WE TAKE IT you know about Premier League stars such as James McClean and Jon Walters, but what about the less heralded lower-tier footballers? Here’s our guide to the 25 Irish players who could be involved for the non-Premier League teams in the FA Cup Fourth Round this weekend…
Jeff Hendrick, Richard Keogh and Cyrus Christie could all be involved, as Derby host Man United this evening.
On Saturday, Dublin-born midfielder Owen Garvan is likely to start, as Colchester prepare for the visit of Tottenham.
Stephen Ward is expected to continue his recent run in the first team, with Burnley playing Arsenal.
On-loan Man City goalkeeper and third-round penalty hero Ian Lawlor and fellow loanee John O’Sullivan (from Blackburn) are both in contention to feature for Bury against Hull, for whom David Meyler is in line to play.
Patrick Hoban and Callum O’Dowda are likely to feature, as Oxford take on Blackburn at The Kassam Stadium, while Shane Duffy and Darragh Lenihan could be involved for Rovers.
Michael Doyle, Enda Stevens, Brian Murphy and Adam Barton may feature, as League Two Portsmouth host Premier League Bournemouth.
Simon Cox could be handed a rare start, while Paul McShane and Stephen Quinn are both back from injury, as Championship side Reading get ready to play League One outfit Walsall at the Madejski Stadium, while Ireland underage international Liam Kinsella and Limerick native Anthony Forde could both be in action for the visitors.
Ex-Pat’s midfielder Chris Forrester is expected to start for League One side Peterborough, who travel to face Premier League outfit West Brom.
On Sunday, Darren Potter and Samir Carruthers are likely to feature, as MK Dons host Chelsea.
Finally, Gary Dicker could line out for Carlisle in their game at home to Everton.
Which Irish players are you looking forward to seeing in the FA Cup this weekend? Let us know in the comments section below.
They have some neck.
@Patrick Breen: Could still go to the DRA after this and maybe even a court case, who knows?
@Patrick Breen: they’re dead right. Why not just replay the last free again, the idea they have to replay the whole game is a fair solution is madness.
@Paul Mallon: the fact that they blatantly cheated and think they should get away with it is madness.
@Paul Mallon: replay the last free, seriously. So we’ll just make up a new sport..
@Patrick Breen: the more I think about this I’ve changed my mind from it’s 100% a replay to it only warrants a fine! Realistically the chances of a goal with the last kick of the game is unlikely, especially when it’s a 45 with the packed defence fully set up. And it’s telling that the referee allowed the 45 to be taken before the substitutions had been complete properly – Kilmacud will argue that as the subs were not being managed correctly! Players off players on before 45 can take place – clearly ref was going to allow it be taken quickly which added to the panic & confusion. In my view KMc won this game and an extra man on for 24secs over 70+ mins had NO bearing on the outcome. If this was reversed I don’t general public wud be questioning if Glen won it
@BMJF: It’s not really about the likelihood of a goal. Nobody knows what effect the 16th player had, direct or indirect, even as a distraction to the player in possession. The real issue is what happens if there’s no real sanction. Teams will be making substitutions and making sure the player being replaced is at least very slow leaving the pitch. Now we see Glen have pulled out of the appeals process because a replay is unworkable.
@BMJF: especially when it’s an overpacked defence.
@Thomas O’ Donnell: don’t be silly. The GAA will simply learn to make substitutions like every other sporting organisation!! That’s what will happen. Play will pause before a free is taken etc and Players will have to come off before the replacements go on and ref won’t restart the game until they’re in position. It’s not rocket science. GAA should have accepted some responsibility, read their rules and issued a hefty fine the next morning and that would have been the end of it
I’d watch a live stream of that hearing
Hope they throw the book at them and just award the final to the other team.
@Reggie: haha, don’t know about that now Reg. Certainly interested to hear what their grounds for appeal will be though…..seems cut and dried to me that the rule was broken and one of the consequences have been invoked.
The tone of the anti Kilmacud comments is telling. An anti Dub vibe off them. I’m guessing that If this was reversed and Glen had 16 men for 24secs over a 70+ min game, defending a 2point lead with last play of the game, the general public wud be saying that on balance Glen should remain the winners, and that the extra man for 24 secs didn’t really impact the outcome! But because it’s a big Dub club everyone has knickers in a knot!!
If GAA had issued a fine quickly I think Glen would have accepted the result , as their manager did straight after the game
@BMJF: I would say the opposite, the Ulster team (as always) are being portrayed as the bad guys here… maybe I’m wrong
Kilmacud won fair and square on the field of play. Glen will be looked upon as sore losers. There’s no way Kilmacud will replay the match. They are prepared to hand the cup over to Glen. If the Glen club wants to avoid the lasting legacy of poor losers they really should withdraw the objection and gear themselves up to trying to win the title next year on the field of play. That would give the club a lot of respect.
@Brendan Daniel Naughton: ‘fair and square’, hahahaha, are you well.
Great stuff