Ireland Under-23 Squad Revealed

Republic of Ireland Under-23 manager Paul Doolin named a 20-man squad to face England in their opening International Challenge Trophy match at the RSC in Waterford on 26 May. The Under-23 selection will also face Giovanni Trapattoni's training camp squad in a behind closed doors-training match on 18 May.

The squad is made entirely of Airtricity League players and gives players the chance to shine in the international set-up when they may have never had the chance before.

Doolin said: 'This is a really talented squad of players and it shows just how many excellent young players are currently playing in the Airtricity League.

'Although the players are young, there is a great deal of experience in the squad. Most of the players have played first team Airtricity League football for several seasons and quite a few already have experience of international football with various underage squads.

'To get the opportunity to represent your country is a huge honour for any player and I'm sure they will all be relishing the chance to pull on the green shirt against England at the RSC. It will be a special night and I am really looking forward to it.

'Prior to the England game, we will have the opportunity to have a look at the players when they face Giovanni Trapattoni's training camp squad. This is a great opportunity to give the players a chance to play together against good opposition ahead of the England match. The opportunity to come up against senior international players is also something that the players will no doubt look forward to.'

Republic of Ireland Under-23 squad: Darren Quigley Sporting Fingal, Robert Duggan Shamrock Rovers, Seamus Conneely Galway United, Garry Breen Dundalk, Stephen Mulcahy Cork City Foras Co-op, Kenny Browne Sporting Fingal, Conor Powell Bohemians, Ian Bermingham St Patrick's Athletic, Ronan Finn Sporting Fingal, Greg Bolger UCD, James Chambers Shamrock Rovers, Stephen O'Donnell Galway United, Billy Dennehy Shamrock Rovers, Ross Gaynor Dundalk, Gary McCabe Sligo Rovers, Shaun Williams Sporting Fingal, Paul Byrne St Patrick's Athletic, Karl Sheppard Galway United, Padraig Amond Sligo Rovers, Paddy Madden Bohemians.

Carlsberg DO do football ads...and they're probably the best in the world

With the World Cup coming up this summer the excitement of every football is huge. The problem with the build-up to the biggest sporting event in the world is the amount of ads we have to put up with on our televisions.

One of the more painful cases this year involves Peter Crouch, Dirk Kuyt, Nicolas Anelka and Cesc Fabregas. The Premier League stars should hang their heads in shame for this Pringles ad. Another awful ad involves Terry Venables singing for The Sun (the funniest part is the head on Harry Redknapp when he comes out for some reason).

That being said there are some decent efforts. Sony's ad with Venables (again), Graham Taylor, Kenny Dalglish, Kelly Brook (anything that gets her on tv more is ok in my book) and Stuart Pearce is very funny. The Pepsi ad follows their usual trend of not asking footballers to try to do much acting, and it works. Stars like Messi, Drogba, Lampard and Henry (scum) lend their skills to a decent effort from Pepsi that includes the world cup anthem from Akon.

However, it is up to Carlsberg once more to put the best ad forward. This time though it isn't their usually hilarious offering but more of an inspirational one. Not like the brilliant Pub Team ad with England legend's or the retirement home for the Irish managers, this year's offering tries to get the hairs on the back of your neck to stand up.

Using famous faces from England, the ad really tries to get the viewer pumped up and following England. As much as I hate to admit it, it worked on me so I can think what the English public make of it.

Leeds one step closer to where they belong

Leeds United were THE team in English football in the 1970's. To think that the great club that produced moments of magic like this (go to 1:19) would be languishing in the third tier of English football.

Since they reached the Champion's League semi-final the great Yorkshire club experienced a disastrous seven years that has seen the club experience relegations (twice), lost play-off finals, administration and a revolving door of managers. In the ensuing time Leeds have become somewhat of a cautionary tale for teams in the Premier League. When Newcastle United were relegated last year, many fans felt they could "do a Leeds", now that Liverpool have had one poor season, according to Man Utd fans, they will "do a Leeds". The last few seasons have not exactly been brilliant to be a follower of Leeds.

Well today brings new optimism for one of the greatest clubs in English football. Today's attendance in Elland road was a staggering 38,234 people. That's 38,234 fans at a third-tier match, bigger than the full capacity of 11 stadiums in the Premier League! Not since Manchester City were in the old Division 2 has there been crowds of that magnitude in the lower leagues of English football.



Man City should be a source of inspiration for all Leeds fans. The blue side of Manchester was languishing out of the Premier League for nearly half a decade before re-establishing themselves in the top tier and becoming the big-spenders that we know them as today. So instead of being the doom and gloom merchants looking for a high profile side to "do a Leeds", let's instead hope that the once dominant force of English football returns to where they belong and "do a City."

Premier League Team of the Year

When the PFA team of the year was unveiled I must admit a few selections had me scratching my head. Obviously there were on or two players who were guaranteed to get in such as Rooney and Dunne but there were some glaring omissions in my opinion. So here is my Team of the year:


1. Pepe Reina (Liverpool)

I think that Joe Hart had a fantastic season for Birmingham but I had him third in gooalkeepers behind Brad Freidel and Reina. The big Spaniard just beats out the American because Reina has kept Liverpool's season respectable with another year of fine performances.


2. Carlos Cuellar (Aston Villa)

One of the tougher positions to decide upon. Not many teams have had a consistent right-back this season and I think that Ivanovic got the nod in the PFA team by default. If Vedran Corluka had been fit for the run-in he would have been my choice but Cuellar has been a model of consistency in a Villa back four that has been the basis for Martin O'Neill's side fantastic season.


3. Patrice Evra (Manchester United)

The first time I have agreed with the PFA's selection. Everton's Leighton Baines has had another fine season and came into consideration and Ashley Cole had another great season when he was fit. But the world-class Evra gets my selection. Evra has been the one constant in a United back four that has been plagued with injuries and he has solidified his claims to be the best left-back in the world.


4. Richard Dunne (Aston Villa)

Another selection that agrees with the PFA team. Dunne, like Cuellar, has been a rock at the back for Villa. The huge Irishman has had another brilliant season in the Premier League and formed the best centre-half pairing in the league this year.


5. Michael Dawson (Tottenham Hotspur)

Less fashionable centre-halves Roger Johnson of Birmingham and Jody Craddock of Wolves came into consideration but Dawson has been brilliant at the back for Champion's League bound Spurs. The added pressure of having his partner in teh middle change nearly every game has not made it easy for Dawson but the former Notts Forest man has been awesome this year and should go to the World Cup.


6. Frank Lampard (Chelsea)

How someone can score 20 goals from midfield and not get into the team of the year is a disgrace in my eyes. Darren Fletcher was the selection ahead of Lampard and as consistent as Fletcher was, he hasn't been as good as Lampard.


7. James Milner (Aston Villa)

The winner of this year's young player of the year has finally made the progression that so many pundits felt he would. Employed in the centre of Villa's midfield, Milner has been a revelation this year. With seven goals and 12 assists from the centre of midfield, Milner seems to have assured himself a place in England's world cup squad.


8. Francesc Fabregas (Arsenal)

Oh how different the title race may have been if the Spanish magician was fit for the entire season? Unfortunately for Arsenal fans he wasn't but he still lit up the Premier League with 15 goals and 15 assists in a brilliant season that could end up with a world cup winner's medal.


9. Didier Drogba (Chelsea)

The two strikers pick themselves really. Drogba has once again terrorised defences all year and has been a great leader in a team that has had its struggles off the field. The Ivorian has scored 26 goals this season and has coupled that with an impressive 13 assists.


10. Wayne Rooney (Manchester United)

There is nothing that can be said about Rooney's season that hasn't been said already. The former Everton man has just simply been awesome this year and England fans will pray that he can stay fit this summer. Honourable mentions go to Darren Bent for his fantastic year at West Ham and Kevin Doyle for the class and hard-work he brought to Wolves.


11. Florent Malouda (Chelsea)

Can anyone tell me how the player's player of the year for the champion's elect didn't make it into the team of the year? Malouda has really come of age in the Chelsea team this year. The Frenchman has coupled 12 goals with 8 assists and has brought a threat out wide that Chelsea have missed since Messrs Duff and Robben terrorised defences. Malouda brilliant play has brought a better balance to Chelsea's play this season.

Torres to Leave Liverpool? Not For Another English Club

According to a plethora of reports in the daily newspapers star striker Fernando Torres is set to leave Liverpool this summer after a lacklustre year for the Merseyside team.

Torres, a life-long Liverpool fan, has cut a very frustrated figure at times this season. This has been due mostly to some of his team-mates failings and the very average look to his side's squad (Kyrgiakos and Lucas are hardly going to stroll into anyone's world eleven). However, it never seemed that the gifted Spaniard would leave the club he only joined three years ago this summer.

The bad news for Liverpool fans is that a move for Torres away from Anfield does seem to be inevitable, but it would be unlikely that he would join another English team. Recently Torres has admitted that the physical nature of the English game will drive away at some point, so despite all the reports linking him with a £70 million move to Chelsea, it probably won't happen.

Concern about Torres' intentions have been further complicated by claims in the past week that the striker may have lost faith in Rafa Benitez.

Following the suggestion made by The Daily Mirror that 'Torres is no longer an admirer of Benitez', The Sun reports this morning that 'Torres' relationship with the manager has cooled to such an extent there is now more chance of him staying if Benitez goes'.

The report in the Mirror could be a best case scenario for some 'pool fans - Rafa goes; Nando stays, but for some the idea that they can't hold on to their manager and/or best player must leave them sweating.

If Torres goes, who in the Liverpool team can get goals like these consistently, David Ngog? Nah didn't think so either.

Where Will Jose be next year?

Jose Mourinho is regarded by many as the best coach in world football at the moment. The charismatic Inter manager has polarised the oublic since he hit the the big time when he won the Champion's League with Porto.

Mourinho's latest acheivement was the aggregate defeat of Spanish giants Barcelona in this year's semi-final. Mourinho described the win as "the most beautiful defeat of his life."

Despite his success at the Milan club, Morinho looks set to leave after publically stating his unhappiness in Italy.

So where will the self proclaimed "special one" end up next year? Well the clear favourites seem to be Real Madrid. The Spanish giants look set to fire Manuel Pellegrini after only one season in charge of the team and Mourinho appears to be top of their wish-list to replace him.

Of course, Mourinho has stated that he would love to return to manage in England and Liverpool or Manchester United would seem the likely landing spots. However, if the shake-up continues at Eastlands, Mourinho could find himself as the new Manchester City boss. It would appeal to Jose as he would have the money required to build a squad to compete for the title.

McCarthy rules out Celtic

Wolves manager Mick McCarthy has ruled himself out of the running for the vacant managerial job at Celtic.

A former Celtic player, McCarthy has distanced himself from the job, saying he wants to continue at Wolves after keeping the Molineux side in the Premier League.

The 51 year-old says that he would be interested in taking the job, just some time in the future.

McCarthy told the Daily Express: "I'm happy at Wolves right now and looking forward to another season in the Premier League.

"The job is not one for me right now, but I couldn't rule it out in the future as I loved my time at the club."

Craig Levein and Neil Lennon remain the bookies favourites to get the job, with Paul L ambert and Mark Hughes the next closest.

Irish squad shows development of league football in Ireland

Giovanni Trappatoni's latest training squad shows just how far the Irish league has progressed.

The squad of 23 (now 22 because Stephen Ward has pulled out due to a knee operation) has been named to get inexperienced players accustomed to life with the senior squad. Not all the players named will be in the squad for teh upcoming friendlies against Paraguay and Algeria because the more senior members will join the squad at a later date.

There were a few surprise selections in the squad, Paul Green the biggest surprise, but there were also long awaited call-ups for others like Ward and Keith Fahey.

First international call-ups are not the only thing that Fahey and Ward share. Both players were playing here in Ireland in recent years and since their moves across the pond have excelled. As well as Fahey and Ward, former Eircom League stars Shane Long and Ipswich keeper Brian Murphy as included in the training squad.

The inclusion of the former League of Ireland players is a sign of just how far the league has come. The standard is only getting better still with more and more players getting moves to England from the Airtricity League. Not only that, but players are now starting to stay in Ireland for longer because the realisation is that they can stay in Ireland and continue their education instead of going over to England very young and potentially battling home-sickness. The Airtricity league will continue to get better and draw in more crowds and credit must be given to the FAI for the hard work that has seen the league become relevant once again.