RICHIE TOWELL WAS one of the notable omissions from the 40-man Ireland squad that was announced in Dublin yesterday.
With the likes of Peterborough United midfielder Chris Forrester, Wolves full-back Matt Doherty and Aberdeen’s Jonny Hayes called up to the senior panel for the first team, many would have hoped to see last season’s SSE Airtricity League Premier Division Player of the Year receive some recognition.
The 24-year-old Dubliner moved to Championship promotion hopefuls Brighton in December after scoring 29 goals to help Dundalk win the double and began life with the Seagulls promisingly with a debut in the FA Cup third round against Hull on 9 January.
However, Towell hasn’t featured for Chris Hughton’s side since then and has had to settle with U21 football as he attempts to find his feet in England.
“It’s a hard one to take,” Towell told The Irish Post. “But I know that I have to work really hard, keep trying to impress the manager and keep pushing the lads for a spot and it’s something that I’m willing to do.
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“I feel as fit as I have been in my career. I’m just ready to go, I just need to bide my time and be patient.”
The former Crumlin United schoolboy remains keen on earning senior international caps having appeared for Ireland at underage level, but he admits that playing for Ireland isn’t his main priority at present.
“To be honest, it has probably been the furthest thing away from my mind,” he added. “For me to think that I’m going to get called into the Euro squad is so unrealistic.
As I said before I am a realist. I need to play here first. That’s been my one and only goal so thinking of the Euros would just be ludicrous.
“I have no doubt in my ability, I know I’m good enough to play in the Irish team but I’ll never get called up unless I play here first so that’s what I’m working hard at first and foremost.
“I have one goal and that’s to play for Brighton.”
Under former Ireland assistant Hughton, Brighton are chasing Premier League promotion and sit third behind leaders Burnley and Middlesbrough in England’s second tier.
Towell has nothing but good things to say about his club boss and says he is enjoying the intensity in training.
“He’s really good. Not just his man management skills. But his training sessions. They’re brilliant, every single one since I’ve been here.
“I’ve really enjoyed them, there’s a great intensity to them, very professional in everything he does and it probably reflects where we are in the League. We are up there for a reason.”
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'It has probably been the furthest thing away from my mind' - Towell focused on Brighton not Ireland
RICHIE TOWELL WAS one of the notable omissions from the 40-man Ireland squad that was announced in Dublin yesterday.
With the likes of Peterborough United midfielder Chris Forrester, Wolves full-back Matt Doherty and Aberdeen’s Jonny Hayes called up to the senior panel for the first team, many would have hoped to see last season’s SSE Airtricity League Premier Division Player of the Year receive some recognition.
The 24-year-old Dubliner moved to Championship promotion hopefuls Brighton in December after scoring 29 goals to help Dundalk win the double and began life with the Seagulls promisingly with a debut in the FA Cup third round against Hull on 9 January.
However, Towell hasn’t featured for Chris Hughton’s side since then and has had to settle with U21 football as he attempts to find his feet in England.
“It’s a hard one to take,” Towell told The Irish Post. “But I know that I have to work really hard, keep trying to impress the manager and keep pushing the lads for a spot and it’s something that I’m willing to do.
“I feel as fit as I have been in my career. I’m just ready to go, I just need to bide my time and be patient.”
The former Crumlin United schoolboy remains keen on earning senior international caps having appeared for Ireland at underage level, but he admits that playing for Ireland isn’t his main priority at present.
“To be honest, it has probably been the furthest thing away from my mind,” he added. “For me to think that I’m going to get called into the Euro squad is so unrealistic.
“I have no doubt in my ability, I know I’m good enough to play in the Irish team but I’ll never get called up unless I play here first so that’s what I’m working hard at first and foremost.
“I have one goal and that’s to play for Brighton.”
Under former Ireland assistant Hughton, Brighton are chasing Premier League promotion and sit third behind leaders Burnley and Middlesbrough in England’s second tier.
Towell has nothing but good things to say about his club boss and says he is enjoying the intensity in training.
“He’s really good. Not just his man management skills. But his training sessions. They’re brilliant, every single one since I’ve been here.
“I’ve really enjoyed them, there’s a great intensity to them, very professional in everything he does and it probably reflects where we are in the League. We are up there for a reason.”
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Chris Hughton Euro 2016 League of Ireland LOI Richie Towell team:Brighton & Hove Albion (Football 69) Dundalk Ireland Republic The long game