Finnan retires from International Football

**frankbrett** · 22/01/2008, 1:10 PM

The Liverpool right back made 50 appearances for the Republic of Ireland since making his debut against Greece in April 2000.

Said Finnan: "I've thoroughly enjoyed my time in the Republic team, with the World Cup in 2002 being the highlight of my international career.

"But I'll be 34 when the next tournament comes around so it's the right time for me to step down.

"There will be a new manager coming in soon who will have his own ideas for the future with younger players having the chance to stake their claim to be in his plans."

http://www.liverpoolfc.tv/news/drill...80122-1406.htm

**Risteard** · 22/01/2008, 1:12 PM

**** off so ya mercenary.
I hate this crap.
31 is near your prime for a defender.

**Dr. Ogba** · 22/01/2008, 1:14 PM

Don't know if it calls for this sort of response ^^^^^^^^^ but its a shame cause we could have done with his experience for the new campaign. Good news for Stephen Kelly though (or even Kevin Foley) as it finally looks like he's ready to step up to the plate so may not affect us as much as you'd think...

**drinkfeckarse** · 22/01/2008, 1:14 PM

Mercenary?? Finnan has been nothing but a loyal servant for us. Being dropped and played out of position half the time without grumbling.

I'd love if he stayed on but if not then I personally wouldn't have a bad word said against him.

Btw, is there a source for this?

**Plastic Paddy** · 22/01/2008, 1:16 PM

Oh come on Risteard, that's harsh. Finnan has been a consistently strong performer for Ireland and just got on with the job at hand when plenty of other players spent too much time and energy flouncing about and not enough concentrating on their football. He will be missed in a green shirt, that's for sure.

PP

**Stuttgart88** · 22/01/2008, 1:17 PM

Source?

**tetsujin1979** · 22/01/2008, 1:20 PM

Liverpool's website: http://www.liverpoolfc.tv/news/drill...80122-1406.htm

**NeilMcD** · 22/01/2008, 1:22 PM

Retiring way too early.

**Stuttgart88** · 22/01/2008, 1:23 PM

Bugger. That's a big loss. One of my favourite Irish players but despite all the good performances I think this is a really disappointing decision. As a senior player he should take responsibility for our qualification not pass the buck to a younger player.

It's that whole thing I've been ranting about lately. Building for the future is a fallacy. Replacing good older players with weaker young ones doesn't make you a better team.

Step up to the plate Stephen Kelly and Joey O'Brien I guess. Foley still has to get more seasoned to be considered an international.

**Bondvillain** · 22/01/2008, 1:24 PM

Mercenary is harsh. Even before he scored in Croke park, he was one of the few who actually looked semi-interested in not losing the Cyprus game, and has done so on many occasions previously, when either dropped on a whim or played out of position by a madhead.

The longevity of his retirement will very much depend on the Next managers communication skills.

**Risteard** · 22/01/2008, 1:28 PM

New manager having his own ideas . . . . . . .
younger players having a chance to stake their claim . . . . . . . .

Two poor sentences.
Utter bull****.
Crap talk.

"I'm quitting my team because a new manager might have his own ideas."
In fairness, what in the name of jebus is that meant to actually mean?
I know we've heard all this before but why can't he dispense with the crap-talk?
He should just admit he prefers those 4 or 5 midweeks or weekends off, say he wants to spend more time with his family or something.
A lazy statement.

**jebus** · 22/01/2008, 1:31 PM

Good luck to him I say, what does he owe Ireland? **** all is the answer, Liverpool is where his bread and butter is at, not some poxy national team who refuse to play him in his natural position.

**LeviathanNI** · 22/01/2008, 1:32 PM

I'm surprised at this... early 30's would seem to be the ideal age for an International defender ie experience

Has anything happened in the background that would have made his mind up? I suppose there is the chance that he can be talked out of it, and as long as he is playig top level football, he is still an option when needed.

**Dr. Ogba** · 22/01/2008, 1:33 PM

Originally Posted by jebus

some poxy national team who refuse to play him in his natural position.

**NeilMcD** · 22/01/2008, 1:33 PM

Who do you support Jebus.

**shakermaker1982** · 22/01/2008, 1:33 PM

shame and a player I have always rated, at least we have Kelly to fill the gap.

**Maroon 7** · 22/01/2008, 1:34 PM

Not that surprising. He's been in and out of the Liverpool team this season and has started to pick up niggling injuries. He'll be 32 shortly.

Thanks for everything Stevie.

Don't think it's right to give him stick. He often played out of position for Ireland and was one of the few players who looked bothered when the Cypriots were about to beat us at home.

**ruben_sosa** · 22/01/2008, 1:34 PM

Originally Posted by LeviathanNI

Has anything happened in the background that would have made his mind up?

yes, perhaps the identity of the new Ireland manager being leaked to the players.

**NeilMcD** · 22/01/2008, 1:37 PM

How old were Paul Mc Grath, Ray Houghton, Andy Townsend John Giles when they retired for Ireland. This trend of retiring when you are 31 is a joke. Finnan never really reproduced his club form for Ireland and he had some shocking performances for Ireland most notably in Cyprus twice. In addition he had great performances in the 2002 World Cup. Gone down in my book but maybe he can be persuaded to come back by the new manager.