Latest news with #Ex-Ireland
Irish Daily Mirror
28-07-2025
- Sport
- Irish Daily Mirror
‘Like Jack Charlton used to' - Ex-Ireland star outlines League of Ireland plan
Ex-Ireland defender Terry Phelan has revealed that he would love to work in the League of Ireland one day - and follow in the footsteps of Jack Charlton by engaging in one of his former manager's favourite hobbies. Phelan is currently in India with Bangalore-based South United FC, where he is working with all strands of the club - from youth up to the senior team. And while he is in no hurry to leave, Phelan has ambitions to work in Ireland, but not necessarily as a manager. 'Maybe I end up back in Ireland one day, who knows, doing a little bit of education there and doing a little bit of fishing like Jack Charlton used to,' he told MirrorSport. 'Who knows? I might stay in India for the rest of my life. You never know. I'm like that. Wherever the wind blows. If it's something I want to do, then why not?' Phelan, who spent much of his childhood in his mother's hometown of Tubbercurry in Sligo, was tempted late last year by the vacant Wexford post, but opted to remain in India. Phelan was speaking to MirrorSport in association with NetBet Irish Online Casino. He said: 'I was thinking, should I or shouldn't I? I thought, I'm not ready for that yet. 'When I mean, I'm not ready, I've got to finish stuff over here, I've still got that little dream over here of maybe getting one or two players into Europe, maybe into Ireland. Click this link or scan the QR code to receive the latest League of Ireland news and top stories from the Irish Mirror. If you don't like our community, you can check out any time you like. If you're curious, you can read our Privacy Notice . 'Maybe I could work with a couple of Irish clubs to get players in, working with one or two clubs in Ireland. I'd love to do that. 'If there are any guys out there who want to work with me and look at players, I am open to that. We are hoping to expose players, give them that exposure.' As for any future role within Irish football, he added: 'I'd just love to come in and develop players. Mentoring is key now. 'I don't think we have a lot of mentors about, especially when they jump from the youth team and they are catapulted into the first-team. The coach can only do so much. 'I'd love to go into a mentoring role and have that link between the youth and first-team, be somebody they can talk to, somebody their parents can talk to. I think that's what they need. 'In our day, we mentored ourselves. With the stresses of the world on these players, and they really want to get there, they want it quick, maybe they need people to sit them down and show them the way. 'Maybe one day… I'm 58 now, maybe in a few years I could come back to Ireland and implement something. 'I don't know yet. You never put a number on it. At the moment I'm loving life where I am.' Get the latest sports headlines straight to your inbox by signing up for free email .
Irish Daily Mirror
25-07-2025
- Sport
- Irish Daily Mirror
Kenny raves about St Pat's ace and lauds 'incredible football intelligence'
Stephen Kenny has hailed Jay McClelland for stepping out from the shadows and into the European spotlight for St Pat's. McClelland was the Saints man-of-the-match in Thursday's tense 1-0 Conference League win over nine-man Kalju, a result that puts St Pat's in control going to Estonia. And if they hold their rivals at bay on Thursday, the Inchicore men will face the loser of the Europa League tie between Besiktas and Shakhtar Donetsk. As it stands, Ole Gunnar Solskjaer's Besiktas are the most likely opponents as they lost Thursday's first-leg 4-2 at home. McClelland, 28, has been at St Pat's since 2020 but hasn't always been a starter and when he does play, he could be deployed in any number of positions. Lately, the attacking midfielder has been playing at left-back but has also popped up on the left wing and in the middle of the park. Click this link or scan the QR code to receive the latest League of Ireland news and top stories from the Irish Mirror. If you don't like our community, you can check out any time you like. If you're curious, you can read our Privacy Notice . But Kenny has hailed McClelland's professionalism for refusing to cave when opportunities were hard to come by, after becoming a key man in Europe this year. Ex-Ireland boss Kenny said: 'No, he hasn't (always been a starter), and hasn't always been in the squad - he's been in the stand in the past. He's had to bide his time but he's just having a run of form and his innate football intelligence is incredible. St Pat's Jay McClelland and Daniil Tarassenkov of Kalju (Image: ©INPHO/Ryan Byrne) 'He can see great pictures and has the technical ability to execute really intelligent passes and crosses. He's a very intelligent player. The physicality maybe wasn't his strongest point but he has adapted that to his game to help him play there. 'He's worked on aspects of his game which weren't his strongest points where you might get exposed as a left-back, in your one-on-one defending and your heading. 'He's got much better at those facets of the game and his distribution is very inventive. It's a competitive area for us. Anto Breslin has never let us down, he's always been a terrific full-back at the club. 'At the start of the season we probably wouldn't have factored Jason playing at left-back but when people take their opportunity you have to reward that.' McClelland only started five league games last season - he came on another 16 times - but already has 12 Premier Division starts this year from his 21 league appearances. At no stage since Kenny took charge 14 months ago has the Dubliner ever knocked on the manager's door demanding to leave. St. Patrick's Athletic's Jay McClelland (Image: ©INPHO/Dan Clohessy) Kenny said: 'He was out of contract last year but I made it clear to him that I wanted him to stay. His versatility is important. Even when he's not in the team, he's super fit and that's a challenge because players find it hard to stay at the level when they're not in the team- they get demoralised.' Ryan McLaughlin, the former Liverpool and Northern Ireland player, is another who has stepped up to snatch a starting role. He was behind Axel Sjoberg as Kenny's right-back option, but has now wrestled the shirt off the Swede. Kenny continued: 'Ryan and Jason didn't start any of the European games last year and they're in the positions now. "You see the passing, Ryan to Jason and then Jason back to Ryan. You don't see that much in matches, those touchline to touchline passes from full-backs. But Ryan has that in his locker and the in-joke in the group is that he showed Trent Alexander-Arnold how to do it! Meanwhile, Kenny won't rule out signing a midfielder before Monday's 11pm transfer deadline for contracted players, as Romal Palmer remains on the long-term list. But Chris Forrester is nearing a return to the starting line-up after stepping up his comeback from injury of late, and scoring the all-important late winner against Kalju. Kenny said of Forrester: 'He's been a great player, a regular in nearly all of my games since I took over but he was out for eight weeks. 'That's two months and you can lose a lot. He needs to work hard. He's had a few weeks' training and is coming on so he definitely comes into our thoughts.' Get the latest sports headlines straight to your inbox by signing up for free email .
The Irish Sun
11-07-2025
- Sport
- The Irish Sun
Paul O'Connell sheds light on Jack Crowley vs Sam Prendergast debate with Munster man starting vs Portugal
PAUL O'Connell says Jack Crowley deserves his chance at out-half against Portugal. But the interim Ireland chief admits that it will always be a tough choice between the Munster No 10 and 2 The Munster fly-half will be looking to take back his starting spot for Ireland 2 O'Connell has given the Cork native the nod as Prendergast started against Georgia last week Crowley has got the nod in Lisbon tomorrow after Leinster man Prendergast started in the O'Connell's call adds fuel to the debate over the long-term heir to Crowley, 25, appeared to be in pole position when he won the 2024 Six Nations and started Ireland's first nine games of the post-Sexton era. But Prendergast, 22, started the tenth against Fiji and has been Ireland's first-choice No 10 for all but one game — Read more on Irish Sport O'Connell said: 'It's a very important position, out-half, more important than it's ever been. 'They probably don't touch the ball as much as the 9s but they make more decisions than anyone else in the field. 'Having two guys that can get in and play the game, make mistakes, learn and get it right and learn from that is good. "This is an opportunity for Jack to own the week, run it and get after it. The two of them are quite supportive of each other. Most read in Rugby Union 'It's another opportunity to give Jack more experience. Sam was excellent last week.' O'Connell has Craig Casey shares hilarious 'fear' weighing on him before captaining Ireland for first time vs Georgia Connacht centre Hugh Gavin was a late elevation to the starting XV after Leinster utility back Jamie Osborne — originally named at No 13 — got a Lions call-up. Ex-Ireland and Lions star POC said: 'We're not giving them a go and hoping the experience will kick them on, they're good players. 'Portugal are another impressive emerging side who look to play an exciting brand of rugby. "We're in for another battle hopefully in front of another big crowd of travelling supporters.' IRELAND: J O'Brien, T O'Brien, H Gavin, S McCloskey, S Bolton, J Crowley, C Casey; J Boyle, G McCarthy, T Clarkson, T Ahern, D Murray, R Baird, A Kendellen, C Prendergast. Reps: T Stewart, M Milne, T O'Toole, C Izuchukwu, M Deegan, B Murphy, C Frawley, C Nash.
The Irish Sun
07-07-2025
- Sport
- The Irish Sun
Republic of Ireland U21 ace Mark O'Mahony joins Reading on loan as Noel Hunt backs Brighton star to fire in League One
IRELAND Under-21 striker Mark O'Mahony has joined Noel Hunt's Reading on a season-long loan deal from Brighton. The 19-year-old Cork City academy product spent last year on loan at 2 Ireland U21 star Mark O'Mahony has joined Noel Hunt's Reading side on a season-long loan 2 Reading boss Noel Hunt was thrilled to get a deal over the line But having made his Reading boss Hunt was thrilled to land his fellow Irish man who he believes can play a key role as the Royals look to win promotion from League One. Hunt said: 'Mark is a young hungry striker who wants to come in and develop at our club. 'He's young and he wants to learn his trade after having a successful loan deal last year at Portsmouth in the Championship. read more on golf 'He learnt plenty whilst playing at that level, which will stand him in good stead for the upcoming season. 'He's another player who has come through a really strong Academy, and will be a great addition to our squad.' Elsewhere, Ex-Ireland star Aaron Connolly has sealed a move to Leyton Orient. has agreed a Most read in Football And Wellens said: 'I tried to sign Aaron when I was at Swindon a few years ago, but he then scored a hat-trick against MK Dons in the EFL Trophy. Everyone was in for him after that. Chelsea's £54M Wonderkid Estevão SNUBS Club World Cup to Say Goodbye to Palmeiras | From The Sports Desk | Sun Sport 'He's talented, quick, good on the ball and skilful. He's got an eye for goal, and he scored twice on his Premier League debut for Brighton. 'The ability is all there, and when I met him recently I got a really good vibe off him. I sense that there is a burning desire for him to do well 'If we can get Aaron firing, I have absolutely no doubt in his abilities.'
The 42
07-07-2025
- Sport
- The 42
AUNZ finalise squad for Lions clash, Brumbies name ex-Connacht wing
LES KISS HAS confirmed his final AUNZ Invitational XV squad for Saturday's clash with the British and Irish Lions in Adelaide. Ex-Ireland assistant coach Kiss, who will succeed Joe Schmidt as Wallabies boss next year, will lead the AUNZ side for what will be the Lions' final warm-up game before their three-Test series against Australia. Many of the names in the AUNZ group had already been announced but the finalised 30-man squad has now been confirmed. New Zealand internationals David Havili, Shannon Frizell, Shaun Stevenson, Ngani Laumape, Hoskins Sotutu, and Folau Fakatava are among the stars, while there are several Wallabies involved, including Marika Koroibete, Lukhan Salakai-Loto, and Pete Samu. Among the final crop of players confirmed are Chiefs tighthead prop George Dyer and a number of players who have already impressed against the Lions in recent warm-up games, such as Waratahs wing Darby Lancaster and Reds back row Joe Brial. Advertisement AUNZ Invitational XV squad: Aidan Ross, AJ Lam, Angus Blyth, Brandon Paenga-Amosa, Daniel Botha, Darby Lancaster, David Havili, Folau Fakatava, George Dyer, Harry McLaughlin-Phillips, Hoskins Sotutu, Jeffery Toomaga-Allen, Jock Campbell, Joe Brial, Joey Walton, Joshua Fusitu'a, Kalani Thomas, Kurt Eklund, Lachlan Anderson, Lukhan Salakai-Loto, Mac Grealy, Marika Koroibete, Matt Philip, Ngani Laumape, Pete Samu, Richie Asiata, Seru Uru, Shannon Frizell, Shaun Stevenson, Tane Edmed. Former Connacht wing Ben O'Donnell. James Crombie / INPHO James Crombie / INPHO / INPHO Meanwhile, Brumbies boss Stephen Larkham has named his matchday 23 to face the Lions on Wednesday in Canberra. Flanker Tom Hooper returns to the side having played off the bench for the Wallabies against Fiji on Sunday, while speedy wing Corey Toole, scrum-half Ryan Lonergan, openside Rory Scott, centre David Feliuai, and loosehead Lington Ieli are all part of the starting XV having recently trained with Joe Schmidt's national squad. Former Connacht wing Ben O'Donnell, who was with the Irish province from 2020 until 2022, starts on the right wing in what will be his final Brumbies appearance before joining French D2 club Aurillac. Tom Hooper's younger brother, Lachie, is set for his Brumbies debut off the bench, as is prop Cameron Orr. Brumbies (v Lions): 15. Andy Muirhead 14. Ben O'Donnell 13. Ollie Sapsford 12. David Feliuai 11. Corey Toole 10. Declan Meredith 9. Ryan Lonergan (captain) 1. Lington Ieli 2. Lachlan Lonergan 3. Rhys van Nek 4. Lachie Shaw 5. Cadeyrn Neville 6. Tom Hooper 7. Rory Scott 8. Tuaina Taii Tualima Replacements: 16. Liam Bowron 17. Cameron Orr 18. Feao Fotuaika 19. Lachie Hooper 20. Luke Reimer 21. Harrison Goddard 22. Jack Debreczeni 23. Hudson Creighton
