The Irish Players abroad ratings

Last updated : 21 April 2009 By Paul Jennings
A view of the players playing in England and Scotland and their ratings. The information courtesy of www.soccerrepublic.eircom.net

link:
http://soccerrepublic.eircom.net/News/The-State-of-the-Republic-week-ending-19-April.aspx


Soccer Republic's Player of the week

Liam Lawrence (Stoke City)

Played 90 minutes (Stoke City 1 Blackburn 0)

Scored the goal that looks like keeping Stoke in the Premier League, while also deepening the relegation worries of the visitors. Paul Robinson will feel shots like that would normally be meat and drink for him, he'll be disappointed not to have gobbled up Lawrence's offering. Stoke know their job is not yet done, unlike Chelsea who curiously sprayed and guzzled champagne after winning a semi-final. Oh the glory. Lawrence Gael Givet throughout and also put in some tantalising crosses.

GOALKEEPERS

Shay Given (Manchester City)

Played 90 minutes (Manchester City 4 West Brom 2)

No chance for Chris Brunt's first, and possibly unsighted for the winger's second as a vicious free kick flew past where the sun don't shine out from Marc-Antoine Fortune and into the net. Made a fine save from Fortune late on, just as he did from Ivica Olic last Thursday night.

Dean Kiely (West Bromwich Albion)

Unused sub (Manchester City 4 West Brom 2)

Must be getting that sinking feeling.

Keiren Westwood (Coventry City)

Played 90 minutes (Nottingham Forest 1 Coventry 0)

Made a string of fine stops to keep the Sky Blues in the game including a parrying save to deny Chris Cohen; no chance with James Perch's winner.

Colin Doyle (Birmingham City)

Played 90 minutes (Watford 0 Birmingham City 1)

Deputised for suspended Maik Taylor and 'Doyley' - who 'is a top professional' and 'was ready for action' - found himself on the end of a fawning from manager Alex McLeish. Teachers pet, it seems.

Darren Randolph (Charlton Athletic)

Unused sub (Charlton 2 Blackpool 2)

Another Irish 'keeper dropping down a division.

DEFENDERS

Richard Dunne (Manchester City)

Played 90 minutes (Manchester City 4 West Brom 2)

There were signs a much-improved second half against Hamburg that the big man was coming back to himself, but that was before rigorously cleaned out Mladen Petric's clock handed Dunne his exit cue. Looked a little hesitant against the Baggies but won as much as he lost against a battling opponent: Marc-Antoine Fortuné.

John O'Shea (Manchester United)

Did not play (Manchester United 0 Everton 0; Everton won 4-2 on penalties)

Was left out of the match-day squad as Alex Ferguson's unbeaten FA Cup semi-final record ended (yes, we never have to hear about that again). Struggling Energie Cottbus offered ticket refunds to fans who travelled the 600 kilometres to watch a 4-0 pasting at Schlake on Friday; those forced to travel all the way to Wembley, inspite of their clubs close proximity, can only dream of such mercies (which they might well have done during this bore-fest).

Kevin Kilbane (Hull City)

Played 90 minutes (Sunderland 1 Hull 0)

Didn't feature for Phil Brown's Tigers last week at Middlesbrough, played the full 90 this week and was unlucky to see his late header parried away by Craig Gordon.

Stephen Kelly (Stoke City)

Played 40 minutes (Stoke City 1 Blackburn 0)

Came on for the second week running in place of Andy Wilkinson (a man always keen to share his studs) who took a knee in the rump and the Irishman gave Morten Gamst Pedersen little joy.

Paul McShane (Sunderland)

Unused sub (Sunderland 1 Hull 0)

The former Hull City loan man started on the bench for Ricky Sbragia's side; Giovanni Trapattoni will be worried about how little game time our He-Man lookalike has had since his return to the Stadium of Light.

Steve Finnan (Espanyol)

Injured (Espaynol 1 Racing Santander 0)

Still out with a hamstring injury but watched on as resident greaseball Iván Alonso headed the winner against Racing.

Darren O'Dea (Celtic)

Injured (Celtic 2 Aberdeen 0)

Still out with a leg injury suffered against Falkirk.

Kevin Foley (Wolves)

Played 90 minutes (Wolves 1 QPR 0)

Involved in a slick passing move with Andy Keogh that almost lead to a goal for Christopher Berra. Did well to see out the game after bruiser Gavin Mahon did, well, just what he does.

Stephen Ward (Wolves)

Played 79 minutes (Wolves 1 QPR 0)

Recalled to the line-up in favour of Matt Hill and repayed Mick McCarthy's faith with some dangerous deliveries into the box. Was booked in the second half for a foul on Wayne Routledge.

Damien Delaney (QPR)

Unused sub (Wolves 1 QPR 0)

Started on the bench, and there he did remain.

Stephen Carr (Birmingham City)

Played 90 minutes (Watford 0 Birmingham 1)

Part of another great defensive display which has seen The Blues conceded just one goal in their last four games. McLeish was relucatant to name his absolute favourite man at the back, instead championing a resolute defence. 'I'm extremely proud,' gushed the Scot.

Alex Bruce (Ipswich Town)

Played 90 minutes (Ipswich 3 Norwich 2)

Settled down the Tractor Boys' defence after Dave Mooney opened the scoring in the East Anglian derby. His diagonal ball began the move where Kevin Lisbie earned the penalty that made it 2-1. Put in blocks and clearance's a go-go; Bruce also received a caution for unsporting behaviour.

Eddie Nolan (Preston North End)

Played 90 minutes (Preston 6 Cardiff City 0)

Goalkeeper Andrew Lonergan, who himself saved a penalty when the game was still a contest, heaped praise on the four men in front of him: "Billy, Eddie, Ledge and Youl made sure we defended like it was 0-0 and that was vital for us."

Sean St Ledger (Preston North End)

Played 90 minutes (Preston 6 Cardiff City 0)

Made the same sort of hay in the same sort of sun as Nolan.

Mark Kennedy (Cardiff City)

Played 90 minutes (Preston 6 Cardiff City 0)

A sensational Oliver Bierhoff-like header into the top corner made the game safe at Deepdale, unfortunately it was into his own net.

MIDFIELDERS

Damien Duff (Newcastle United)

Played 90 minutes (Tottenham 1 Newcastle 0)

The Duff man was played in three-different positions, mostly defensive, and exhibited the great discipline he learned under Jose Mourinho at Chelsea. Will have been dismayed that Iain Dowie (who in no way mirrors the Portuguese) seemed to be the man calling the shots as Spurs dominated at White Hart Lane. Ended up at left-back and, in spite of Dowie's instructions, finished as one of the Magpies' stronger performers.

Keith Andrews (Blackburn Rovers)

Played 90 minutes (Stoke City 1 Blackburn 0)

Kept his place in the starting XI as Big Sam rang the changes; the midfielder hit a few misplaced passes that were symptomatic of an uninspiring display from Blackburn.

Aaron Doran (Blackburn Rovers)

Unused sub (Stoke City 1 Blackburn 0)

Difficult debut as a half-time substitute against a rampant Liverpool side last Saturday for the man who represented the Republic at the UEFA Under-17 championships in Turkey last May. Kept his place on the bench against the Potters but stayed there throughout.

Keith Treacy (Blackburn Rovers)

Did not play (Stoke City 1 Blackburn 0)

Played 90 minutes in last weekend's mauling at the hands of Liverpool; lost his place in Sam Allardyce's match-day squad for the trip to Stoke.

Glenn Whelan (Stoke City)

Played 90 minutes (Stoke City 1 Blackburn 0)

Consistent as ever in the middle of the field. Always backed himself to have a shot and put in crucial tackles on more than one occasion.

Rory Delap (Stoke City)

Played 90 minutes (Stoke City 1 Blackburn 0)

Was involved in an early clash of heads with Stephen Warnock but battled on. Hailed in his usual havoc-wreaking glut of throw-ins on the Rovers area: never fails to bring the leathery rain down on the Britannia Stadium.

Aiden McGeady (Glasgow Celtic)

Played 85 minutes (Celtic 2 Aberdeen 0)

Delightful pass to set up Jan Vennegoor of Hesselink for a chance that goalkeeper Jamie Langfield did well to save. Replaced late on by Koki Mizuno after linking up well all afternoon with Andy Hinkel.

Darron Gibson (Manchester United)

Played 120 minutes (Manchester United 0 Everton 0)

The pedidextrous Derryman, who looks like butter wouldn't melt in his mouth, spread the ball to every corner of the pitch on Sunday. Cramped up a little in extra-time but the Mike Skinner lookalike kept the ball moving well throuhgout.

Andy Reid (Sunderland)

Played 76 minutes (Sunderland 1 Hull City 0)

Put in the cross that led to Djibril Cisse's opener in first-half injury time and set up Kenwyne Jones to breach the Hull (I know, I know) a second time, only for the striker to be ruled offside. Replaced by Keiron Richardson in the second half.

Willo Flood (Celtic)

Injured (Celtic 2 Aberdeen 0)

Missed out with an injury.

Liam Miller (QPR)

Unused sub (Wolves 1 QPR 0)

Having been left out of the squad by caretaker manager Gareth Ainsworth for his first game in charge, Miller at least made the bench on this occasion but again saw no action. That the Rs only two unused subs were Irish will not be lost on the more keen-eyed conspiracy theorists.

Stephen Ireland (Manchester City)

Played 90 minutes (Manchester City 4 West Brom 2)

Always eager to take charge of the ball in midfield and his bursts led to Robinho and Daniel Sturridge opening and closing the scoring respectively. Oh how fantasy football teams on both sides of the Irish Sea did rejoice.

Keith Fahey (Birmingham City)

Played 90 minutes (Watford 0 Birmingham City 1)

Another fine game for Fahey, who will be monitored carefully before their final home game against Preston next weekend after suffering cramp on Saturday.

Lee Carsley (Birmingham City)

Suspended (Watford 0 Birmingham City 1)

Sat out the third and final game of his three match suspension for his sending off against Wolves.

Alan Quinn (Ipswich Town)

Played 90 minutes (Ipswich 3 Norwich 2)

Combined well with Giovani Dos Santos to fire in Ipswich's equaliser. Never afraid to have a shot and produced a gamut of fine crosses. Helped his side contol the majority of the possession.

Owen Garvan (Ipswich Town)

Unused sub (Ipswich 3 Norwich 2)

Was kept on the bench throughout by Jim Magilton.

Wes Hoolahan (Norwich City)

Injured (Ipswich 3 Norwich 2)

Out for the rest of the season with an ankle ligament injury.

Jay Tabb (Reading)

Played 90 minutes (Reading 0 Barnsley 0)

Came closest to bulging Luke Steele's net with a couple of decent shots but Reading's rotten run continues: that's now one win in nine. Perhaps taking a leaf from Bolivian side Blooming's book, who gave their (presumably already verile) players Viagra to help deal with the high altitude in La Paz; Reading seem to be having the same elevation issues right now in the Championship.

Stephen Hunt (Reading)

Played 68 minutes (Reading 0 Barnsley 0)

Put some good deliveries into the box and saw an early header fly over the bar, but with Steve Coppell looking for something different, Hunt was replaced by Glen Little.

Jon Walters (Ipswich Town)

Injured (Ipswich 3 Norwich 2)

Missed out with an ankle injury.

Roy O'Donovan (Blackpool)

Did not play (Charlton 2 Blackpool 2)

Dropped out of the squad in favour of Wade Small who returned from injury to help relegate Charlton. O'Donovan may secretly be happy to have avoided depression central: The Valley.

Alan Judge (Plymouth Argyle)

Played 71 minutes (Plymouth 0 Doncaster Rovers 3)

A quiet day for the on-loan Blackburn man who was taken off for Rory Fallon as Plymouth missed a chance to secure Championship status for next season.

Alan O'Brien (Hibernian)

Unused sub (Hibernian 2 Rangers 3)

Was dropped to the bench for the returning David Van Zanten following last Monday's draw away to St Mirren.

STRIKERS

Robbie Keane (Tottenham Hotspur)

Played 90 minutes (Tottenham 1 Newcastle United 0)

Diamond geezer Harry Redknapp must have wished some of the clear-cut chances that Darren Bent fluffed with ease fell to Keane. Wherever the Tallaght man ran, the ball seemed to go elsewhere. Not his most prominent display but a winning one nonetheless.

Andy Keogh (Wolves)

Played 90 minutes (Wolves 1 QPR 0)

Set up the goal that took Wolves back up into the big time. Nipped in to dispossess QPR defender Damion Stewart and offered Sylvan Ebanks-Blake the chance to slide home his 25th, and most important, goal of the season. Keogh was later moved onto the right wing as McCarthy shuffled his pack.

Kevin Doyle (Reading)

Injured (Reading 0 Barnsley 0)

A knee injection for Doyle on Thursday was not enough for the Wexford man to be considered.

Noel Hunt (Reading)

Played 49 minutes (Reading 0 Barnsley 0)

Put in an early cross that his older brother nutted over. Ran the channels well all afternoon.

Shane Long (Reading)

Played 41 minutes (Reading 0 Barnsley 0)

Came on for Noel Hunt and blazed over an inswinging corner from Jem Karacan. Could have been awarded a penalty.

Daryl Murphy (Sunderland)

Played 1 minute (Sunderland 1 Hull City 0)

The Waterford man came on as Sunderland looked to wind down the clock and was desparately unlucky to see the post survive one of his texbook piledrivers.

Caleb Folan (Hull City)

Played 22 minutes (Sunderland 1 Hull 0)

Again brought on as Hull searched for an equaliser, the human battering ram headed agonisingly wide in the dying embers of this six-pointer.

Anthony Stokes (Crystal Palace)

Played 90 minutes (Palace 1 Derby County 0)

Brought back into the starting line up after missing out against Southampton. Set up an early chance for Victor Moses and had a shot himself not long after that failed to even go wide. But, less embarrassingly, saw a late curler go agonisingly close.

Dave Mooney (Norwich City)

Played 90 minutes (Ipswich 3 Norwich 2)

Started the game quietly but the on-loan Reading man popped up with a fantastic long-range header from just inside the area after Sammy Clingan's cross. Three more games before the former Cork City star gets his first off-season since March last year.

Cillian Sheridan (Motherwell)

Played 5 minutes (Motherwell 0 St Mirren 2)

Was brought on with just a few minutes left on the clock in place of skipper Stephen Craigan as Motherwell chased the game. Did not have enough time to make an impact.

Stephen Elliott (Preston North End)

Played 23 minutes (Preston 6 Cardiff 0)

Came on when the game was already won and sent in a stunning ball for Chris Brown (who I'm assured only pumps his fists for Rihanna when listening to her music) to bungle.

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