Advertisement
problems

9 other Irish internationals who have fallen out with the management

Damien Delaney is not the only player to make himself unavailable for selection in recent years.

DAMIEN DELANEY YESTERDAY indicated that a difference of opinion over the Irish team’s philosophy was part of the reason why he has decided to make himself unavailable for selection at international level.

And the Crystal Palace defender is not the only player to have left the squad over a difference of opinion in recent years.

Here are nine others…

1. Andy Reid

Soccer - International Friendly - Republic of Ireland v Latvia - Aviva Stadium Niall Carson Niall Carson

The midfielder was effectively ostracised from the Ireland squad after Giovanni Trapattoni decided to punish him for his part in a late night boozy singalong with the squad. 

2. Mark Kennedy & Phil Babb

Soccer - Euro 2000 Qualifier - Group 8 - Ireland v Malta EMPICS Sport EMPICS Sport

The duo were sent home from the Irish squad in 2000 after allegedly jumping on the parked private car of a female garda at 4am, prompting their arrest for drunk and disorderly conduct.

3. Liam Brady

Soccer - European Championship Qualifier - Group Seven - Ireland v Holland EMPICS Sport EMPICS Sport

By all accounts, Brady and Jack Charlton never saw eye to eye owing to their different footballing philosphies, culminating in the manager ending the international career of his player in humiliating fashion, substituting him before half-time in a 1989 friendly with West Germany.

4. Roy Keane

IRELAND KEANE QUITS AP / Press Association Images AP / Press Association Images / Press Association Images

Not much else needs to be said about the infamous departure of Roy Keane from the Irish squad on the eve of the 2002 World Cup. Even now, well over a decade later, it remains vivid in most Irish fans’ memories.

5. David Connolly

Switzerland v Republic of Ireland PA Archive / Press Association Images PA Archive / Press Association Images / Press Association Images

Noel King hasn’t been the only caretaker Ireland manager to cause a stir. During Don Givens’ brief stint in charge following Mick McCarthy’s resignation, he managed to have his own mini-Saipan with David Connolly. The player claimed he was injured and couldn’t take part in a friendly with Greece, and that Givens hung up the phone before he could explain this problem to him. The caretaker boss, meanwhile, suggested the striker didn’t want to play for the country, and indicated he wanted to be Ireland’s number one rather than number five striker.

6. Stephen Ireland

Soccer - UEFA European Championship 2008 Qualifying - Group D - Cyprus v Rep of Ireland - GSP Stadium PA Archive / Press Association Images PA Archive / Press Association Images / Press Association Images

Even before granny-gate and the end of his international career to date, Stephen Ireland was in international exile. Back in 2005, when he was being dubbed ‘the new Roy Keane,’ he refused to play for Ireland with Brian Kerr in charge, after a dispute with the manager at underage level. It was only following Kerr’s departure as coach that he returned to the international set-up, albeit briefly.

7. Darron Gibson

Soccer Euro 2012 Ireland Croatia Anja Niedringhaus Anja Niedringhaus

Furious at being made to sit on the bench for the duration of Euro 2012, Gibson vowed never to play for Ireland while Trapattoni was in charge. He stayed true to this promise, and only made himself available for selection following the Italian’s exit from the set-up.

8. David O’Leary

Soccer - European Championship Qualifier - Group One - Ireland v England EMPICS Sport EMPICS Sport

After turning down the chance to play for Ireland in a mini-tournament in Iceland in 1986, opting instead to go on holidays, O’Leary was ostracised from the squad by then-manager Jack Charlton for a period, missing out on Euro 88, before returning to represent Ireland at Italia 90, and scoring the decisive penalty in the shootout win over Romania.

It’s 20 years exactly since this man made his Premier League debut>

With such inconsistent transfer deals recently, is Chelsea the right move for Pedro?>

Your Voice
Readers Comments
15
    Submit a report
    Please help us understand how this comment violates our community guidelines.
    Thank you for the feedback
    Your feedback has been sent to our team for review.