Republic of Ireland Team 2023/24 [old thread]

To be fair to McGoldrick retiring early could guarantee him another year playing at this level which in turn could be another 500k for retirement. Not that he hasn't earned a decent wedge already but when you retire at 36 or 37 it's a long stint and a decent pension pot is needed.

That's really what he should of said though.

We're sorted anyway.

We have been approved as Mikey's second choice.

https://www.rte.ie/sport/soccer/2023/0308/1360959-johnston-gets-green-light-to-play-for-ireland/

Seems Sammie Szmodics had issues with his passport and Lancashire Telegraph are reporting he's recently got his passport sorted and available for selection.

No chance of losing Azaz to Israel you would think.

It''ll be shortsighted if Manning isn't in it but I think the issue goes beyond football. McClean proably won't be first choice next year and Dowda just isn't great. That really leaves himself as the LWB performing regularly and consistently at a decent level. I also think we need to be getting a look at Coventry at this level. I'd be looking at giving him time against Latvia. NO need for us to be looking at Hendrick in that game. We know what Knight and Cullen give us too. Going with Coventry and Hodge in that game in place of Knight and Cullen might make sense. Apart from that the squad and team picks itself at this stage.

I wouldn't go with Hodge and Coventry playing together in midfield but would rather give them 45 mins each in the role that Cullen normally plays. Cullen is like the Duracell bunny so would give him a start next to either player and allowed a bit more freedom to push on. Third and most advanced midfielder I'd be starting and giving the 90mins to Smallbone.

Cullen as the 8 in midfield I'd like to see because as well as being our best 6 I think he'd also be up there as our best 8. He'd have the engine to go box to box all game like Molumby but is better on the ball. Long term would hope Knight kicks on to fulfill this role or Smallbone. His best performance for the U21s was when he replaced Kilkenny to partner Coventry and we played an out and out 10 in Noß with Smallbone playing box to box.

Hodge should be in next squad and get minutes. From what I've seen of him he's agressive and is an excellent tackler. If he's keen I'd get him capped, he's played enough in cup and league to get the call up when you look at other options.

Johnston will probably be the new Alan O'Brien/Daryl Horgan. 5th choice winger, few caps in friendlies, maybe a few competitive substitute ones if theres injuries and he happens to be inform at that moment.

It's like they tried to incorporate more of the shamrock into the template of the 1990 crest.

They tried to incorporate everything but failed at nailing anything.

It's a definite improvement but still not great. They should have kept the crest similar to that of the centenary jerseys they had a couple of years ago.

I've never seen a branding announcement from any brand that is universally liked.

That being said I think it's a smart move to take FAI off the shirt and a rebrand as a symbolic change from the toxic Delaney era. Hopefully it pays off in attracting a big sponsor for the team.

Castore stuff is nice. Cant wait to see the kits.

Ah I see. I was going on the visual. Newcastle's away strip is nice. It'll be interesting to see what they come up with. Soccer jerseys have gone poor in terms of quality though these days. I suppose we won't see change out of 75 euro either.

I like this one myself

Finished 3-0 even after going down to ten men. Mason Melia hat trick whose still only 15 so underage again next season.

Be a nice option on the bench alright. But i'd rather be starting Ferguson and Obafemi.

That and the away white version of that have always been 2 of my all time favourite Ireland tops. Disgusted that we will be using castore, a dreadful brand with horrible product quality. Looks like I won't be buying any new Ireland tops for the foreseeable. Hopefully the castore deal is not a long term one.

Agreed. I like the new crest overall. But the Football at the bottom just doesn't sit well for me. Would have preferred if that was Eire underneath in the crest instead.

Tom cannon on target today. Parrott hauled off.

That's a long spell. Any mention of a date for the new jersey yet?

U17s made hard work of it but have qualifed as group winners for this year's Euros. Went behind twice to Cyprus but won 3-2 with a 96th minute winner and finished top of the group on goals scored.

Monday

Some sloppy defending for the goals alright and the way they were set up left them open that better opposition would have made them pay. Turley being suspended was missed big especially with other first choice CB Jake Grante missing.

Some good young home based attacking talent in the team when you consider the star player Trent Kone Doherty only played the first 45 mins against Ukraine. Ike Orazi and Mason Melia are still only 15.

People throwing their toys out of the pram because they do Rangers jerseys!

In England they have Aston Villa, Charlton Athletic, Milton Keynes Dons, Newcastle United, Preston North End, Salford City, Wolverhampton Wanderers and in Europe they have Union Saint-Gilloise, Bayer Leverkusen, Genoa, Feyenoord, Sevilla, Almería, Athletic Club.

I like this mock up