IRELANDโS ALAN BROWNE has just enjoyed his most consistent season as a professional footballer.
Pushed into a more advanced midfield role by Preston North End manager Alex Neil, the 23-year-old was a central figure for the club and claimed Player of the Year as they narrowly missed out on a spot in the Championship play-offs.
โI think in the past I was really trying to find my best position,โ Browne said at a training camp in Dublin today. โWith the new gaffer coming in, it was a fresh start. He has really nailed down a position for me and Iโve found myself further forward.
โHeโs really pushed me all the way and tried to get more goals out of me everyday. I think Iโve managed to bring my game in training to match days, so thatโs something Iโve really improved on and hopefully I can continue to do so in the future.โ
With two caps to his name, Browne started for Ireland in last Sundayโs game against Celtic and opened the scoring early on with a fine finish โ his first goal in a green shirt but it wonโt technically go down on his international record because Scott Brownโs testimonial wasnโt recognised as an official fixture.
Despite that, however, Browne is eager to contribute with his fair share at international level.
โIn my head, I scored it so Iโm happy out and I think thatโs what I bring to the team,โ he says. โIโve done it at club level and I want to add goals, as itโs something that weโre lacking to a certain degree. Iโll try my best to do it in the upcoming games as I try get onto the next step.
โIt was a great achievement for me on a personal note to get off the mark. As you said, itโs not going to go down in the book, but Iโll just continue to try and do that in every game that I play โ like Iโve done at club level.
Iโll try to take that into the international set-up. Obviously, Iโve got more work to do and I got caught out for their first goal so that was disappointing and it cancelled it out for me. Thatโs something to look at and try to improve on.โ
โIf everyone can chip in weโll go a long way,โ he adds. โWeโve got big [Shane] Duffy at the back who can win every header, so youโll expect a few goals out of him. I think the full-backs are really attack-minded and they can push on and get one or two here and there. Weโve really lacked in midfield to a certain degree but itโs something that we need to look at.
โI see itโs something that players do at club level but coming into international duty it doesnโt seem to happen. For me, itโs about playing my own game and getting up to support the striker โ not just to score goals but to set them up as well.โ
Although Browne is still a relatively new arrival to the international fold, he is not short on confidence and feels now โ with two friendly matches around the corner โ is the right time to show that he can hold his own.
โMaybe to others, I might be new on the scene and obviously Iโve only played three games so in that respect Iโm probably a bit inexperienced,โ he explains. โBut at club level, Iโm pretty experienced and to me itโs just another step in my career and I want to try my best to make sure Iโm here to stay.
โIโve always been confident in my own ability and especially with the new gaffer coming in, heโs put a lot of confidence into me. I think Iโm probably playing my best football at the moment and Iโm really enjoying it. If youโre playing with a smile on your face it means youโre enjoying it so, for me, itโs been a really good season and one I can add to by improving and pushing on again next year.โ
The Boys in Green make the trip to Paris tomorrow for Mondayโs meeting with France, which will act as a World Cup warm-up for Didier Deschampsโ talented squad, before facing the US in Dublin next Saturday. Browne has been involved in matches with more at stake, but this next one will rank up there when you take the opposition into account.
โItโs probably not the biggest game Iโve played in terms of rewards at the end of it, considering itโs a friendly, but itโs certainly the biggest game Iโve played in in terms of quality,โ he states.
โI think everybody knows the quality that the France team possesses and they will be really giving it a go. They will be raring to go, Iโd imagine, but itโs just a chance for us to stake a claim in the team and we will give it our all.
โI think people doubt us at times, but I see the quality that the boys here possess everyday and I think weโre more than capable of taking on any team. I think we just need to be a bit more bright and a bit more positive, we can take it to teams and push on to another level.โ
Ireland are awash with Preston players at present, with Browneโs team-mates Greg Cunningham and Daryl Horgan on the current panel, while Sean Maguire misses out through injury and Callum Robinson is waiting for international clearance after switching allegiance from England.
โSeani has been different class for us this year,โ he says of the ex-Cork City striker. โHe started out on the wing, but unfortunately for him he got a bad injury. He came back and he was like a new signing for us. He just brought so much life into the team and weโre all aware of the qualities he possesses. Heโs a really confident lad as well and that is a big factor in his game.
โI know with Callum, itโs a bit of history with his mother and his grandmother. I think heโs more than happy to represent this country. Itโs something thatโs really close to his heart and it will be special to make his official debut. I know the Celtic one was a special moment for him personally, but hopefully he can get the papers done and break into this team.โ
โHe can add goals,โ Browne says of Preston forward Robinson. โNot just that, he doesnโt come across as it but heโs really down to earth โ an honest lad who will really work hard for the team. I know that a lot of the lads in this team work tirelessly and give 100%, so for him coming in heโs going to have to do the same.
I see him everyday in training and thereโs no two ways about it, heโs as honest as they come and heโll give his all. As well as that, he possesses real quality โ he can set up goals and score them from all angles. He could be an important player in the future.โ
On Horgan, who has found himself out of favour at club level, he adds: โI think he has just been a little bit unfortunate with the new manager coming in, maybe he hasnโt taken a liking to him.
โIโve seen so many times where the manager signs a player and someone new comes in and thinks โHeโs not my playerโ and doesnโt really take a liking to him. I think thatโs the case with Daryl because I see him everyday in training and heโs top class. He gives his all and heโs just been really unfortunate this year.
โI think if he can get playing at club level he can take it another step and itโs good to see that Martin has still shown confidence in him by bringing him in even though he hasnโt been playing regularly. He always keeps himself fit and is ready to take his chance if it comes.โ
Having begun his career at hometown club Cork City (without making a first-team appearance), Browne continues to keep a close eye on how the Leesiders are doing and he will be present at tonightโs SSE Airtricity League Premier Division meeting with St Patrickโs Athletic at Richmond Park.
โI leave the banter to Daryl and Seani and I donโt get involved in that too much because I havenโt played first team in Cork and wasnโt involved to that extent,โ he says, when asked about the slagging that goes on between him, former City striker Maguire and ex-Dundalk winger Horgan, โwhereas the boys played against each other and maybe now can look back on the league and joke about it.
โI obviously have former team-mates within that team so I keep an eye on them and wish them all the best in the future.
โWe have the option to the Bohs game but when I heard Cork were playing I said Iโd go along and support the boys from the stands and Iโm looking forward to tonight.โ
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As a Leinster fan, Iโm sorry people have to put up with Dave Moron, a lot of his comments make me cringe. Just know some Leinster fans want to see all the provinces do well
@Rainbows In the Dark: no need to apologize for Moronโฆ Just mute!
@Rainbows In the Dark: Why are you apologizing? I donโt see anyone apologizing for the clown@eircom
@Rainbows In the Dark: Itโs okay. Every province has at least one. Think about it this way: doesnโt say much about his character (or his life) that he chooses to spend his time that way.
@Rainbows In the Dark: do you remember munstermicko? he used to be on here and was obviously (i hope) just someone taking the mick (sic) and playing a role as a stereotypical munster fan with the most one eyed pro-munster kremlin style nonsense (e.g. โlast weekends 70-0 loss was just lulling next weekโs opponents into a false sense of securityโ)โฆmorะพn above here though seems to be realโฆthere are obviously also followers of the other provinces (coughโฆmunsterโฆcough) who are as badโฆbut as yet havenโt crawled out from under their bridge for this article
@Rainbows In the Dark: Munster fans should be apologising for making me watch Craig Casey whenever we play Italy or a meaningless friendly. I also actually like to see Connacht do well.
@Dave Moran: you should be apologising to us for subjecting us to look at your Grindr profile pic anytime you post
@mWhSNsK2: How do you know what a grindr profile picture looks like tony?
@Dave Moran: because Iโve seen your profile, duh!
@mWhSNsK2: and he keeps setting himself up :)
@Rainbows In the Dark: mute buttons were invented for lads like that.
@Bob Ashley: Duly muted. Goodbye Dave Moron
@Fintan OโHalloran: PLEASE DONT MUTE ME FINTAN. I BEG
@Rainbows In the Dark: No idea what he says as I have him muted a long time agoโฆ along will Notphilyclever, Ray Ridge, John/Jim/Jack (or whatever) Doe along with a few other trolls
Really exciting 23, fantastic to see frawley and jager in there. Some really expolsive bench, I am jot normally a fan of 6-2 split but thatโs some amount of power ready to be unleashed.
@chris mcdonnell: the inferences are: 1. Ringrose not fit, else heโd be 23. 2. Welsh props are inexperienced- good game to blood Jรคger and also give Bealham family time. 3. Casey still not trusted. 4. Ireland are going to be very physical โ and if theyโre well in control, might wheel on 6 together. Only tweak wouldโve been to start Conan to manage Dorisโ game time. Letโs hope that if and when Stu comes on, that itโs tactical.
@chris mcdonnell:
My little pleasure this evening Chris is I muted that clown Dave moron
@John Google: ah well all like a little inter pro rivalry, our player is better than your play but when itโs an Ireland team going for a secind grandslam surely you have to get behind all the squad.
@John Google: Same, iโm glad that I did.
Bealham has, across 2022 November games, 2023 Six nations, RWC, in my opinion, had more stronger showings for Ireland than Furlong. He made Six Nations team of the tournament for a reason. I wonโt presume to know the ins and outs, but I donโt get the understanding there in dropping him from the squad.
He was excellent against Italy too. The talk on House of Rugby and Off The Ball was almost โshould he start instead of Furlongโ this week.
@David Hickey: I think furlong could use a break. Ideally heโd be given a 6 month break like the ABs do. I know heโs had time off with injuries, but i donโt think that counts as actual rest.
@David Hickey: I donโt think heโs dropped. Iโd say heโs given the week off to be with his newborn son
@David Hickey: ye, I agree, heโs been our best 3 for a good while. Doesnโt make sense to me.
@Petter Sellberg: ah, makes sense now
Not surprising to see Casey dropped after his horror show last week. Keenan is a big loss but great to see another Leinster man step up in the 15 shirt. Ireland by 27
@Dave Moran: thereโs 23 irish rugby players in the squad.
@Dave Moran: spot the munster fanโฆ.oh wait (same bollix different colour)
@Dave Moran: Horror show indeed! A good case of seeing what you wanted to see. Watch the actual game again sometime or look at the stats and have a little nuance in your comments maybe moving forward.
@Dave Moran: by the logic, you must be happy to see Harry Byrne dropped to?
@John Ludgate: He was quite clearly was one of our worst players. Aimless box kicking and no control over the game. Maybe give it a rewatch yourself there. If he was so impressive youโd think he could make the 23 over a past it Conor Murray, no?
@mWhSNsK2: What does Harry Byrne have to do with the conversation. Why should Irelandโs 4th/5th choice FH make the 23?
@John Ludgate: ORโฆ we could stop feeding the trolls!! The mute button is there for a reason.
@Dave Moran: why would Irelands 3rd choice scrum half?
@Dave Moran: โHorror show โ? Surely you jest
@Dave Moran: why does it have to be about provincial biasโฆ. Leinster arenโt playing so they are irrelevant. Itโs an Irish lad getting a shot at fullback. Best of luck to him
@Dave Moran: Iโd say watch it again Dave but I donโt think it would matter, youโre not interested in how he played, youโre only interested in bleeting like a sheep.
The rise and rise of Oli Jager!
They need to assert themselves At the breakdown, refell is one of the best in the business.
@Joseph O Reilly: We have four, Beirne, POM, Doris and VDF. You make a good point though.
@Joseph O Reilly: there were a few times against italy where nobody showed up at the breakdownโฆeveryone heading to the next positionโฆ and refell can win it even when they do show upโฆso youโre right โ but with VDF, POM and berine there should be a big improvementโฆ
@Patrick Kennedy: Beirne is unmatched on opposition break down but Ryan can handle protecting our own alright!
@Ciaran Kennedy: yep and thats really one of the main things that ryan offersโฆbut mccarthy is explosive and beirne is like a cheat code heโs that good so you can see why they are startingโฆbaird/conan/ryan is a nice little group to have in reserve too
@Tom Reilly: A 7 with that kinda of jackal ability is more dangerous imo. Faster to the breakdowns, particularly from set piece where Byrne and PoM are either to involved to get away or on the wrong side. Deffo why AF has gone with JVDF. Goos tester, heโs been v quiet for a while now.
Still on for the never achieved before, Super Slam.
@Kingshu: Ssshhh,do you not remember the WC????,jaysus donโt jinx us
Absolutely formidable bench, effectively a 7-1 as Mccloksey is basically another back rower. Jager was always going to overtake Bealham, as size matter for a tight head in international rugby and Jager is far bigger than Bealham.
@Eoin H: Spot the Munster fan!! The fact you think Jager has overtaken Bealham is absolutely ridiculous. Weโre playing Wales and heโs just had a child. Bealham will be back against England
@Eoin H: Bealham has done absolutely nothing wrong to be dropped and I thought Jager would still have a bit to prove. Farrell knows what heโs doing but it feels a bit harsh on Bealham there were talks of him starting ahead of furlong after the last match
@Leeeeroy Jenkins: I donโt think he was โdroppedโ per se. Rather, family man Farrell is using this opportunity to let him spend time with his new baby and at the same time giving Jรคger a chance to showcase what he can do. Good management yet again from Farrell. My only gripe would be that heโs not rested Dorris โ weโll need him at 100% vs England and Conan could do with another go at no 8.
@Dave Moran: I am a Leinster fan. If you watched Connacht enough this season, then you will know Aungier has actually been better than Bealham and will soon overtake him. Bealham was taken off at half time against Bordeaux he was so ineffective in the game. Jager is 28, should be Furlongs backup now and have a third young tighthead in the squad like Aungier, O Toole or Salanoa
@Dave Moran: Bealham is v close to furlong never mind being overtaken by jager
@Marcus: that makes a lot more sense thanks
@Eoin H: Aungier and Bealham have been close this year but internationals are completely different. Using your argument, Cathal Forde has been better for Connacht than Bundee, so he should be on the bench ahead of Mccloskey. Terrible point
@Eoin H: Bealham has been outstanding this 6N. Its a bit harsh on him. More likely that Farrell wants to get Jager his cap and see how he goes with alongside Kelleher and Porter / Healy. Jager has definitely proven his worth in the scrum but we have yet to see what he offers in the loose. Nothing the URC has to offer can compare to international rugby and his CC outings havenโt gone great in that regard.
@Eoin H: thatโs premature based on Bealhams performances in green.
Glad Farrell is looking at Jager, but he is still unproven at this level. Itโs early days to be calling for him to replace Bealham
@Eoin H: That old chestnut. I think it was Gavin Duffy or John Muldoon who said they felt Connacht players good days are underplayed and bad days focused on. Youโve ignored his great showing this past month in the Six Nations and Heineken Cup, and focused on a game 12 weeks ago.
@Paul Ennis: Yes, giving Jager some minutes in the 6 nations is very good coaching, I wouldnโt view it as a slight on Bealham at all.
@Eoin H: Finlay should be starting!
@Noel Howard: Only because Furlong is not as good as he was. Bealham is a very competent replacement but neither he or Furlong are young so imo we will need a younger TH come next World Cup. The hope is that Jaeger at 20+ stone can fill that position.
@Noel Howard: itโs a great problem to have , Bealham is international class and we have Jager and Aungier pushing up too โ we canโt have enough good THs -
@Owen ODonoghue: itโs about building depth in a much needed position. Look at what age bealham and Furlong will be at next world cup. We wonโt even get out customary quarter final knock out with a TH that age.
@Dave Moran: Lol! Wrong again Daveโฆ in fairness you never tire of it.
@Thesaltyurchin: Saltyโฆ he will eventually get bored if everyone mutes him or at least stops replying to whatever nonsense he is spouting next
Is the Jager call tactical or is Bealham injured? He has been really good for Ireland over the past year or two โ hard to believe that he would be dropped. We do need some depth at prop โ but Healy has been preferred over Loughman โ so I suspect Belham is carrying a knock.
The team picked shows a lot of respect for the Welsh and Gatland. It is good to see McCloskey getting picked. Presumably, if Crowley is injured or replaced, Frawley goes to outhalf and Henshaw to fullback.
@PatN: I would understand picking Mccloskey at 23 if ringrose was starting 13, but if a winger gets injured it will be henshaw on the wing with Bundee and Mccloskey in the centre (terrible against Italy last year).
@Dave Moran: I donโt disagree. Picking, for example, Byrne would have freed up Frawley to cover the entire backline and, based on the last match โ having a higher percentage kicker on the field at the end may be desirable. Perhaps there is concern aboit Bundeeโs fitness?
@Dave Moran: agreed, if a back 3 player gets injured who moves out there , Iโm guessing Henshaw as he has some FB experience ( letโs not think back to England 2019 tho )
@PatN: I suspect heโs holding a baby
@Dave Moran: Your โmemory placaeโ has misplaced JGP playing there eh? Thatโs the pitfall of making things up David, it replaces things that actually happen.
@Owen ODonoghue: JGP is quick enough and good enoughโฆ..and they bring on Murray.
wowโฆbealham should consider himself a little unlucky โ i thought he has been excellentโฆslightly surprised to see dorris in if there was any doubt about him since conan is so ableโฆno complaints though โ a very very good teamโฆand a very very good benchโฆbig chance for frawley
Jager has done nothing since arriving at Munster to justify international honours.
@conor carroll: Heโs been hot and cold, had some moments, has looked solid tho, but you dont care eh Conor? just spewing it out lol
As my pal commented to me over a pint just now โ โIs Oli part of the Jagerbomb squadโ?
@Phil Oโ Meara: i hope that was his last pint as he was about to get his coatโฆ
Is there a stronger bench of forwards in world rugby. I donโt think there is.
@Tom Reilly: Tom, someone is flashing red and green lights trying to attract your attention ;)
@Patrick Kennedy: Mayo?
@Dave Murray: nahโฆtheyโd be pointing them in the wrong direction and wondering โwhat do we have to dooo to get their attentionโโฆ
@Patrick Kennedy: lol, excellent
Very happy with that 23! Bit harsh on Bealham, whoโs been excellent, but does mean some gametime for Jagar who needs to be tested at this level.
@Andrew Slazenger: Just seen heโs a had a baby and is getting the week off
@Andrew Slazenger: makes senseโฆit just wasnโt mentioned during the week that he missed training (all the attention on dorris sitting it out and keenan obviously too)
I wonder what the conversation with Bealham was like. I thought his room was good.
@Cathal OโBrien: form
Super 23. Hoping nothing happens to Henshaw as Iโm not a fan of the McK/Aki partnership. A lot of power to come in off the bench, and it will ultimately be the nail in the coffin for the Welsh boys. Perhaps Iโve missed it, but was there any update on Ringrose, or did he simply miss out on the squad?
I wonder,how does Tom oโToole feel?
@Martin Dooley: i think heโs quite squishy in parts, but firm in othersโฆ
@Martin Dooley: pretty bad I would imagine but Jager has a higher ceiling imo. Farrell and POC know their players best. I would say at scrum practice Jager is makimg such an impact that they canโt ignore him.
Brilliant how a little bit of information left out can generate more traffic, nicely played journalists
Jรคger in unproven even for Munster- very lucky imo
What has jager done to oust bealham
Absolute joke
@Derek Casserly: itโs called building depth. Look at the age profile of bealham and furlong come next world cup, and also take into account furlongs injury profile, then it will make sense.
Our depth at loosehead is not great
That must be Irelandโs heaviest ever bench? Massive potential impact, will McCloskey cover wing?
@Eoin G: even heavier with all those big lads sitting on it ;)
@Eoin G: Iโm presuming JGP is covering wing.
@Patrick Kennedy: throw in Zebo and it carries real weight
@Paul Burke: him on one end โ with casey on the otherโฆeveryone else stands up, casey goes into orbit