Manager Stephen Kenny has named a 22 man U21 squad for the upcoming 2021 European Championship qualifiers against Italy at 20.05hrs in Tallaght Stadium on Thursday the 10th October 2019 and Iceland in Reykjavik at 4pm on Tuesday the 15th October 2019.
Squad Goalkeepers: Gavin Bazunu(Manchester City), Caoimhin Kelleher(Liverpool) Defenders: Nathan Collins(Stoke City), Kameron Ledwidge(Southampton), Conor Masterson(QPR), Danny McNamara(Newport County on loan from Millwall), Lee O’Connor(Glasgow Celtic), Dara O’Shea(West Bromwich Albion), Liam Scales(UCD), Midfielders: Conor Coventry(West Ham United), Zachary Elbouzedi(Waterford), Gavin Kilkenny(AFC Bournemouth), Jason Knight(Derby County), Daniel Mandroiu(Bohemian), Jayson Molumby(Millwall on loan from Brighton & Hove Albion), Conor Ronan(Dunajska Streda on loan from Wolverhampton Wanderers), Jack Taylor(Barnet) Forwards: Jonathan Afolabi(Glasgow Celtic), Aaron Connolly(Brighton & Hove Albion), Adam Idah(Norwich City), Michael Obafemi(Southampton), Troy Parrott(Tottenham Hotspur)
Picking up from where Andre left off, we are in recovery mode between the first and second match.
Ireland v Scotland was a great start to the tour, with green shirts and tartan as far as the eye could see. We strongly refute Andre’s inference that we are always late – just occasionally… and he did seem happy enough with his carafe(s) of wine while he waited!
So with a few days after the first match to see the sights, we ventured west (or possibly north) to the other coast – Kanazawa for a bit of culture. There was a large castle, traditional Japanese garden (apparently one of the best in the country), and an ice cream while we watched the kimonos walk by.
And while we cooked our own dinner, there was plenty of time to reflect on the demolition of Scotland, and preparation for the weekend when we take on the best that 126 million Japanese can muster.
Not content with the castle etc, my wife decided we must see Mt Fuji. So the next day we were back on the train, heading south towards the Big Famous Mountain, where I was promised a hotel on a hill (she omitted to mention it was a 30 minute climb), and fantastic views. Mt Fuji is an elusive fella, generally found hiding behind clouds and annoying the hell out of tourists who’ve travelled for miles. But see it we did, so another one ticked off the list. Nice cycle around a whale-shaped lake while we waited patiently for the clouds to part, and cycling off the alcohol from previous days.
On return train from the Big Mountain, breaking news on RTE informs us that Schmidt has made 5 changes to the team for the Japan match. Of note, Jack Carty to replace Sexton (ongoing injury concern? The wife reckons he may have broken another nail), Kearney and Earls to return and fight for their places, Chris Farrell (Ireland’s current best centre), and Jack Conan at number 8. (Conan subsequently out of the World Cup having sustained a broken foot in training).
Thursday 26th Sept was an evening of Welsh madness with a somewhat random Manic Street Preacher’s concert (are they funding their tour here? Nice work if you can get it). First half of the gig was poor – Big shout out (aka heckle) from Andre (we all agreed) – second half much improved, only for the news of Richard Keogh’s car crash to reach us. Duffy & Keogh both out and two qualifying games fast approaching. Damn or similar wording was used.
Match Day – Japan V Ireland Saturday 28th Sept 2019 in Shizuoka. Early train from Tokyo to travel to the stadium and soak up the atmosphere. We arrived at 9am – the fan-zone and food stalls did not open until 11am. I was advised there was not much to do near the ground and sure enough we had multiple cups of coffee and a burger to pass the time in the only open café. The Japanese owner let us in at 9.15am. Another example of Japanese kindness and hospitality.
Our two travelling companions joined us – Rhian Hughes – she of the Welsh shoes fame – and Gary Hughes – 50th Birthday today and all set to enjoy the occasion. A win today and then Ireland can rest our best players against Russia and Samoa.
Gemma, Gary, Andre, Rhian, Joe
Unfortunately the Japanese had not read that particular script and out-fought and out-thought us on the pitch for 80 minutes and deservedly won 19-12. The Samurai Warriors in front of us were delirious and even Godzilla to our left was ecstatic.
The inevitable Irish post-mortem to follow on the train journey back to Tokyo. Still, a cracking day and atmosphere and nice to be part of Japanese rugby history.
Bohemian U19, our European Youth League representatives, commenced their challenge in Dalymount Park at 7.30pm this Wednesday evening when they played out a one all draw with Greek champions PAOK FC in the First Round First Leg of the competition. Bohemian opened the scoring after six minutes through Jack Moylan but the visitors equalised four minutes later. The contest was extremely competitive with the Greek side receiving four yellow cards while Bohemian received one caution. The foul count saw the visitors rack up twice as many as the hosts.
The second leg is scheduled for Thessaloniki on Wednesday the 23rd of October 2019.
A number of our upcoming Irish starlets, and a few seasoned campaigners, were in action on Tuesday afternoon and evening.
On a day to be forgotten for Tottenham Hotspur, their UEFA Youth League side went down to a four one home defeat by Bayern Munich at their Hotspur Way Ground in Enfield. Troy Parrott completed 90 minutes for the hosts but Ryan Johansson was unused on the visitors bench. In the same competition, goalkeeper Gavin Bazunu was in action for Manchester City who were held to a two all draw by visitors Dinamo Zagreb at their Academy Stadium.
In the EFL Trophy competition, Southampton U21 youngsters Kameron Ledwidge, Aaron O’Driscoll and Seumas Keogh suffered a one nil defeat at Walsall, who included former U21 internationals Liam Kinsella and Rory Gaffney in their starting eleven. Seventeen year old defender Andrew Omobamidele started for Norwich City U21s who secured a two one victory at Crawley Town while Warren O’Hora was in central defence for Brighton & Hove Albion U21s who defeated their hosts Southend United by two goals to nil at Roots Hall. Former U21 internationals Rob Kiernan, Stephen McLaughlin and Joe Shaughnessy all started for the defeated ‘Shrimpers’.
Current U21 midfielder Jack Taylor was in the Barnet side which secured a four nil National League success at AFC Fylde.
Mick McCarthy has announced his 24 man Republic of Ireland squad for the upcoming European Championship qualifying contests in Georgia and Switzerland. Injury ruled out Shane Duffy, Richard Keogh and David McGoldrick while Keiren Westwood, Cyrus Christie, Ciaran Clark, Harry Arter, Robbie Brady, Shane Long and James McCarthy have not been selected. Westwood’s poor recent attendance record is likely to have mitigated against him while the other six have seen little or no club action in recent weeks.
Squad Goalkeepers: Darren Randolph(Middlesbrough), Kieran O’Hara(Burton Albion on loan from Manchester United), Mark Travers(AFC Bournemouth) Defenders: Seamus Coleman(Everton), Greg Cunningham(Blackburn Rovers on loan from Cardiff City), Matt Doherty(Wolverhampton Wanderers), John Egan(Sheffield United), Darragh Lenihan(Blackburn Rovers), Kevin Long(Burnley), *Enda Stevens(Sheffield United), Derrick Williams(Blackburn Rovers) Midfielders: Alan Browne(Preston North End), Jack Byrne(Shamrock Rovers), Josh Cullen(Charlton Athletic on loan from West Ham United), Ronan Curtis(Portsmouth), Jeff Hendrick(Burnley), Conor Hourihane(Aston Villa), Alan Judge(Ipswich Town), James McClean(Stoke City), Callum O’Dowda(Bristol City), Glenn Whelan(Heart of Midlothian) Forwards: James Collins(Luton Town), Scott Hogan(Stoke City on loan from Aston Villa), Sean Maguire(Preston North End), Callum Robinson(Sheffield United), Aaron Connolly(Brighton & Hove Albion)
* Suspended for the Georgia match Injury Withdrawal Squad Addition
Head coach Dave Connell has named a 20 player Republic of Ireland squad for this week’s UEFA U19 Championship qualifying Group Nine. Ireland will face Ukraine(2 October), Montenegro(5 October) and mini-tournament hosts Holland(8 October)with the top two qualifying for the Elite Stage.
The Championship continued on Tuesday evening with the Blackburn Rovers trio of Greg Cunningham, Daragh Lenihan and Derrick Williams all in action in their one all draw with high flying Nottingham Forest at Ewood Park. Keiren Westwood and his Sheffield Wednesday colleagues went down to a one nil defeat at Hull City while U21 defender Dara O’Shea was an unused substitute for WBA who went down to a one nil defeat by Leeds United at Elland Road. Darren Randolph and Middlesbrough played out a one all draw with visitors Preston North End for whom Alan Browne, Sean Maguire and Joe Rafferty all completed ninety minutes at the Riverside Stadium. U21 midfielder Josh Barrett started for Reading who were reduced to ten men after just 20 minutes and crashed to a four one defeat by visitors Fulham who included Harry Arter in their starting eleven at the Madejski Stadium. Troubled Stoke City found no respite as they went down to a one nil home defeat by fellow strugglers Huddersfield Town. James McClean again started in a wing back position and completed the full ninety minutes.
