DAMIEN DELANEY HAS effectively announced his retirement from international football after the Crystal Palace defender was left out of the Ireland squad for next month’s Euro 2016 Qualifiers.
In a statement released on his Instagram account this afternoon, Delaney responded to claims he’d been overlooked for the games against Gibraltar and Georgia because there are differences between himself and assistant manager Roy Keane.
The 34-year-old, who has played just 65 minutes of football under Martin O’Neill, denied that his omission was down to his relationship with Keane and that he now sees the international break ‘as a chance to recover.’
“I just want to clarify my position with regards to the Ireland national team and my omission from the current squad,” the statement read.
“I have no issue with Roy Keane and shook his hand this summer at a Cork City European match.
“I know that at the age of 34 the future of Irish football does not lie with me, the rigours of premier league football and the 24/7 dedication required takes its toll so I look on the international break as a chance to recover.
When asked about Delaney’s exclusion from his 37-man squad for September’s double-header, O’Neill appeared to close the door for the Corkman’s return and said he wouldn’t ‘come back to play if he was not guaranteed playing in the side.’
Delaney hit back at those claims, maintaining that he never spoke to O’Neill about a regular starting position.
“That said I spoke to Martin O Neill and contrary to his recent comments I never asked for a regular starting position.
“I did however disagree with certain aspects which out of respect to Martin and the national team will remain private. Ireland need to plan for the long term even if it means sacrificing one maybe two major tournaments.”
Along with Ciaran Clark, Delaney is the only Irish centre-back playing regular Premier League football yet Greg Cunnigham, currently plying his trade in the Championship with Preston, was handed a recall from the international wilderness.
With Ireland’s hopes of qualifying for Euro 2016 hanging by a thread after an underwhelming campaign to date, Delaney clearly indicated that he felt Irish football is currently heading in the wrong direction under the current management.
Furthermore, Delaney praised former manager Giovanni Trapattoni – who he made his debut under – and said Ireland need to ‘build an identity and team ethos from schoolboy football to full international that will last.’
“We need to build an identity and team ethos from schoolboy football to full international that will last. I understand people weren’t enamoured with Mr. Trapattoni but whether you agreed with his philosophy or not you have to respect the man and the results he achieved with his philosophy.
“There are many footballing philosophies and we need to choose one that suits Irish traits and strengths best, similar to what Wales are now achieving or what Mr. Trapattoni achieved in his time in charge.
“I’ll always be an ardent supporter and wish I could of contributed more… #coybig #identity.”
I suppose a natural development since Kilkenny’s physicality in the air has evolved the game into more of a physical battle. Hope there’s still a place for a Joe Deane or eoin Kelly type player in the modern game, hurling would be much poorer otherwise
There are not enough hardy lads in Tipp for the kind of game Ryan wants to impose .
I’d like to think you still need to be able to hurl to succeed tho. It’ll be interesting to see how Clare do with their pace and skill based game. I think it would be good for hurling to see them in croke park again. Hopefully Tipp can get the balance of brain and brawn right tho
Just because lads are after getting big and strong it does not mean that we after loosing a type of player.I think lads like TJ,Richie Hogan,JJ Delaney,Joe Canning and Callanan are just as skillful and class as Deane and Kelly.Just look at the player of the year nominees this year…….all three are like Houdini when they have a sliotar in their hands.Its the way the game is being played is changing.I think Kilkenny just brought more intensity rather than physicality,as the game was much more physical just as far back as 20 years ago.And more again 40 and 50yrs ago
For too long now ,Tipp have thrown away Munsters and all-Irelands due to their non physicality….
As Tommy Docherty once said when describing a Ladies team ” their lovely to look at,, but they wont hurt you ”
Maybe its time to bring back Hells Kitchen !!
I’m still scratching my head trying to figure out why maher was centre forward last year. I think right half back is his best position , in midfield he goes in and out of games. He’s more solid than Barrett.
Just as long as he doesn’t throw the baby out with the bath water. EOS was on the cusp of cracking it but his team lacked a bit of edge, not helped by injuries to the like if Mahony, Cahill, Stapleton etc. who add a bit of bite to the team. I would nearly prefer lose than sacrifice EOS’s hurling philosophy in favour of that sweeper system/ Donegal tactic that other teams are employing. Also if Michael Quinlivan can hurl he would be well worth a try.
That’s the worry Johnny, but I hope with the likes of bubbles, Callanan and Noel McGrath you have the bones of a hurling front 6 as opposed to a blunt battering ram. Galway even uppe’d the physicality stakes this year as well. Where’s it all going to end.. in puke football territory maybe? I like you still want to retain our nice brand of hurling identity if possible
Tipp need to find a few more players. No Denis Maher? The question you need to ask as a fan is how many of this squad would start on a Kilkenny first 15? 4-5 at a push, this is the bench mark for Tipp unfortunately.