Roddy Collins

**joema** · 14/05/2006, 2:25 PM

Roddy wary of Byrne inclusion

May 14, 2006

Former Bohemians and Dublin City boss Roddy Collins has labelled Jason Byrne’s call-up to the Republic of Ireland senior squad as a “political” decision by Irish manager Steve Staunton.

Byrne was the sole eircom League player included in a 29-man senior squad for a training camp in Portugal followed by the friendly against Chile at Lansdowne Road on May 24th.

But Collins is wary of Staunton’s motives for including the prolific Shelbourne striker, claiming that there are better players in the lower divisions of the English league.

He told Newstalk 106: “It’s a political move. Brian Kerr went down that road and Steve Staunton is going the same route.

“Fair play to Jason, I hope he enjoys his holiday. But you have Richie Foran, [Lee] Trundle, a stack of players in the lower leagues who would be superior to Jason. It’s a cosmetic, political decision.”

www.elevenaside.com
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What a muppet

**EnDai** · 14/05/2006, 2:31 PM

Rodderick's a moron.

**Dyl10** · 14/05/2006, 2:35 PM

Why is he? he's tellin the truth! thats a token call-up, Byrne is NOT international quality and there are better around

**wws** · 14/05/2006, 2:38 PM

I think Roddy is bang on the money on this. He's 100% coorrect for once. That said EL players should take advantage of this policy as long as its fashionable in Merrion Sq - they've nothing to lose and could have a lot to gain from it

**Pablo Escobar** · 14/05/2006, 2:39 PM

Originally Posted by Dyl10

Why is he? he's tellin the truth! thats a token call-up, Byrne is NOT international quality and there are better around

I will always defend the EL, and Byrne, just like Gamble, deserves his chance!
He's got to be better than Alan Lee or Milton Clorrison or whatever sh1te Kerr came up with!
The fact is Kerr was favouring lower league English players and we were going backwards!

**Dodge** · 14/05/2006, 2:46 PM

Did Kerr not pick Byrne too? That was probably token too but anyone who thinks Staunton carres more about the league than Kerr is an idiot. He still goes to a game a week FFS

Oh and I agree with Roddy

**Poor Student** · 14/05/2006, 3:04 PM

Originally Posted by Pablo Escobar

The fact is Kerr was favouring lower league English players and we were going backwards!

What lower league English players? Championship players?

**thejollyrodger** · 14/05/2006, 4:00 PM

I agree with Roddy unless the EL players get a proper 45 minute spell in a friendly. None of them can realistically expect to play in a competitive game.

Stan is just trying to get the real irish soccer supporters on board with the move.

**Roverstillidie** · 14/05/2006, 4:07 PM

can i ask one big favour from the foot.ie community. dont start a thread every time toderick sounds off, because lets face it, its the only reason he does it. a sad unemployed arse biscuit making noise for attention.

jason byrne is the 6th choice irish striker. so logically he is in the 29 man squad. there is no politicing involved.

**pete** · 14/05/2006, 4:09 PM

I might listen to Roddy if he offered some creditable alternatives. FFS Foran isn't "much better".

**pineapple stu** · 14/05/2006, 5:10 PM

Originally Posted by Pablo Escobar

The fact is Kerr was favouring lower league English players and we were going backwards!

There's no actual cause and effect link between those two ideas though. We were going backwards because Kerr had an overly cautious, negative approach, not because of the players he picked.

**Dyl10** · 14/05/2006, 5:36 PM

Originally Posted by pete

I might listen to Roddy if he offered some creditable alternatives. FFS Foran isn't "much better".

Gary O'neil is better

**Sniffer** · 14/05/2006, 5:59 PM

Yep, reckon Roddy is right on the money re. political edcision. No offence to Jason Byrne, but I don't think he's international quality. Still, having any eL players around the squad can only improve them.You've got to play with and against the best to improve so why not take advantage of the situation. Would love to see someone from eL getting the first half in a friendly,I think it may happen soon.

**BohsFans** · 14/05/2006, 6:02 PM

Jesus, I didn't know people were still listening to Roddy

**joema** · 14/05/2006, 6:14 PM

Originally Posted by thejollyrodger

Stan is just trying to get the real irish soccer supporters on board with the move.

How do you know that?
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Its comments like this(from Roddy) and the crap that the likes of Keely and Devlin come up with that gives the barstoolers a reason to criticise the el

**LeixlipRed** · 14/05/2006, 7:17 PM

he''s right about it being a political dcision but foran and trundle "much better"? how the hell would he know? he only ever managed to get all those "much better" lower league players relegated to the conference. Byrne and Gamble deserve their chance. now, roddy crawl off somewhere and die will you

**Paddyfield** · 14/05/2006, 8:06 PM

We might as well all sit on the fence.

If an EL player gets called up and susequently becomes an ever-present for even ten consevutive games, he'd be dumped for not getting first team regular football at his Club.

Our League is not international-friendly. We play in the summer when the World Cup* & European Championships* are on and we are on holiers when Rihard Dunne and Robbie Keane are getting into the swing of things.

If Jason Byrne gets bunked up to First Choice striker, $hel$ would go cracked because he would miss games for them while he is at training camp in Portugal or better still, leading the Rep of Ireland to World Cup glory. And when Jayo is off for the EL four month winter break, Steve Staunton will be forced to pick Richie Foran because Byrne is shopping with the missus in Liffey Valley.

* OK, so the EL takes a little summer break so we can watch the World Cup on TV.

**Roverstillidie** · 14/05/2006, 8:07 PM

Originally Posted by Paddyfield

We might as well all sit on the fence.

If an EL player gets called up and susequently becomes an ever-present for even ten consevutive games, he'd be dumped for not getting first team regular football at his Club.

Our League is not international-friendly. We play in the summer when the World Cup* & European Championships* are on and we are on holiers when Rihard Dunne and Robbie Keane are getting into the swing of things.

If Jason Byrne gets bunked up to First Choice striker, $hel$ would go cracked because he would miss games for them while he is at training camp in Portugal or better still, leading the Rep of Ireland to World Cup glory. And when Jayo is off for the EL four month winter break, Steve Staunton will be forced to pick Richie Foran because Byrne is shopping with the missus in Liffey Valley.

* OK, so the EL takes a little summer break so we can watch the World Cup on TV.

utter garbage. games are postponed from time to time for international call ups like in any other league. uninformed drivel

**Paddyfield** · 14/05/2006, 8:13 PM

Originally Posted by Roverstillidie

utter garbage. games are postponed from time to time for international call ups like in any other league. uninformed drivel

So how will the likes of Jason Byrne expect to get a call up to the Rep of Ireland senior squad in February when the EL closes down in November until March? He wouldn't be match fit!

**Roverstillidie** · 14/05/2006, 8:16 PM

Originally Posted by Paddyfield

So how will the likes of Jason Byrne expect to get a call up to the Rep of Ireland senior squad in February when the EL closes down in November until March? He wouldn't be match fit!

yet somehow the russians, ukranians and scandanavians soldier on.