 12.7km and plays more passes than anyone else on the pitch (and covers back as much as any midfielder).

I also have to admit that I had my eye on Garvan more than any other player tonight. From start to finish he played like a captain and was constantly signalling to teammates.

On another note, I must have counted 6 quick 1-2's that O'Halloran tried and they all came off. I don't know how good a defender he us but he's bloody excellent going forward.

**NeilMcD** · 05/02/2008, 9:27 PM

Yeah I think if O Halloran can get first team football he could well go up to the senior squad as we really lack at left back.

**shaneker** · 05/02/2008, 9:28 PM

Not to say Garvan looked poor by any stretch - he didn't - just that we had a lot of the ball in our own half and could have done with someone pulling the strings to unlock the English defence, which he only seemed to do on a few occasions (although he wasn't helped by Stokes coming so deep so often, leaving only Keogh to aim for). He looked good; I'd just like to see more of him looking good, if you follow me!

Spot on about O'Halloran; the goal was unlucky and he looked like he was bursting to get forward and plenty of ability with those little touches. Looks a proper prospect.

**geysir** · 05/02/2008, 9:30 PM

We were hammered in the end but still there are a lot of positives about the young lads.

The key bit was the passage of play in the minutes before the English first goal. We just lost all shape and never really recovered.

**Bottle of Tonic** · 05/02/2008, 9:42 PM

Just back from the boozer (only setanta for me) and I was chuffed with the performance, if not the result. And i don't think we gave up after goal 1 like some are suggesting. We went for it and looked dangerous going forward. I thought the mentality was great seeing as we are out.

Read the comments here on Garvan. I was mightily impressed with him. I dont watch much championship and had only seen him closely in the home game v england a few months back where I wasn't that impressed. Tonight he was among the best players on the park, no question.

Quinn is a tidy player, but too light. Billy clarke was no where. O' Dea was terrible one minute(distribution) and calm and composed the next. I watch him at celtic (whenever he gets a run) and don't know what to make of him. New club maybe?

Keogh looked great apart from finishing. Pity, cos he probably won't make it in the senior squad so. Stokes. Needs goals. Will have to see more of O'Toole. Full backs looked good especially Nolan.

Good night for us, apart from result of course.

**paul_oshea** · 05/02/2008, 9:52 PM

neil i neversaid that, i said I wasn;t FULLY concentrating on it, but i doubt there is anything i prolly missed, i just mentioned that i was switching (focus) between windows and both were half size.

**eirebhoy** · 05/02/2008, 9:55 PM

Originally Posted by Bottle of Tonic

O' Dea was terrible one minute(distribution) and calm and composed the next. I watch him at celtic (whenever he gets a run) and don't know what to make of him.

I'm the same. Haven't a clue how good or bad he'll be. The only thing that I'm encouraged about is that I've never once seen him exposed for pace when playing centre back for Celtic. He's a slow player so obviously his positioning is sound.

**Dodge** · 05/02/2008, 10:06 PM

Originally Posted by paul_oshea

great signing for pats alright neil, but was it a great signing for ocearuill?!

Highlight off his career

**FarBeag** · 05/02/2008, 10:26 PM

Good match in terrible conditions, shame about the result and it should have being closer.I really like Garvan.I think he has the potential to be a class player. I agree with people�s assessment on Keogh. O�Toole was good in the first half but faded in the second. I also like the look of O�Chearruill and i am really surprised that he wasn�t picked up by a club in England. He is a better player than McShane imo. Another disappointing outing for Stokes and to be honest I have yet to see him live up to all the hype prior to him joining Sunderland. I really hope that O�Halloran gets his game on loan as he is a prospect.

**ken foree** · 05/02/2008, 11:07 PM

started a bit shaky and 2nd half the english power and fitness did the boys in but i was very pleased. garvan was mind-blowingly good at times, knew when to take it down, lay it off to himself into space, diddled two english with a drop of the shoulder and a roulette (single-classiest move on the pitch tonight), and wriggled away from 3 players at one point in the 2nd half with power and delivered a great cross. he showed a willingness to defend but doesn't have extraordinary acceleration or pace, not that he's completely lacking either. please, almighty cosmic being, let this fella happen for us at senior level because tonight he was terrific. desire, composure, and skill. i thought the two fulls were decent but became exposed as the game wore on. there was no real end product from us until the legitimate goal we scored (blind finish hooer missed TWO of them). liked the look of o'toole, as someone said, need to see more. agree re: o'dea, he was cruyff-turning it away from trouble in his own box (class) and then pi$$ing possession away very cheaply at times, in very dangerous areas. liked the intelligence of many of the players though, they had a cohesion and style that made me proud.

**finnpark** · 05/02/2008, 11:40 PM

They are a disgrace imo. Those guys going over to England from Ireland are obviously not progressing very much. 3-0, what a hammering against England.

Bottom of the group now! They are getting nowhere playing those lads at English clubs, its time to start playing League of Ireland players like Sammon, Coleman, Birmingham, Quigley, and the many others in the LOI 1st and Premier divisions. Not only are they better they would show more pride too and not just roll over like that. Givens Out, McCaffery Out!

**cheifo** · 06/02/2008, 12:10 AM

FP did you watch the match?We missed a couple of chances at 0-0 and game could have been very different.There was no shortage of commitment or skill from the lads and they certainly did not roll over.OK in the end we got beat by a good team but 3-0 was harsh IMO and in the opinon of the English commentators.

**tetsujin1979** · 06/02/2008, 12:26 AM

Originally Posted by finnpark

They are a disgrace imo. Those guys going over to England from Ireland are obviously not progressing very much. 3-0, what a hammering against England.

Bottom of the group now! They are getting nowhere playing those lads at English clubs, its time to start playing League of Ireland players like Sammon, Coleman, Birmingham, Quigley, and the many others in the LOI 1st and Premier divisions. Not only are they better they would show more pride too and not just roll over like that. Givens Out, McCaffery Out!

The state of fitness they are in right now, not only would they roll over, it would be a hell of a lot worse than 3-0.

**bellavistaman** · 06/02/2008, 5:15 AM

Halloran is going to a great player IMO, very strong in the air, hes a great defender, and the fact he can attack very well is a major plus. I read a interview with aston villas reserves coach saying how dedicated a player o halloran is, and his fitness is 2nd to none, so its lookin good. Hope he can sort it out with southampton cant see there problem, i heard Martin O'Neill is going to bring him back so he can send him elsewhere.

**ifk101** · 06/02/2008, 6:53 AM

Very good performance IMO. If the senior side was able to play and organised like that we'd be going to Austria-Switzerland this summer.

I thought Garvan was outstanding - he did a lot of simple things right. Very calm on the ball, kept possession within the team and linked up effortlessly with his teammates.

Negatives were O'Dea and O'Halloran. I think it showed on a number of occasions that both players are lacking match sharpness - and both need to start getting themselves playing first-team football on a regular basis.

Disappointing that Keogh couldn't convert any of his chances but the positive to take from that is the amount of good scoring chances we did create.

**eirebhoy** · 06/02/2008, 7:23 AM

Garvan roulette (from soccerpulse):
http://www.4shared.com/file/36953419..._roulette.html

**Wolfie** · 06/02/2008, 8:06 AM

Had to admire the spirit in which Ireland set about the task. Much of the them displayed composure and confidence - certainly throughout the first half and for patches of the second.

Many of the Irish lads actually looked to have more ability for periods of the game.

The first goal turned the game and O'Halloran was unlucky in the manner in which it clipped off him into the net. Once England scored, the game opened up and they tormented us from the flanks. We'd pressed on to try and equalise and it was inevitable that they would punish us on the break.

Was very impressed with Garvan and thought Quinn had some good passages of play also.

Keogh's guilt edged chance at nil all could have dramatically altered the game. He's certainly not an out and out striker. Didn't think Stokes covered himself in glory either. He should never be allowed take a free from the wing again. His delivery is continually overhit and a wasted opportunity.

Not a fan of the "moral victory" when the cold facts show a 3 nil defeat. However, overall much to be encouraged about for the future if some of these players continue to develop and mature.

**Deckydee** · 06/02/2008, 8:31 AM

Agree with a lot of what it said here.

Was also very dissappointed with Keogh and the fact that he missed that sitter before England scored their first goal. But it was easy to see the gulf in class when England turned on the style.

I really feel that these guys posess a lot of potential and it certainly gives hope for the future, but I think that they need a real manager/coach and not that clown Givens. I think that he steals the heart from those players with that giant chip that sits on his shoulder. His low case of self esteem is cleary reflected on the players and their nervy fotballing technique.

The only point that I was pleased about was the way the Republic caught England on the break. Its just a shame we lacked the final touch to create anything.

My MOM - Garvan. Ran himself into the ground. I hope the likes of him can ignore the ignorence of the 'never was' Givens and go onto to be a fine professional football player for the Republic of Ireland.