UEFA U-19 European Championship thread

IRISHSPORTSGUY

Group A
Romania
Czech Republic
Greece
Republic of Ireland



Group B
Serbia
Spain
Turkey
Belgium



Wednesday July 20th
Serbia v Turkey 17:00
Spain v Belgium 17:00 (Live on Eurosport)

Romania v Czech Republic 19:00 (Live on Eurosport 2)
Greece v Ireland 19:00

Saturday July 23rd
Turkey v Belgium 17:00
Czech Republic v Ireland 17:00 (Live on Eurosport)

Serbia v Spain 19:00 (Live on Eurosport)
Romania v Turkey 19:00

Tuesday July 26th
Ireland v Romania 17:00
Czech Republic v Greece 17:00 (Live on Eurosport)

Belgium v Serbia 19:00
Turkey v Spain 19:00 (Live on Eurosport)

Friday July 29th
Semi Final 1 16:45 (Live on Eurosport)
Semi Final 2 18:45 (Live on Eurosport)

Monday August 1st
Final 18:00 (Live on Eurosport)

Ireland Squad:
Goalkeepers – Aaron McCarey (Wolves), Sean McDermott (Arsenal)
Defenders – Matt Doherty (Wolves), John Egan (Sunderland), Anthony O’Connor (Blackburn), Joe Shaughnessy (Aberdeen), Declan Walker (Wrexham), Derrick Williams (Aston Villa)
Midfielders – Samir Carruthers (Aston Villa), Kane Ferdinand (Southend), Anthony Forde (Wolves), Jeff Hendrick (Derby), Kevin Knight (Unattached), Sean Murray (Watford), Eoin Wearen (West Ham)
Forwards – Conor Murphy (Bray), John O’ Sullivan (Blackburn), Connor Smith (Watford)

IRISHSPORTSGUY

What's the craic with Robbie Brady, Connor Clifford and Sean McGinty? Thought they were supposed to be the three most gifted players of this age group.

Charisteas

IRISHSPORTSGUY wrote: »

What's the craic with Robbie Brady, Connor Clifford and Sean McGinty? Thought they were supposed to be the three most gifted players of this age group.

Will probably be in the under-21 squad that play Hungary and Turkey in the qualifier for the 2013 Euros in September.

Suppose they could technically play in both Under 21 and Under 19 age-group, maybe the coaches didn't want them playing so much football this earlier in the season.

flahavaj

Anyone any idea what the teams in our group are like at this level? Have we any chance of getting out of it?

yabadabado

IRISHSPORTSGUY wrote: »

What's the craic with Robbie Brady, Connor Clifford and Sean McGinty? Thought they were supposed to be the three most gifted players of this age group.

Brady and McGinty missed a qualifier due to commitments with United and weren't brought.there was also rumours Brady and Doolin had a falling out.Duffy wasn't brought over either.Dont know anything about Clifford.

Dolph Starbeam

Clifford is starting for Chelsea today in a pretty strong line-up, not sure why he's not in this squad either though.

yabadabado

Mark! wrote: »

Clifford is starting for Chelsea today in a pretty strong line-up, not sure why he's not in this squad either though.

Its Billy Clifford playing for Chelsea,not Conor.

Charisteas

Tomáš Kalas is also playing for Chelsea today (Centre back), he's in the Czech Republic team for the under 19's Euro's.

Dolph Starbeam

yabadabado wrote: »

Its Billy Clifford playing for Chelsea,not Conor.

Ah right my bad, just presumed it was Conor

IRISHSPORTSGUY

Player unrest remains a sore point that refuses to go away

The absence of key players is yet again hampering the hopes of an Ireland team, writes John O'Brien

Sunday July 17 2011



IT is surely regrettable that by the time the whistle blows on Ireland's first outing in this year's UEFA Under 19 Championship against Greece on Wednesday, Rob Brady and Sean McGinty will probably have taken the field for Manchester United reserves in a friendly at Fleetwood Town on England's north-west coast. In an ideal world both would be spearheading Ireland's hopes of following up their historic triumph in Cyprus in 1998.
Meanwhile, Shane Duffy will likely be enjoying a short break in the middle of an arduous pre-season schedule that has already incorporated a training camp in Austria and a club under 21 tournament in Moscow. "It is always a good experience to get away to a different country with the lads," Duffy told the Everton website. Yet would it not be better for everybody -- club, country and player too -- if he was lending his experience and talent to the cause in Romania this week?
It is a shame, of course, that Ireland's progress to a major championship finals for the first time at any level since 2002 should be blighted by chatter about player disharmony and managerial fall-outs. The 3-0 dismantling of Italy in May was arguably the finest performance by an Irish international side in a decade and, since taking over from Sean McCaffrey last September, Paul Doolin boasts a record that shows one loss in 10 games, all of them played on foreign soil. How can there be clouds on that horizon?
Doolin, for one, won't see anything but azure blue skies above. He has selected a squad based around those who negotiated the Becher's Brook of the elite stages in Poland -- no goals conceded in three games -- and who mostly ply their trade at mid-range English clubs. In this, Doolin was sending a strong signal of the type of manager he wishes to be: eager to stamp his authority, taking a leaf perhaps out of the coaching manual as composed by Giovanni Trapattoni.
Yet if the Italian has faced tough inquisitions over his dealings with players, Doolin can hardly expect to escape a similar fate, if on a more temperate level. Friction between managers and players isn't a uniquely Irish phenomenon, of course, but seems to happen here with alarming regularity. And regardless of how Ireland perform in Romania, it's beyond time surely that the FAI seeks to get to grips with what has been a troublesome and recurring issue.
It won't escape their opponents this week -- Greece, the Czech Republic and Romania -- that Ireland arrive without their three most accomplished players. Nor will they have forgotten that Ireland is the country that expelled its only truly world-class player from the 2002 World Cup finals. Or was it the other way around? Did Roy Keane quit and abandon his team-mates to their fate? You can never tell with those crazy Irish.
It is to Doolin's credit, naturally, that he has guided his team to a rare major finals appearance, but he has also left himself open to the charge that he has compromised Ireland's chances by refusing to select his star players. All three played in Ireland's first three qualifying games, Brady captaining the side each time, yet none has featured since and for reasons which are anything but clear. It is too important an issue to ignore.
Where else would this happen? England managers routinely encounter problems with top Premier League clubs, but although Arsene Wenger was his usual gruff, belligerent self, the debate about Jack Wilshere's involvement in last month's UEFA Under 21 Championship was admirably grown-up and restrained. Wilshere was happy to play if they wanted him, but it was decided that rest was the better option.
Spain set the template, of course. In the past decade they have farmed underage titles -- an under 21, four under 19s, three under 17s -- and laid the foundation for their all-conquering senior side. Should we be learning something from that model? The idea of a Spanish underage team fielding without a Torres or a Fabregas, for instance, would be laughable. The system is balanced and player-centred, although it helps that there isn't a culture among top clubs to regard the international set-up as a threat to their own self-interests.
Without knowing the full circumstances, we can't be too harsh on Doolin who has, after all, a record most managers would kill for. Yet his rather vague comment last week that he only wanted players "who want to play" was, rightly or wrongly, interpreted as a stinging rebuke to the absent stars and seemed needlessly provocative when you consider Ireland's poor recent history in player-development and the fact that one of the absentees still has the option of switching nationality.
For his own reasons, Doolin has gambled on building a squad shorn of quality but strong on organisation and spirit and so far it has served his purpose. He has been fortunate too in that Ireland have been drawn in much the easier group with Spain, Turkey and Serbia, who inflicted Doolin's sole defeat in charge of this team, in the other group. Brian Kerr's 2002 side reached a semi-final and Doolin has realistic hopes of emulating that achievement.
Whether his squad houses any future stars is hard to say. For all their potential, Kerr's last under-age team yielded only Stephen Kelly and Stephen Elliott to the senior team. And while future senior internationals poured forth from the history-making under 16 and under 18 1998 squads, you only have to retreat a further year to the over-achieving under 20s in Malaysia which gave us precious little beyond Damien Duff, to appreciate how unreliable under-age trends can be.
What we can say is that, to dispatch Italy and get this far, Doolin's squad must be decent. Sunderland's John Egan, son of the Kerry legend, is an inspirational captain. You could see Sami Carruthers, a wispish play-maker at Aston Villa, having a big future if Ireland ever abandon the rigid approach championed by Trapattoni. Consider too that in 2009 defender Matt Doherty was on a FáS soccer course and on the fringes at Bohemians. In January this year Doherty made his debut in the FA Cup against Doncaster for Mick McCarthy's Wolves.
So there are a few shards of light. That seven of the 11 who started Doolin's first game in charge last October, a 5-0 defeat of Luxembourg, haven't made the cut for Romania is an illustration of the sweep of talent available to Ireland underage managers. Irish clubs are even winning a few games in Europe again. Good times. The only disappointment, it seems, is that just one Ireland game, against the Czechs next Saturday, has made it onto Eurosport's live roster.
And if it doesn't seem right that they travel with their three best players otherwise engaged, we can give thanks at least for such small mercies.

IRISHSPORTSGUY

Ireland's four to watch

Matt Doherty (Wolves)
Spotted by Mick McCarthy during a pre-season friendly at Dalymount Park last season, Doherty had never played for Bohemians when Wolves paid £70,000 for his services last season. Made his first-team debut in the FA Cup against Doncaster. A quick full-back, his raids forward will be key for Doolin's men.
John Egan (Sunderland)
Son of the Kerry football legend of the same name, captain Egan will lead his side from the back in Romania. Raised in Cork, the centre-half is an aggressive defender and was joint-skipper of the Sunderland youth team last season.
Kane Ferdinand (Southend)
A cousin of Rio and Anton, Kane Ferdinand qualifies for Ireland through his Dublin-born father and has already played 22 times for League Two side Southend. A tigerish defensive midfielder, he has been linked with moves to West Ham, Ipswich and Burnley.
Conor Murphy (Bray Wanderers)
A trainee at Middlesbrough, Murphy returned home to play for Shamrock Rovers but has made his name for Bray this season, scoring seven goals in the league. Likely to play up front on his own, the striker's coolness under pressure and strength to hold up ball will be key.

LeeroyJones

http://www.fai.ie/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=101917&catid=4&Itemid=12

The FAI offer a lowdown on each of the squad-members

IRISHSPORTSGUY

Spain were leading Belgium 1-0 but then the game was suspended because of lightning and thunderstorm.

0-0 between Serbia and Turkey.

IrishIrish

LeeroyJones wrote: »

http://www.fai.ie/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=101917&catid=4&Itemid=12

The FAI offer a lowdown on each of the squad-members

The amount of mistakes in those write ups is shocking.

Lucan Bohs

Good luck to Conor Murphy (bray) and Matt Doherty (ex Bohs)

ctrl-alt-delete

IrishIrish wrote: »

The amount of mistakes in those write ups is shocking.

F.A.IL wrote:

John O'Sullivan (Blackburn Rovers). Age: 17.
A permanent fixture in the team for the elite qualifiers, John has bundles of energy and zip in his play. Moved to Blackburn Rovers from famed Dublin club Blackburn Rovers and can play through the middle or as an attacking midfielder.

radiospan

Is this on TV or radio anywhere? Can't find a stream online.

British Eurosport showed the Spain match earlier, and they have the other game in our group live now.

super_furry

1-0 to Ireland after two minutes

ctrl-alt-delete

1-1 now after 5 mins,

Just going from updates on UEFA site.

yabadabado

1-1 half time.

IRISHSPORTSGUY

1-1 in both games in our group. Hendrick needs to watch himself.

Bassboxxx

Any streams yet??

IRISHSPORTSGUY

1-2!!!

everdead.ie

Lucan Bohs wrote: »

Good luck to Conor Murphy (bray) and Matt Doherty (ex Bohs)

And er Ireland :pac:

LuckyGent88

Anthony O'Connor with the 2nd goal for us.

Dont be at yourself

Shame this isn't being streamed on the UEFA, FAI or RTE websites!

Carroller16

everdead.ie wrote: »

And er Ireland :pac:

I was thinking that myself .. why didn't he wish luck to the whole squad

everdead.ie

NekkidBibleMan wrote: »

Shame this isn't being streamed on the UEFA, FAI or RTE websites!

Anyone see the crap on tv at the moment this should be streamed it wouldnt cost that much extra especially when there are probably cameras already there for us to watch the highlights on the news later.

LeeroyJones

everdead.ie wrote: »

Anyone see the crap on tv at the moment this should be streamed it wouldnt cost that much extra especially when there are probably cameras already there for us to watch the highlights on the news later.

This is Ireland and Greece we're talking about!

everdead.ie

Czechs are 2-1 up now

alchemist33

I'd even settle for live text on rte, in the absence of all else.

IRISHSPORTSGUY

15 mins left. Come on lads, hold out.

IRISHSPORTSGUY

http://greenscene.me/2011/07/republic-of-ireland-u19-v-greece-u19-live-commentary/

Slightly better than the robotic text on the UEFA website.

LeeroyJones

Sounds like Doherty is on thin ice. Already in the book and has committed a couple of fouls since

dreamers75

IRISHSPORTSGUY wrote: »

15 mins left. Come on lads, hold out.

Hold out? Unless they have a blip only spain will stop them in this.

LeeroyJones

Czech 3-1 Romania.

everdead.ie

LeeroyJones wrote: »

Czech 3-1 Romania.

It'd be nice if Romania could get something back

Looks like Top two qualify from group as there are only two groups. Finishing first could be the difference between a final and a semi final appearance.

dreamers75

everdead.ie wrote: »

It'd be nice if Romania could get something back

Would prefer if they were out before we played them.

LeeroyJones

If they hadn't home advantage I'd be quite confident of Ireland beating them, they look no more that average. Czech Rep look decent, big test on Saturday for Ireland.

Stevecw

A bit mad that Rio Ferdinands cousin has just come on for us! But his Dad is a dub so fair enough.
Lets hope we can see it out now, great save from keeper to keep us ahead. Would be amazing start

everdead.ie

Stevecw wrote: »

A bit mad that Rio Ferdinands cousin has just come on for us! But his Dad is a dub so fair enough.
Lets hope we can see it out now, great save from keeper to keep us ahead. Would be amazing start

Rio Ferdinand could have played for us too in fairness.

IRISHSPORTSGUY

Full-time!

LuckyGent88

lovely stuff. Great win and start to the competition.

everdead.ie

IRISHSPORTSGUY wrote: »

Full-time!

Excellent anyone know if Eurosport will show highlights?

dreamers75

everdead.ie wrote: »

Excellent anyone know if Eurosport will show highlights?

Have replay of czech game on at 11:15 thats all i can see on Euro UK,2 and HD

Stevecw

everdead.ie wrote: »

Rio Ferdinand could have played for us too in fairness.

I know, but we had Gary Breen at the time so Rio didn't fancy sitting on the bench!!

Great result, what a start. Bring on the Czechs at weekend and it will be good to actually watch them rather than follow updates!

Kingdom Bhoy

Well done boys.

dreamers75

Has anyone seen these lads play? Shít hot is an understatment.

Only negative is Doolin possibly.

alchemist33

Great result! If any of the lads end up reading this, congrats!

ctrl-alt-delete

Stevecw wrote: »

I know, but we had Gary Breen at the time so Rio didn't fancy sitting on the bench!!

Great result, what a start. Bring on the Czechs at weekend and it will be good to actually watch them rather than follow updates!

Yeah looking forward to being able to watch them next game, where a win will give us a semi final spot.

A great start anyways.

Stevecw

dreamers75 wrote: »

Has anyone seen these lads play? Shít hot is an understatment.

Only negative is Doolin possibly.

He has 1 loss from 11 games in charge including beating Italy 3-0. Can't see much negative about that!