Republic of Ireland Team 2023/24 [old thread]

Here's The Talented Ireland Team We Want To See Against Belgium | Balls.ie

These Journos don't have a clue really. Does anyone really want to see Doherty and Coleman shoe horned into the same team as wing backs? It just doesn't work. We know what Seamie will give us is the first thing that I would say and I don't see any point in starting him in the friendlies at this stage in his career. Stevens hasn't done a lot wrong for us at LWB and is solid so I'm not sure why we would want to remove a natural left sided player from that position.

Don't get me started on the Kelleher segment. All about himself and Bazunus long term fight for the no1 jersey. Nothing about our 22 yo goalie who has PL experience and is playing at the highest level of the 3 at the moment. I know the current trend is for wanting your keeper to be like Maradonna with the ball at his feet but even Kenny has said that Travers has improved a lot in this regard.

Stephen Kenny: Mark Travers has definitely improved with his feet | Bournemouth Echo

Also the bit on Hendricks is maddening. Just read it about his form in the last few games. He has been poor since joining QPR. It's that simple. Again another lad who we know at this stage. I'd much rather Molumby or Browne in there from the start.

If anyone is stuck for two tickets for this let me know. €80 for 2 in South Block. Put it on adverts and it removed the ad

Yeh I'd have Manning start the games too. Correct. I think we should have a natural left sided player at LWB with Doherty at RWB.

I'm sure it's been mentioned already but if Belgium are fielding a weakened team it's a great opportunity to strengthen the World Ranking since they are number 1 at the moment and you get the same ranking points for a win regardless of how seriously the opposition treats a friendly match.

I estimate that a win for Ireland would move them from 1444 -> 1452 points. That wouldn't move them up many places (possibly only 1 to #48) but it would give them a decent boost in raw points for a friendly match.

Italy u21s only drew with Macedonia which leaves the group wide open if we can beat Sweden. Not confident that we will however.

.............................Kelleher

............Coleman - Duffy - Egan

Doherty - Hendrick - Cullen - McClean

...........Ogbene - Robinson - Knight

Think this will be the team that lines up tonight. It's the team that finished out the Luxembourg game, bar Kelleher obviously, and think he'll stick with that for the Belgium game. Only change I could see could be Browne for Knight.

The 17s are 1-0 with a goal from Franco Umeh, the keeper spilled a cross and he had a tap in. He also hit the post 2 mins earlier after the keeper took a heavy touch and was closed down. Zefi just won a pen a few mins ago but their keeper saved O'Mahonys effort.

1-1, Finland score from a corner. They look tidy in possession and seem fitter or less affected by the heat. Could be a factor in the second half.

Umeh has looked good in both appearances this week and could have had a hattrick today, he's just been brought off I think. It's been a good game to watch, our pressing very effective in first half but once Finland play through us we don't look the most defensively solid. 2-1 with 20 mins to go, could go any way yet.

Ball a hot potato for too many of the Irish young lads. And as for the no. 14 who got the ball in space in the box facing the goal and proceeded to dribble to the edge of the box…hopeless

Match day squad announced.

Yea, Zefi in both games was the standout player and it wasn't even close between him and anyone else. His ability on the ball is unbelievable, so good I am struggling to think of another player as good as him at underage level in the last 10 years. The only thing that nags me a bit about him is his lack of pace. It's great he has enough trickery to get by players at this level, but he doesn't look the quickest.

Mark Sykes will be first Belfast born player to play for Ireland in 76 years.

Tieliemens commits 3 fouls and prevents two quick free kicks in the 1st 8mins d as bd not a word from the ref. Coleman and Kelleher not great for the 1st goal.

Poor enough from Kelleher.

My initial thoughts were great goal but kelleher definitely slightly out of position

McClean having his usual outstanding game. Team is a yard of the pace, second to everything. Belgium stronger and faster.

I thought this would be a bit closer with this Belgian team. Ireland chasing shadows out there.

Went back and checked it, Kelleher is definitely out of position. Himself and Coleman may as well have pointed at the wide open space to shoot at

Some rather average contributions by Knight there

Fairly abject performance so far against Belgium's B team.

Get in

Clean awful corner

Anger rising

Excellent finish.