Latest news with #Honohan
RTÉ News
02-06-2025
- Sport
- RTÉ News
Homegrown Honohan eager to impress Hallgrimsson
Josh Honohan has certainly taken the path less travelled on his journey to receive a call-up to the Republic of Ireland senior squad. The vast majority of Ireland internationals have had to leave the country to pursue professional football, however, the Shamrock Rovers defender has always plied his trade on the island. Coming through the ranks at renowned Cork schoolboy side Carrigaline United, Honohan moved to the Cork City academy as a 16-year-old before making his breakthrough to the first team at the Turner's Cross club. An impressive season in 2023 attracted the attention of Rovers and Honohan signed for the Hoops ahead of their 2024 campaign, going on to quickly establish himself in Stephen Bradley's starting side and helping the club undertake a history-making European run, which ended in the knockout stages of the UEFA Conference League. Comfortable in the centre or either side of the defence, Honohan has cemented his spot patrolling the left flank at Tallaght Stadium, and his consistent run of form, speed and strength brought him onto the radar of Ireland manager Heimir Hallgrimsson. Honohan was eventually called into the current squad ahead of the upcoming doubleheader against Senegal and Luxembourg, and while it became known that the manager was a fan – he was in the provisional squad in March - he admits that it has just been a case of taking it one game at a time. "It's been really positive," said Honohan, speaking after his first training session with the squad on Monday. "I came into the camp yesterday, all of the lads and the staff have been really welcoming, training this morning went well. "It's a high standard, a lot of the lads are playing at a really high level. It was good to get in and be involved." Honohan, of course, is not the first League of Ireland player to break into the senior squad in recent years; however, fellow Rovers players Jack Byrne and Graham Burke were over in England a long time before they made a breakthrough into the panel. And with most players remaining in Ireland until they are 18, coupled with the ever-improving standard of the League of Ireland and corresponding academy football, there is every chance that Honohan, the exception, will eventually become the rule. "I never went to the UK, I've always been in Ireland," said Honohan. "I played with Carrigaline United until I was 16 and I was lucky I had great coaching down there and then I went to Cork City, the academy. "I was lucky enough to have brilliant managers and coaches to help me with that in the academy, and then I played with Cork and came to Shamrock Rovers last year, and the standards they set, the manager, and the rest of the staff there have improved me. "The coaching I've had since I was young has always been at a really high level, I've never been to the UK, but I've never looked at it like it was a negative. "You more just dream it [as a 16-year-old], and you just try to work as hard as you can, be disciplined and committed. "It sounds really cliché but you just take one game at a time and try to do as well as you can and hope you get the opportunity." The League of Ireland's mid-season break coincides with the June international window and while many players take the opportunity to enjoy some early summer sunshine ahead of the second half of the season, Honohan is more than happy to be camped out in west Dublin for the next week. "I was planning on going away to Malaga to get a bit of sun but I'm not complaining, I'm delighted to be here," said Honohan. "It's dream come true to firstly be here and then over the next two games, hopefully I make an appearance, that would be a dream of mine. I'm not complaining. I'm delighted to be here. "I do set small goals, but I don't set massive long-term goals. But now that I am here, the aim is to do well in training, and if I can make an appearance, do as well as I can." Honohan headed off on international duty off the back of a disappointing scoreless draw with Galway United last Friday night and was on the end of a scathing appraisal of his performance by Rovers manager Stephen Bradley. The defender addressed and accepted the manager's criticism, but denied that he was distracted by the Ireland management team in attendance at the game. "First, about the performance it was obviously disappointing," he said. "When you're involved with Shamrock Rovers, you want to get three points every game. Last Friday we didn't get three points. "About the manager's comments, look the manager has been here for a good couple of years now and a massive reason the club has been so successful is that the manager has set the standard in the club. He does set high standards, he holds lads accountable and when you do come off that standard, like last Friday, he holds people accountable. And that's the standard he has and that's the standard I have for myself. "The other night I didn't have my best game. But I'm just focused now on the next game after that, trying to improve and getting back to that standard "I didn't know the manager or John O'Shea was in the stand. I just focus on Galway. Like I said, as a team, we had an off day, myself as an individual I had an off day, but I wouldn't say that affected me at all." Honohan is expected to be called into action sooner than later, in terms of initiation, and is prepping a country classic to belt out when summoned in front of the squad. But it will be the manager that Honohan is attempting to impress this week when it comes to working his way onto the pitch over the coming two games, with places in the World Cup qualifying squad up for grabs. "We just went over one or two things in training, showing clips of the way we play and little principles that we have, so it's just trying to learn them as quickly as I can and trying to build a connection with the lads," said the 24-year-old. "He wants us to be a good defensive team, a well-drilled team with a good shape, and you can see he is a top manager. "He has managed some top international teams, and he has done really well with them, so you can definitely see why he has been successful as an international manager."
The Irish Sun
02-06-2025
- Sport
- The Irish Sun
Josh Honohan aims to seize Republic of Ireland chance after harsh lesson at Shamrock Rovers
JOSH HONOHAN has never been one for setting lofty goals - but he is about meeting high standards. The 2 Josh Honohan will be hoping to make his international debut for Ireland 2 Prior to Honahan's call up to the Ireland squad - his club manager Stephen Bradley claimed his 59 minutes against Galway United were the worst he had seen from the player His call-up was not a big shock to But his final game for Rovers before joining up with the Ireland squad was not one of his best. In fact, Bradley claimed his And Cork-man Honohan accepted the criticism knowing he has to raise his game. READ MORE ONN GAA He said: 'Look, the manager has been here for a good couple of years now and a massive reason the club has been so successful is that the manager has set the standard in the club. 'He does set high standards, he holds lads accountable and when you do come off that standard, like last Friday, he holds people accountable. 'And that's the standard he has and that's the standard I have for myself. The other night I didn't have my best game. 'The gaffer is very supportive of me, he's one of my biggest supporters. Most read in Football 'But I'm just focused now on the next game after that, trying to improve and getting back to that standard.' That his next game could be in the green of Ireland rather than the green and white of Shamrock Rovers would be a dream come true. Shamrock Rovers snap up Northern Ireland Under-21s goal-getter as Stephen Bradley gives exciting verdict In doing so, he would also become just the sixth home-based player this century to play for Ireland, after Glen Crowe, Jason Byrne, Joe Gamble, Graham Burke and Jack Byrne. And Honohan is well-aware of the lofty company, and why his own standards must be high. He said: 'The league has been improving every year, I think everyone would agree on that. 'I think you just see that first of all how much the teams have improved over the last couple of years and the players coming into the league. 'You can just do as well as you can for the club that you're playing for at the time and hope you get the opportunity. 'The league has been improving but the lads here are obviously playing at a very high level as well. 'Look, you're hopeful you get the opportunity, the manager, he's at a lot of the games, he's a big interest in the league. 'He picks the team, he picks the squad, it's his decision at the end of the day.' But even as he now settles into a squad in the Castleknock Hotel and in training in Abbotstown, he does not allow himself to dream too much. Honohan, 24, continued: 'To be honest, I do set small goals, but I don't set massive long-term goals. 'You have to do well at your club first. With Shamrock Rovers we did really well in Europe last year, that gives you an advantage, you're playing against high level teams. 'I just focus on one game at a time, and I think if you focus on one game at a time, consistently play well, and hopefully get the rewards down the line. 'You more just dream it and you just try to work as hard as you can, be disciplined and committed. 'And it sounds really cliché, but you just take one game at a time and try to do as well as you can and hope you get the opportunity. 'I'm just delighted to be here. It's a dream. Now that I am here, the aim is to do well in training. If I can make an appearance, do as well as I can, and stay here.' Few would bet against Honohan not doing that given how he has progressed through his career. Now 24, his signing for Rovers from relegated Cork City at the start of last season - the Hoops paid a fee for him - was not viewed as a statement signing. Honohan himself acknowledges that he has probably been a late developer. LATE BLOOMER He continued: 'When I came to Shamrock Rovers, I think I did an interview and one of the first things I said was that I just want to be the best player that I can be. 'I'm hopeful to do that, if you can achieve that, that's kind fo a dream, to do as well as you can. 'I never went to the UK, I've always been in Ireland. I played with Carrigaline United until I was 16 and I was lucky I had great coaching down there. 'And then I went to Cork City, the academy there, had brilliant managers there and I think that is definitely something that helped me. 'Having versatility playing different positions, I was lucky enough to have brilliant managers and coaches to help me with that in the academy. 'And then I played with Cork and came to Shamrock Rovers last year, and the standards they set, the manager, and the rest of the staff there have improved me. 'The coaching I've had since I was young has always been at a really high level, I've never been to the UK, but I've never looked at it like it was a negative.'
Irish Examiner
02-06-2025
- Sport
- Irish Examiner
Josh Honohan: Versatility is definitely a strength of mine
Presuming John O'Shea is delegated defensive duties within the Irish coaching ticket would be dangerous with Heimir Hallgrímsson around. The Icelander's soundbites resonate with the last non-Irishman to take the reins, Giovanni Trapattoni, for the priority he places on fundamentals. Josh Honohan's promotion to the squad tallies with that outlook, the Corkman considered one of the best League of Ireland defenders in recent years. Sunday's introductory session at Abbotstown was a leisurely workout before the real work began on Monday. First things first for the Ireland boss was assembling his defenders away from the main group to engage in shadow drills without the ball. 'It's still fresh to me but you can see why he's been successful as an international manager,' said Honohan, referring to Hallgrímsson's track record with his homeland and Jamaica. 'He's shown me clips of the way we play and little principles we have. He wants us to be a well-drilled team with good shape - and you can see he is a top manager.' Honohan has two friendlies – at home to Senegal on Friday and away to Luxembourg next Tuesday – to make his debut and push for inclusion in the squad for the World Cup qualifiers. Silverware has eluded him since he left Cork City to join Shamrock Rovers chasing their fifth successive title at the start of last season. Shelbourne denied the Hoops that unprecedented sequence but his call-up to the Irish fold was based primarily on how he fared on the European run that included a trip to eventual Conference League champions Chelsea. While Colin Healy praised Honohan's lightning pace at City and Stephen Bradley talked up his ability to operate with either foot, he didn't always mark himself out as a future Ireland defender. 'I never went to the UK as a teen but never saw it as a negative,' said the 24-year-old, recalling several of his peers receiving invites from interested clubs. 'I played with Carrigaline United until I was 16. I was lucky I had great coaching down there and then I went to Cork City, the academy there, had brilliant managers there and I think that is definitely something that helped me. 'Coming to Shamrock Rovers last year, with the standards they set, the manager, and the rest of the staff there, has improved me. 'You always have confidence in your own ability because if you don't then nobody is going to have confidence in you. 'I think in the modern game you must be versatile, comfortable playing in different positions. And, having done that in the last couple of years, I definitely think it's a strength of mine.'
RTÉ News
02-06-2025
- Sport
- RTÉ News
Richie Towell: Stephen Bradley's criticism of Josh Honohan's display against Galway United would have been better kept in-house
Richie Towell believes Shamrock Rovers manager Stephen Bradley should have kept his post-match critique of Josh Honohan's performance against Galway United in-house rather than commenting publicly. The 0-0 draw at Tallaght Stadium was the SSE Airtricity Men's Premier Division league leaders' final fixture before the mid-season break, ending what had been a five-game winning run, with Honohan now linking up with the Republic of Ireland senior squad after earning his maiden international call-up. Honohan was hauled off after an hour with his manager Bradley later criticising the defender's performance levels in the game as well as that of the team at large. "He was awful. That's the worst I've seen Josh. That's the worst I've ever seen him," Bradley told the newspapers afterwards. "He was extremely poor. It's not nice (to be taken off) but he's been brilliant for us. He's obviously got his call-up, deserved it. He's doing great, well done, but tonight he was a million miles off what he has been in every aspect. It's not good enough. "It's not good enough for us, it's not good enough for Ireland, I'm sure. It's not good enough for anyone. He's been playing at an incredibly high level, but you can't come off as much as… and it wasn't just him, it was the whole team in the first half, but Josh was really poor. I'm quick enough to give him credit and you have to call it straight, it wasn't good enough." Bradley has generally been generous in his praise of his players and the criticism after the Galway game could be interpreted as a means for the Hoops manager to remind his squad to keep standards up. However, former Rovers midfielder Towell, who played alongside Honohan, told this week's RTÉ Soccer Podcast that while a manager has every right to let his players know when he's not happy with them, criticism of players being made publicly beyond the confines of the dressing room and training ground isn't always necessary - especially with a player of Honohan's commitment levels. "Normally, I'm sure all the lads found out even before it got to a newspaper or a journalist or anything like that because I'm sure when Stephen came in, straight after the game or maybe even at half-time - he probably earmarked it at half-time - (to the players, telling them) 'get your finger out here, you're not doing good enough'. But I don't really like the public side of it, coming out and doing it, for me," the former Dundalk and Rovers' title winner said. "Listen, I understand doing that if you have a type of player who is a Big Time Charlie, who doesn't come into training on time, doesn't work hard and is kind of going through the motions. But Josh is anything but that. "He's always one of the first ones into training, anything he gets asked to do in the gym he does it. On the pitch, he works tirelessly hard and his performances have been really good. "For a young lad like Josh after getting his first international call-up, I'm sure this last ten days have been a bit of a whirlwind, his emotions are probably all over the place. "So for him to have a little bit of a dip in performance, that can be natural as well. So for Stephen to come out, and he hammered him to be fair, I don't really like that. "You can do that in-house, tell (Honohan) what you think but for me, you have a player who gives you absolutely everything, who works really hard and who's not this Big Time Charlie who thinks he's bigger and better than the team. I don't think you need to do that with a player like him. "So it's a little bit disappointing to see that because Josh has been incredible for him and he will be going forward as well." Also speaking on the podcast, former Shelbourne league winner Alan Cawley gave his take on Bradley's decision to air his criticism publicly. "I often think when managers do that, it's not just sending the message to Josh, it's almost sending the message to all the other players in the squad as well, that you're not allowing anybody to get too big for their boots and I think that was probably the reason behind it also," he said. "Even though he did that, I'm sure Stephen Bradley is over the moon with certainly the recent run of form that they've had in terms of picking up the amount of wins they have and also sitting pretty at the halfway stage."
The Irish Sun
23-05-2025
- Sport
- The Irish Sun
Josh Honohan ‘not complaining' after cancelling Malaga holiday following Ireland call-up as he hails ‘proud moment'
JOSH HONOHAN is happy to miss out on a foreign holiday in a bid to become an international. But, first, he is hoping to exert some domestic dominance when Premier Division leaders travel to second-placed Derry City tonight. Advertisement 2 Josh Honohan was called up to the Ireland squad for the friendlies against Senegal and Luxembourg Credit: Thomas Flinkow/Sportsfile 2 He is the first League of Ireland player to be called up by Heimir Hallgrimsson Credit: Ben McShane/Sportsfile Honohan became the first League of Ireland player to win a call-up to Senegal and Luxembourg. The international break coincides with the domestic game's week without fixtures, designed to allow players to get some R&R, often abroad, and Honohan was no different. Honohan said: 'I was supposed to go away with a couple of mates to Malaga, but I'm not complaining! I'll get away at the end of the year.' With no insurance, the Cork man will have to take a financial hit on his booking, although the blow will be softened by his international fee from the money is rarely a factor when it comes to international football , with Honohan proud of the recognition and keen to press his claims to be part of the Advertisement Read More on Shamrock Rovers He said: 'It's a really proud moment for myself and my family . I'm really happy. I'm really proud. 'I wouldn't say it was something I was exactly targeting when I joined 'I suppose you don't think that far ahead. I would set goals but I wouldn't set goals for that far down the line. 'But with the platform and how successful the club has been in the last couple of years I did think it was a possibility. Advertisement Most read in Football 'I didn't fully know when the squad was being announced. It was just one or two text messages and then a confirmation email so I was really happy.' He is expecting his nearest and dearest to travel in numbers for the game against Senegal at the Aviva Stadium in two weeks' time. Heimir Hallgrimsson 'happy with character and discipline' in win over Bulgaria but reveals where Ireland need to improve He said: 'I always think the Ireland support is unreal even when you see it on the TV . 'It's mad, only speaking to my family and aunts the other day, they always go on about Italia 90 and how good that was for Ireland. Advertisement 'With the qualifiers coming up I think it's something that they're targeting and I think that's the aim for everybody obviously is to get to the World Cup. Cork is obviously big into its sport so I'm sure they'll travel well. I would've gone to a lot of Ireland games. I think the first one I went to must have been on a school trip with Rochestown College. 'I must have only been in second year and they played America in a friendly in the Aviva. 'Looking at the players that were playing that night, it's always something I've dreamed of since I was a kid. 'Hopefully I'll get the chance over the next couple of weeks.' Advertisement If he does, he will emulate Jake O'Brien, also 24, whom he knows well. He said: 'I played with him in the academy with Cork for two or three years. I'd still be in contact with Jake sometimes, obviously he's a very good player, most importantly he's a really good person.' ADAPTING TO CHANGE And his City experience will, he believes, help if required to adapt to Ireland's flat back-four, given that he is primarily used by Rovers as a wing-back. He said: 'The way I probably build up as a left-back is a bit different. Advertisement 'Obviously being right-footed on the left, it's also a bit different, but I've played left-back before with Cork and in the academy. It is familiar to me and I do believe that I can play left-back.' Those thoughts will be at the back of his head when Rovers reach the halfway point of their season with this evening's top-of-the-table clash in the Brandywell. The 24-year-old added: 'It's always a tough place to go but we'll be targeting three points.'
