Irish Abroad 2008/2009

**irishultra** · 13/12/2008, 2:20 PM

Goal for McShane.

Assist for Foley.

**irishultra** · 13/12/2008, 3:53 PM

An insane amount of goals today for Irish players. Kevin Foley according to Tony Cottee the 'best player on the pitch'

**Lionel Ritchie** · 13/12/2008, 4:49 PM

Mark Yeates scored Colchesters winner at Elland Road against Leeds. Alan Maybury played for Colchester too.

Alan Sheehan apparently missed a very decent chance to equalise for Leeds.

**irishfan86** · 14/12/2008, 9:59 PM

I watched a replay of Preston-Birmingham earlier.

Carsley did very well, and made some potentially goal-saving tackles as usual at the edge of the box. He definitely still seems up for it and would probably suit our system.

For Preston:

Eddie Nolan was the best Irish player in the game. He's a right back and he looks like he could be a real star. He did well in defense, and even better in attack. He made some great off the ball runs and really helped his winger out.

I hardly noticed Sean St. Ledger, but that's a good sign for a centre-half. Made one very good tackle that I can remember. I'd need to see more of him to say one way or another, but at the end of the day he was part of a back 5 that kept a clean sheet against one of the top teams in the league. Commentators seemed keen on him as well.

Stephen Elliott showed some nice touches and turns of skill, but it never really came to anything. It was a very tight game and it wasn't really the kind of open environment he can thrive in. The commentators were saying that he only made the starting lineup due to injury, and the guy who came on for him set up the winner, so he'll probably be dropped for their next match. Overall I wasn't too impressed with him, but hopefully he can re-discover the form that led to his first Ireland call up a few years ago.

**Manc Irish Wolf** · 15/12/2008, 5:47 PM

Originally Posted by irishultra

An insane amount of goals today for Irish players. Kevin Foley according to Tony Cottee the 'best player on the pitch'

Sounds like Foley had an even better game that his usual excellent self at the weekend:

Foley - 9 - The guy is class at everything he does. Solid in the air stopped everything down the right and is so calm under pressure, My Man of the Season nevermind MOTM. The crowd gave him a tremendous roar when he scored

Foley - 10 - MotM. I've never given a 10 before but I don't know how he could better that performance. Absolutely oozes class. His first touch is outstanding and he thinks like a top class player with more years experience than he could possibly have at his age.

Foley - absolutely outstanding performance. I didn't see him make a single mistake, swept everything up at the back, and even looked more dangerous than Kightly going forward. Came close to scoring in the first half, but deservedly got his goal at the end. One of the most complete performances I have ever seen from a Wolves play - MOTM - 10

Foley - 9 - MOM - outstanding

Foley MOTM by a considerable distance - forget Kightly, SEB and Hennessey. We have got something very special on our hands in this guy.

The best right back performance at the Mol by one of ours for a long, long time superb game from Foley

Kevin Foley is without doubt the best right back i have ever seen at Molineux. What a player. We had better go up because the guy oozes class.

Potentially the best right back in England for me.

Already better than Luke Young without a shadow of a doubt.

"Quote:
Originally Posted by Wolv3nsam
The way he brought down the ball at one stage in the second half and kept it was superb. "

That was surreal, I've never known a situation where a player got applause from all four sides of the ground for his first touch! Foley was class and how he hasn't got an Ireland cap yet (I think) is a mystery.

http://www.molineuxmix.co.uk/vb/showthread.php?t=34152

http://www.molineuxmix.co.uk/vb/showthread.php?t=34151

Apologies if this fixation is becoming boring, however you must admit that there aren't many other rightbacks who could reap plaudits like that, irrespective of division.

**bohsRap** · 15/12/2008, 8:40 PM

Originally Posted by Manc Irish Wolf

Apologies if this fixation is becoming boring, however you must admit that there aren't many other rightbacks who could reap plaudits like that, irrespective of division.

I have to say, he sounds like a great prospect. Long may his performances continue.

**paudie** · 15/12/2008, 10:17 PM

John O'Flynn scored again for Barnet in a 2-2 home draw at the weekend with Gillingham. He's the club's top scored with 6 league goals in 11 appearances.

http://www.barnetfc.com/page/MatchRe...,10431,00.html

**paudie** · 15/12/2008, 10:17 PM

http://www.barnetfc.com/page/LatestN...488614,00.html

Gary Breen has joined Barnet as a player coach

**Stuttgart88** · 16/12/2008, 7:17 AM

I was flicking through Charlton vs Derby last night and former Irish U19 Rob Elliott made his debut in goals for Charlton. They drew 2-2, conceding a 94th minute equaliser for which he was blameless. I didn't see the first goal.

From the little I did see he looked confident & assertive and he has a huge left footed kick.

It looks like Darren Randolph is out on loan at Hereford but threw his toys out of the pram on hearing that they were interested in another keeper and is unlikely to play for them again.

**bwagner** · 16/12/2008, 8:45 AM

I cant understand why Dean Kiely never gets a game and all he did for them last year. Your another clown is let 3 or 4 goals in every 2 games

**tetsujin1979** · 16/12/2008, 8:48 AM

Originally Posted by Stuttgart88

I was flicking through Charlton vs Derby last night and former Irish U19 Rob Elliott made his debut in goals for Charlton. They drew 2-2, conceding a 94th minute equaliser for which he was blameless. I didn't see the first goal.

From the little I did see he looked confident & assertive and he has a huge left footed kick.

It looks like Darren Randolph is out on loan at Hereford but threw his toys out of the pram on hearing that they were interested in another keeper and is unlikely to play for them again.

They mightn't have a choice but to play him, or at least put him on the bench: http://www.worcesternews.co.uk/sport...eping_problem/
I can understand his frustration at hearing that they wanted to sign another keeper, but to refuse to play is just plain stupid

**frankbrett** · 16/12/2008, 9:18 AM

The list of Irish Abroad in the Irish Times includes Simon Cox, who has 16 goals for Swindon this season.
Haven�t seen any other source that suggests he is elibigle. Only 21 years old!

**Closed Account** · 16/12/2008, 9:30 AM

They hardly got him confused with this lad did they?
I remember there were two lads with the same name at Reading. But can't remember who. tetsujin1979 will no doubt have an answer.

Aye must of just got confused.
http://www.oufc.co.uk/page/ProfilesD...~27463,00.html
As is this page? Has him listed as a striker born in 87. I'm getting confused now.

**tetsujin1979** · 16/12/2008, 10:04 AM

Irish Abroad for Saturday, 13th December 2008: http://www.chatsoccer.net/irishabroa...ate=2008-12-13
Paul McShane had an interesting afternoon. He scored his first goal of the season, got booked, and then had to be substituted!
Glenn Whelan started his first league game since the opening day of the season
Andy Reid scored his first of the season
Alan Lee scored his first goal since moving to Crystal Palace
Paul Heffernan scored his first of the season
Eddie Nolan made his first start on loan at Preston, almost two months after joining them on loan
Stephen Hunt scored his fourth penalty of the season, he's now scored more penalties than goals!
Anthony Stokes was introduced for Sheffield United on 80 minutes, and promptly substituted on 9 minutes later!
Similarly Karl Moore was introduced on 60 minutes, and then substituted on 89 minutes
JJ O'Toole scored for the first time since scoring seven times in his opening 11 games of the season
Alan Maybury made his first appearance of the season, after signing a new deal with Colchester
Alan O'Brien completed 90 minutes for the first time this season

Irish Abroad for Sunday, 14th December 2008: http://www.chatsoccer.net/irishabroa...ate=2008-12-14
Shay Given made his 19th start of the season
Damien Duff was an unused substitute
Since Shay has played every game this season for Newcastle, his season record is identical to theirs. However, Duff's presence has a much greater impact on the results for the Toon. Duff has won 42% of his home games, whereas Joe Kinnear's side have only won 33% of their home games overall. On the other hand, the Ballyboden winger has yet to start a win away from St James' Park.

Irish Abroad for Monday, 15th December 2008: http://www.chatsoccer.net/irishabroa...Details.xquery
After 21 consecutive games on the bench, Robert Elliot played his first league game of the season for Charlton

**tetsujin1979** · 16/12/2008, 10:13 AM

Originally Posted by joe_denilson

They hardly got him confused with this lad did they?
I remember there were two lads with the same name at Reading. But can't remember who. tetsujin1979 will no doubt have an answer.

Aye must of just got confused.
http://www.oufc.co.uk/page/ProfilesDetail/0,,10342~27463,00.html
As is this page? Has him listed as a striker born in 87. I'm getting confused now.

Can't remember 2 lads at Reading with the same name. There's 2 guys called James O'Connor, one is at Sheffield Wednesday, the other is at Doncaster, and 2 players called Kevin O'Connor, one is at Brentford, the other was at Wolves 2 years ago. He was released, and had a trial with Port Vale in the summer, but I don't know where he is now.

I'd actually never heard of Simon Cox, when I first read it, I thought of Simon Madden.
There's a mention of a Simon Cox with Reading in these articles:

And according to his soccerbase entry - http://www.soccerbase.com/players_de...playerid=42170 - he started his career with the Royals.
Possibly the same guy?

**Closed Account** · 16/12/2008, 10:17 AM

Originally Posted by tetsujin1979

Can't remember 2 lads at Reading with the same name. There's 2 guys called James O'Connor, one is at Sheffield Wednesday, the other is at Doncaster, and 2 players called Kevin O'Connor, one is at Brentford, the other was at Wolves 2 years ago. He was released, and had a trial with Port Vale in the summer, but I don't know where he is now.

They weren't two Irish lads with the same name, one was Irish and one was English, similiar to David Bell when he was at Rushden & Diamonds.

Fairly certain it was Simon Cox I was thinking of.
http://www.btinternet.com/~rfc1871/academy/squads200102.htm

Simon Cox is called "senior" to avoid confusion with the Under-15 player of the same name.

**Dodge** · 16/12/2008, 10:33 AM

The David Bells were both Irish. I think they were nephew/uncle. The Irish born one played for Pats and harps for a bit

**OwlsFan** · 17/12/2008, 9:00 AM

From Ipswich Town website:

ipswich Town, Hamilton Academical and St Johnstone have all made contract offers to former Drogheda central defender Graham Gartland, according to reports in the Irish Republic. Last week, TWTD revealed that the Irish B international had been training with the Blues.

The 25-year-old, who was first linked with Town in December 2007, has been granted early release from his Drogheda contract due to the club's major financial problems. Last year's Eircom Premier League champions recently went into examinership (Irish version of administration) having been unable to pay its players.

After TWTD revealed that Gartland had been training at Playford Road, boss Jim Magilton confirmed he had been at the club a fortnight ago, but said the move had not progressed any further than that at that point.

In addition to the interest from Town, Hamilton and St Johnstone, Swedish side Elfsborg are also said to be keen to take Gartland on trial, while fellow Swedes Helsingborg were previously linked.

Gartland played his youth football with Home Farm, where Owen Garvan's father is a coach, before spells as a youth player with Barnsley and Dundee United. He returned to Ireland to play with St Patrick's Athletic and Longford Town, joining Drogheda in 2004.

Last year, the Dubliner caught the eye of several English clubs when he played alongside Town�s Alex Bruce for the Irish B side in a friendly against Scotland.

In addition to his B cap, Gartland has represented the Republic at U14, U16, U18 and U20 levels, and was called into the senior squad for the tour of the US in the summer of 2007 but was forced to drop out due to injury.

Despite the 6ft 1in tall defender's contract coming to an early end, Town would be unable to sign him officially until the transfer window opens in January.

**tetsujin1979** · 17/12/2008, 10:43 AM

Originally Posted by OwlsFan

In addition to his B cap, Gartland has represented the Republic at U14, U16, U18 and U20 levels, and was called into the senior squad for the tour of the US in the summer of 2007 but was forced to drop out due to injury.

Not quite. He was at a wedding, and left his phone behind him. When the FAI rang him to join the squad, he missed the call! This was confirmed on NewsTalk by one of the board members at the time!