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The appointment of Mick McCarthy as manager of the Republic of Ireland senior international team was confirmed this afternoon at the Aviva Stadium. McCarthy joins on a two year contract, at the end of which he is set to be replaced by departing Dundalk manager Stephen Kenny who will take up the reins at U21 level together with overall responsibility for all underage teams from U15 to U19 with immediate effect. McCarthy was presented to the media this afternoon and confirmed that Terry Connor and Robbie Keane will join his management team.

While one fervently hopes that Stephen Kenny proves an absolute success in his U21 role, it does seem to be an enormous gamble to make such public announcement at this time. The logic of succession planning is very valid but offering what seems to be a guarantee does, at this juncture, seem incredibly risky. Stephen Kenny will hold his press conference at the Aviva Stadium tomorrow, when the situation may receive further clarity. 

With the confirmation of the new international manager set for later this Sunday afternoon, Championship players Conor Hourihane and veteran Glenn Whelan started for Aston Villa who defeated local rivals Birmingham City by four goals to two in Villa Park early this afternoon. Striker Scott Hogan was an unused substitute.
Wolverhampton Wanderers went down to a surprise two nil home defeat by visitors Huddersfield Town in the Premier League on Sunday afternoon. Matt Doherty, who missed last week’s international fixtures with a facial injury, started for the hosts and was doubly culpable for the opening goal after just six minutes. 

The FAI has called a press conference for 3pm on Sunday afternoon in the Aviva Stadium at which it is anticipated that Mick McCarthy will be unveiled as the new manager of the Republic of Ireland. Reports suggest that McCarthy has agreed a two year contract at a salary of €1.2 million with a further two year option available to the FAI. It is also believed that long time club assistant Terry Connor will join the management team and further reports suggest that Robbie Keane may also have a role within the new structure.
It has also been intimated that, with an eye to the future, Stephen Kenny is to leave his role as manager of Dundalk to take control of the Under 21 side with a further remit to oversee the development of all the underage sides from Under 15 to Under 19.

Shane Duffy was in action for Brighton & Hove Albion who were held to a one all draw by visitors Leicester City in the Premier League on Saturday afternoon. Seamus Coleman started for Everton in their one nil defeat of visitors Cardiff City for whom Harry Arter and Greg Cunningham both started. Cyrus Christie completed ninety minutes for Fulham as they overcame visitors Southampton by three goals to two at Craven Cottage. Midweek international debutant Michael Obafemi was a late substitute for the vanquished ‘Saints’. Declan Rice was in midfield action for West Ham United who suffered a four nil hammering by visitors Manchester City in the London Stadium.  

The Championship fixture between Rotherham United and Sheffield United may well have attracted the attention of Barnsley lad Mick McCarthy early on Saturday afternoon. The hosts included loanees Ryan Manning and Richie Towell in their starting eleven while the trio of John Egan, Enda Stevens and David McGoldrick all started for the visitors as the sides played out a two all draw. Later in the day, Millwall, where McCarthy cut his managerial teeth, played out a one all draw with visitors Bolton Wanderers with Shaun Williams in the hosts starting eleven and Aiden O’Brien a thirty seventh minute substitute. Callum Robinson was again on the scoresheet as his Preston North End defeated local rivals Blackburn Rovers by four goals to one at Deepdale. Alan Browne also scored for the hosts while Darragh Lenihan and Derrick Williams were in defence for the visitors. Richard Keogh skippered Derby County in their two one victory at Sheffield Wednesday while James McClean started for Stoke City who played out a two all draw with visitors QPR. In the late kick-off, Alan Judge started and scored for Brentford but in vain as visitors Middlesbrough and Darren Randolph secured a two one victory.
In League One, Ronan Curtis was in action for leaders Portsmouth who secured a two one victory at Scunthorpe United. 

The draws for the Elite Stages of the 2019 Women’s U17 and U19 European Championships, together with the draws for the Preliminary Stages of the 2020 Championship, were made at UEFA Headquarters in Nyon on Friday morning.
Our U17 Women have been drawn in a daunting Elite Stage Group Four alongside Germany, Norway, who will host the mini-tournament, and Scotland with the fixtures scheduled for the 20th to the 26th March 2019. Only the Group winner progresses to the Finals, to be hosted by Bulgaria from the 5th to the 17th May 2019.
In the draw for the Preliminary Round of the 2020 competition, we have been placed in Group Seven alongside Albania, Greece and mini-tournament hosts Lithuania, with the matches scheduled between the 10th and 16th September 2019.
In the U19 Elite Stage, we have been drawn in Group Four alongside Hungary, Serbia and mini-tournament hosts Spain with the fixtures scheduled between the 3rd and 9th April 2019 and the Group winners only progressing to the Finals which will be hosted by Scotland between the 16th and 28th July 2019.
In the Qualifying Stage of the 2020 competition, we have been drawn alongside mini-tournament hosts Holland, Montenegro and Ukraine with the fixtures scheduled between the 2nd and 8th October 2019.     

Who Next?

So for the first time in five years Republic of Ireland are look for a new management team. There is no doubting the Martin O’Neill and his backroom staff brought some memorable times, which included the games against the then World champions Germany, Second round of the Euros (after beating Italy) and beating both Wales and Austria away. We  thank them fully for truly memorable games and experiences. However, there is no denying that there was a sharp decline in the both the enthusiasm and atmosphere over the last twelve months. Displays lacking the usual fighting spirit added with no shots on target in the last four games meant that this chapter has reached its end.

There are both familiar and unfamiliar faces being touted as the possible replacements, which include Mick McCarthy, Stephen Kenny and a combination of recently retired former players which includes Robbie Keane, Steven Reid, Lee Carsley and Kenny Cunningham. I would include Chris Hughton, and he would be the best person, but unfortunately this is not the right time for him considering the job he is doing at Brighton.

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Mick McCarthy:

Been there and done it – both as a player and manager for Ireland. His knowledge of the English championship would surely be beneficial to our squad which at the moment comprises of lower Premier League and Championship clubs. Did his Ipswich team play attractive football? NO. But did they remain in the league despite having a very small budget. YES. This model could well work for Ireland – do we have an abundance of riches in terms of players? NO. But can we compete with the right direction and guidance? YES!

 

Mentioned along with Mick are his usual stalwart Terry Connor – again massively experienced with the current calibre of players we have in the squad. Also mentioned are Kenny Cunningham and Robbie Keane. Again these are players who have played in the biggest games Irish football has been part of in recent times. Their commitment to the shirt and undeniable talent would surely inspire the current squad. Robbie especially should be able to help a not so flattering forward line on paper and even more so, unlike his namesake, bring a positive attitude and atmosphere in to the camp

Stephen Kenny:

4 league titles in 5 years is undeniable. Stephen Kenny is a very good coach. During that time he has lost his star players to other clubs at home and abroad, yet is able to replenish and rejuvenate to continue to dominate the Irish League. This of course culminated in his Dundalk team playing the Europa League group stages – huge for Irish football.

However, there will be a question mark on his ability to step up. This isn’t meant in a derogatory way to the League of Ireland, but to suddenly have a squad of players playing in two of the most competitive leagues in the world – can his current skills/experience translate? On paper he represents a more modern choice – promoting a passing style of play and using youngsters to enhance the squad but whether this can be instilled by Kenny in the current squad is a different question

Lee Carsley + Steven Reid

Strong, Determined, Robust. Three words that can be used to describe both Carsley and Reid – certainly yes when they were playing. However, since retirement both have gone on to work at the top level in a coaching capacity. Both are highly respected amongst the coaching community, yet somehow both are working for England. Without doubt we should be tapping into their knowledge and using this within our set up – whether that is within the first team set up or that of the U21s. Similar to those previously mentioned, they have been there and done it for Ireland. They are part of an England set up producing youth teams that are competing and winning at the highest levels ( but we wont focus too much on that)

All of those mentioned represent a new direction either way and whilst we may not be able to influence or dictate who the next manager – surely there is room for all of the above to fit in?

Whilst the new manager is yet to be known, one thing that we do know for certain is that as fans we will all be behind the team.

Come on you boys in green!

SOC