10 Irish plotlines to track this Premier League season
Instead of sporadic cameos in the Cup, or longer but inevitable short spells deputising for Alisson, the Corkman has not had a clear run of games at 26.
Brentford are giving Kelleher that platform and the busyness it'll bring generates a different type of pressure. He's withstood everything thrown at him so far in his customary relaxed nature so there's no reason to doubt him.
Last stand for Coleman?
David Moyes was the manager to pluck Séamus Coleman from Sligo for €80,000 and 17 years later, in his second stint at Everton, was determined to keep hold of the veteran.
His ninth contract was sealed and he'll likely migrate into a coaching role for next season. Coleman turns 37 in October and injuries restricting him to three Premier League appearances last season indicate his outings at the new Hill Dickinson stadium will be irregular.
Doherty continues to defy his critics
People believe Matt Doherty when he claims immunity to flak, for he's shipped it since breaking through at Wolves under Mick McCarthy. He's back at Molineux two years after spells at Spurs and Atlético Madrid and heading into his final season under contract, the 33-year-old remains a go-to for manager Vitor Pereira. The return of Colombian Yerson Mosquera from injury will provide competition, something he's relished for club and country.
Can Alex Murphy be the Irish bolter at Newcastle United?
Be it due to missed transfer targets or not, Eddie Howe has relied heavily on 21-year-old Galwegian in pre-season. "The loan spell last season for Alex was pivotal,' Howe said this week of his spell at Bolton Wanderers.
'He needed that exposure to match action, has come back for pre-season and done well. He's been thrown into some challenging games and has always come out with credit. Let's see what's next."
High ceiling left for Captain Collins?
Appointed skipper for his country, Nathan Collins holds that privilege too at Brentford following the departure of Christian Norgaard to Arsenal.
Those leadership skills were evident when handed the armband at Stoke City when 18 but he has backed it up on the pitch, as the only outfield player to not miss a minute of Premier League action. At 24, he's still to reach his peak.
Cullen seeking Premier League consistency
Another club captain and Ireland mainstay, Cullen's Burnley have been installed as favourites for the immediate drop. He's oscillated between the Championship and Premier League since joining the Clarets from Anderlecht in 2022. The experience of his last top-flight season should sculpt the 29-year-old into a better performer against some of the best midfielders in the world. Survival is the name of the game.
Alan Browne finally reaches the Premier League mecca
Browne emerged through the Ireland ranks as Cullen's midfield companion and he ended his long spell at Preston North End for a chance to leave Championship existence behind. He joined Sunderland on a three-year deal 12 months ago featured in just 22 games, primarily due to a fractured bone in September. He's lost his Ireland squad spot and there is the possibility of him departing the Black Cats before the September 1 transfer deadline.
Jake's second-season surge
Anticipation this time last year about the €20m purchase from Lyon figuring for Everton proved ill-founded as he didn't get a look-in under Sean Dyche. That was flipped upon the return of David Moyes in January. Slotting to right-back didn't bother him and equalisers that nicked draws against Brentford and West Ham United led to him labelled 'The Cork Cafu' by local press. A big season for Everton and O'Brien.
Brighton's Irish candle flickering without a flame
John Morling is back on the FAI's radar to fill the Chief Football Officer's vacancy and it was his spell as Brighton and Hove Albion Academy chief that signalled the influx of Irish. Evan Ferguson is off to Roma for the season, their €11m recruit from Derby County, Eiran Cashin, has been loaned to Birmingham City, leaving Andy Moran as the sole Irishman under Fabian Hurzeler. The German has only used the playmaker sparingly, strengthening speculation he could be on his way to Germany or USA.
All eyes on Andrews thrown into the spotlight:
The paucity of home-grown candidates for the last Ireland vacancy highlighted the lack of experience gained by managers at top-level. Keith Andrews will automatically be in the equation the next time because Brentford entrusted him with succeeding Thomas Frank as their head coach. That title is very much reality as the 44-year-old is left to deal with on-field matters. Leading the sack race won't perturb him.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
RTÉ News
8 minutes ago
- RTÉ News
Manchester City begin title quest with convincing Wolves win
Erling Haaland and new signings Tijjani Reinders and Rayan Cherki combined as Manchester City thrashed Wolves 4-0 in their Premier League opener. Haaland struck twice either side of a fine effort from Reijnders, and substitute Cherki added a late fourth, as City began their quest for a seventh title in nine years in convincing fashion at Molineux. Reijnders also had a hand in both of Haaland's goals in what was a particularly impressive introduction to life in the English top flight. Whilst it may be premature to suggest City have found the ideal replacement for Kevin De Bruyne, it was a very promising showing from the Dutchman. His presence brought dynamism to a City side that also raised eyebrows in other areas. Most notably, goalkeeper James Trafford was handed a debut and Ederson – described as "number one" by manager Pep Guardiola this week despite speculation over his future – was missing from the squad altogether. The club, however, later confirmed the Brazilian's absence was due to illness, with the 31-year-old suffering from gastroenteritis. John Stones returned in defence for his first appearance since February and another new recruit, Rayan Ait-Nouri, featured against the club he left in the summer. It was an emotional occasion for Wolves as they paid a series of tributes before and during the game to Diogo Jota, their former striker who died last month following a car accident. The visitors assumed control early on but did not create a clear-cut opening until the 19th minute when captain Bernardo Silva crossed for Haaland but the Norwegian, having to stretch too much, headed over. City had some moments of alarm as Wolves got behind the defence. Marshall Munetsi thought he scored when he headed past Trafford from a Matt Doherty cross but he was clearly offside. A chance also appeared to open up for Jean-Ricner Bellegarde but again the flag was raised. City took charge of the game after two moments of brilliance from Reijnders in the space of three minutes. The Netherlands international, whose outings at the Club World Cup may have helped him settle, played a delightful lob over the defence for Rico Lewis and his pull-back presented Haaland with a simple tap-in. Moments later the former AC Milan midfielder applied the finishing touch himself with a superb low strike across goal after Andre Gomes lost possession to Oscar Bobb. Jorgen Strand Larsen spurned a good chance to pull one back after the break when he side-footed narrowly wide and the same player also forced Trafford to palm over. Haaland increased City's lead just after the hour following more incisive work from Reijnders, who received a long ball from Trafford and exchanged passes with Bobb on the right. He continued his run and pulled back for Haaland to sweep home from the edge of the area. Cherki, having been on the field just eight minutes, added to Wolves' woes when he drove in from distance nine minutes from time after combining with Nico O'Reilly.
Extra.ie
8 minutes ago
- Extra.ie
Watch: Peter Crouch legs it from TNT desk to catch Oasis in Dublin
The Premier League may have begun this weekend but all anyone can think about in Ireland is Oasis playing in Dublin tonight. The band continue their reunion tour in Croke Park as they are set to perform in front of two sold-out crowds this weekend in the first shows in Ireland since 2009. It's been the hottest ticket in town for a while now and it's been a much sought after one as no one wants to miss the Gallagher brothers reunite, including Premier League legend Peter Crouch. Peter Crouch. Pic: Neal Simpson/Sportsphoto/Allstar via Getty Images The ex-Liverpool man was on the job for TNT Sports as one of his former sides Aston Villa took on Newcastle United in both sides' opening game of the Premier League season. It wasn't a game to write home about as despite Ezri Konsa getting a straight red card for the Villains, neither side really had many chances in what was a drab 0-0 at Villa Park. It was still however a good point for Newcastle, who are still in the midst of the Alexander Isak transfer debacle as the Swede is looking to leave Tyneside for Liverpool. Pic: @footballontnt/ X After all the post-match festivites and interviews the TNT broadcast was coming towards an end when Peter Crouch started to look a bit nervy, especially when host Lynsey Hipgrave teased that they could go on for a but longer. Hipgrave said; 'That's about all we've got time for, oh actually sorry my producer is just telling me we have got a lot more time, he said we can carry on talking.' Crouch replied; 'Lynsey, you know I'm going to Oasis tonight, it's not happening.' Pic: @footballontnt/X Hipgrave questioned Crouch 'Where you going?' But Crouch had no time for any messing around, revealing he was heading to Dublin to see Oasis. 'I'm going to Oasis, I've got a flight to catch'
Irish Examiner
8 minutes ago
- Irish Examiner
Haaland and Man City send ominous statement of renewed intent in rout of Wolves
Premier League: Wolves 0 Man City 4 Erling Haaland and new signings Tijjani Reinders and Rayan Cherki combined as Manchester City thrashed Wolves 4-0 in their Premier League opener. Haaland struck twice either side of a fine effort from Reijnders, and substitute Cherki added a late fourth, as City began their quest for a seventh title in nine years in convincing fashion at Molineux. Reijnders also had a hand in both of Haaland's goals in what was a particularly impressive introduction to life in the English top flight. Whilst it may be premature to suggest City have found the ideal replacement for Kevin De Bruyne, it was a very promising showing from the Dutchman. His presence brought dynamism to a City side that also raised eyebrows in other areas. Most notably, goalkeeper James Trafford was handed a debut and Ederson – described as 'number one' by manager Pep Guardiola this week despite speculation over his future – was missing from the squad altogether. The club, however, later confirmed the Brazilian's absence was due to illness, with the 31-year-old suffering from gastroenteritis. John Stones returned in defence for his first appearance since February and another new recruit, Rayan Ait-Nouri, featured against the club he left in the summer. Erling Haaland scored twice (Nick Potts/PA) It was an emotional occasion for Wolves as they paid a series of tributes before and during the game to Diogo Jota, their former striker who died last month following a car accident. The visitors assumed control early on but did not create a clear-cut opening until the 19th minute when captain Bernardo Silva crossed for Haaland but the Norwegian, having to stretch too much, headed over. City had some moments of alarm as Wolves got behind the defence. Marshall Munetsi thought he scored when he headed past Trafford from a Matt Doherty cross but he was clearly offside. A chance also appeared to open up for Jean-Ricner Bellegarde but again the flag was raised. City took charge of the game after two moments of brilliance from Reijnders in the space of three minutes. The Netherlands international, whose outings at the Club World Cup may have helped him settle, played a delightful lob over the defence for Rico Lewis and his pull-back presented Haaland with a simple tap-in. Moments later the former AC Milan midfielder applied the finishing touch himself with a superb low strike across goal after Andre Gomes lost possession to Oscar Bobb. Jorgen Strand Larsen spurned a good chance to pull one back after the break when he side-footed narrowly wide and the same player also forced Trafford to palm over. Haaland increased City's lead just after the hour following more incisive work from Reijnders, who received a long ball from Trafford and exchanged passes with Bobb on the right. He continued his run and pulled back for Haaland to sweep home from the edge of the area. Cherki, having been on the field just eight minutes, added to Wolves' woes when he drove in from distance nine minutes from time after combining with Nico O'Reilly.
