Republic of Ireland manager Giovanni Trapattoni has said that barring injury he will stand by the players who played in the Euro qualifying campaign when he sits down next May to name his squad for the Euro 2012 finals. But I feel that Sunderland’s new sensation James McClean will be named by Trapp in the Irish squad on Friday next for the friendly against the Czech Republic at the Aviva Stadium on Feb. 29. McClean, who was signed from Derry City by Steve Bruce last August, has really blossomed since Martin O’Neill replaced Bruce as manager of the Black Cats in December. Trapattoni has seen very few Irish players in action with their English clubs, but he recently made a trip to Stamford Bridge to check on the 22 year-old play for Sunderland against Chelsea. McClean, who has played under 21 football for the North, declined a call-up from former Northern Ireland manager Nigel Worthingon last year and said that he wants to play senior football for the Republic. That was a comment that obviously upset up new Northern Ireland manager Michael O’Neill, who asked his former Northern Ireland colleague Martin O’Neill for help. The Sunderland manager spoke to the McClean, but O’Neill said that the player had already made up his mind. The Sunderland boss said: ‘‘It’s very much a personal choice and I’m not in a position to persuade anyone. Michael did ring me and ask me to chat with James. But James had made his mind up and that was the end of it. Players have to make that choice themselves. That choice was not available during my time as a player, so it didn’t affect me.’’
ANDREWS, KEOGH
TRANSFER
Two current Irish internationals secured transfers on the final day of the English mid-season transfer window last week. Keith Andrews, who had been on loan to Ipswich Town from Blackburn Rovers for most of the season, joined West Bromwich Albion just a few hours before the transfer window closed. On the same day Andy Keogh, the player who scored Ireland’s first goal under Giovanni Trapattoni, joined Milwall from Wolves. Despite travelling to Glasgow for talks with Celtic, Leon Best didn’t complete his proposed move from Newcastle United.
SENATOR COGHLAN
TO VIEW SON’S RACE
John Coghlan, 23-year-old son of Eamon Coghlan, emulated his famous dad when he ran his first-ever sub four minute mile in Boston recently. Eamon, who is now a Senator in the Oireachtas, ran 83 sub-four miles in his career and the “Chairman of the Boards,” who won gold in the 5,000 meters in the World Championships in 1983, will be back in New York on Friday night to see John compete for Dublin City University in the Millrose Games at Armory. The Coghlans are the fifth father and son combination to run sub-four miles, following in the tradition set by the Keinos (Kip and Martin), Blairs (Sam and Sam junior), Browns (Barry and Darren) and the Centrowitzs (Matt and Matt Junior)..
LEEDS TO GIVE
O’BRIEN 2ND CHANCE
More and more prominent Irish people are coming out and admitting that they suffer from depression. Recently best-selling author Marian Keyes confided that she just about managed to complete her latest book, her first in two years, in the periods that she wasn’t suffering from the illness. Now former Irish soccer defender Andy O’Brien had admitted that he also suffers from the dreaded illness. O’Brien was disciplined by Leeds United last November when he refused to play against Burnley. However, it was later discovered that the player was having treatment for depression at the time he refused to play and now Leeds say that they will give O’Brien, who won 26 Irish caps, a second chance. O’Brien resumed training last week. Separately Leeds sacked manager Simon Grayson last week after a run of bad results.
CARBERRY AIMS
FOR CHELTENHAM
Top Irish National Hunt jockey Tommy Carberry hopes to be fit in time for the big National Hunt Festival at Cheltenham in March. The County Meath-based jockey broke his collar bone last month in a skiing accident. Carberry missed the 2007 Cheltenham Festival after he picked up an injury while out riding with his local hunt.
MCGINLEY TOLD
TO TAKE IT EASY
Golfer Paul McGinley is under doctor’s orders to staggerhis start to the 2012 season. McGinley, who will be playing in his 20th season, has been troubled with a knee injury since November. After a six-week rest and a small procedure on the troublesome knee, McGinley has been advised by his doctor to ease himself into the new season. After playing in the Qatar Masters last week he will take this week off and resume at the Avantha Masters in India on Feb. 16. Paul said: ‘‘I’m disappointed that I can’t play every week because I still have a real desire to play, but I don’t want to go at it hell for leather starting off. The advice I have been given is to have one week on and then one week off.’’
MULRYNE TO TAKE VOWS
When professional soccer players retire most of them tend to stay in the game whether it’s as a coach or manager. So it’s strange to hear of a former footballer who is studying for the priesthood. Philip Mulryne, who won 27 caps for Northern Ireland, is now studying to become a priest at the Irish College in Rome. The 34 year-old Mulryne played for Manchester United’s 1995 FA Youth Cup-winning side and was a team mate of stars like David Beckham and Ryan Giggs. He played a few FA Cup and League Cup games for United, but made only one Premiership appearance before being sold to Norwich City in Feb. 1999. He later played for Cardiff City, Leyton Orient and non-League King’s Lynn before injury ended his career in 2008. Apparently the Belfast man was invited to study to become a priest a few years back by the Bishop of Down and Connor.
GAA REFS ORGANIZE The Gaelic Players Association (GPA) is now officially recognised by the GAA, but the players’ body had difficulty gaining recognition in the early days. Now a group of intercounty referees have taken the first steps towards proper recognition and they have formed the Gaelic Match Officials Association (GMOA). The association was founded by former Tipperary umpire Alan Nash and the interim president is former Antrim referee Ray Matthews, who needed hospital treatment after he was assaulted in a club game in Ballymena last October.
Matthews said: ‘‘An organisation like this is something we have been crying out for because of the politics of refereeing and the fear factor of not getting good matches if referees complain about what has happened to them. It’s not like the GPA because we are about representing all referees, especially club referees. Until we get the whole thing organised and properly set up with democratic elections, I will be hold the position of president.’’
Ten people received bans from the Antrim County Board following the under 21 football game between St Mary’s Rasharkin and Lamh Dearg, but some of the bans were later reduced by the Ulster Council. However, Matthews said more people should have been suspended. ‘‘A neutral witness who was at the game said he couldn’t see me from the amount of people trying to kick me,’’ he said.
Eight Derrytresk players and three from Dromid Pearses have received suspensions varying suspensions and both clubs have been fined following an investigation by the GAA into the ugly scenes that marred the All-Ireland junior club semifinal between the Tyrone and Kerry clubs in Portlaoise recently. Despite calls to have them expelled from the competition, Derrytresk has not been thrown out and they will contest the All-Ireland Junior final against Galway club Clonbur in Croke Park next Sunday. Both clubs are expected to appeal the suspensions and fines.
