Republic of Ireland Team 2023/24 [old thread]

Still goes on somewhat today even. It's slightly different but there's a lad who played underage in Limerick that easily could have went across the water. He was a beast of a player at 10 and 11. So much that questions were asked was he even that age because he had come here from Africa and think there was some issues with birth certificates.

Junior team that he was signed with are a big team in Ireland but didn't feel the need to actually make him a better player because it would have attracted LOI teams. Their game plan was give him the ball because he's stronger and faster.

At 17 he wasn't even that good enough to stand out at U17s LOIs because he was no longer bigger, stronger or faster than everyone else and was a one trick pony. All right footed and only tried to beat you with strength. Don't think he even plays football anymore, and his younger brother was even better than him but similar it was give the ball to him he's stronger and faster.

Saudi takeover at Newcastle completed, I'd say it's not long before Clark and Hendrick will be looking for new clubs.

Easily I'd say. Especially Hendrick as he's warming the bench and Clark is pushing on. It's not like the Saudis are going to be short a couple of Bob and will bring in a big named manager to build a team that can challenge for Europe.

Nothing from the FAI about tonight's match but a very attacking line up for tonight's first qualifier against Andorra.

Finished 5-0 and by the sounds of it Ferizaj scored the goal of the night with a run from half way and cut inside to score. Rocco Vata was suppose to be outstanding tonight and scores the fifth goal with a shot from outside the box. He still qualifies for the U17s for the next two years.

Edit:

Poland and North Macedonia drew 0-0. A win on Sunday and all they'll need is a draw against Poland to qualify for the next round.

17 of the 20 players are home based. Only three based abroad were Rocco Vata (Celtic), Kevin Zefi ( Inter Milan), and Caden McLoughlin (Villarreal). While technically no players affiliated with English clubs, Rocco Vata is UK based.

It is but the FAI need to step it up when it comes to youth development now because the main destination where lads get their first taste of professional training is cut off until they turn 18.

If nothing changes between then we'll be sending players abroad who are further behind in development than they already are, and if that's the case we might as well have lobbied FIFA to make a special dispensation for Irish youth players still being able to leave at 16 to the UK.

Knight and Idah doubts for tomorrow. Both lads would probably start too if available. Could see McGrath keep his place in the team if Knight doesn't make it and be interesting to see if Keane gets thrown in for a debut start if Kenny wants a target man player or goes with Connolly and Robinson.

#1 Justin Ferizaj

#2 Mark O'Mahony, A: Rocco Vata

#3 Kevin Zefi, A: Sam Curtis

#4 Sam Curtis, A: Kevin Zefi

#5 Rocco Vata

Ireland Vs Serbia could be more interesting games if Ferizaj, Zefi, and Vata become senior internationals.

Quite a collection of names!

I'm surprised that Lyons was dropped for O'Connor if so. Good to see Kerrigan get a start if so.

-----------------------------Maher

O'Connor - McGuinness - O'Brien - Bagan

---------------------Coventry - Kilkenny

------------------Wright - Tierney - Kerrigan

-------------------------------Kayode

Edit:

Lyons must be injured if Ronan Boyce is on the bench. Would have started Colm Whelan ahead of Kayode whose been poor most times if not everytime I've seen him at underage.

Connor Noss nearly scored within seconds of his introduction but makes a mess of the finish.

Misses another one on one, it was saved and he didn’t make a mess of the finish but it should have been stuck away.

Was an alright game. Still not warming to Crawford as the U21 manager though. Yet to be impressed with performances since he's come in.

Sounds like we'll be traveling to Montenegro tomorrow with a home based squad by the sounds of Crawfords post match interview.

Yeah it's all down to quarantine. Anyone from the UK or Germany would have to quarantine when they arrive home.

What would happen at senior level? Montenegro have two games away I see in this window but in theory if they were hosting Norway,,,would Harland and Odegaard etc have to serve a quarantine?

Yeah they said that last night when talking about Kayode and Kilkenny being allowed travel by their clubs, but apparently anyone that travels before Monday still has to quarantine when they get home is what was reported by Owen Cowzer. Oisin McEntee won't be going he said as his club said no.

Though doesn't make sense because also says both lads will be allowed train and play when they return home but other than that they'll be isolated from their teammates.

I've got a bad feeling about the game today. Going to Azerbaijan with so many players who are out of form or not playing and needing a win. It's a recipe for disaster. The Azerbaijan manager seems very clued in as well, I can see him getting the tactics right over Kenny and frustrating us.

Prediction 1-1.

In yesterdays U19s game 9 of the starting 11 were dual national. With 5 of that 9 being second generation and 4 of that five being born outside of the UK. Dan Rose is second generation and Seary I think is only third generation. Bosun Lawal and Tayo Adaramola are Irish born with Nigerian heritage and Oisin Gallagher is from Derry.

Should have said not from the UK. They've been the main source of our dual nationals born abroad.

Fitzgerald born in Singapore, Gilsenan born in Australia, and both McNulty and Finn Benoa born in Spain.

Pretty much this. Then role on the same debate of Kenny out or Kenny in. In fairness, he really does need a win, as much as I'd like him given more time a full campaign without one wont entice the fai to hold on. Great to see a win(obviously), just can't see it actually happening

I like the optimism and hope you're right

How is three at the back depressing. It suits Doherty and McClean a hell of a lot more than four at the back. Allowing them both to get forward better, and both Omobamidele and Egan will be encouraged to push forward rather than sitting back in defence. Pretty sure in one of our games Egan had one of the most key passes.