Latest news with #Leesider
Irish Examiner
a day ago
- Business
- Irish Examiner
Brentford announce signing of Caoimhín Kelleher from Liverpool
Brentford have completed the signing of Cork native Caoimhín Kelleher from Liverpool. Kelleher left the Republic of Ireland training on Monday to undergo a medical and complete the transfer believed to be worth £12.5million, with the potential for it to rise to £18m. And on Tuesday afternoon, the London club announced the signing of the Leesider, who said he was "buzzing" to join the Bees. 'I'm buzzing, I'm really happy to be here," said the 26-year-old. 'I don't think it was very difficult for me to leave [Liverpool]. I felt for my own career that the time was right for me to go, to be a no.1 and to play every week. 'I heard of some interest a number of weeks ago. Once I knew Brentford was in for me, it was definitely one I was really excited about and wanted to do as quickly as possible. 'When I come back for pre-season, all focus will be on what I want to do next year; to work on certain goals and what I need to improve on, and to have a really good season for Brentford." Kelleher also admitted conversations with head coach Thomas Frank demonstrated that Brentford was the right club for him at the next stage of his career. 'I came down to meet the manager and some of the coaches," he continued. "They spoke to me about why they wanted me to be here and showed me around the training ground. 'It was interesting to see their point of view on why they wanted to sign me and how they think they can develop my game. It was impressive and I think the club's a really good fit for me. 'I like the way the manager and the coaching staff go about their ways. It seems like a really close, tight knit, family club. "They've got a really good track record of improving and developing players which is really what's drawn me to the club. 'I obviously spoke to Nathan. He spoke really well about the whole club and it's nice to know Sepp and Fábio as well. It'll make it easier for me to settle in and be nice to have a few friendly faces." Cork club Ringmahon Rangers are set for the biggest-ever sell-on windfall for an Irish outfit as Kelleher's transfer banks them a guaranteed €3m. When the 26-year-old moved to Merseyside a decade ago, Ringmahon brokered a 20% sell-on clause. The largesse – of which 20% cascades to the Corkman's first club Rockmount – trumps previous amounts grossed by Irish clubs for sell-ons. Brentford Director of football Phil Giles said: 'I am very pleased to welcome Caoimhín to Brentford. We have scouted him in the past and were aware that he had a year to go on his contract with Liverpool this summer. 'When Mark Flekken had the opportunity to move to Bayer Leverkusen, we immediately thought about Caoimhín as his replacement. 'As well as being a very good goalkeeper, I've rarely met a player for whom everybody has such positive words to say about his personality and character. I'm therefore confident he'll be an excellent addition to the squad.' First-team goalkeeper coach Manu Sotelo added: 'Caoimhín is a young keeper full of talent who has already proven how he can perform in the Premier league as well as Europe. 'He is calm and obsessed with improving. His best quality is his agility and he is a clever goalkeeper, with positioning and awareness being key elements of his game. 'With us, I'm confident he will achieve the next level in terms of performance and show the potential he has. 'I'm looking forward to working with him.'
Irish Examiner
7 days ago
- Sport
- Irish Examiner
Colin O'Brien already sees Jaden Umeh improvements since Benfica move
Jaden Umeh has massively improved his game since joining Benfica, according to his Ireland manager. The powerful winger played 15 times in Cork City's promotion-winning season before joining the Portuguese giants last summer. His career path is being managed carefully by the club coached this season by former Wolves manager Bruno Lage and led by departing World Cup winner Ángel Di María. Umeh only turned 17 in March but by avoiding UK Brexit restrictions has got a headstart on some of his peers. His performances for his country – bagging braces against Poland and Iceland in the March Euro qualifiers – secured Ireland their first ever qualification for the World Cup. They have been drawn against Paraguay, Uzbekistan and Panama in the 48-team extravaganza kicking off in Qatar on November 4. Umeh – whose older brother Franco is part of Crystal Palace's first team squad – was yesterday named in the squad for next week's friendlies against Norway, Türkiye and mini-group hosts Croatia. All opponents will be a year older, a specific request made by manager Colin O'Brien to prepare them for the rigours later in the year. His fellow Leesider Umeh is one player he feels is physically and tactically elevating to become equipped for the big time. 'Jaden is a great example, having joined a big club like Benfica,' the Ireland boss said. 'If we think about Portugal, the profile of attacking players, full-backs and wingers, he's got big challenges. They're big on creative players in wide areas. 'For him to be getting up every morning and going into that environment with coaches and teammates, I can see the improvements since he moved over. 'There are certain details in his game that have massively improved. They had a big impact for us internationally. 'He's matured, which can be a big challenge for a young boy who has gone away. He's just rolled into the international side of things with that spirit and personality of his. 'So far, from the second half of the second half of the season, has been really progressive.' Ireland will have further friendlies in September and October, with the plan to stage a training camp and final warm-up game abroad a week prior to the tournament. All of those are international windows, meaning clubs are obligated to release players for their countries, but the tournament sits outside the timeframe. Should, for instance, Shamrock Rovers reach the FAI Cup final on November 9, there could be question marks over the availability of Victor Ozhianvuna and Michael Noonan. 'I've encountered plenty of tricky situations in this role,' said O'Brien who had managed Ireland at four European Championship finals. 'It's one we've got to manage and just watch as time unfolds over the summer. Certain teams might have leagues wrapped up, might be in or out of cups, but for the World Cup you want your best players. 'What an opportunity it is for them to showcase individuals from our clubs in Ireland as well. 'For me, you won't get a better stage for young players but it's something I'm very aware of and I will be in communication with clubs. The players are contracted to the clubs. 'Hopefully when I'm being asked that question in late September, early October, we have more clarity on it.' Ireland U17s squad for friendlies in Croatia: Goalkeepers: George Moloney (Southampton), Alex Noonan (Shamrock Rovers). Defenders: Ryan Butler (Wexford), Josh Cullen (Finn Harps), Aidan Gabbidon (Malmö FF), Max Kovalevskis (Shamrock Rovers), Vincent Leonard (Dundalk), Oisin McDonagh (Venezia), Sean Spaight (Dundalk), Finn Sherlock (TSG Hoffenheim). Midfielders: Rory Finneran (Newcastle United), Gavin McAteer (Finn Harps), Kian McMahon Brown (Burnley), Victor Ozhianvuna (Shamrock Rovers). Forwards: Charles Akinrintoyo (Shamrock Rovers), Billy Hayes (St. Patrick's Athletic), Brody Lee (Shamrock Rovers), Michael Noonan (Shamrock Rovers), Cillian Tollett (Galway United), Jaden Umeh (Benfica).
Irish Examiner
21-05-2025
- Sport
- Irish Examiner
'Cathal excites me' - Ireland U21 boss looking forward to linking up with O'Sullivan
Ireland U21 boss Jim Crawford admits his excitement at working with Cathal O'Sullivan, as the prodigy aims to transfer his Cork City form onto the international stage. The nippy winger has earned his first call-up for the June friendlies against Croatia and Qatar, the final warm-ups before Ireland embark on a Euro qualifying campaign group that includes Lee Carsley's holders England. Having turned 18 in March, the Leesider is free to join a UK club during the July window. That is dependent on an English Premier League club meeting the asking price of Cork City but newly-crowned FA Cup holders Crystal Palace lead the queue and are prepared to table an upfront fee of around €400,000. 'Cathal excites me,' admits the U21 supremo. 'I don't want to compare him with former international players but he reminds me of certain players. His x-factor is being on the ball and creating things. 'With his ability, he'll get bums off seats. He missed out on the Ireland U19s due to injury but were always aware of his ability. He was excellent in the First Division, scoring and creating goals as well as working hard for his team. 'His next step was playing in our top league and once again he's been excellent. 'From that position on the right inside channel, he knows when to move centrally and is a threat on goal. He has that work ethic and it's not every player's cup of tea to track back. 'They're facets of a player that the senior Ireland manager will look for and it's only a matter of time before he moves to the UK.' Crawford doesn't have a preference as to whether O'Sullivan completes the season at City, where he's a guaranteed starter. Irish exports have suffered from prolonged spells in the U21 teams of English teams but the Ireland boss feels there can be a beneficial shelf life. Securing a loan move seems a logical step in his progression plan. 'Playing first-team football is exceptionally important but if Cathal leaves in July, he'll have to learn the club's philosophy,' noted Crawford. 'They might do things differently and he'll be involved in a decent games programme. 'I know from watching U21 development matches when a player has outgrown it. He's ripe for a loan move which becomes the next conundrum. 'He's gone from Cork's first team to learning in the U21 development side but it's about getting a loan to a move that mirrors his parent club but help him develop his own games. 'There's a lot to that and why these clubs have Loans Managers. 'It will be character building for him going from a full house at Turner's Cross to U21 football. There are areas of the game, technical and tactical, that he'll learn at that level.' One of Crawford's fellow graduates from his Uefa Pro Licence course, Ger Nash, will oversee the final games of this City stint for O'Sullivan. Points in the final two games before the international break, away to Galway United on Friday and at home to champions Shelbourne on Friday week, are imperative for City to ease fears over being relegated straight back the second tier. 'I dealt with Ger when he worked at Aston Villa and he's an astute football man who will help Cork City,' Crawford said. 'He's already been onto me about a few potential new players in the window as he's working around the clock but Ger will be good for the youngsters from his time at Villa.' Meanwhile, Crawford insists Kevin Zefi is committed to Ireland despite an U21 call-up from Albania. 'Kevin has talent and skill that needs nurturing and harnessing,' the manager said about the Roma winger he didn't include in this squad. 'I don't know how realistic it is to break into the Roma first-team but he knows what he has to do. He's 20 now and needs to start the performance phase of his career.' Ireland U21s squad v Croatia on June 6, Qatar June 10: Goalkeepers: Killian Barrett (Sheffield Wednesday), Noah Jauny (Stade Brestois), Aaron Maguire (Tottenham Hotspur), Andrew Wogan (Stockport County). Defenders: Sam Curtis (Sheffield United), Sean Grehan (Bohemians, on loan from Crystal Palace), Alex Murphy (Newcastle United), Cory O'Sullivan (Shamrock Rovers), David Okagbue (Walsall), Gabriel Otegbayo (Sheffield Wednesday), Jacob Slater (Brighton & Hove Albion). Midfielders: Jacob Devaney (Manchester United), Darius Lipsiuc (Walsall, on loan from Stoke City), Jack Moorhouse (Manchester United), Jamie Mullins (Brighton & Hove Albion), Adam Murphy (Bristol City), Joe O'Brien-Whitmarsh (Southampton), Cathal O'Sullivan (Cork City), Harry Vaughan (Hull City). Forwards: Warren Davis (Drogheda United), Joe Gardner (Nottingham Forest), Jad Hakiki (Sligo Rovers), Mason Melia (St. Patrick's Athletic), Mark O'Mahony (Brighton & Hove Albion).
