March 2nd
To walk out onto the Croke Park pitch in front of a crowd of 76,000 wearing an Ireland shirt will be a lifelong dream for Paul McShane.
The Wicklow-born defender hopes to fulfill that dream when Ireland play Wales in the first-ever soccer match at Croke Park next month.
Speaking to The Irish Post this week the talented defender said: "I'm a big Gaelic football fan. I've played it a lot and my dad was a steward at Croke Park.
"He used to take me and my brother to Croke Park every week when the Gaelic was on. I saw Dublin win the All-Ireland in 1995."
McShane's career has taken a huge leap in the last few months from reserve-team football at Manchester United to Championship promotion contender with West Brom.
The Kilpedder youngster has become a first-team regular for the Baggies while also winning two caps for Ireland and a place forever in the nation's hearts after his memorable debut against the Czech Republic in October.
"It was a shock to be called up," said the 6ft defender who turned 21 in January. "Stan pulled me to one side before the Cyprus game and said you are not on the bench because we want some cover for full-back - that is the only reason.
"But to be fair I was happy anyway to travel to Cyprus as that was my first trip with the seniors - but my chance came sooner than I expected."
The confident youngster was outstanding on the pitch on his debut but ruffled a few feathers off it. In the Lansdowne Road dressing rooms at half-time against the Czech Republic McShane demanded more from his teammates. He didn't care if he upset a few senior squad members by speaking his mind.
He said: "I say my stuff in the dressing room - I'm an honest guy. I just let my feelings be heard. "They probably didn't like it but I'm not that fussed about it. If people don't want to hear what I've got to say fine - I'm not that bothered but I will say what I've got to say.
"I've learned over the last couple of years not to worry about things."
Following the heavy defeat to Cyprus preparations for McShane's debut were not ideal. He said: "Some of the media were ripping Stan apart.
"On the way to the Czech game some of the fans were booing the team bus.
"That's not good - but you just have to get on with it." McShane is delighted that his childhood friend Andy Keogh has also been called up to the Ireland squad.
He said: "I've played in the same teams with Andy since I was at St. Josephs under-12s.
"Our parents are quite close and I've been on trials to a few clubs with him. We've been mates for a good while. The manager of our team, Liam Brown, must be quite proud to have two players with international call-ups."
Keogh joined West Brom's fierce rivals Wolverhampton Wanderers in January and in his first press conference told the assembled scribes that he regretted not being able to make his debut in the Black Country derby the previous weekend as he would have kicked McShane around the park.
The Wicklow man laughed off any such suggestions. He said: "He fancies himself a little bit I think. He's a great lad and it is obvious he has a good sense of humour - a very good sense of humour.
........................................................
The FAI today welcomed the decision of the GAA to grant permission for the staging of Ireland home International matches at Croke Park in 2008.
Commenting on the decision, FAI Chief Executive Officer John Delaney
said the decision was very welcome and expressed the Association’s gratitude. “The GAA have been extremely accommodating in granting permission for the playing of our matches in 2008,”Delaney said. .
“We’d like to thank Nickey Brennan, Liam Mulvihill, Danny Lynch and the GAA Central Council members for facilitating our request to stage our games at Croke Park in 2008 – the decision is very much appreciated”, he added.
........................................................
Two superb Robbie Keane volleys set up a derby win over Fulham as Tottenham reached the FA Cup quarter-finals.
Keane first struck in the sixth minute, powering a shot past Jan Lastuvka after Mido had headed the ball on.
Robbie's first
The Spurs striker's second goal also stemmed from a Mido header but this time Keane's volley was even better.
Robbie's second
Keane capped a fine performance by setting up the fourth, flicking on for Berbatov, who proceeded to gently chip the ball over the Fulham keeper.
The Ireland star was also involved in Montella's sending off after the former Roma striker raised his arm
.................................................................................
“Our focus now is on the upcoming matches against Wales and Slovakia as we continue the preparations with Peter McKenna and his team who have worked in great partnership with us in the build up to the March games,” Delaney added.
Manager, Stephen Staunton, also welcomed the announcement in relation to Croke Park.
Commenting on the decision, Staunton said that he was delighted that the 2008 matches are also set to take place in Croke Park.
“It is a fantastic venue and I know that the players will relish the prospect of our games taking place in such a world class stadium,” he said. “The March games are in everyone’s focus and the players are really looking forward to both games next month,” he added
..................................................................................
To quote from today's foot.ie thread regarding the latest FIFA rankings. Ireland 46th - North 49th.
From Wolfie
As Jackie Fullerton, BBC NI has often said - "The glory days are back!!".
Jackie Fullerton is an arse and his son Darren is a bigger prat.
Not sure what his day job is, but he writes an article for the Northern version of the Daily Mirror on a Tuesday. Darren thinks Darron Gibson and the other Northern lads playing for Ireland
From yesterday’s contribution “ When your holding out on Stephen Ireland, Anthony Stokes, Paul McShane, Stephen Quinn, Stephen Hunt & Shane Long as some form of golden generation, you truly are clutching at shillelaghs”
Personally, I think most of those named above have potentially, a great future (once Stan goes) and with most of them playing regular premiership football I would be a hell of a lot more confident than Darren’s teams future success, most of whom play in the lower divisions in England and with the few premiership players in the squad, like Davis & Hughes lucky to make the Villa Subs bench on a weekly basis, I think they will be lucky to see to many more seasons of top flight football.
Leaving aside the shillelagh remark, Darren & Jackie need to be retired and a less partisan attitude adopted by (some) within the media in the north who realise that a big proportion of ‘us’ support Ireland
Just to update Darren’s quote from his article yesterday “Today? Ireland Uzbekistan Ghana Tunisia Mali Cuba Iran
Well, Darren O’ Fullerton, begorrah, just to update you on today’s rankings,us Belfast/Derry/Newry/Lurgan/Enniskillen/Omagh/Downpatrick/Portadown/Armagh/Coleraine boys are ranked 46th & the North are ranked 49th, so while we are both still ranked below, Ghana, Tunisia, Mali, Chile & Iran, at least we have both moved above Cuba & Uzbekistan.
What a success for football in Ireland !!!
............................................
The Ireland Under-21 squad will face England, Portugal, Bulgaria and Montenegro in the UEFA European Championship qualification series for the 2009 finals after the draw was made today in Stockholm.
The group games will be played from June 2007 until September 2008 with the ten group winners and four best-placed runners-up then competing in seven play-off ties. The winners of those games will join hosts Sweden in the final tournament.
Ireland manager? Don Givens admits that his charges have a challenging task ahead of them in their forthcoming Group Three campaign and said the match with England will be of particular interest.
“This is as difficult a group as they come,” he said. “Top seeds in the group, Portugal, have a tremendous track record at underage level and Bulgaria are traditionally strong.
“It is the first time that Montenegro have entered the competition and that’s the only reason they are bottom seed. We know they have good players and they could be the surprise packet in the group.
“Clearly, England is the big draw for us,” Givens continued. “They bring an enormous interest to the group because of the sporting rivalry between Ireland and England.”
Givens will continue his preparations for the qualifiers later this month when his 20-man squad travel to defend the Madeira tournament trophy they won last February.
Ireland will play three matches against Slovakia (February 27th), Madeira (February 28th) and Portugal (March 2nd).
Included in the squad is Sunderland’s 18-year old striker Anthony Stokes, who won his first senior cap last week against San Marino as a second half substitute.
Stephen Quinn was another uncapped player selected for the Ireland senior squad for the matches against San Marino and he receives his first call-up to the Under-21 panel.
Kilmarnock defender Ryan O’Leary has been drafted back into the Irish set-up after previously earning caps at Under-17 level. Ryan is the son of former Glasgow Celtic defender, Pierce O’Leary, the winner of seven caps for Ireland.
Bohemians duo John-Paul Kelly and Conor Powell - both of whom played for the Ireland Under-21 team in the 2-0 win against Luxembourg last October - are the two home-based players chosen.
Don Givens commented: “The Madeira tournament is an ideal build-up to the qualification matches ahead of us later in the year. We have played in the tournament in recent years and aside from our success in winning the trophy twice, quite often players have used this as their platform to gain promotion to the senior squad.”
...........................................................
Sunderland manager Roy Keane was full of praise for his Coca-Cola Championship side as they continued their promotion push with a 2-0 success at Plymouth.
An inspired substitution by Keane - introducing Ireland striker Anthony Stokes in the 66th minute - proved a masterstroke.
Stokes, a £2million buy from Arsenal last month, scored with a brilliant angled drive on the run from 20 yards just three minutes after his introduction.
It was Stokes' first goal for the Black Cats, who doubled their lead when fellow striker David Connolly made it 2-0 in the 71st minute, rounding home goalkeeper Luke McCormick before slotting home.
Keane explained: "The opening goal was always going to be very important and Stokes took it really well.
"We knew once we scored Plymouth would have to come at us and maybe leave gaps and with the quality we have got, especially going forward, we could cause them problems.
"It's been a hectic month for Anthony, what with winning his first international cap and now getting his first goal for us.
"It always gives you a big lift to look around on the bench and see players like Anthony, Liam (Miller) and Grant (Leadbitter) on the bench behind you and raring to get on.
"Having players like that could make the difference come the end of the season - you never know."
Feb 6th
Two of Ireland’s senior squad members - John O’Shea and Paul McShane - were schooled through Manchester United’s academy and O’Shea believes that Darron Gibson will be the next Irishman to emerge from Old Trafford to become an international star.
O’Shea is set to win his 36th senior cap for the Republic of Ireland’s in Wednesday’s EURO 2008 qualifying match against San Marino at the Serravalle Stadium (kick-off 7.45pm, Irish time) but it’s the first call-up to the national squad for 19-year old Gibson.
Derry native Gibson featured for Ireland’s U19 team during the 2005/6 season and played in the ‘B’ international against Scotland in November 2006.
He is spending this season on loan at Belgian second division side Royal Antwerp, United’s feeder club where O’Shea also had a four-month loan stint in 2001.
McShane underwent a similar upbringing at United but only gained international recognition when he left Old Trafford for West Bromwich Albion in August 2006.
Ireland manager Stephen Staunton handed McShane his senior debut at centre-back against the Czech Republic and O’Shea feels that Gibson has the ability to follow the trend of his United predecessors.
“I’ve seen first-hand at United how good Darron is and he’s a huge asset to our international team,” said O’Shea.
“He has a big presence in midfield, is someone with a great strike of the ball and all he needs now is a break. He came away with our first-team for the pre-season tour of South Africa and is helping Royal Antwerp’s push for promotion towards the Belgian First Division.
“You never know; if someone gets an injury with Ireland, he could get into the team and I’ve no doubt he won’t let anyone down.
...............................
Celtic & Ireland winger Aiden McGeady has agreed a new four-and-a-half-year contract extension at Parkhead.
The 20-year-old Ireland international had more than a year remaining on his pre-existing deal.
However, following Shaun Maloney's recent transfer to Aston Villa, Celtic were keen to extend McGeady's stay.
Speaking to the official club website, McGeady said: "I'm delighted to agree this new contract with Celtic and commit my future to the club."
McGeady insisted that his decision to extend his Celtic stay had nothing to do with the departure of former jersey rival Shaun Maloney.
"To be honest, it didn't really play a big part because players make their own decisions," he said.
"Shaun maybe thought that his time at Celtic had turned him into a better player and it was the right time to go to England.
"I wish him all the best but even if Shaun had stayed I would have still been here fighting for a place in the team."
Celtic manager Gordon Strachan was delighted to have secured the Ireland international on a long term deal.
"It's a strong commitment from both sides," he said.
"Aiden is showing trust in us to look after him and we trust him because we believe he has got a lot to offer.
"There is still a lot of work to be done with him.
"That will be a great challenge for Aiden, myself and the rest of the coaching staff but he is going to be a great asset."
Aidan will miss Ireland's qualifier tomorrow night because of injury
feb 7th
Manager Steve Staunton believes Ireland have an exciting future ahead after naming a youthful squad to face San Marino on Wednesday.
Injuries to Republic's senior players forced Staunton to name seven uncapped, young players in his squad for the Group D Euro 2008 qualifier.
Staunton said: "The younger lads have surprised the seniors with their performances and quality in training.
"These are exciting times and we knew this would happen."
Stephen Hunt, Darren Gibson, Stephen Quinn, Anthony Stokes, Andy Keogh and Darren Randolph will all compete for a place on the Republic of Ireland bench, while 19-year-old Shane Long makes his debut up front.
And Staunton believes the current crop of emerging stars will be regulars in the squad in a year's time.
He added: "They are young lads and it's going to take another 12 months before we see their true potential coming through on a consistent basis.
"But at least we know the talent is there. We've a lot of players around the same age group and playing at the same level, so time will tell."
Staunton remains cautious ahead of Wednesday's clash despite San Marino losing all 37 of their previous European Championship matches and conceded 168 goals in the process, including a 5-0 defeat to the Republic last November.
He said: "They're going to be difficult.
"We have to start quick, be patient, use our heads and ability on the ball to break them down because we know what way they're going to play.
"I hope they come out and play. That will make life easier for Robbie and Shane, but I don't see it.
"To be fair they do work hard and they will keep going for as long as they can, but we don't need to give them any encouragement."
March 2nd
To walk out onto the Croke Park pitch in front of a crowd of 76,000 wearing an Ireland shirt will be a lifelong dream for Paul McShane.
The Wicklow-born defender hopes to fulfill that dream when Ireland play Wales in the first-ever soccer match at Croke Park next month.
Speaking to The Irish Post this week the talented defender said: "I'm a big Gaelic football fan. I've played it a lot and my dad was a steward at Croke Park.
"He used to take me and my brother to Croke Park every week when the Gaelic was on. I saw Dublin win the All-Ireland in 1995."
McShane's career has taken a huge leap in the last few months from reserve-team football at Manchester United to Championship promotion contender with West Brom.
The Kilpedder youngster has become a first-team regular for the Baggies while also winning two caps for Ireland and a place forever in the nation's hearts after his memorable debut against the Czech Republic in October.
"It was a shock to be called up," said the 6ft defender who turned 21 in January. "Stan pulled me to one side before the Cyprus game and said you are not on the bench because we want some cover for full-back - that is the only reason.
"But to be fair I was happy anyway to travel to Cyprus as that was my first trip with the seniors - but my chance came sooner than I expected."
The confident youngster was outstanding on the pitch on his debut but ruffled a few feathers off it. In the Lansdowne Road dressing rooms at half-time against the Czech Republic McShane demanded more from his teammates. He didn't care if he upset a few senior squad members by speaking his mind.
He said: "I say my stuff in the dressing room - I'm an honest guy. I just let my feelings be heard. "They probably didn't like it but I'm not that fussed about it. If people don't want to hear what I've got to say fine - I'm not that bothered but I will say what I've got to say.
"I've learned over the last couple of years not to worry about things."
Following the heavy defeat to Cyprus preparations for McShane's debut were not ideal. He said: "Some of the media were ripping Stan apart.
"On the way to the Czech game some of the fans were booing the team bus.
"That's not good - but you just have to get on with it." McShane is delighted that his childhood friend Andy Keogh has also been called up to the Ireland squad.
He said: "I've played in the same teams with Andy since I was at St. Josephs under-12s.
"Our parents are quite close and I've been on trials to a few clubs with him. We've been mates for a good while. The manager of our team, Liam Brown, must be quite proud to have two players with international call-ups."
Keogh joined West Brom's fierce rivals Wolverhampton Wanderers in January and in his first press conference told the assembled scribes that he regretted not being able to make his debut in the Black Country derby the previous weekend as he would have kicked McShane around the park.
The Wicklow man laughed off any such suggestions. He said: "He fancies himself a little bit I think. He's a great lad and it is obvious he has a good sense of humour - a very good sense of humour.
........................................................
The FAI today welcomed the decision of the GAA to grant permission for the staging of Ireland home International matches at Croke Park in 2008.
Commenting on the decision, FAI Chief Executive Officer John Delaney said the decision was very welcome and expressed the Association’s gratitude. “The GAA have been extremely accommodating in granting permission for the playing of our matches in 2008,”Delaney said. .
“We’d like to thank Nickey Brennan, Liam Mulvihill, Danny Lynch and the GAA Central Council members for facilitating our request to stage our games at Croke Park in 2008 – the decision is very much appreciated”, he added.
........................................................
Two superb Robbie Keane volleys set up a derby win over Fulham as Tottenham reached the FA Cup quarter-finals.
Keane first struck in the sixth minute, powering a shot past Jan Lastuvka after Mido had headed the ball on.
Robbie's first
The Spurs striker's second goal also stemmed from a Mido header but this time Keane's volley was even better.
Robbie's second
Keane capped a fine performance by setting up the fourth, flicking on for Berbatov, who proceeded to gently chip the ball over the Fulham keeper.
The Ireland star was also involved in Montella's sending off after the former Roma striker raised his arm
.................................................................................
“Our focus now is on the upcoming matches against Wales and Slovakia as we continue the preparations with Peter McKenna and his team who have worked in great partnership with us in the build up to the March games,” Delaney added.
Manager, Stephen Staunton, also welcomed the announcement in relation to Croke Park.
Commenting on the decision, Staunton said that he was delighted that the 2008 matches are also set to take place in Croke Park.
“It is a fantastic venue and I know that the players will relish the prospect of our games taking place in such a world class stadium,” he said. “The March games are in everyone’s focus and the players are really looking forward to both games next month,” he added
..................................................................................
To quote from today's foot.ie thread regarding the latest FIFA rankings. Ireland 46th - North 49th.
From Wolfie
As Jackie Fullerton, BBC NI has often said - "The glory days are back!!".
Jackie Fullerton is an arse and his son Darren is a bigger prat.
Not sure what his day job is, but he writes an article for the Northern version of the Daily Mirror on a Tuesday. Darren thinks Darron Gibson and the other Northern lads playing for Ireland
From yesterday’s contribution “ When your holding out on Stephen Ireland, Anthony Stokes, Paul McShane, Stephen Quinn, Stephen Hunt & Shane Long as some form of golden generation, you truly are clutching at shillelaghs”
Personally, I think most of those named above have potentially, a great future (once Stan goes) and with most of them playing regular premiership football I would be a hell of a lot more confident than Darren’s teams future success, most of whom play in the lower divisions in England and with the few premiership players in the squad, like Davis & Hughes lucky to make the Villa Subs bench on a weekly basis, I think they will be lucky to see to many more seasons of top flight football.
Leaving aside the shillelagh remark, Darren & Jackie need to be retired and a less partisan attitude adopted by (some) within the media in the north who realise that a big proportion of ‘us’ support Ireland
Just to update Darren’s quote from his article yesterday “Today? Ireland Uzbekistan Ghana Tunisia Mali Cuba Iran
Well, Darren O’ Fullerton, begorrah, just to update you on today’s rankings,us Belfast/Derry/Newry/Lurgan/Enniskillen/Omagh/Downpatrick/Portadown/Armagh/Coleraine boys are ranked 46th & the North are ranked 49th, so while we are both still ranked below, Ghana, Tunisia, Mali, Chile & Iran, at least we have both moved above Cuba & Uzbekistan.
What a success for football in Ireland !!!
............................................
The Ireland Under-21 squad will face England, Portugal, Bulgaria and Montenegro in the UEFA European Championship qualification series for the 2009 finals after the draw was made today in Stockholm.
The group games will be played from June 2007 until September 2008 with the ten group winners and four best-placed runners-up then competing in seven play-off ties. The winners of those games will join hosts Sweden in the final tournament.
Ireland manager? Don Givens admits that his charges have a challenging task ahead of them in their forthcoming Group Three campaign and said the match with England will be of particular interest.
“This is as difficult a group as they come,” he said. “Top seeds in the group, Portugal, have a tremendous track record at underage level and Bulgaria are traditionally strong.
“It is the first time that Montenegro have entered the competition and that’s the only reason they are bottom seed. We know they have good players and they could be the surprise packet in the group.
“Clearly, England is the big draw for us,” Givens continued. “They bring an enormous interest to the group because of the sporting rivalry between Ireland and England.”
Givens will continue his preparations for the qualifiers later this month when his 20-man squad travel to defend the Madeira tournament trophy they won last February.
Ireland will play three matches against Slovakia (February 27th), Madeira (February 28th) and Portugal (March 2nd).
Included in the squad is Sunderland’s 18-year old striker Anthony Stokes, who won his first senior cap last week against San Marino as a second half substitute.
Stephen Quinn was another uncapped player selected for the Ireland senior squad for the matches against San Marino and he receives his first call-up to the Under-21 panel.
Kilmarnock defender Ryan O’Leary has been drafted back into the Irish set-up after previously earning caps at Under-17 level. Ryan is the son of former Glasgow Celtic defender, Pierce O’Leary, the winner of seven caps for Ireland.
Bohemians duo John-Paul Kelly and Conor Powell - both of whom played for the Ireland Under-21 team in the 2-0 win against Luxembourg last October - are the two home-based players chosen.
Don Givens commented: “The Madeira tournament is an ideal build-up to the qualification matches ahead of us later in the year. We have played in the tournament in recent years and aside from our success in winning the trophy twice, quite often players have used this as their platform to gain promotion to the senior squad.”
...........................................................
Sunderland manager Roy Keane was full of praise for his Coca-Cola Championship side as they continued their promotion push with a 2-0 success at Plymouth.
An inspired substitution by Keane - introducing Ireland striker Anthony Stokes in the 66th minute - proved a masterstroke.
Stokes, a £2million buy from Arsenal last month, scored with a brilliant angled drive on the run from 20 yards just three minutes after his introduction.
It was Stokes' first goal for the Black Cats, who doubled their lead when fellow striker David Connolly made it 2-0 in the 71st minute, rounding home goalkeeper Luke McCormick before slotting home.
Keane explained: "The opening goal was always going to be very important and Stokes took it really well.
"We knew once we scored Plymouth would have to come at us and maybe leave gaps and with the quality we have got, especially going forward, we could cause them problems.
"It's been a hectic month for Anthony, what with winning his first international cap and now getting his first goal for us.
"It always gives you a big lift to look around on the bench and see players like Anthony, Liam (Miller) and Grant (Leadbitter) on the bench behind you and raring to get on.
"Having players like that could make the difference come the end of the season - you never know."
March 2nd
To walk out onto the Croke Park pitch in front of a crowd of 76,000 wearing an Ireland shirt will be a lifelong dream for Paul McShane.
The Wicklow-born defender hopes to fulfill that dream when Ireland play Wales in the first-ever soccer match at Croke Park next month.
Speaking to The Irish Post this week the talented defender said: "I'm a big Gaelic football fan. I've played it a lot and my dad was a steward at Croke Park.
"He used to take me and my brother to Croke Park every week when the Gaelic was on. I saw Dublin win the All-Ireland in 1995."
McShane's career has taken a huge leap in the last few months from reserve-team football at Manchester United to Championship promotion contender with West Brom.
The Kilpedder youngster has become a first-team regular for the Baggies while also winning two caps for Ireland and a place forever in the nation's hearts after his memorable debut against the Czech Republic in October.
"It was a shock to be called up," said the 6ft defender who turned 21 in January. "Stan pulled me to one side before the Cyprus game and said you are not on the bench because we want some cover for full-back - that is the only reason.
"But to be fair I was happy anyway to travel to Cyprus as that was my first trip with the seniors - but my chance came sooner than I expected."
The confident youngster was outstanding on the pitch on his debut but ruffled a few feathers off it. In the Lansdowne Road dressing rooms at half-time against the Czech Republic McShane demanded more from his teammates. He didn't care if he upset a few senior squad members by speaking his mind.
He said: "I say my stuff in the dressing room - I'm an honest guy. I just let my feelings be heard. "They probably didn't like it but I'm not that fussed about it. If people don't want to hear what I've got to say fine - I'm not that bothered but I will say what I've got to say.
"I've learned over the last couple of years not to worry about things."
Following the heavy defeat to Cyprus preparations for McShane's debut were not ideal. He said: "Some of the media were ripping Stan apart.
"On the way to the Czech game some of the fans were booing the team bus.
"That's not good - but you just have to get on with it." McShane is delighted that his childhood friend Andy Keogh has also been called up to the Ireland squad.
He said: "I've played in the same teams with Andy since I was at St. Josephs under-12s.
"Our parents are quite close and I've been on trials to a few clubs with him. We've been mates for a good while. The manager of our team, Liam Brown, must be quite proud to have two players with international call-ups."
Keogh joined West Brom's fierce rivals Wolverhampton Wanderers in January and in his first press conference told the assembled scribes that he regretted not being able to make his debut in the Black Country derby the previous weekend as he would have kicked McShane around the park.
The Wicklow man laughed off any such suggestions. He said: "He fancies himself a little bit I think. He's a great lad and it is obvious he has a good sense of humour - a very good sense of humour.
........................................................
The FAI today welcomed the decision of the GAA to grant permission for the staging of Ireland home International matches at Croke Park in 2008.
Commenting on the decision, FAI Chief Executive Officer John Delaney said the decision was very welcome and expressed the Association’s gratitude. “The GAA have been extremely accommodating in granting permission for the playing of our matches in 2008,”Delaney said. .
“We’d like to thank Nickey Brennan, Liam Mulvihill, Danny Lynch and the GAA Central Council members for facilitating our request to stage our games at Croke Park in 2008 – the decision is very much appreciated”, he added.
........................................................
Two superb Robbie Keane volleys set up a derby win over Fulham as Tottenham reached the FA Cup quarter-finals.
Keane first struck in the sixth minute, powering a shot past Jan Lastuvka after Mido had headed the ball on.
Robbie's first
The Spurs striker's second goal also stemmed from a Mido header but this time Keane's volley was even better.
Robbie's second
Keane capped a fine performance by setting up the fourth, flicking on for Berbatov, who proceeded to gently chip the ball over the Fulham keeper.
The Ireland star was also involved in Montella's sending off after the former Roma striker raised his arm
.................................................................................
“Our focus now is on the upcoming matches against Wales and Slovakia as we continue the preparations with Peter McKenna and his team who have worked in great partnership with us in the build up to the March games,” Delaney added.
Manager, Stephen Staunton, also welcomed the announcement in relation to Croke Park.
Commenting on the decision, Staunton said that he was delighted that the 2008 matches are also set to take place in Croke Park.
“It is a fantastic venue and I know that the players will relish the prospect of our games taking place in such a world class stadium,” he said. “The March games are in everyone’s focus and the players are really looking forward to both games next month,” he added
March 2nd
To walk out onto the Croke Park pitch in front of a crowd of 76,000 wearing an Ireland shirt will be a lifelong dream for Paul McShane.
The Wicklow-born defender hopes to fulfill that dream when Ireland play Wales in the first-ever soccer match at Croke Park next month.
Speaking to The Irish Post this week the talented defender said: "I'm a big Gaelic football fan. I've played it a lot and my dad was a steward at Croke Park.
"He used to take me and my brother to Croke Park every week when the Gaelic was on. I saw Dublin win the All-Ireland in 1995."
McShane's career has taken a huge leap in the last few months from reserve-team football at Manchester United to Championship promotion contender with West Brom.
The Kilpedder youngster has become a first-team regular for the Baggies while also winning two caps for Ireland and a place forever in the nation's hearts after his memorable debut against the Czech Republic in October.
"It was a shock to be called up," said the 6ft defender who turned 21 in January. "Stan pulled me to one side before the Cyprus game and said you are not on the bench because we want some cover for full-back - that is the only reason.
"But to be fair I was happy anyway to travel to Cyprus as that was my first trip with the seniors - but my chance came sooner than I expected."
The confident youngster was outstanding on the pitch on his debut but ruffled a few feathers off it. In the Lansdowne Road dressing rooms at half-time against the Czech Republic McShane demanded more from his teammates. He didn't care if he upset a few senior squad members by speaking his mind.
He said: "I say my stuff in the dressing room - I'm an honest guy. I just let my feelings be heard. "They probably didn't like it but I'm not that fussed about it. If people don't want to hear what I've got to say fine - I'm not that bothered but I will say what I've got to say.
"I've learned over the last couple of years not to worry about things."
Following the heavy defeat to Cyprus preparations for McShane's debut were not ideal. He said: "Some of the media were ripping Stan apart.
"On the way to the Czech game some of the fans were booing the team bus.
"That's not good - but you just have to get on with it." McShane is delighted that his childhood friend Andy Keogh has also been called up to the Ireland squad.
He said: "I've played in the same teams with Andy since I was at St. Josephs under-12s.
"Our parents are quite close and I've been on trials to a few clubs with him. We've been mates for a good while. The manager of our team, Liam Brown, must be quite proud to have two players with international call-ups."
Keogh joined West Brom's fierce rivals Wolverhampton Wanderers in January and in his first press conference told the assembled scribes that he regretted not being able to make his debut in the Black Country derby the previous weekend as he would have kicked McShane around the park.
The Wicklow man laughed off any such suggestions. He said: "He fancies himself a little bit I think. He's a great lad and it is obvious he has a good sense of humour - a very good sense of humour.
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The FAI today welcomed the decision of the GAA to grant permission for the staging of Ireland home International matches at Croke Park in 2008.
Commenting on the decision, FAI Chief Executive Officer John Delaney said the decision was very welcome and expressed the Association’s gratitude. “The GAA have been extremely accommodating in granting permission for the playing of our matches in 2008,”Delaney said. .
“We’d like to thank Nickey Brennan, Liam Mulvihill, Danny Lynch and the GAA Central Council members for facilitating our request to stage our games at Croke Park in 2008 – the decision is very much appreciated”, he added.
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Two superb Robbie Keane volleys set up a derby win over Fulham as Tottenham reached the FA Cup quarter-finals.
Keane first struck in the sixth minute, powering a shot past Jan Lastuvka after Mido had headed the ball on.
Robbie's first
The Spurs striker's second goal also stemmed from a Mido header but this time Keane's volley was even better.
Robbie's second
Keane capped a fine performance by setting up the fourth, flicking on for Berbatov, who proceeded to gently chip the ball over the Fulham keeper.
The Ireland star was also involved in Montella's sending off after the former Roma striker raised his arm
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“Our focus now is on the upcoming matches against Wales and Slovakia as we continue the preparations with Peter McKenna and his team who have worked in great partnership with us in the build up to the March games,” Delaney added.
Manager, Stephen Staunton, also welcomed the announcement in relation to Croke Park.
Commenting on the decision, Staunton said that he was delighted that the 2008 matches are also set to take place in Croke Park.
“It is a fantastic venue and I know that the players will relish the prospect of our games taking place in such a world class stadium,” he said. “The March games are in everyone’s focus and the players are really looking forward to both games next month,” he added
The Wicklow-born defender hopes to fulfill that dream when Ireland play Wales in the first-ever soccer match at Croke Park next month.
Speaking to The Irish Post this week the talented defender said: "I'm a big Gaelic football fan. I've played it a lot and my dad was a steward at Croke Park.
"He used to take me and my brother to Croke Park every week when the Gaelic was on. I saw Dublin win the All-Ireland in 1995."
McShane's career has taken a huge leap in the last few months from reserve-team football at Manchester United to Championship promotion contender with West Brom.
The Kilpedder youngster has become a first-team regular for the Baggies while also winning two caps for Ireland and a place forever in the nation's hearts after his memorable debut against the Czech Republic in October.
"It was a shock to be called up," said the 6ft defender who turned 21 in January. "Stan pulled me to one side before the Cyprus game and said you are not on the bench because we want some cover for full-back - that is the only reason.
"But to be fair I was happy anyway to travel to Cyprus as that was my first trip with the seniors - but my chance came sooner than I expected."
The confident youngster was outstanding on the pitch on his debut but ruffled a few feathers off it. In the Lansdowne Road dressing rooms at half-time against the Czech Republic McShane demanded more from his teammates. He didn't care if he upset a few senior squad members by speaking his mind.
He said: "I say my stuff in the dressing room - I'm an honest guy. I just let my feelings be heard. "They probably didn't like it but I'm not that fussed about it. If people don't want to hear what I've got to say fine - I'm not that bothered but I will say what I've got to say.
"I've learned over the last couple of years not to worry about things."
Following the heavy defeat to Cyprus preparations for McShane's debut were not ideal. He said: "Some of the media were ripping Stan apart.
"On the way to the Czech game some of the fans were booing the team bus.
"That's not good - but you just have to get on with it." McShane is delighted that his childhood friend Andy Keogh has also been called up to the Ireland squad.
He said: "I've played in the same teams with Andy since I was at St. Josephs under-12s.
"Our parents are quite close and I've been on trials to a few clubs with him. We've been mates for a good while. The manager of our team, Liam Brown, must be quite proud to have two players with international call-ups."
Keogh joined West Brom's fierce rivals Wolverhampton Wanderers in January and in his first press conference told the assembled scribes that he regretted not being able to make his debut in the Black Country derby the previous weekend as he would have kicked McShane around the park.
The Wicklow man laughed off any such suggestions. He said: "He fancies himself a little bit I think. He's a great lad and it is obvious he has a good sense of humour - a very good sense of humour.
said the decision was very welcome and expressed the Association’s gratitude. “The GAA have been extremely accommodating in granting permission for the playing of our matches in 2008,”Delaney said. .Two superb Robbie Keane volleys set up a derby win over Fulham as Tottenham reached the FA Cup quarter-finals.
Manager, Stephen Staunton, also welcomed the announcement in relation to Croke Park.
Commenting on the decision, Staunton said that he was delighted that the 2008 matches are also set to take place in Croke Park.
“It is a fantastic venue and I know that the players will relish the prospect of our games taking place in such a world class stadium,” he said. “The March games are in everyone’s focus and the players are really looking forward to both games next month,” he added
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To quote from today's foot.ie thread regarding the latest FIFA rankings. Ireland 46th - North 49th.
From Wolfie
As Jackie Fullerton, BBC NI has often said - "The glory days are back!!".
Jackie Fullerton is an arse and his son Darren is a bigger prat.
Not sure what his day job is, but he writes an article for the Northern version of the Daily Mirror on a Tuesday. Darren thinks Darron Gibson and the other Northern lads playing for Ireland
From yesterday’s contribution “ When your holding out on Stephen Ireland, Anthony Stokes, Paul McShane, Stephen Quinn, Stephen Hunt & Shane Long as some form of golden generation, you truly are clutching at shillelaghs”
Personally, I think most of those named above have potentially, a great future (once Stan goes) and with most of them playing regular premiership football I would be a hell of a lot more confident than Darren’s teams future success, most of whom play in the lower divisions in England and with the few premiership players in the squad, like Davis & Hughes lucky to make the Villa Subs bench on a weekly basis, I think they will be lucky to see to many more seasons of top flight football.
Leaving aside the shillelagh remark, Darren & Jackie need to be retired and a less partisan attitude adopted by (some) within the media in the north who realise that a big proportion of ‘us’ support Ireland
Just to update Darren’s quote from his article yesterday “Today? Ireland Uzbekistan Ghana Tunisia Mali Cuba Iran
Well, Darren O’ Fullerton, begorrah, just to update you on today’s rankings,us Belfast/Derry/Newry/Lurgan/Enniskillen/Omagh/Downpatrick/Portadown/Armagh/Coleraine boys are ranked 46th & the North are ranked 49th, so while we are both still ranked below, Ghana, Tunisia, Mali, Chile & Iran, at least we have both moved above Cuba & Uzbekistan.
What a success for football in Ireland !!!
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The Ireland Under-21 squad will face England, Portugal, Bulgaria and Montenegro in the UEFA European Championship qualification series for the 2009 finals after the draw was made today in Stockholm.
The group games will be played from June 2007 until September 2008 with the ten group winners and four best-placed runners-up then competing in seven play-off ties. The winners of those games will join hosts Sweden in the final tournament.
Ireland manager? Don Givens admits that his charges have a challenging task ahead of them in their forthcoming Group Three campaign and said the match with England will be of particular interest.
“This is as difficult a group as they come,” he said. “Top seeds in the group, Portugal, have a tremendous track record at underage level and Bulgaria are traditionally strong.
“It is the first time that Montenegro have entered the competition and that’s the only reason they are bottom seed. We know they have good players and they could be the surprise packet in the group.
“Clearly, England is the big draw for us,” Givens continued. “They bring an enormous interest to the group because of the sporting rivalry between Ireland and England.”
Givens will continue his preparations for the qualifiers later this month when his 20-man squad travel to defend the Madeira tournament trophy they won last February.
Ireland will play three matches against Slovakia (February 27th), Madeira (February 28th) and Portugal (March 2nd).
Included in the squad is Sunderland’s 18-year old striker Anthony Stokes, who won his first senior cap last week against San Marino as a second half substitute.
Stephen Quinn was another uncapped player selected for the Ireland senior squad for the matches against San Marino and he receives his first call-up to the Under-21 panel.
Kilmarnock defender Ryan O’Leary has been drafted back into the Irish set-up after previously earning caps at Under-17 level. Ryan is the son of former Glasgow Celtic defender, Pierce O’Leary, the winner of seven caps for Ireland.
Bohemians duo John-Paul Kelly and Conor Powell - both of whom played for the Ireland Under-21 team in the 2-0 win against Luxembourg last October - are the two home-based players chosen.
Don Givens commented: “The Madeira tournament is an ideal build-up to the qualification matches ahead of us later in the year. We have played in the tournament in recent years and aside from our success in winning the trophy twice, quite often players have used this as their platform to gain promotion to the senior squad.”
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Sunderland manager Roy Keane was full of praise for his Coca-Cola Championship side as they continued their promotion push with a 2-0 success at Plymouth.
An inspired substitution by Keane - introducing Ireland striker Anthony Stokes in the 66th minute - proved a masterstroke.
Stokes, a £2million buy from Arsenal last month, scored with a brilliant angled drive on the run from 20 yards just three minutes after his introduction.
It was Stokes' first goal for the Black Cats, who doubled their lead when fellow striker David Connolly made it 2-0 in the 71st minute, rounding home goalkeeper Luke McCormick before slotting home.
Keane explained: "The opening goal was always going to be very important and Stokes took it really well.
"We knew once we scored Plymouth would have to come at us and maybe leave gaps and with the quality we have got, especially going forward, we could cause them problems.
"It's been a hectic month for Anthony, what with winning his first international cap and now getting his first goal for us.
"It always gives you a big lift to look around on the bench and see players like Anthony, Liam (Miller) and Grant (Leadbitter) on the bench behind you and raring to get on.
"Having players like that could make the difference come the end of the season - you never know."
Feb 6th
Two of Ireland’s senior squad members - John O’Shea and Paul McShane - were schooled through Manchester United’s academy and O’Shea believes that Darron Gibson will be the next Irishman to emerge from Old Trafford to become an international star.
O’Shea is set to win his 36th senior cap for the Republic of Ireland’s in Wednesday’s EURO 2008 qualifying match against San Marino at the Serravalle Stadium (kick-off 7.45pm, Irish time) but it’s the first call-up to the national squad for 19-year old Gibson.
Derry native Gibson featured for Ireland’s U19 team during the 2005/6 season and played in the ‘B’ international against Scotland in November 2006.
He is spending this season on loan at Belgian second division side Royal Antwerp, United’s feeder club where O’Shea also had a four-month loan stint in 2001.
McShane underwent a similar upbringing at United but only gained international recognition when he left Old Trafford for West Bromwich Albion in August 2006.
Ireland manager Stephen Staunton handed McShane his senior debut at centre-back against the Czech Republic and O’Shea feels that Gibson has the ability to follow the trend of his United predecessors.
“I’ve seen first-hand at United how good Darron is and he’s a huge asset to our international team,” said O’Shea.
“He has a big presence in midfield, is someone with a great strike of the ball and all he needs now is a break. He came away with our first-team for the pre-season tour of South Africa and is helping Royal Antwerp’s push for promotion towards the Belgian First Division.
“You never know; if someone gets an injury with Ireland, he could get into the team and I’ve no doubt he won’t let anyone down.
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Celtic & Ireland winger Aiden McGeady has agreed a new four-and-a-half-year contract extension at Parkhead.
The 20-year-old Ireland international had more than a year remaining on his pre-existing deal.
However, following Shaun Maloney's recent transfer to Aston Villa, Celtic were keen to extend McGeady's stay.
Speaking to the official club website, McGeady said: "I'm delighted to agree this new contract with Celtic and commit my future to the club."
McGeady insisted that his decision to extend his Celtic stay had nothing to do with the departure of former jersey rival Shaun Maloney.
"To be honest, it didn't really play a big part because players make their own decisions," he said.
"Shaun maybe thought that his time at Celtic had turned him into a better player and it was the right time to go to England.
"I wish him all the best but even if Shaun had stayed I would have still been here fighting for a place in the team."
Celtic manager Gordon Strachan was delighted to have secured the Ireland international on a long term deal.
"It's a strong commitment from both sides," he said.
"Aiden is showing trust in us to look after him and we trust him because we believe he has got a lot to offer.
"There is still a lot of work to be done with him.
"That will be a great challenge for Aiden, myself and the rest of the coaching staff but he is going to be a great asset."
Aidan will miss Ireland's qualifier tomorrow night because of injury
Celtic & Ireland winger Aiden McGeady has agreed a new four-and-a-half-year contract extension at Parkhead.
The 20-year-old Ireland international had more than a year remaining on his pre-existing deal.
However, following Shaun Maloney's recent transfer to Aston Villa, Celtic were keen to extend McGeady's stay.
Speaking to the official club website, McGeady said: "I'm delighted to agree this new contract with Celtic and commit my future to the club."
McGeady insisted that his decision to extend his Celtic stay had nothing to do with the departure of former jersey rival Shaun Maloney.
"To be honest, it didn't really play a big part because players make their own decisions," he said.
"Shaun maybe thought that his time at Celtic had turned him into a better player and it was the right time to go to England.
"I wish him all the best but even if Shaun had stayed I would have still been here fighting for a place in the team."
Celtic manager Gordon Strachan was delighted to have secured the Ireland international on a long term deal.
"It's a strong commitment from both sides," he said.
"Aiden is showing trust in us to look after him and we trust him because we believe he has got a lot to offer.
"There is still a lot of work to be done with him.
"That will be a great challenge for Aiden, myself and the rest of the coaching staff but he is going to be a great asset."
Aidan will miss Ireland's qualifier tomorrow night because of injury
feb 7th
Manager Steve Staunton believes Ireland have an exciting future ahead after naming a youthful squad to face San Marino on Wednesday.
Injuries to Republic's senior players forced Staunton to name seven uncapped, young players in his squad for the Group D Euro 2008 qualifier.
Staunton said: "The younger lads have surprised the seniors with their performances and quality in training.
"These are exciting times and we knew this would happen."
Stephen Hunt, Darren Gibson, Stephen Quinn, Anthony Stokes, Andy Keogh and Darren Randolph will all compete for a place on the Republic of Ireland bench, while 19-year-old Shane Long makes his debut up front.
And Staunton believes the current crop of emerging stars will be regulars in the squad in a year's time.
He added: "They are young lads and it's going to take another 12 months before we see their true potential coming through on a consistent basis.
"But at least we know the talent is there. We've a lot of players around the same age group and playing at the same level, so time will tell."
Staunton remains cautious ahead of Wednesday's clash despite San Marino losing all 37 of their previous European Championship matches and conceded 168 goals in the process, including a 5-0 defeat to the Republic last November.
He said: "They're going to be difficult.
"We have to start quick, be patient, use our heads and ability on the ball to break them down because we know what way they're going to play.
"I hope they come out and play. That will make life easier for Robbie and Shane, but I don't see it.
"To be fair they do work hard and they will keep going for as long as they can, but we don't need to give them any encouragement."
Reading striker Shane Long will make his Ireland debut in the Euro 2008 qualifying clash against San Marino on Wednesday.
Royals team-mate Kevin Doyle and Sunderland's Stephen Elliott are injured, with Long preferred to Anthony Stokes up front with Robbie Keane.
Manchester City's Stephen Ireland wins only his third cap while Wayne Henderson replaces Shay Given in goal.
Ian Harte returns after missing the last five matches through injury.
Left-back Harte recently played 70 minutes against Athletic Bilbao for Levante and the full 90 minutes against Sevilla, setting up two goals.
The 29-year-old has only just returned for Levante, following five months on the sidelines recovering from surgery to remove a cyst.
Sunderland striker Stokes should take his place on the bench and could make his debut after being called into the squad for the first time.
Given's injury means that Preston's Wayne Henderson takes over the goalkeeping duties for his fourth cap.
Henderson started in the 1-1 draw against the Czech Republic when Given was again ruled out because of a knock.
Centre-back Richard Dunne picked up a problem over the weekend but will partner O'Shea in the heart of the defence.
Stephen Carr (thigh) and Jonathan Douglas (hamstring) pulled out of the squad on Monday with Luton's Kevin Foley called in to cover for Carr.
feb 11th
The Irish senior team are heading to America for two games this summer.
Stephen Staunton’s side will play South American sides Ecuador and Bolivia in New York and Boston in May.
Ireland will play Luis Súarez’s Ecuador side at the Giants Stadium in New York on Wednesday, May 23 and face Bolivia three days later, on Saturday, May 26, at the Gillette Stadium in Boston. The kick-off times will be announced later.
Ireland has only played Ecuador on one previous occasion which was in 1972 at the Brazil International Cup when Ireland beat their opponents 3-2.
The Irish have defeated Bolivia in both their previous meetings, the most recent being the 1996 U.S Cup game where Mick McCarthy’s side won 3-0.
Ecuador and Bolivia will see the fixtures as key preparation for the Copa América 2007 which takes place in Venezuela in July while Staunton sees it as the ideal end to the 2006-07 season.
“I am delighted to secure these two friendlies and both teams will provide us with an excellent test. It is also a great opportunity to get the lads together before the summer break and it is nice to give our many US based fans a chance to see the team in action,” said Staunton.
As well as the May friendlies, Ireland will also play Denmark on August 22 in Aarhus before recommencing their Euro 2008 campaign in September away to Slovakia and the Czech Republic.
feb 6th
Shane Long reflects on his unexpected life as a Premiership goalscorer and says "there are more good days than bad". The truth is more remarkable - there are more extraordinary days than ordinary ones. Last Tuesday was no exception.
In the afternoon, Long was named in Steve Staunton's squad for this week's game in San Marino. Later that evening he started for Reading in the Premiership and scored his third goal in as many home games. Long is half-way through his second season in English football; he only took the game up seriously seven years ago - "I would have played in the basketball court at school before that," he says - and he is now part of Reading's odyssey, less than three years since he began a scholarship with Cork City. There are many more good days than bad.
But Long's good fortune grew from personal tragedy. In 2003, his father Eamonn died suddenly. He had been his son's mentor as a sportsman. Long grew up in Gortnahoe, Co Tipperary playing all sports under the enthusiastic eye of his father. But this early grief, as it so often does, hardened Long for the struggles ahead. He may feel that the experience of playing in front of 70,000 at Croke Park as a 16-year-old prepared him for life in the Premiership, but responding as he has done to the loss of his father undoubtedly brought some inner strength.
Long had represented Ireland at under-age level in athletics, played badminton - a great love of his father's - but excelled at hurling. Last year Babs Keating described Long as "the one that got away", a comment that brought an easy smile to Long's face as he sat in the Madejski Hotel in Reading last Thursday, telling his remarkable story.
When the offer came to leave Tipperary and join Cork City in the summer of 2004, Long was compelled by the memory of his father as much as the desire to have no regrets to try something new.
"When I was younger he used to come to all the games and it was a bit of a shock when he passed away. It took me a while to get over it and stuff. That's why I went to Cork, I just had to kinda get away and give it a shot. He's been a big influence; I'd love if he was still here."
When he moved to Cork, his mother Ann went with him. With another son studying in the city, the Longs found it easy to set up home. Within a year, they would make an even more surprising move when mother and youngest son would pack up and head for Reading. Now Ann Long is the matriarch for the country boys at Reading. She cooked Christmas dinner for Long, Stephen Hunt and Kevin Doyle before they travelled to Stamford Bridge for the game against Chelsea on St Stephen's Day.
"My uncle rang up and asked her if she ever thought she'd be cooking Christmas dinner for three Irish internationals which made her think - the lads went off to Chelsea full anyway."
Doyle, Long and Hunt may represent the infiltration of football beyond its normal strongholds in Ireland and Long's story is the most astonishing. The parish of Gortnahoe & Glengoole is said - by Stephen Hunt most loudly according to Long - to be the model for D'Unbelievables' fictional Glengooley. When Long returned home there last summer, he was treated no differently than when he left, even if there were a few more people wearing Reading shirts.
He would have been a star of the Tipperary hurling side, but he is now the most famous name in the county, a footballing novice with a sporting pedigree.
Long began playing football when he was 13 with St Kevin's in Two Mile-Borris before moving to St Michael's in Tipperary town. He was playing hurling at the same time, starring in consecutive Munster finals where he scored 2-1 in both finals, but he was never going to turn down the football opportunity when Pat Dolan offered to take him to Cork.
"It was a big decision really because where I'm from it's all hurling, it's all you play, but I just thought about it a lot and I thought I don't want any regrets, I don't want to be thinking what could have been."
The hurling, he decided, was something he could return to while football offered one chance only. He took it and when, after only a year at Cork and the departure of Dolan, Reading offered him a move as part of the deal which took Doyle to the club, he was even more determined there would be no regrets.
Long, Doyle and Hunt arrived in the same summer and brought a different element to a typically cosmopolitan dressing room.
"I remember when we signed, we brought a few hurleys and sliotars into the training ground and the lads couldn't believe it was actually a game. They thought the keeper was all padded up like an ice hockey goalkeeper and all that sort of crack. It's strange for them not to know what it is when it's so natural to us. It's good to have a few Irish lads around so you can go for a puck around."
Hunt's reputation as a nifty corner-forward remains just that as he has yet to be seen in the occasional casual and non-contact games on the GAA pitch which Long's Reading flat overlooks - "I've never seen any hurling matches played there but when friends come over, we go out and have a puck around."
The intensity of hurling has prepared Long for Europe's fastest league, he says, but when you suggest a football injury must be preferable to one picked up in hurling, he disagrees.
"To be honest now, it's the other way round. Whatever happens insoccer, it's always muscle injuries and you can't do anything about it. In hurling it's just a bang, you grit you teeth and get on with it. In football, the muscle injuries are more annoying in a way."
There is a difference in ferocity though.
"I'd much rather come against Rio Ferdinand than O'Sullivan, the Cork full-back."
A thigh injury kept him out of last week's cup game and he needed a fitness test again before yesterday's game against Manchester City.
He doesn't want to stay out of this Reading side. Last summer, he returned to England and found out that Steve Coppell would not be signing another striker. His ambition then was to do enough so Coppell wouldn't want to sign a striker in January. Even after Doyle's injury last month, Coppell kept buying defenders. Long took his chance and appears relaxed in every game he plays. Why wouldn't I be, he asks?
"There's no pressure on me, the gaffer just said to me go out and do what you do. Even if I play badly or I play good he's the same manager to me. It's good to have that behind me. I know he's got faith in me be-cause he didn't buy anyone in. How could you not perform in a Premiership game? It's a dream come true, I'm up for every game. I really want to get out there and I'm enjoying it."
His trust in Coppell is clear. "He really loves the game and he knows so much about it. He tells you things, not obvious things but things that you wouldn't think of that make such a difference. I didn't grow up playing football, I don't have the background that some of the lads have and he just points out some things that make a difference to my game and it's good to have that knowledge around."
He will hope to travel to Rimini tomorrow and play some part against San Marino. He was sent off in an underage game last summer after his Turkish opponent claimed Long spat at him. Long was shocked when the linesman believed his opponent and the referee then sent him off. A five-game ban followed, but it has been served and it has been the only delay in his shooting-star career.
Last week, he was not even thinking about this Wednesday's game having been schooled by Coppell to look no further than the next match.
But a return to Croke Park where he was twice a beaten semi-finalist with Tipperary minors beckons in March. "It would be brilliant to get back there again," he says, and it would not be an improbable twist in the life story of Shane Long.
There have been moments when he's questioned his ability, he says, but the bad times don't last long.
"There are times when you have a bad game or when everything goes wrong when you think, 'Am I good enough at all?' The good days definitely outnumber the bad days though. I've been lucky the first season we won the championship, the second we're doing brilliantly in the Premiership. I haven't had a bad season yet so hopefully it continues."
His mother had planned to go home after his first season in the Premiership, but she likes it now and might stick around. "I'd recommend it to anyone," he says with a laugh. "She's the person on my shoulder, telling me all the right things to do."
He believes that his father is present too. "Before every game I say a prayer he used to say to me when I was a kid and it just gives me that boost and I know he's up there."
The Long family is enjoying life in Reading while the youngest son thrives in the Premiership. His mother, he jokes, is kept on her toes with all the visitors, but one day there will be a return to Gortnahoe.
The land is rented out, he says, but the home will always be there. "We'll end up there but we've time yet."
You know that Shane Long will make the most of that time.
Feb 7th
Eighteen awards were announced including the Senior Player accolade which was awarded to goalkeeper Shay Given for the second in year in a row.
The Young Player Award went to Kevin Doyle while Kevin Foley captured the Under 21 Player Award as John Paul Kelly picked up the Under 19 Award for his performance in this year’s UEFA Under 19 Championship qualifiers.
Former Ireland senior international and current Under 21 Manager, Don Givens entered the FAI Hall of Fame. Givens amassed a total of 56 senior caps and scored an impressive 19 goals in the green shirt.
Current U.C.D Manager, Pete McMahon claimed the Special Merit Award as his outstanding contribution to Irish football as both a player and manager from schoolboy, junior, senior and indeed international level was recognised.
The International Goal of the Year Award, which was voted on by the viewers, went to Kevin Kilbane for his goal against the Czech Republic at Lansdowne Road in November.
The winners are:
Senior International Player : Shay Given - Newcastle United FC
Young International Player: Kevin Doyle – Reading FC
Under 21 International Player: Kevin Foley – Luton Town FC
eircom League Player: Ollie Cahill – Drogheda United
Under-19 International Player: John Paul Kelly - Bohemian FC
Under-17 International Player: Terry Dixon – Tottenham Hotspur FC
Under-16 International Player: James O’Brien – Birmingham City FC
FAI Schools International Player: Conor Powell – Portmarnock Community School/Bohemian FC
Junior International Player: Michael Keogh – Killester United FC
Intermediate Player: Ken Hoey – Rockmount FC
Women’s International Player: Alisha Moran – Harvard University, USA
Women’s Under-19 International Player: Aine O’Gorman – Stella Maris FC
Football for All Award: Gary Messitt – Cerebral Palsy Sport Ireland/Glencormack United FC
eircom International Goal of the Year: Kevin Kilbane – (Wigan Athletic FC) v Czech Republic ECQ 11.10.06 (H)
European Club Goal of the Year: Kevin Deery – UEFA Cup Qualifying Round – Gretna v Derry City (2nd Goal)
Hall of Fame Award: Don Givens
International Personality: Award Bobby Robson
Special Merit: Award Pete Mahon
Feb 4th
The FAI have refuted claims from the North that midfielder Darron Gibson is ineligible to play for Ireland after his inclusion in Steve Staunton's squad for next Wednesday's European Championship qualifier with San Marino.
Derry-born Gibson has been involved at underage and B level before being promoted to the senior set-up by Staunton on Tuesday.
After that became public knowledge, IFA chief executive Howard Wells said the North would attempt to block the call-up as they are currently taking up Gibson's case with FIFA.
Wells argues that northern-born players should not be allowed to represent Ireland.
"We have presented the case to both FIFA and UEFA and are waiting for their decision," said Wells.
"We were told to produce case studies and Darron Gibson is one of those case studies. It is not about passports, it's about eligibility and we have asked FIFA and UEFA to apply their rules. We have told the FAI about this and we will see what happens."
However, the FAI have dismissed Wells' assertions, pointing out that they have received correspondence from FIFA which backs up Gibson's status as a prospective full Republic of Ireland international.
"The FAI only selects players who are eligible and wish to play for the Republic of Ireland. This is in line with FIFA's position as outlined in October last year," said an FAI spokesman.
That FIFA position came in the form of a letter which was sent to both associations and stated that: "The existing situation in Northern Ireland allows players to choose whether they wish to represent the Republic of Ireland and Northern Ireland."
Under the terms of the Good Friday agreement, persons born in Northern Ireland are entitled to both Irish and UK citizenship and can hold both passports.
Yet the IFA have been aggrieved at losing players to Ireland with Belfast-born duo Michael O'Connor and Tony Kane being called up to Don Givens' U21s last year when they had been involved with the North at younger levels.
The FAI are unperturbed by the North's protestations and confirmed that the player will be traveling to Rimini with the Irish squad.
Feb 2nd
Darron Gibson’s family today launched a scathing attack on the Irish Football Association over its treatment of the young Manchester United and Ireland
A spokesman for the family, speaking on UTV this evening said that no one from the IFA had approached or contacted Derry born Gibson, his family, Manchester United or his representative in England in the last two years and wondered about the real motives regarding the IFA’s sudden interest in their son’s international career and why it was being done via the media.
His uncle said “Darron has a right to play for Ireland Ireland
The matter has now been taken up by Derry SDLP assembly member Pat Ramsey who congratulated Gibson on his inclusion in the Irish senior squad.
Mr Ramsey said “Darron should have the right to choose to play for Ireland if that is his wish…It is circumstances where the IFA must accept, respect and support the right of any young person from the North of Ireland to play for Ireland”
Gibson is only one of a growing number of young professional players from The North who are choosing to follow their international career via the Irish international system.
The question does need to be asked why the IFA have a problem with Darron Gibson representing his country when they made no such calls when other Northern players have represented Ireland
The IFA made no representations to UEFA when Saul Deeny or Kevin Deery represented Ireland
Why.
The IFA are playing a dangerous game with their ‘harassment by media’ of young Gibson and no doubt will try similar tactics should Harkin, Kane, Deery, Lafferty, O’Connor or Wilson progress to senior international level.
The IFA are well aware that a large proportion of the football supporting community in the North have their international allegiances with ‘the boys in green’ and to try and force players to play for ‘their’ team may well scare off some players who would still choose to represent the North for Career reasons.
The Irish Football Association has to realise that they cannot tell young Irish players that they have to represent n.i , and if it’s about money regarding schoolboy level etc.. I think the Football Association Of Ireland Should be approaching the European governing body with regard to setting up and extending it’s youth development programmes to population centres in the North to train and nurture young players who want to play for Ireland in the future.
The IFA will come out of this one with a bloody nose and possibly in worse shape than when it started its media attacks on young Gibson.
30th January 2007
Darron Gibson has said he is delighted to have been named in Steve Staunton's squad for the away trip to San Marino next week.
Speaking today Gibson said " i'm really looking forward to meeting up with the senior squad, its a great honour and i'll work my socks off next week"
Speaking about Gibson's inclusion in the squad Staunton said - "I had a chat with Alex Ferguson about Darron Gibson, who is on loan in Belgium with Royal Antwerp. He thinks it will do him the world of good to come over and train with us and see how he does.
"He impressed me in the “B” International even though he only played about half the match. He had a niggling knee injury but is over that and played for his club at the weekend.
"What I like about him is that he's an all-round midfielder. He's got plenty of potential - a big strong lad who has a bit of everything needed to be a player.
"Alex (Ferguson) doesn't feel he's ready for International games at this moment in time, which is a fair call from a man of his experience but we'll take him to get him part of the squad."
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Ireland manager Steve Staunton has promoted seven of Ireland’s promising young footballers to the senior squad for the trip to San Marino on February 7.
Darren Randolph comes in to cover the goalkeeping spot vacated by the injured Shay Given (groin). Out also through injury is Charlton midfielder Andy Reid (hamstring) and Reading’s Kevin Doyle (hamstring).
Randolph, Darron Gibson, Wolves new signing Andy Keogh, Stephen Hunt and Sunderland’s Anthony Stokes were all part of the recent B International Squad who played Scotland in November while Sheffield United’s Stephen Quinn and Shane Long have been rewarded for recent club performances.
Returning after lengthy absences through injury are Levante’s Ian Harte and Stephen Carr.
Speaking at the announcement manager Staunton said, “I knew when I took the job that there were young players with the potential to play senior international football and I’m delighted that over the last year they have progressed to the point where I now can select them.”
“It is up to them now to show me that they should be in the starting eleven.”
San Marino (V IRELAND): Wayne Henderson, Nicky Colgan, Darren Randolph, Steve Finnan, Ian Harte, Paul McShane, Richard Dunne, Stephen Carr, John O’Shea, Jonathan Douglas, Lee Carsley, Aiden McGeady, Damien Duff, Kevin Kilbane, Robbie Keane, Stephen Ireland, Darron Gibson, Alan Quinn, Andy Keogh, Stephen Hunt, Anthony Stokes, Stephen Elliott, Stephen Quinn, Shane Long.
28th January 2007
Celtic & Ireland defender Darren O'Dea admits he is thriving on the education he is receiving in the Hoops' first team.
After making his debut in a CIS Insurance Cup tie against St Mirren in September, injuries to Gary Caldwell, Bobo Balde and Stephen McManus have allowed the Irishman to command a regular first-team spot, latterly alongside new signing Steven Pressley.
O'Dea will partner Pressley again on Sunday and the Irishman has nothing but praise for the Scotland international and his other defensive partners who have helped him settle into life in the SPL.
He said: "It's great playing with Steven. He talks me through games and that can only help a player of my age.
"It's the same when I have been playing alongside big Mick (Stephen McManus) and Bobo.
"So no matter who I'm playing with, I'm always playing with quality.
"And you know you can't take a breather, you need to prove yourself every day to the manager.
"Inverness will be another difficult game, they have drawn twice with us up there in our last two meetings although we beat them 3-0 earlier in the season.
"They are a tough side and we need to be up for it."
27th January 2007
Kevin Doyle reckons he has a chance of being fit for Irelands trip to San Marino on February 9th after undergoing cryotherapy treatment.
The Reading striker suffered a hamstring injury during the 1-1 draw at Everton on January 14 and was expected to be out for around one month.
But the 23-year-old is making excellent progress and is desperate to be back in action as soon as he can.
Doyle has been back home in Wexford, Ireland having revolutionary cryotherapy treatment.
The process involves being exposed to temperatures as low as -110 degrees Centigrade.
“I think I am ahead of schedule. I have spoken to Jon Fearn and he reckons I am coming back reasonably quickly – certainly quicker than he first expected.
“I don’t know if that’s because of the cryotherapy or because my body is just able to heal quickly.
“The problem is there is no official stats on it or any specific data.
“It was thought I would be out for around one month, but I am making good progress and I am definitely targeting the Manchester City game.
“Perhaps that is optimistic. There is an Ireland game after that and I would love to play in that, but I will only play if I can, I won’t be stupid and rush back if I’m not ready.
“So the Aston Villa match may be more realistic.”
Cryotherapy is believed to speed up recovery time by constricting blood vessels and numbing the pain.
Leinster Rugby Club centre and fellow Wexford-born Gordon D’Arcy recommended the treatment to Doyle.
Reading’s 10-goal striker added: “I heard about it a few months ago from Gordon, who had the same treatment in Poland,” revealed Doyle.
“He said it really helped him so I thought I’d give it a go.
“I asked if I could use it when I was back home in Wexford.
“It was felt it couldn’t do any harm.
“I was using the chamber three times a day.
“It’s like a big industrial size freezer where you just walk around with just a face mask to stop your mouth freezing, ear muffs, shorts and trainers.
“It’s -110 degrees Centigrade so you can’t just stand still because you would freeze up. You can only stay in there for three to four minutes. You really have to gear yourself up mentally before you go in.
“It’s certainly not fun and I wouldn’t recommend it unless you weren’t trying to come back from injury.”
24th January 2007
Jamie McCarthy, the hottest teenage talent in British football, made his debut for Ireland tonight.
All eyes were on the 16-year-old Hamilton Academical midfielder when he lined out against Italy in an U-17 international at Whitehall . Glasgow-born McCarthy has already played seven times for the Accies first team and has been invited to Liverpool, Celtic and Reading on trial - Liverpool have already approached the Scottish Division One outfit with a €1,140,000 bid for the young gun.
McCarthy contributed to the 1-0 victory over Italy with his array of passing. His central- midfield partner, Conor McCormack, was also influential as he set up plenty of Irish attacks.
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