U-23 Squad Announced v Northern Ireland 13th May

**geysir** · 10/05/2008, 11:08 AM

As we already know you guys are traditional backwoods stock so it's sometimes hard to tell if you are quoting from life experience or the
imbecile husband can't make tea - emotionally suppressed wife under house arrest - 1930's British seaside music hall humour routine?

**sligoman** · 10/05/2008, 11:10 AM

Peers has been withdrawn through injury.

**rambler14** · 10/05/2008, 11:16 AM

Originally Posted by sligoman

Peers has been withdrawn through injury.

Darren Murphy of Cork City has replaced him.

What has he done to merit a call-up other than sit on the physio's table in Turners Cross???
He's played one league cup game as far as I know.

**CraftyToePoke** · 10/05/2008, 9:47 PM

any of the lads going to this who would be good enough to put a match report/player assessment on here, it would be appreciated by myself, and im sure by many of us who wont be making it to the game.

and if the any of Northern lads who will be there would like to do likewise for their side, im sure their version of events and how they feel their own lads performed would be a good read.

any chance? thanks.

**soccerc** · 11/05/2008, 3:04 PM

Originally Posted by CraftyToePoke

any of the lads going to this who would be good enough to put a match report/player assessment on here, it would be appreciated by myself, and im sure by many of us who wont be making it to the game.

and if the any of Northern lads who will be there would like to do likewise for their side, im sure their version of events and how they feel their own lads performed would be a good read.

any chance? thanks.

Some pics from today's squad assembly in Dublin

**MariborKev** · 12/05/2008, 4:51 PM

Lads,

Should be at this one, and if all goes well might be able to provide coverage.

Rang the IFA about accreditation and media facilities today, the girl didn't reckon they have wireless etc. I'll bring my own modem and see can I get coverage.

I'll defo provide a report.

**CraftyToePoke** · 12/05/2008, 5:21 PM

Originally Posted by Maribor

Lads,

Should be at this one, and if all goes well might be able to provide coverage.

Rang the IFA about accreditation and media facilities today, the girl didn't reckon they have wireless etc. I'll bring my own modem and see can I get coverage.

I'll defo provide a report.

thank you.

**geysir** · 13/05/2008, 10:18 PM

Seems like we won this one at the death.
Undeserved but we'll take it anyway

Did Tardelli fall asleep?

**Razors left peg** · 13/05/2008, 10:50 PM

So out of the players that played in this game who is gonna be good enough for a full cap????

**soccerc** · 14/05/2008, 1:10 AM

Photos from the game

http://www.flickr.com/photos/soccerc...7605043077108/

**SolitudeRed** · 14/05/2008, 2:09 AM

There was a delay at the start because both teams had white socks on so NI had to go and change into blue Glenavon socks but not after big Davy had thrown a tantrum!

Apparently the game was a dull affair with few chances had 0-0 draw written all over it but RoI nicked it at the end. From what I Cliftonville defender Barry Holland had a good game even though he was playing out of position at Right Back.

from BBC:

NI U23 0-1 Rep of Ireland U23

NI's Albert Watson heads the ball away from Mark Quigley

A stoppage-time goal by Stephen Rice gave the Republic of Ireland victory in Tuesday's Challenge Trophy match at Mourneview Park.
Rice netted a diving header following sa cross from Killian Brennan to leave the Pat Fenlon's Republic top of their group with six points.
In the first half Peter Thompson hit an upright with a shot for NI.
His Linfield team-mate Thomas Stewart had a shot cleared off the line after rounding Republic keeper Barry Murphy

**MariborKev** · 14/05/2008, 2:24 PM

Originally Posted by Razors left peg

So out of the players that played in this game who is gonna be good enough for a full cap????

None.

**Sheridan** · 14/05/2008, 2:34 PM

It's funny how popular orthodoxy propagates like this in eL circles, five years ago (when the league was nowhere near its current level) all the talk was of players appearing in the national team. Nowadays, the fashionable opinion is that none of them are good enough. Damn you, peer pressure.

Of the team that started last night, O'Brien, Keegan, Quigley, Mooney and maybe Brennan would be in or around the national team set-up in most countries of comparable size, some sooner than others.

**Maroon 7** · 14/05/2008, 3:11 PM

Originally Posted by Sheridan

Of the team that started last night, O'Brien, Keegan, Quigley, Mooney and maybe Brennan would be in or around the national team set-up in most countries of comparable size, some sooner than others.

You think they would be in the national squads of say Croatia, Denmark, Norway, Finland or Slovakia?

**Sheridan** · 14/05/2008, 3:13 PM

Probably not Croatia, as they have a similar attitude to their domestic league. But the others, yeah. They'd have been brought through the system.

**Duggie** · 15/05/2008, 10:53 AM

did u read fenlons comments on the kit issue ? speaking of jeffries

�He wanted the Republic of Ireland to wear orange and blue socks but that wasn�t going to happen while I was manager, that�s for certain.�

jeffries must be a right arrogant pig. i could think of another few things to say aswell but id prob get banned from here.

good man nutsy tho

**gspain** · 15/05/2008, 10:55 AM

Very disappointing performance. We just about deserved a draw (with my biased glasses on) and while it was great to win it at the death it was still a disappointing night. I had great hopes for this team and tournament after the Slovakia game but much less so now. Still a draw at home to Belgium puts us in the final (a draw on Tuesday was all we needed anyway).

I thought Joxer Kelly was our best player in the first half but he was taken off at half time and I got scoffed at for that opinion early in the second half. It was hoofball from both teams. The pitch was terrible but still not enough of an excuse.

Trap stayed until the end but he won't be calling anybody up on their performance last Tuesday.

**Not Brazil** · 15/05/2008, 11:16 AM

Originally Posted by Duggie

did u read fenlons comments on the kit issue ? speaking of jeffries

�He wanted the Republic of Ireland to wear orange and blue socks but that wasn�t going to happen while I was manager, that�s for certain.�

jeffries must be a right arrogant pig. i could think of another few things to say aswell but id prob get banned from here.

good man nutsy tho

It's David JEFFREY.

Pat's version of events is absolute ballicks.

At prearranged sercurity meeting, NI colours were agreed to be Green,White,White and Rep of Ireland,White,Green,Green.

At least 1 hour before ko, the ref went in to check colours of the teams and said then that someone had to change socks and left teams to hopefully sort it out.

Rep of Ireland didnt keep to agreement,then stated that the home team has to change...eventally NI changed.

There was a happy ending tho - good friends that they are, David and Pat warmly embraced at the final whistle.

In fact, David gave Pat a kiss.

**MariborKev** · 15/05/2008, 11:17 AM

The verbal sparring on the line between the two of them was more interesting that what was happening on the pitch.

**soccerc** · 15/05/2008, 12:10 PM

Originally Posted by Maribor

The verbal sparring on the line between the two of them was more interesting that what was happening on the pitch.

Here's an example

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3068/...85dd023e0e.jpg

As for Not Brazil's assertions on the kit agreement, Ballacks.

Jeffrey said post game "We were told it had been agreed that the Republic would wear green, white and green", but that was never the case as it was White, green, white.

He added "...we made a mistake, but there you go."