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[Football] Shane Duffy fit again and Connolly may start for Ireland (2 pm kickoff)
- Thread starter Kalimantan Gull
- Start date
Da Man Clay
T'Blades
- Dec 16, 2004
- 16,280
It’s not his debut.
And even if it was - yes. Senior pro with more than 150 goals to his name in his career. More suited to playing up front on his own in this formation in an away qualifier. Connolly is clearly very talented but a lone striker he is not.
Jolly Red Giant
Well-known member
- Jul 11, 2015
- 2,615
Seriously - McCarthy has repeatedly got his teams to play way above where they were at ability wise - he did that the first time with Ireland getting a declining team into the qualification play-offs three time and to the world cup in 2002. Now he messed up the campaign in Japan starting the the crap with Roy Keane (but that was all the fault of the FAI officials than McCarthy).
But look at the team Ireland had in 2002 and compare it to now - there is no comparison.
I think it is possible - even likely - that Connolly will come on as a sub - if Ireland win this they only need one more point to qualify for the Euros - and hopefully he will reproduce what he did against Spurs if he gets the chance.
Kalimantan Gull
Well-known member
- Thread starter
- #44
Promoted from the fourth division FOUR times in his career. Thats the kind of talent that needs to be in international football. I'd leave Shane Long on the bench for that.
Jolly Red Giant
Well-known member
- Jul 11, 2015
- 2,615
I have to say - the one guy who annoys me on the pitch is James McClean - he has done nothing but huff-and-puff and kick people for a long time now.
Da Man Clay
T'Blades
- Dec 16, 2004
- 16,280
Scored last time out for Ireland. Not sure why a kid who’s played about 300 minutes of senior football should be destined to start as a late call up.
blue-shifted
Banned
Anyone on this thread who's expressed any sentiments along the lines of Hope Connolly doesn't get on in case he gets injured, maybe should go away and think if they're being a bit small minded about it.
Try being happy for the lad.
Try being happy for the lad.
ROI missing the immense talent of traitor Declan Rice, the midfield destroyer of the Czech Republic last night.
Da Man Clay
T'Blades
- Dec 16, 2004
- 16,280
Despite being of the view it’s right he hasn’t started - I am desperate to see him get on. He absolutely deserves it.
Kalimantan Gull
Well-known member
- Thread starter
- #51
maybe we should be looking at him then, we could do with a bigger player up front and if he's ahead of Connolly, sign him up!
Too late sadly. Liverpool and Real Madrid are both looking to sign James Collins, striker for the ROI.
Don’t think anyone here has expressed that...
Icy Gull
Back on the rollercoaster
- Jul 5, 2003
- 72,015
Agreed, unless he comes on and gets injured
We don't actually know he can't play the lone striker role yet - there's more than one way of being a lone striker than just being a big lump who can out-jump defenders and push them around!
Agree though about him being given a start for Ireland - we are, IMHO, getting a little ahead of ourselves, brilliant though his full debut was. It was only a start though - we are all hoping he's as good as we think, but he hasn't proved it yet.
I hope he comes on with twenty minutes to go and breaks the deadlock with a hat-trick!
Jolly Red Giant
Well-known member
- Jul 11, 2015
- 2,615
Like I said - you get used to it
portslade seagull
Well-known member
No idea upfront, poor game
Jolly Red Giant
Well-known member
- Jul 11, 2015
- 2,615
Connolly is about to come on
Icy Gull
Back on the rollercoaster
- Jul 5, 2003
- 72,015
I’m only watching to see Connolly, I’ll be gutted to have sat through this if he doesn’t get on
Yay he’s on