crowe and jason byrne in ireland squad

**max power** · 26/04/2004, 10:12 AM

just got a text update saying that glen crowe and jason byrne have been called up to the ireland squad for the poland game....well done lads

**Plastic Paddy** · 26/04/2004, 10:20 AM

Originally Posted by max power

just got a text update saying that glen crowe and jason byrne have been called up to the ireland squad for the poland game....well done lads

There's as yet no confirmation of this on www.fai.ie, www.soccercentral.ie or www.eleven-a-side.com. It would be good for the eL and those players if you're right, of course.

PP

**Bowsy** · 26/04/2004, 10:42 AM

Although probably the biggest arguer against this if this is true I welcome it. A perfect opportunity to prove the likes of me wrong or right. If Crowe and Byrne do the business against the Poles I'll happily eat my words.

**Dodge** · 26/04/2004, 10:47 AM

Against what? Calling up the best available players?

Look this isn't tokenism and no-one is saying they among the first choice strikers BUT if you're looking for the 6th/7th best strikers Ireland has, Byrne and Crowe would be up there

(cue Corkies calling for O'Flynn...)

**wws** · 26/04/2004, 10:54 AM

Crowe played v Greece in a friendly and looked well capable at the level - I think people wildly overestimate the gulf in class between the top LOI players and UK based players

if it was tokenistic than kerr is an idiot - which he's not

**Plastic Paddy** · 26/04/2004, 10:57 AM

Originally Posted by wws

Crowe played v Greece in a friendly and looked well capable at the level - I think people wildly overestimate the gulf in class between the top LOI players and UK based players

That hoary old chestnut has been done to death on this board. It looks like the only way to prove it one way or the other is to call some players up from the eL and see what they can do in a meaningful fixture (sorry, Crowe's appearance in a training ground exercise against Greece proves nothing). However, there's still no source that can confirm Max's original post in this thread...

PP

**Bowsy** · 26/04/2004, 10:58 AM

Have already made my feelings clear at great length on a never ending thread last week. I hope it's not tokenism, I hope they do get half a game at very least and I hope they do prove me wrong. Will be very solid indicator if EL players can make the step up to International level.

**pete** · 26/04/2004, 11:04 AM

Originally Posted by Dodge

Against what? Calling up the best available players?

Look this isn't tokenism and no-one is saying they among the first choice strikers BUT if you're looking for the 6th/7th best strikers Ireland has, Byrne and Crowe would be up there

(cue Corkies calling for O'Flynn...)

Exactly. Me not seen Crowes name mentioned. As been argued elsewhere there are not huge options below the top 3-4 forwards.

btw O'Flynns injured so we'll wait til Romania

from fai - latest squad:

Squad: Given (Newcastle United), Colgan (Hibernian), Maybury (Hearts), Cunningham (Birmingham City), Doherty (Tottenham Hotspur), Harte (Leeds United), O'Brien (Newcastle United), O'Shea (Manchester United), Miller (Celtic), Roy Keane (Manchester United), A Reid (Nottingham Forest), S Reid (Blackburn Rovers), Quinn (Sheffield Wednesday), Barrett (Coventry City), Doyle (Coventry City), Kinsella (West Bromwich Albion), Douglas (Blackburn Rovers), Lee (Cardiff City), Byrne (Shelbourne), Robbie Keane (Tottenham Hotspur), Morrison (Birmingham City).

**wws** · 26/04/2004, 11:20 AM

Originally Posted by Plastic Paddy

That hoary old chestnut has been done to death on this board. It looks like the only way to prove it one way or the other is to call some players up from the eL and see what they can do in a meaningful fixture (sorry, Crowe's appearance in a training ground exercise against Greece proves nothing). However, there's still no source that can confirm Max's original post in this thread...

PP

fail to see your logic - so call ups for uncapped english based players to meaningless friendlies are "ok" as theyve obviously proved themselves

I happen to think friendlies are pointless and should be abolished in any case but I fail to see your point, Glen Crowe and Jason Byrne are players not representatives of a league or whatever, their current form and ability is all that counts

**ger121** · 26/04/2004, 11:23 AM

I think Crowe had to have a fitness test on his hamstring today so that might be the reason it hasn't been announced yet. Think Byrne well deserves his call up, he is definitively the form striker in the league from last season and this one too. Connolly is out and Robbie Keane is still in England with a head injury. That leaves Morrison, Lee and Byrne. I'd say he'll get a run out at some stage.

**Bowsy** · 26/04/2004, 11:31 AM

As it's a friendly would probably be a good thing if Robbie and The Ant can't make it. Lee and Morrison have a lot to prove too in my opinion. Lee in particular. If Crowe is out then would be interesting to see attacking duties shared by Lee, Morrison, O'Flynn and Byrne over the course of the 90.

**Plastic Paddy** · 26/04/2004, 11:34 AM

Originally Posted by wws

fail to see your logic

Does it really need explaining?

Surely your point - and I quote:

Originally Posted by wws

Crowe played v Greece in a friendly and looked well capable at the level - I think people wildly overestimate the gulf in class between the top LOI players and UK based players

was more of a non sequitur than mine? My point was about the endless debate, so since you spectacularly fail to see this, I'll state it again. Until we see eL players on a level playing field (pardon the dreadful pun) the argument will continue to go round and round in circles. I can only think of one LoI player in the last fifteen years - Crowe - to wear a senior shirt. And he hardly tore up trees in the process.

Originally Posted by wws

so call ups for uncapped english based players to meaningless friendlies are "ok" as theyve obviously proved themselves

Get the chip off your shoulder. Where do I say this? FWIW, I'd much rather see the likes of Byrne and John O'Flynn make the step up to senior international football than see Graham Barrett and Alan Quinn appear again. Not least because i) they will be well up for it and ii) it will put this tired argument to bed once and for all.

PP

**wws** · 26/04/2004, 12:12 PM

if crowe or byrne got a call up and played well it proves only that crowe and byrne were on form and the call up justified - particular players at a particular time - it says nothing about the el in general

**Littlest Hobo** · 26/04/2004, 12:49 PM

Get the chip off your shoulder. Where do I say this? FWIW, I'd much rather see the likes of Byrne and John O'Flynn make the step up to senior international football than see Graham Barrett and Alan Quinn appear again. Not least because i) they will be well up for it and ii) it will put this tired argument to bed once and for all.

PP[/QUOTE]

Would agree with PP about giving the EL boys a run. There's no justification whatsover for calling up both barrett or quinn....they are no use, never have been and never will be

Big up the Sergi Bubka...he was a legend

**Footie_Fan** · 26/04/2004, 6:24 PM

Crowe could have been involved in the Poland game as well, though a hamstring problem is causing him problems opening the way for Byrne to earn his first call-up.

From the FAI website. Delighted to see Byrne in the squad. Fully deserved.