Next LoI Player to Make it Overseas

OhNoYouDidn't

In the last couple of years there have been a long list of made in Ireland footballers who have cut it at the top overseas. Players like Doyle, Long, McCourt, Fahey, Hoolihan, Meyler and Coleman recently, Padraig Amond doing well in Portugal as well as the likes of Keane, McGrath, Moran and Whelan from further back.

So who is the next batch likely to make the jump?

Two obvious ones at the moment IMHO

Daniel Kearns at Dundalk is a fantastic prospect. Still only 19, he is a tricky bollox of a winger with quite a shot. The IFA went to CASS to stop him declaring for the ROI team, who he has represented at U19, U21 and U23. Watch this space, the kid is explosive.



Ronan Finn of Shamrock Rovers, who joined Rovers from Finglas after turning down Palace because they offered him a daft contract. Was a regular for UCD at 17 and is generally the complete attacking midfielder. Pacey, two feet, good in the air and has a fantastic knack of getting into the box unmarked. he is one of the most exciting players Ireland has produced in a hell of a long time. In a word, cultured.



Also worth a mention is Rovers left back Enda Stevens, who will deffo give England a go in the coming seasons, but seems to be content to learn his trade before rushing over.



Any others?

TerryTibbs!

How has that young lad at Bray got on this season? Kelly I think.

Gavin "shels"

Jake Kelly?

OhNoYouDidn't

Gavin shels wrote: »

Jake Kelly?

I assume so. Good player, had a cracking season last year, but I'm not quite sure is he the level I'm talking about.

TerryTibbs!

Gavin shels wrote: »

Jake Kelly?

Scored a lobbed goal against Rovers when they won the league, seemed a good player.

dreamers75

Hard to call for us, Fahey obvious special talent went over and Mc Allister not so obvious but still impressive talent went over. North and Kavanagh our best players but North English and Kavanagh has some issues to resolve but easily our best player atm defintley could do it over there.

Kearns seems to be a bit of a JP Kelly and prolly wont go back over until issues are sorted.

Finn and Stevens have 2 games in July to prove themselves personally dont think either will be england by xmas, PL and top of champo only care about our players that do well in Europe. The bottom of champo and lower take anyone who is decent (Behan gets his game ffs ).

Stevens i thought with some better coaching would become a rampaging attacking fullback with Rovers (he had Kenna previous) but seems to have "defend" instilled into him and tbh hes better than that. From games i have seen he lumps it forward and rarely puts the willies up opposing fullbacks.

Reckon Sheppard from Rovers will get the magic plane before those 2. dreading coming up vs him again.

Not many players sticking out atm but its early yet.

OhNoYouDidn't

dreamers75 wrote: »

Hard to call for us, Fahey obvious special talent went over and Mc Allister not so obvious but still impressive talent went over. North and Kavanagh our best players but North English and Kavanagh has some issues to resolve but easily our best player atm defintley could do it over there.

Kearns seems to be a bit of a JP Kelly and prolly wont go back over until issues are sorted.

Finn and Stevens have 2 games in July to prove themselves personally dont think either will be england by xmas, PL and top of champo only care about our players that do well in Europe. The bottom of champo and lower take anyone who is decent (Behan gets his game ffs ).

Stevens i thought with some better coaching would become a rampaging attacking fullback with Rovers (he had Kenna previous) but seems to have "defend" instilled into him and tbh hes better than that. From games i have seen he lumps it forward and rarely put the willies up oppsing fullbacks.

Reckon Sheppard from Rovers will get the magic plane before those 2. dreading coming up vs him again.

Not many players sticking out atm but its early yet.

Imagine that with a full back....

Shepp is special too, but I couldn't just list Rovers players.

Don't Pats have a young full back that looks the part?

Paully D

I see you've mentioned Amond there, good to hear he's doing well in Portugal. The last I checked he only had a couple of goals so he must be improving.

dreamers75

OhNoYouDidn't wrote: »

Imagine that with a full back....

Shepp is special too, but I couldn't just list Rovers players.

Don't Pats have a young full back that looks the part?

In fairness you look at the type of fullback he is and hes not a Danny Murphy hes a Coleman/united twins style FB. He didnt defend very well offered a massive a threat going forward with us. He was ****ing awesome in Europe for us earned him a move to the best team ever who seem to have curbed his ability to run forward with the ball and instead he lumps it forward now. Shame that.

Jake Carroll is our new great young player, but only played 1 full game for 1st team and what a bleedin ball!!! (also caught out for their 1st goal) still reckon hes on the plane but wait and see.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Eb7OuwiXJdQ

OhNoYouDidn't

dreamers75 wrote: »

earned him a move to the best team ever who seem to have curbed his ability to run forward with the ball and instead he lumps it forward now. Shame that.

No, he just has learnt a bit of discipline and is part of a defence that has conceded 5 goals in 10 games and only two of those were from open play.

As for the lumping forward line, best not to listen to the Sligs too much...

dreamers75

OhNoYouDidn't wrote: »

No, he just has learnt a bit of discipline and is part of a defence that has conceded 5 goals in 10 games and only two of those were from open play....

We conceded 0 goals in 1st 10 games last year does that mean Bermo and Pender are the best fullbacks in the league? You had both of them? Stats great aint they.

How many assists has Stevens with you? I think it was 12 for us and 3 of them in Europe. As an attacking player imo he has regressed at Rovers from a skillful attacking fullback into a defender. Considering Croly his coach bewilders me as he was ****ing brilliant at going forward.

OhNoYouDidn't

dreamers75 wrote: »

We conceded 0 goals in 1st 10 games last year does that mean Bermo and Pender are the best fullbacks in the league? You had both of them? Stats great aint they.

How many assists has Stevens with you? I think it was 12 for us and 3 of them in Europe. As an attacking player imo he has regressed at Rovers from a skillful attacking fullback into a defender. Considering Croly his coach bewilders me as he was ****ing brilliant at going forward.

Why do you assume a defender learning to defend is a regression?

We both agree he is good enough to be in with a shout for the Irish left back slot. Do you thing the ability to hold a line and play the offside trap is a help or a hindrance in that quest?

dreamers75

OhNoYouDidn't wrote: »

Why do you assume a defender learning to defend is a regression?

We both agree he is good enough to be in with a shout for the Irish left back slot. Do you thing the ability to hold a line and play the offside trap is a help or a hindrance in that quest?

I think in our league that holding a line and playing offside may help a player "press up" but in a different league and on a different stage technical ability is required.

I mean i can step up and hold a line, its not that hard. Getting the ball on the edge of your own box and bringing it to the edge of theirs is something else entirely especially vs a team of Internationals and doing it a lot! Hes that good.

OhNoYouDidn't

dreamers75 wrote: »

I think in our league that holding a line and playing offside may help a player "press up" but in a different league and on a different stage technical ability is required.

I mean i can step up and hold a line, its not that hard. Getting the ball on the edge of your own box and bringing it to the edge of theirs is something else entirely especially vs a team of Internationals and doing it a lot! Hes that good.

But he hasn't lost that ability, he just isn't the focal point of our attack like he was at Pats. He is doing more of the overlap and cross than take on 11 players and cross these days. Its a different style, not a regression.

dreamers75

OhNoYouDidn't wrote: »

But he hasn't lost that ability, he just isn't the focal point of our attack like he was at Pats. He is doing more of the overlap and cross than take on 11 players and cross these days. Its a different style, not a regression.

From what i seen its a regression, in fairness to the lad hes still young but imo needs to be attacking more. I hope he makes the switch and does it somewhere bigger. Im not one to begrudge a player for leaving for more money.

S.R.F.C.

I'd be very surprised if Finn doesn't make the step up to at least the Championship.

dfx-

In Stevens' defence (and I'm not his biggest fan) he does have Dennehy playing in front of him...

Finn should be the next, will Williams head over in the Summer?

aliveandkicking

dreamers75 wrote: »

How many assists has Stevens with you?

He's had two in the last three games anyway (I can't be arsed going back any further to check every goal we've scored since the start of the season but I'd be fairly sure he has more than that) . I'd say he'll be near enough if not in double figures come seasons end. It's fairly obvious you only ever see him now when he plays against Pats where it's a derby and with Pats primary tactic of stifling play, you're never going to see much brazilian like full back play in those matches.

Ebbs

dfx- wrote: »

In Stevens' defence (and I'm not his biggest fan) he does have Dennehy playing in front of him...

Finn should be the next, will Williams head over in the Summer?

Williams is already over there at MKD according to wiki, had heard he was deffo over there but at a different club. Too late and too lazy to check who.

Stevens is a good ball player, as is Sully on the other side. Both were very attacking but they are needed to cover the lack of pace in the heart of the defence. Oman isnt too bad but Murray is like a truck turning. They play in a team, a very efficent team at that. They could probally both be running down the wing and getting the ball in the box, but for now they do their job.

AgileMyth

Daryl Horgan is young and looks a great prospect, I'd be surprised if he doesn't make it at a higher level to be honest. He needs to break into our team first though, have a feeling he'll do that soon enough.

Frisbee

Finn is certainly good enoguh for the Championship and if he got a move there I could see him pushing on and making it at a lower level PL club in a couple of years.

BOHtox

I reckon Killiam Brennan will if he puts his mind to it. But Danny Kearns and Ronan Finn defo. I haven't seen Stevens a lot so I can't judge him but whenever I've seen him he was a bit dodgy to say the least

stovelid

Kearns looks to be a great prospect.

If Finner keeps coming on like he is at Rovers, he's a cert for England/SPL.

doncarlos

Finn looks a quality player and could easily get a move across the water. Richie Ryan is still young enough to get a move also sure Fahey didn't move until his late 20s. James McLean at Derry looks very decent but maybe not just the finished article.
A dark horse could be Alan Mannus. He's the top keeper in the league at the minute and would do a decent job at championship or SPL level.

At Dundalk Kearns and McDonnell stand out. Both have just turned 19. Kearns especially looks like a move is on the cards as there have been plenty of scouts watching him. McDonnell has still a bit of developing to do but if he continues his progress no reason he can't be one of the top midfielders in the league in 3/4 years time if he doesn't get a move across the water first.

Loan signing Michael Hector has also impressed in recent weeks after a very poor start at Rovers in the first game of the season. Still only 18. We have him on loan until July and are in negotiations to keep him for the season. Reading manager Brian McDermott has been over to watch him in a couple of matches and is highly rated by the club.

super_furry

Ronan Finn is the most naturally talented player I've seen at Rovers since Pat McCourt.

daddydick

Daryl Kavanagh could well make it, seems to be putting everything into his game which is good to see. he was an absolute disaster who didnt give a sh1t about anyone/anything there for a few years....pure talent though so hope he manages to get on the plane..

gustavo

Finn is a class act. That rare thing - A likeable Shams player.

That_Guy

There was a rumour that we were looking at somebody from Dundalk. The name eludes me right now.

We've bought in Shane Ferguson from Derry City though who, if Enrique leaves during the summer will be our first choice left back at the young age of 20.

stovelid

gustavo wrote: »

Finn is a class act.

He looks like he's just about to make his confo as well...

Tippex

BOHtox wrote: »

I reckon Killiam Brennan will if he puts his mind to it. But Danny Kearns and Ronan Finn defo. I haven't seen Stevens a lot so I can't judge him but whenever I've seen him he was a bit dodgy to say the least

Brennan has the talent but certainly not the attitude to do it.

gustavo

Tippex wrote: »

Brennan has the talent but certainly not the attitude to do it.

He done the rounds at a few British clubs in the off season and didn't get a deal , Can't see him going back over again

edolan

Finn and Kearns are the next most likely to go I feel, both have tremendous ability. Not sure if Mannus will go over TBH at 28 or 29 I wonder has the chance bypassed him, even though I would rate him very highly, great keeper. Enda Stevens possibly. I firmly believe that Karl Sheppard is very overrated not nearly good enough for the championship in England at all. At are own club Daryl Horgan in a year or 2 has a real chance at making it, best young player at the club since Coleman. Aaron Greene I feel may also make the move across the water if he improves his workrate/fitness. After that the only other two players I can think off is Killian Brennan and James Mclean at Derry. Mclean is a player who I've only seen a few times but he will go over soon enough I feel. Brennan as already has been said has the ability but not the atitiude to make it.

stovelid

edolan wrote: »

Finn and Kearns are the next most likely to go I feel, both have tremendous ability. Not sure if Mannus will go over TBH at 28 or 29 I wonder has the chance bypassed him, even though I would rate him very highly, great keeper. Enda Stevens possibly. I firmly believe that Karl Sheppard is very overrated not nearly good enough for the championship in England at all.

Wouldn't have totally subscribed to the Shep mania last year myself but he's looked very good with us this season, not to mention his goal tally so far. And he's still very young.

Think Mannus' big (and only) weakness (well discussed by hoops) is his lack of command in the box but he seems to be working on that more this season. His attitude and other parts of his game are spot-on. I agree though at 28, he doesn't have much time to prove it.

doncarlos

Would disagree with the last couple of posters. 28 is still relatively young from a goalkeeping perspective. Mannus has been consistently good for Rovers since his arrival despite some of the lunatic fringe of the Rovers support giving him sectarian abuse and championing the very mediocre Barry Murphy's cause.
I would have had Cherrie up there with him but he has been average enough this season. Has made some great saves but has made plenty of mistakes and has been lucky not to have been punished for more of them

Would agree that Sheppard is decent but definitely not good enough for a move across the water yet.

dsmythy

Ronan Finn is immense. I think he's had issues with homesickness in the past but as he gets older hopefully he will sort out the mental side of things. No-one should rule out other countries to move to of course. Padraig Amond in Portugal a good example.

Pinturicchio

I would say Finn and Shep are the most likely two.

HyperSkypeWiper

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gareth_McGlynn

This guy's been good when ever I've seen him.

GLaDOS

HyperSkypeWiper wrote: »

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gareth_McGlynn

This guy's been good when ever I've seen him.

He's pretty good, nothing spectacular

born2bwild

Ebbs wrote: »

Williams is already over there at MKD according to wiki, had heard he was deffo over there but at a different club. Too late and too lazy to check who.

Stevens is a good ball player, as is Sully on the other side. Both were very attacking but they are needed to cover the lack of pace in the heart of the defence. Oman isnt too bad but Murray is like a truck turning. They play in a team, a very efficent team at that. They could probally both be running down the wing and getting the ball in the box, but for now they do their job.

Having seen both Finn and Williams playing every match last season and Finn a few this year there's no question but that they'll make an impression over there. Williams is actually better than Finn (a little bit, but better) but he can't play for MK Dons' first team because he was signed outside the transfer window.

shanec1928

doncarlos wrote: »

Finn looks a quality player and could easily get a move across the water. Richie Ryan is still young enough to get a move also sure Fahey didn't move until his late 20s. James McLean at Derry looks very decent but maybe not just the finished article.
A dark horse could be Alan Mannus. He's the top keeper in the league at the minute and would do a decent job at championship or SPL level.

At Dundalk Kearns and McDonnell stand out. Both have just turned 19. Kearns especially looks like a move is on the cards as there have been plenty of scouts watching him. McDonnell has still a bit of developing to do but if he continues his progress no reason he can't be one of the top midfielders in the league in 3/4 years time if he doesn't get a move across the water first.

Loan signing Michael Hector has also impressed in recent weeks after a very poor start at Rovers in the first game of the season. Still only 18. We have him on loan until July and are in negotiations to keep him for the season. Reading manager Brian McDermott has been over to watch him in a couple of matches and is highly rated by the club.

he wasnt very successful their originally or in belgium

Daryl Horgan watch that name a quality young lad with an exciting future ahead

edolan

forza rovers wrote: »

he wasnt very successful their originally or in belgium

Daryl Horgan watch that name a quality young lad with an exciting future ahead

Like Fahey he could be given a second chance over in England and could make the jump up to championship level, if he recaptures his form from last season.