Irish abroad (outside UK)

**half_full** · 15/02/2008, 9:19 PM

I was just curious (and bored

) as to how many Irish players there are outside of the domestic leagues and Britain. Off the top of my head and a quick search on here:

Belgium
Dominic Foley, KAA Gent

Germany
Patrick Kohlmann, Borussia Dortmund

USA
Ronnie O’Brien, FC Toronto
Joseph Lapira, FC Toronto
John O’Hara, Carolina RailHawks
Bryan Byrne, Unattached (Former New England Revolution)

Australia
Barry Wood? was playing below A-League IIRC (ex Waterford and Kilkenny)

Anyone know of any others?

**soccerc** · 15/02/2008, 9:41 PM

Originally Posted by half_full

I was just curious (and bored

) as to how many Irish players there are outside of the domestic leagues and Britain. Off the top of my head and a quick search on here:

Holland
Ian Maher, Leonidas??

Ian is back in Ireland, likely to sign for a League of Ireland side soon

**half_full** · 15/02/2008, 9:43 PM

Oh, thanks for that, edited now

**superfrank** · 16/02/2008, 11:52 AM

It always disappoints me that 99% of Irish players outside Ireland are in the UK.

Why can't they move further abroad?

**half_full** · 16/02/2008, 12:50 PM

I think its to do with national team call ups. For instance the Belgian league is of decent standard, if Foley was to score 20 in a season, he more than likely wouldn't even be considered for Ireland. Others factors like being close to home also affect their choice too though.

**Dodge** · 16/02/2008, 6:17 PM

Its to do with language, wages, logistics and about 1,000 more things that make it easier for Irish people to work in the Uk than elsewhere. The football aspect isn't near the most important one. And even then Irish players just aren't technically proficient

**theworm2345** · 18/02/2008, 6:11 AM

Terry Phelan is still playing (player-manager) of New Zealand side, Otago United

Sean Devine also plays in New Zealand, for Metro A.F.C.

**half_full** · 18/02/2008, 4:59 PM

Belgium
Dominic Foley, KAA Gent

Germany
Patrick Kohlmann, Borussia Dortmund

USA
Ronnie O’Brien, FC Toronto
Joseph Lapira, FC Toronto
John O’Hara, Carolina RailHawks
Bryan Byrne, Unattached (Former New England Revolution)

Australia
Barry Wood? was playing below A-League IIRC (ex Waterford and Kilkenny)

New Zealand
Terry Phelan, Otago United
Sean Devine, Metro A.F.C.

Thanks Worm

**danonion** · 19/02/2008, 2:29 AM

Foley would be a good squadie he's great in the air

**Lionel Ritchie** · 19/02/2008, 9:38 AM

According to Wikipedia which is never wrong (as is my understanding), Patrick Kohlmann will be 25 next week and has yet to make a senior appearance for Borussia Dortmund.

He has most recently been out on loan with FC Rot-Weiß Erfurt who seem to play in a regional league ...according to my Ich bin Berliner standard German at any rate.

**half_full** · 21/02/2008, 3:52 PM

Strange that, though IIRC wikipedia only counts league games, not sure though.
Whichever, its still bizarre that he has stayed there so long without ever featuring.

**Metrostars** · 04/03/2008, 3:37 PM

You should also add:

Ciaran O'Brien - Colorado Rapids (scored a goal in a friendly last week for them)

http://www.coloradorapids.com/Team/P...o.aspx?PID=115

John O'Hara - Carolina RailHawks(USL not MLS) (ex Sligo Rovers goalkeeper)