Tag Archives: Seamus Coleman

With Ireland needing a draw at the very least to keep hopes of qualification alive, there is much debate surrounding what team Martin O’Neill will select for Sunday night. Here, Brian Barry offers the XI he would start with to beat Poland. Formation 4-4-2. _____ Goalkeeper: Kieren Westwood In what has traditionally been an easy call for Ireland managers, O’Neill finds …

It’s Paddy’s Day. We’re wearing our green socks, singing ditties and doing a bit of a jig in the office. We got the cans of Guinness out this morning and given the day in question, we started shouting at each other about the greatest Irish players ever to play in the Premier League.  So, after much debate (and just a …

The League of Ireland has become a bigger and bigger shop window for clubs from across Britain, with the talent emerging from the league rising steadily to the stage where now much of Ireland’s international squad is made up of ex-League of Ireland legends. Here we select 10 of the best to have left our league in the last 10 years. …

With The Guardian reporting that Manchester United are preparing a bid for Everton’s Seamus Coleman in January, there is now every chance that this move may go ahead.  After a dull nil all draw a few days ago with Tottenham, I wrote that Manchester United right back Rafael Da Silva may simply not be up to par for the Old …

Ahead of Tuesday’s friendly match with the USA, most of the discussion at Monday’s press conference with Republic of Ireland manager Martin O’Neill was around his assistant manager Roy Keane and his actions of late. O’Neill was quick to defend Keane but seem irked at having to talk about his assistant rather than the players and the game ahead. The Not-So-Sweet …

Brian Barry discusses the XI that he believes Ireland manager Martin O’Neill should deploy against Scotland on Friday.   Formation: 4-4-2 Scotland are likely to line up as a 4-4-2, or 4-4-1-1. Although Ireland played with a more conservative 4-5-1 against Germany, Martin O’Neill’s side should go to Glasgow with more abandon, confident of getting a win. In this regard, …

Tom O’Connor gives his views on some of the positive aspects of the League of Ireland as the 2014 season nears its end. This author is getting a bit fed up with all the league bashing going on in this country. People who have never set foot in a LOI ground talk rubbish about the standard of football in the …

Aston Villa head to Goodison Park to face Everton on Saturday afternoon at 3pm with both sides targeting three points as a necessity following recent poor form. Gavin Bergin discusses.  A match between two teams struggling for form. Everton haven’t won in any of their last five games in all competitions, their last win coming in the Europa League against …

Chelsea and Everton’s burgeoning special relationship could see hot prospect Ross Barkley move to Stamford Bridge but Manchester United could step in to snap up right back Seamus Coleman Chelsea and Everton have enjoyed a cordial relationship in the recent past with the Toffees benefiting from loan moves of Romelu Lukaku and Christian Atsu, with the former deal subsequently being made permanent. While …

Rob Lyons discusses the importance of a successful national league to improve Ireland’s international side. He argues that one must look at the domestic game first before following the tradition of looking to England for international stars. A quick skim through the full Irish international squad  sees many players that made their name in the League of Ireland before progressing to bigger leagues across Europe …

With the Republic of Ireland having started a second string side against Oman, we look at the possible starting eleven that Martin O’ Neill will deploy for the important European Championship Qualifier away to Georgia on Sunday. GK: David Forde Shay Given’s pedigree is undisputed but, as he just back in the International set-up following retirement, it would be unfair to …

Stephen Walsh, a self-proclaimed League of Ireland fanatic, discusses the Top 10 Traits of every Irish domestic football fan. League of Ireland fans are a breed apart; travelling up and down the country in the best and worst of weather to support a league which is treated with total disdain by the rest of the public. Who else would travel from …

7.05PM: Ten minutes to go at Goodison and Arsenal’s season is in crisis before it even begins. Fifteen minutes later and goals from Aaron Ramsey & Olivier Giroud have clinched a point for The Gunners; a point that had looked so unlikely after the first half.  The result may not be disastrous but given the performance it really could have been, …

The future looks bright for Everton and the club’s Irish contingent. Jason Coulter discusses the aptly named ‘Irish Toffees’ and what we can expect this season. Irish fans will be keeping a close eye on Everton this season. The Merseyside team has become home for a number of Ireland’s most important players recently, with Seamus Coleman named Player of the Year …

Everton enjoyed a successful season last year, but ultimately fell short in their quest to qualify for the Champions League. Brian Bowler discusses the bright future of the club and believes they will not suffer second-season syndrome under Roberto Martinez. There are a number of reasons why so many supposed “second tier” clubs often struggle to break into the elite group …

Plans are now underway for Euro 2016, and Ireland will be hoping for two things; qualification and progression. Here to discuss Ireland’s Euro 2016 side is Brian Barry. Martin O’Neill and Roy Keane can learn a lot when looking at the minnows who excelled at the World Cup. The likes of Iran, Greece, Costa Rica and USA all exceeded expectations …

There are times as a football fan when you are absolutely certain there’s something wrong with you. It was a feeling that came over me as the clock struck past two in the morning as I waited for the second half of Ireland vs. Costa Rica to begin. My eyes were bleary, it was time for sleep and yet I …