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The Irish Invasion

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It seems like the club are doing their homework on the other side of the Irish sea in recent years. As far as I know our academy currently boasts:

Defence: Shane Duffy (Derry) - hailed as the next Paul McGrath by some people; Aaron Burns (Banbridge) - newly signed left back.

Midfield: Ger Kinsella (Dundalk); Jay Wallace (Liverpool! but plays for Ireland's youth teams); Eunan O'Kane (Derry) is impressing in pre-season games.

Forward: Karl Sheppard (Dublin)

Eire u21 striker Aidan Downes was recently released and later signed for Yeovil Town.

His International teammate defender Darren Dennehy signed for Cardiff (I believe we may have lost out on a fee set by tribunal because we offered worse terms than Cardiff offered - can anyone confirm?)

When you include the youth academy tie-ins with Ballyoulster FC at Celbridge thanks to the input from the irish toffees it seems a far cry from Ray Hall's comments a few years back.
Barry Scott, Wirral     Posted 29/07/2008 at 11:06:47

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Ben Chambers
1   Posted 29/07/2008 at 14:39:53

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Barry,

Its obvious that there is a lot of Talent over there.

Sunderland also signed 2 lads yesterday.

Regarding the Dennehy thing, I not too sure but I think we missed out anyway as he looks a prospect.
Dan Walker
2   Posted 29/07/2008 at 14:48:27

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Are you the same Barry Scott of Cillit Bang fame?

"BANG and the dirt is gone".
Patty Beesley
3   Posted 29/07/2008 at 15:09:39

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Dan Walker... Surely it would be better to say:

"BANG and the shite are gone"

How I wish!!
Steve Collins
4   Posted 29/07/2008 at 15:07:45

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A lot of the northern Irish lads are probably noticed through tournements like the Milk cup in NI. Which incidentally takes place this week.

I think you will find that we are one of the clubs lacking in Irish talent.

In the Irish version of the Daily Star every Monday during the football season it had a section dedicated to Republic qualified Irish players in the English and Scottish leagues. It basically told you how many games they played for the first team or if they are just academy players.

Now if you looked at most clubs in England they would have far more. Although it would seem we have quite a ferw from the north of Ireland but i suspect most other English teams have a few as well.
Declan O'Shaughnessy
5   Posted 29/07/2008 at 15:21:55

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Being Irish (Limerick) I?ve always wondered why Everton don?t make more of an effort in the Irish market. Especially when we used to the "Irish" clucb in Liverpool until relevantly recently. I know we played a friendly against Bray a while back, but what about Limerick, Cork, Galway? Granted you wouldn?t get much in the way of lucrative crowds, but you may gather in some much needed support. Ryanair (spit) fly to Liverpool from Shannon, so there?s no reason why we couldn?t attract supporters from outside Dublin. Sunderland have done it, why not Everton? I know everyone focuses on the far-east and America, but Ireland has a lot going for it as well, just on a smaller scale.
Ben Chambers
6   Posted 29/07/2008 at 15:33:51

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Declan,

Are you sure your Irish mate?

with a name like O?Shaughnessy????
Graham Holliday
7   Posted 29/07/2008 at 15:54:03

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If it was the Barry Scott of Cilit Bang fame, this article would surely be posted by:

"Yes, I’m Barry Scott"...?
Seamus Murphy
8   Posted 29/07/2008 at 15:55:24

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Pity we didn't go for Robbie Keane!! Just wait for all the RS supporters to come out of the woodwork now with their "Keane 7" jerseys.
Pity we dont have anyone since Cars left that Irish Evertonians can look up to.
Ben Chambers
9   Posted 29/07/2008 at 16:06:25

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Seamus,

Carsley was from Birmingham lad. With a very brummy-ish accent.

I wonder if you could shed any light on how he actually qualified to play for the Republic?

Its a shame we didn?t get Keane all them years ago, in an interview with Nigel Martyn, it was very very close to happening. He is class and now I?ve gotta hate him!
John Williams
10   Posted 29/07/2008 at 16:09:29

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The next Paul McGrath eh, the next Graeme Sharp will take the piss out of him.
John Williams
11   Posted 29/07/2008 at 16:11:03

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Surely Irish Evertonians can look up to all our players, why do they have to be Irish?
Scott Milne
12   Posted 29/07/2008 at 16:40:21

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With Duffy & O’Kane over there with Ireland as well as our own U-15’s, I’m surprised there’s not even been a mention of the Milk Cup anywhere on the club’s site.

Hopefully have some scouts there if not any reporters.
Scott Milne
13   Posted 29/07/2008 at 16:53:46

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Sorry - they’re there representing Northern Ireland.
EJ Ruane
14   Posted 30/07/2008 at 12:06:03

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John Williams, I’m from Liverpool but now live and work in Dublin.

Over the past 6 years, I have got to know a few of the lads involved with the Irish-Toffees and can assure you they do ’look up to all our players’ and they don’t HAVE to be Irish.

However, If you’re an Irish blue, it’s only natural you’re going to take a special interest in Irish lads playing for Everton.

EJ Ruane
15   Posted 30/07/2008 at 12:13:48

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Oh! Same obviously goes for blues from Northern Ireland!

(phew!)
Steve Collins
16   Posted 30/07/2008 at 12:22:49

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Ben Chambers.

I don?t think he meant because he was born Irish just more so he plays for and has adopted Ireland as his national country (playing of cours).

Carsley qualifies for Republic of Ireland through his grandmother, who is from Dunmanway, County Cork.

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