EuropeanIrish.com News Stories

Wouldn’t it be great to hear more about top Irish sports stars who are competing for Ireland all across the Continent.

EuropeanIrish.com will feature any sport and all age groups too, if you are Irish and competing in Europe – you are just as important as the Irish Senior soccer team or Munster Rugby, or the Olympic Athletes.EuropeanIrish.com wants to hear from you all - simply visit http://www.europeanirish.com/ News and add the News story.

or maybe you are based in Europe and run a club or a member of one which features a number of irish players, - if you have a news story add it.The Irish in Europe would love to read about it.

Just listened to Johnny Giles interview on Newstalk, confirming that he has had talks with Paul Jewel, former Wigan boss, and concluded that Paul is now closer to considering the Irish job than he was before John Giles spoke to him.
“I’m certainly not ruling it out. I am thinking about it,” said Jewell.

Listen live online to Newstalk 106 and  other Irish radio stations here:
http://www.europeanirish.com/Radio/

Women’s UEFA Championship Group 2 Qualifier
Republic of Ireland 2 – 1 Romania
Michelle O’Brien 18           Simona 40
Stefanie Curtis 31

The Republic of Ireland Women’s have beaten Romania in their vital UEFA Women’s Championship, Group 2 Qualifier at Richmond Park today. Goals by Michele O’Brien and Stefanie Curtis sent Ireland on their way to a third win in four games from the campaign so far.
Full details :
http://www.fai.ie

http://europeanirish.com/blog/category/sport/soccer/

Germany 2-3 Ireland. The Ireland Under-18 team put Tuesday’s defeat to Germany behind them by recording victory in today’s rematch in Hassfurt. James McCarthy scored in each half to help Ireland to a memorable win.
http://www.fai.ie

The team will play two friendly matches against the U20 Futsal teams of Lisbon giants Benfica and Sporting Lisbon.

The FAI Development squad has been formed primarily from players who participated in the successful first ever Under21 FAI Futsal league earlier this year which was won by Shamrock Rovers.

…
http://www.fai.ie
The matches to be played are as follows:

Tuesday 4th December 2007 at7.30m
FAI Futsal U21 Development Squad V Sport Lisboa Benfica Futsal U20s (Benfica Sports centre).

Wednesday 5th December 2007 at 7.30pm
FAI Futsal U21 Development Squad V Sporting Clube de Portugal Futsal (Hall Paz Amizade-Loures).

FAI Futsal U21 Development Squad
1. John Perkins (Shamrock Rovers)
2. Dane Massey (Shamrock Rovers)
3. Kieran Kilduff (Shamrock Rovers)
4. Mark Langtry (Shamrock Rovers)
5. Alan Lynch (Bohemians)
6. David O’Sullivan (Bray Wanderers)
7. Ian Byrne (Bohemians)
8. Gary McCabe (Bray Wanderers)
9. Keith Gallagher (Bluebell United)
10. Philip McDonagh (Bohemians)
11. Gareth Whelan (Drogheda United)
12. Brendan Dawson (Mount Merrion / YMCA)

Montenegro 1-0 Ireland. The Republic of Ireland Under-21 team are still searching for the first points of their 2009 UEFA qualifying campaign after losing to Montenegro today in Podgorica. Ireland are next in action on Tuesday when they host Bulgaria in their fourth Group 3 tie.

http://www.fai.ie

Live in Irish Pubs across Europe - Irish Soccer and Heineken Cup Rugby this weekend

http://www.europeanirish.com/Sport/GAA/liveirishsport.html

16/11/07 20:00 P2 Gloucester Rugby   v   Ospreys Kingsholm | Sky Sports
16/11/07 21:00 P2 Bourgoin   v   Ulster Stade Pierre Rajon | Canal+ Sport / Sky Sports
17/11/07 13:30 P1 Dragons   v   London Irish Rodney Parade | Sky Sports / S4C**
17/11/07 15:30 P3 Harlequins   v   Cardiff Blues The Twickenham Stoop | Sky Sports
17/11/07 16:30 P4 Biarritz Olympique   v   Saracens Parc des Sports Aquiléra | France 2
17/11/07 17:30 P5 Llanelli Scarlets   v   London Wasps Stradey Park | Sky Sports
18/11/07 13:00 P5 Munster   v   ASM Clermont Auvergne Thomond Park | Sky Sports / Sport+
18/11/07 15:00 P3 Bristol Rugby   v   Stade Francais Memorial Ground | Sky Sports / France 2
18/11/07 21:00 P6 Toulouse   v   Leinster Stade Ernest Wallon | Canal+
 

International European Soccer:
Sky Sports
Friday night England U21 V Bulgaria
Saturday
 14:30 Wales V Rep of Ireland
 16:00 Scotland V Italy
 17:55 Israel V Russia

A 4 year old girl turned to her Dad -
“Dad” she looked puzzled ” how do whales play football !”

This weekend that’s about where the joke ends -

Republic of Ireland plays Wales in Cardiff.
Watch this match live across Europe:

http://www.europeanirish.com/Sport/GAA/liveirishsport.html

 
Irish players - many with a string of international caps, have declared themselves unfit, injured and unavailable for selection.

Richard Dunne, Stephen Kelly and Andy O Brien have all pulled out of the Millinnium Stadium clash.

Don Givens caretaker boss - having stepped up from the U21 role, contacted Ian Harte and Kevin Foley of Sunderland and Wolves. Both withdrew with injury.

With no manager, are the players half-hearted?

Were the players half-hearted even with a manager in place?
Who is needed to turn this tide for Ireland?

A new player? or a new manager?

With Steve Finnan, Paul McShane and John OShea  all available, it may not be too bad.
Ireland needs to win on Saturday to guarantee 3rd place inth group.

Failing that Ireland’s rankings and seeding for the next World Cup draw would drop - and face a team with potentially 3 or 4 teams better than Rep Ireland. 

How do you think Ireland will play on Saturday? will irish win, or will Wales win - under similar pressure to the Irish - ?

Brazil to provide opposition for Croke Park friendly
Brazil will provide the opposition for an international friendly against the Republic of Ireland on Wednesday, February 6, 2008, in Dublin

www.fai.ie

Irish Squad Set for Deaf Futsal World Cup
The Republic of Ireland Deaf Futsal Squad will depart for Bulgaria tomorrow morning to take part in the Futsal World Cup which will be held in Sofia from 8th -18th November.
The Republic of Ireland will face Russia, Thailand, Colombia, Turkey and Israel in the six team group with 32 teams overall battling to win only the 2nd World Deaf Futsal Championship ever held at this level.

http://www.fai.ie/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=2603
1st Round Fixture
09/11/2007 (Friday)
09.00 – 10.30 Thailand – Ireland (D)

Group D
Russia
Thailand
Colombia
Turkey
Republic of Ireland
Israel

Republic of Ireland Squad
Paul O’Callaghan - Munster
Raymond Watson - Munster
Joseph Watson - Munster
Ciaran Moloney - Munster
Chris Corcoran - Munster
Mark Sinclair - Ulster
Brian Daly - Leinster
Jason Maguire - Munster
Stuart Foy - Leinster
Rino Giglione - Leinster
Robert McAra - Munster
Richard Beattie – Ulster

Scottish manager Alex McLeish has named his 18-man squad for the ‘B’ International against the Republic of Ireland at the Excelsior Stadium in Aidrie on Tuesday, November 20th (kick-off 7.45pm).

Does any Irish Soccer supporter wonder - is it not a bit pointless having a ‘B’ international when the Senior team has no manager to watch such a match ??

The Republic of Ireland, managed by Pat Fenlon, with Alan Matthews & Pete Mahon part of the backroom team, will kick-off their campaign against Slovakia in Dalymount Park this Tuesday, November 13th (kick-off 7.45pm). Fenlon’s squad will then play Northern Ireland away in the spring and complete the group stage next autumn at home to Belgium.

http://www.fai.ie/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=2610

The Republic of Ireland Under-18 squad will play Germany in two friendly matches next week, on the 13th and 15th November, at venues near Frankfurt. The games mark the beginning of preparations for next year’s Under-19 UEFA Championship qualifying campaign.

www.fai.ie for more details.

Graham Souness has managed many Clubs in the Premiership and Scotland.
He has also taken over Premiership / Premier League clubs, clubs which fielded a few Irish players - which he dropped.

At Liverpool, players that were doing well with Rep Ireland, were dropped and sold by Souness.
At Blackburn the same trend continued, with the likes of Jeff Kenna, Lee Carsley, Alan Kelly, Jason McAteer, Alan Mahon. The one player he played was Damien Duff, player of the club.

Did you know? Jeff Kenna is currently playing with Kidderminster signed for free in 2006, playing in the Football Conference League.

Should Graham Souness be the next Rep Ireland Manager?
Who would you like to see manage Ireland?

• Liam Brady?
• Gerard Houlier
• Martin O’Neill
• David O’Leary

Odds as on 28th October:
David O’Leary 6/4
Graeme Souness 8/1
Phillippe Troussier 9/1
Chris Hughton 10/1
Martin O'’Neil 10/1
Terry Venables 10/1
Don Givens 12/1
John Aldridge 12/1
Liam Brady 12/1
Roy Keane 12/1
Paul Jewell 14/1
Ronnie Whelan 14/1
Roy Hodgson 16/1
Kenny Dalglish 25/1
Ron Atkinson 25/1
Joe Kinnear 33/1
Sammy Lee 40/1
Mark Lawrenson 66/1
Ray Houghton 66/1
Brain Kerr 66/1

In Europe, Gaelic Football outperforms Irish Soccer and Rugby

While Irish Soccer and Rugby hit rock bottom this autumn, Gaelic Football has risen to new heights in Europe – mainland Europe.

This weekend, November 3rd, Barcelona hosts the Gaelic Football European Championship Finals.
300 players from 20 Men’s and Women’s teams will arrive from Spain, France, Germany, Luxembourg, The Netherlands, Denmark, Austria and Hungary to play 40 Gaelic Football matches.

Tournaments across the Continent, have been contested keenly throughout the year, Saturday’s tournament is the Final of the season, with the European Men’s & Ladies’ Championships, and the Men’s Shield being decided.

Men’s top prize will be contested by Budapest, Paris, Luxembourg and Den Haag.  A last minute point separated Luxembourg and Den Haag in October’s tournament.

Barcelona V Munich - just one of the fascinating encounters, with eight teams competing for the Ladies Gaelic Football Championship.

Men’s Shield leaders Amsterdam (Holland) may be pipped for the overall European Shield Title if Rennes (Brittany) wins the Shield Tournament this weekend.
Copenhagen Team travels 1757 Km for this Tournament.

The success of the Gaelic Athletic Association (GAA) in Europe “is down to the passion of 100’s of players who travel regularly, at their own expense, by plane and train, to play with pride for their European GAA Clubs. This can cost a player more than €3500 in a year.” according to Siasy Collins, Editor of Europeanirish.com, 10 years reporting on the GAA in Europe.

“The event is hosted and organized exclusively by the playing staff of Barcelona Gaels’ men’s and women’s teams, comprising over 60% local Catalans”  described Mick McGrath, Secretary Barcelona Gaels. “The Iberian region will have representatives from Barcelona, Madrid, Pamplona and Valencia. More than 600 spectators will watch the Finals” added Chairman Stephen Garland.

Top officials from Croke Park Dublin, including Director General of the GAA, Liam Mulvihill, will attend, marking the largest GAA event ever on the Continent.

 “There is an increasing number of non-Irish players now playing Gaelic Football in Europe”, Tony Bass, European GAA County Board Secretary explained. “In the Maastricht GAA Club, for instance, the mix is 50/50 Dutch to Irish players”

At a time when Irish Soccer and Irish Rugby are at their lowest, Gaelic Football has never been stronger in Europe than it is today, with over a 1000 players in 25 Clubs!

For further details on the European Gaelic Football Finals in Barcelona, this Saturday 3rd November, download the Official Programme:
www.europeanirish.com/Sport/GAA

 
Barcelona hosts European Gaelic Football Finals
- Photo by Gabriel Roche
 

If you are in Turkey this week come out and support the Irish Women’s U17 team!

19-24 Oct Turkey Soccer: UEFA Qualifying Women U17,  Ireland V Sweden, Turkey, Moldova

Also Check UEFA.com for updates on :
27-Oct Ireland Soccer: Women’s Championships Rep Ireland V Romania

Irish Men’s U21 team- in Montenegro
16-Nov Montenegro Soccer: UEFA 2009 U21, Montenegro v Republic of Ireland

Live in Irish Pubs across Continental Europe these coming 3 weeks.
Do not miss one moment - find your nearest venue - listed only on EuropeanIrish.com
http://www.europeanirish.com/Sport/GAA/liveirishsport.html

Republic of Ireland the second time in this qualifying campaign, relied on a last minute goal, to secure a draw against a World Soccer Minnow.
Irish Soccer players passed poorly, consistently delivering half-hearted passes - half sprints to reach the pass, not reaching their intended destinations - but being intercepted quite easily by Cyprus 11.
It is difficult to remember back to any campaign when with 3 matches left, Rep Ireland had little or no chance of qualifying.
Because of this, imagine 16000 fans paid for €70 tickets and did not turn-up for the match. Nothing to play for!

The Republic of Ireland Soccer team seemed soul-less. The fans were shattered by a Home pitiful performance. No improvement whatsoever from 12 months ago in Nicosia.

Is it the fault of the players - who are supposed to be Premier League standard, but can’t pass the ball for Ireland?
Is it the fault of the fans who did not get behind the team at the end but boo-ed them off the field.
Is it the fault of the Manager who does not have many other players to pick from.
Is it his fault that his selection is poor?
Is it his fault that the team seems not to be organised, without a plan?
Difficult to reach for a Plan B when Plan A is difficult to see.
Is it his fault that some players are played out of their known positions?
Should these same players be good enough to be able to adapt to the game plan of the manager anyway. They do for their own Club sides!
The players under Big Jack Charlton played to Jack’s game plan, whether they liked it or not. But they did and did it efficiently!

Would a different manager make any difference.
With the same pick of players can a different manager get different results?

Follow the Management career of GAA Kerryman Mick O’Dwyer. Wicklow were the bottom team in Ireland. They were being beaten by London, and every other county they played in Ireland - in the League and the Championship.

Enter Mick O’Dwyer, within the first half season they reached the Senior Semi-Final of an Inter-county Tournament - The O’Byrne Cup - they defeated neighbours Carlow in Round1 and highly fancied Wexford in Round 2, holding Dublin until very late in the match in the Semi-Final.
In the Tommy Murphy Cup, Wicklow defeated

In the National League Wicklow defeated Antrim, Waterford and Tipperary.

First Round of the All-ireland Championship, Wicklow were the better team - and were disappointed to come away with a Draw against a strong Louth side. The Replay after extra time also was a draw. Losing the 2nd replay, Wicklow entered the Tommy Murphy Cup, defeating Football County Offaly, Waterford in the Semi Final and Antrim in the Final to win Wicklow’s first National Title for a long long time.

Wicklow cannot select or bring in New Players, but is limited to players from within Co.Wicklow.
But with the same selection, a great manager can make an enormous difference.

Irish Soccer fans, and players who put on the Irish shirt, deserve that!

What do You think? Send your Comments?

The Irish Squad to face Germany - on Saturday evening - and Cyprus on Wednesday, has been announced, but players Stephen Carr (injury), Stephen Ireland (withdrew cos he is not ready to play - whatever that means), Andy O’Brien (who hadn’t played since Cyprous away- withdraws due to injury) and John OShea (injury) have dropped since the squad was announced.

Andy Reid is a doubt.

Liam Miller - enjoying Premier League at Sunderland, has been called into the squad. Ipswich Town defender Alex Bruce was added to the panel on Tuesday.

Republic of Ireland v Germany
Saturday October 13th, 2007
K.O.: 19.45 HRS
EURO 2008 – Group D Qualifier
Croke Park - Dublin

Republic of Ireland v Cyprus
Wednesday October 17th, 2007
K.O.: 19:30 HRS
EURO 2008 Group D Qualifier
Croke Park – Dublin

Wales v Republic of Ireland
Saturday 17th November, 2007
K.O.: TBC EURO 2008 Group D Qualifier
Millennium Stadium - Cardiff

Original Squad announced:
Nick Colgan - Barnsley
Colin Doyle - Birmingham City
Shay Given - Newcastle United
Stephen Carr - Newcastle United
Richard Dunne - Manchester City
Steve Finnan - Liverpool
Stephen Kelly - Birmingham City
Paul McShane - Sunderland  (Out of Germany game - suspended)
Joey O’Brien - Bolton Wanderers
John O’Shea - Manchester United ??? injured but receiving treatment…
Lee Carsley - Everton
Jonathon Douglas - Leeds United
Stephen Hunt - Reading  (Out of Germany game - suspended)
Stephen Ireland - Manchester City
Kevin Kilbane - Wigan Athletic
Aiden McGeady - Celtic
Alan O’Brien - Hibernian
Darren Potter - Wolverhampton Wanderers
Andy Reid - Charlton Athletic  ????
Kevin Doyle - Reading
Stephen Elliot - Wolverhampton Wanderers
Robbie Keane - Tottenham Hotspur
Andy Keogh - Wolverhampton Wanderers
Shane Long - Reading
Daryl Murphy - Sunderland

+ Liam Miller, Alex Bruce

Watch Live Coverage in 100’s of Top Irish Pubs all Across Continental Europe:
http://www.europeanirish.com/Sport/GAA/liveirishsport.html

Ireland’s Steve Finnan is in action tonight in the Champions League for Liverpool, when they take on Marseille at home.

Celtic will hope that their home form is better than their away for when they play AC Milan at home tonight. (Live on RTE).

Chelsea make their first Champions League appearance without former Manager Mourinho. Without their leader who led them to 2 Premier League titles, a Champions League semi-final - and preceded this with a Champions League win with Porto - now they are headed by Israeli Avram Grant.

Watch the matches all across Europe this week at

http://www.europeanirish.com/Sport/GAA/liveirishsport.html