Advertisement
Eoin Doyle pictured playing for St Patrick's Athletic. Laszlo Geczo/INPHO

'I went all in because there was no other choice. There was no option to get a job'

Recently retired Eoin Doyle recalls the highs and lows of his largely stellar career in England, Ireland and Scotland.

OF THE 600-plus games Eoin Doyle played during his career in different countries, there is only one official attendance he can remember.

The 36,101 that turned out to see Sligo beat Shamrock Rovers 2-0 on penalties after a scoreless draw between the sides over 120 minutes during the 2010 FAI Cup final.

It was not Doyleโ€™s first cup final. He had played the year before in Tallaght and scored in the 2-1 defeat by Sporting Fingal.

Nor was it his last โ€” he also played the following year when Sligo beat Shelbourne 4-1 on penalties.

In England, he was also part of four promotion triumphs โ€” three of which were title wins โ€” and made three appearances in the PFA Team of the Year.

Yet Doyle says that the 2010 game is the most memorable game he was ever involved in.

โ€œIt was the first I ever felt like โ€˜this is proper footballโ€™ where itโ€™s a big stadium, big crowd, the roar of the fans and that sort of stuff,โ€ he tells The 42.

Ideally, Doyle would have loved to have made a fourth FAI Cup final appearance next weekend as St Patrickโ€™s Athletic take on Bohemians in the 2023 campaignโ€™s showpiece event.

The original plan was to finish the season with the Saints, but instead, Doyle unexpectedly announced his retirement last July, with his final appearance coming in the Europa Conference League defeat to F91 Dudelange at Richmond Park.

โ€œI donโ€™t miss it, if Iโ€™m being honest,โ€ he says. โ€œI feel like Iโ€™ve done my time on the pitch.

โ€œMyself and [my wife] Ciara were watching a match yesterday and I just said to her: โ€˜I canโ€™t believe we used to do that for a living.โ€™ I was just watching it on the telly.

โ€œBut Iโ€™ve fond memories and no regrets, it was an enjoyable time.โ€

Doyle cited โ€œpersonal reasonsโ€ for his retirement at the time and is comfortable elaborating now on a difficult period on and off the pitch.

โ€œCiaraโ€™s mam was in palliative care and she passed away in August. So basically, what happened was when she went into the hospice โ€” usually when you go into a hospice itโ€™s two weeks but she lasted two months, and it was really hard for me to juggle family life and football.

โ€œWhat was happening was, I was missing training. I definitely wasnโ€™t doing the gym work in the afternoons just so I could get back as much as possible to Ciara to relieve her so she could go in and spend as much time with her mam.

โ€œTo be fair it got to the stage where I wasnโ€™t performing for Patโ€™s because I was missing training. I was coming on and making us worse โ€” thatโ€™s what it felt like and thatโ€™s what it was

โ€œI felt bad for Ciara in the sense that she should just be in there 24/7 with her mam. I took her away from here to England for a decade. She backed me through my whole career. So I thought it was the best option for everyone to pack it up there and then. For me to focus on my kids while Ciara was looking after her mam. That was the reason for the abrupt retirement.

โ€œIt was a tough decision but once myself and Ciara talked about it, it was [decided] it had to be done. Iโ€™ve no regrets about how it ended. I have to look after the family. Thatโ€™s always been number one through everything.โ€

D O / YouTube

Family is also the primary reason why Doyle doesnโ€™t see himself getting into coaching or management anytime soon.

โ€œI donโ€™t see myself on the grass. But listen, footballโ€™s mad, in two years, anything could change my mind.

โ€œIโ€™m mindful of jumping back into football knowing that Iโ€™d miss a lot of my kidsโ€™ stuff if I do that. Because itโ€™s all in once youโ€™re in and I donโ€™t really want to do that. Iโ€™ve missed a lot over the years with playing.

โ€œIโ€™ve loved watching their stuff. Iโ€™ve helped out with my eldest ladโ€™s team, training them on Wednesday. I donโ€™t want to miss any of that by taking a job in football.โ€

Doyle laughs, while recounting a recent exchange: โ€œMy little boy asked me the other day why am I not a manager. I said to him: โ€˜Well, I could go and try to be a manager but you wouldnโ€™t see me very much.โ€™

โ€œHe was like โ€˜okay,โ€™ and then he started slagging me: โ€˜Sure youโ€™re only on your phone when youโ€™re here anyway.โ€™ I was like: โ€˜Yeah, thatโ€™s a good pointโ€™. I had to put the phone down realising what I was doing.โ€

Not that Doyle can fully sit back and relax now. He currently runs a childcare business, Lilyโ€™s, with close friend and ex-Sligo teammate Danny Ventre.

There are four in operation in Dublin, including one at Doyleโ€™s first schoolboy club, Firhouse Carmel. 

โ€œWhen we open planned we put in movable partition walls. So in the evenings and weekends, the clubs use them as dressing rooms.

โ€œIn the mornings my staff come in and open the doors up and itโ€™s open plan for our kids to come in for the childcare.

โ€œItโ€™s a good model and itโ€™s something Iโ€™m going to try to replicate now in football clubs across the country if we can.

โ€œI spoke with the FAI and talks are still ongoing with that. They like the idea, so with a bit of funding and imagination, itโ€™s something that could be really positive for football.โ€

He continues: โ€œOver the years, Iโ€™d have been very afraid of retiring because I loved it so much when I was playing.

โ€œI was thinking โ€˜I canโ€™t believe this has to end one day.โ€™ I would have read books and looked into a lot of things on basically how to not be depressed when you retire โ€“ Iโ€™m not someone who suffers from it anyway. 

โ€œBut to summarise everything I read over the years, it was to make sure youโ€™re busy and occupied when youโ€™re done. I was able to set myself up to be like that.โ€

*****

eoin-doyle A young Doyle pictured playing for Shamrock Rovers. James Crombie / INPHO James Crombie / INPHO / INPHO

Doyle can reflect now on a brilliant time in football that encompassed over 200 goals.

โ€œI definitely maximised my career with the ability that I had,โ€ he says.

โ€œI committed my body to it 100%, did the maddest things over the years to make sure I was in prime shape.โ€

Yet he admits a career in professional football may not have ever happened had it not been for the recession that left him without full-time employment in 2008.

โ€œIโ€™m a qualified electrician so Iโ€™ve managed to get the last bit done to get signed off and then there was no work in 2008 and I was part-time at Rovers 21s at the time.

โ€œI only played a couple of games with the 21s and I was up training with the first team in the evenings.

โ€œAnd then when the work was gone, it was: โ€˜This is it, I can throw myself into the football.โ€™

โ€œSo I was making sure I was in the gym every morning โ€” myself and [ex-Rovers teammate] Simon Madden used to make sure we were up there in the morning with training in the afternoons and evenings with the team. And it paid off, I suppose. I went all in because there was no other choice. There was no option to get a job at the time.โ€

Doyle came of age at a time when there was not the same level of professionalism in the League of Ireland as there is now.

โ€œI had a great time at Rovers. [Pat] Scully brought me through. He was good craic. And then obviously, Michael Oโ€™Neill came in and it felt like the club changed overnight in the sense of Tallaght [becoming the home stadium].

โ€œI came on for Bradser [Stephen Bradley] in the first game in Tallaght and the club got really professional, really quickly.โ€

The Hoops had a significant number of quality strikers on the books and game time was tough to come by, so a young Doyle sought opportunities elsewhere after a couple of seasons.

He signed for Paul Cookโ€™s Sligo on the recommendation of former Ireland international and ex-Shamrock Rovers assistant caretaker coach, Alan Moore.

From there, Doyle was instrumental in helping to kickstart a highly successive period for the Bit Oโ€™Red, appearing in three successive FAI Cup finals, while the club won just the third league title in their history the year after he left.

After an exceptional 2011 season that saw Doyle score 20 goals in 34 Premier Division appearances, clubs across the water began to take notice.

paul-cook Doyle enjoyed great success playing under Paul Cook at Sligo and Chesterfield. Cathal Noonan Cathal Noonan

Terry Butcherโ€™s Inverness expressed interest, but in the end, Doyle opted to link up with Pat Fenlonโ€™s Hibs.

โ€œWhen I went over, it wasnโ€™t a great deal,โ€ he recalls. โ€œI could have got that money at Sligo potentially, no problem. But it was just an opportunity to kind of go over and see what you can do and take a punt at it.

โ€œThe first game was the derby against Hearts. I came on in the last five or six minutes and the stature of the athletes was night and day compared to Ireland. So I just hammered the gym for the first six months I was there.

โ€œI had an 18-month deal so it was January to the summer obviously at the back end of the season. I just hammered the gym, to try and get my body up to where it should be to be over there and on the pitch.

โ€œI did a number of interviews at the time. I remember being honest with people, especially when the second season started, saying itโ€™s โ€˜make or break this for me nowโ€™.

โ€œโ€˜If I donโ€™t do it now, Iโ€™ll be back in Ireland next year. So Iโ€™m giving everything I can,โ€™ type of thing and I had a great time.โ€

Doyleโ€™s appearances in the 2012 and 2013 Scottish Cup finals meant he had featured in a cup final in either Ireland or Scotland five years in a row, though he came out on the losing side on both occasions with Hibs.

His last game in Scotland was that 2013 cup final โ€” a disappointing 3-0 defeat by Celtic.

โ€œThe second year, it was so noisy. I remember coming out and getting a fright. A firework went off and it felt like it was in my pocket right beside me. The electricity in the place was unreal. Just a sea of green โ€” the Hibs and Celtic fans in the stadium, it was amazing.

โ€œIโ€™ll never forget that match. Early in the first half, I missed a header. Fraser Forster saved it. Celtic scored straight away up the other end. We would have been 1-0 up. Thatโ€™s one of the only moments in my career that I look back in my career and not that I regret what I did, but in the moment, you go: โ€˜Fuck I wish I had slotted that in.โ€™โ€

Ultimately though, Doyle had done enough to stay in Britain and enjoyed a reunion with former Sligo boss Paul Cook at Chesterfield in 2013.

โ€œThe difference [with Ireland] I found when I came back was just the athleticism. Thereโ€™s not that much pace in the league here compared to when I came back from League One. There are a lot of really fast skilful players over there, powerful men, whereas thatโ€™s not really the case here.

โ€œThat was the biggest difference โ€” I found training in England mid-season would have been harder than pre-season in Ireland. Not for the fact that the sessions were different โ€” they werenโ€™t, the coaches here are excellent. It was just the athleticism. For me to keep up with the lads in League One was really hard.โ€

eoin-doyle-preston-north-end Doyle played in the Championship with Preston and Cardiff. Alamy Stock Photo Alamy Stock Photo

After 32 league goals in 69 appearances in two seasons for Chesterfield including promotion to League One, Doyle made another step up, signing for Championship side Preston. 

โ€œWhen I went to Cardiff, again, just the athleticism, everyone seemed so much bigger immediately on the pitch and so much faster. And that was the real difference.

โ€œRegarding the style of football, it wasnโ€™t much different if Iโ€™m being honest. League One, there was probably more football being played than in the Championship. It could be a bit more direct at times because you had the likes of Kenwyne Jones up front and you should hit them early because heโ€™s really good in the air. 

โ€œSo you played to your personnel. And that personnel was there in the Championship. So I found it a bit more direct at times compared to what I was playing in League One, but again, it was just trying to commit my body to beef up and getting bigger and stronger to keep up with the pace.โ€

In this environment, Doyle struggled to score with the same regularity as he had managed elsewhere.

The Irish striker finished his first season with five goals in 17 appearances. He was sent on loan to Championship rivals Preston the following campaign, but again, never quite hit the heights of his Chesterfield stint.

His progress at the Lilywhites was not helped by what he remembers as one of the worst moments of his career, where both himself and teammate Jermaine Beckford were sent off for fighting with one another.

โ€œI remember my dad couldnโ€™t sleep that night. He got up at 3am and I was on the sports section of CNN,โ€ he laughs.

โ€œThe old Man United goalie Anders Lindegaard was our goalie, he was showing me the news in Denmark, and itโ€™s me and Beckford.โ€

Asked why it never quite happened for him at Championship level, Doyle says: โ€œYou probably needed to give a bit more than just goals.

โ€œMy hold-up play was never great. But in the Championship if my hold-up play wasnโ€™t great and I gave the ball away, you potentially could concede because you get punished for mistakes easily.

โ€œAnd I think me being a fox in the box probably wasnโ€™t enough for the Championship.

โ€œDonโ€™t get me wrong. I played left wing for Preston and played loads of times in different positions not fully upfront.

โ€œBut I think if someone was to commit to me in the Championship at the time, just let him be, put the ball into the box and heโ€™ll get you goals, I think I would have been able to get a good few.โ€

Similarly, the dream of playing for Ireland eluded Doyle with plenty of competition in the squad for the attacking spots.

โ€œTo get to the heights of being an international or anything like that, I probably just didnโ€™t have enough at that stage.

โ€œAnd at the time when I was playing up front and scoring goals, you have to remember, Kevin Doyle, Robbie Keane, Shane Long and Noel Hunt were still playing, I wasnโ€™t at that level. Whereas if it was now, or maybe the last three or four years, and I was doing what I was doing at that time, I may have got a call-up.โ€

Jxck0 / YouTube

Doyle generally got on much better in Leagues One and Two. Of those eight seasons in either division, he scored at least 10 goals in six and twice broke the 20-goal barrier. Moreover, the two exceptions were only half-seasons at Bolton and Portsmouth.

Even in what he describes as the worst time in his career, as part of a Bradford side that had three different managers during a single season and ended up finishing bottom of League One, he still managed a respectable tally of 10 goals amid this turbulent campaign.

โ€œWhen the League One clubs then came back in for me and seeing what I had previously done, they knew the type of striker I was,โ€ he says.

โ€œIโ€™d worked my arse off and all that, but basically if you put balls back in the box, I was very handy at putting balls in the back of the net. So any club I signed for after that seemed to play a system that suited me.

โ€œAnd then obviously, when the goals were going in, they knew if you can get this striker in, and play this type of way, we have a good chance of going up or whatever because this fella can score goals.

โ€œThe last few years over there, I was that go-to fella, especially from League Two up to League One to get you a handful of goals.โ€

Indeed, towards the latter end of his career, prolific seasons for Swindon and Bolton inspired successful League Two promotion bids two seasons on the bounce.

As productive as this spell was on the pitch, it was taking its toll away from it, with the constant moving from place to place and the long journeys to training becoming a routine.

โ€œI think Danny my eldest lived in five houses before he was two,โ€ he recalls. โ€œThat was when I was really on the move all the time.

โ€œIt was just a mad period in my career where every window opened up and people were ringing: โ€˜Will you come here?โ€™

โ€œWhen I signed for Preston, we moved to Liverpool and we settled there, so any club I signed for, I travelled from the base in Liverpool so my kids were born there. They came home with full-on Scouse accents but they are starting to shake them now.โ€

The prospect of long-term stability was part of what motivated Doyleโ€™s desire to return to Ireland and take those crucial tentative steps towards the second phase of his life.

As he sips on an Americano throughout our interview, Doyle comes across as a contented figure. Having once dreaded the thought of retirement, he now seems at ease with his new status as an ex-footballer.

โ€œI donโ€™t miss it but I havenโ€™t been back to a match yet,โ€ he says. โ€œIโ€™ve watched them on the telly. Iโ€™ve a feeling if I go into the stadium I might feel a little [itch to play].

โ€œSo Iโ€™ve deliberately stayed away. I fully plan next year to be out at all the games every Friday as much as possible. But for now, Iโ€™m staying away.

โ€œIโ€™ll go to the cup final, bring the kids and that.โ€

Close
Comments
This is YOUR comments community. Stay civil, stay constructive, stay on topic. Please familiarise yourself with our comments policy here before taking part.
Leave a Comment
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute john fleming
    Favourite john fleming
    Report
    Apr 18th 2019, 7:40 PM

    no Conway is the man. fast can tackle & safe hands under a high ball

    184
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Anthony
    Favourite Anthony
    Report
    Apr 18th 2019, 9:02 PM

    @john fleming: shtop.

    23
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Ravensburger
    Favourite Ravensburger
    Report
    Apr 18th 2019, 10:57 PM

    @john fleming: Ha ha ha

    4
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Rudiger McMonihan
    Favourite Rudiger McMonihan
    Report
    Apr 18th 2019, 7:14 PM

    Heโ€™s too dangerous a finisher to take off the wing. Iโ€™d like to see Stockdale-Lowe-Larmour next season

    136
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Bluepoolroad
    Favourite Bluepoolroad
    Report
    Apr 18th 2019, 7:22 PM

    @Rudiger McMonihan: Lowe is qualified?

    13
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Paul Pogba
    Favourite Paul Pogba
    Report
    Apr 18th 2019, 7:24 PM

    @Rudiger McMonihan: that would be a ridiculous backline

    69
    See 11 more replies โ–พ
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute John John
    Favourite John John
    Report
    Apr 18th 2019, 7:35 PM

    @Rudiger McMonihan: oh Jesus Christ !!!!

    11
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Rudiger McMonihan
    Favourite Rudiger McMonihan
    Report
    Apr 18th 2019, 7:54 PM

    @Bluepoolroad: after the world cup

    14
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Eddie Hekenui
    Favourite Eddie Hekenui
    Report
    Apr 18th 2019, 8:25 PM

    I think itโ€™s November 2020 before he qualifies

    29
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Padraic Burke
    Favourite Padraic Burke
    Report
    Apr 18th 2019, 8:43 PM

    @Rudiger McMonihan: Keith Earls wonโ€™t be pushed out that easily.

    72
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Anthony
    Favourite Anthony
    Report
    Apr 18th 2019, 9:01 PM

    @Rudiger McMonihan: Jesus did earlโ€™s steal your wife or something

    30
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Baz Dunne
    Favourite Baz Dunne
    Report
    Apr 18th 2019, 9:52 PM

    @Padraic Burke: Earls isnโ€™t half the player that Lowe is.

    17
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Rudiger McMonihan
    Favourite Rudiger McMonihan
    Report
    Apr 18th 2019, 10:53 PM

    Earlโ€™s is much older and in a years time it is unlikely that he will still be the best winger. If he is then fair play to him. I hope Iโ€™m proven wrong!

    15
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Anthony
    Favourite Anthony
    Report
    Apr 18th 2019, 10:57 PM

    @Baz Dunne: your right. Heโ€™s twice the player.

    24
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Martin Quinn
    Favourite Martin Quinn
    Report
    Apr 19th 2019, 1:06 AM

    @Anthony:

    For Leinster the qualification of Jamison Gibson-Park at the end of 2019 will mean J Lowe should become a regular because that 2 into 3 problem will be gone. But it will not be till next year that he could qualifie (if he wants to go for a place in the Ireland setup)

    A fine player but Earls is the man !!

    10
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Richard James
    Favourite Richard James
    Report
    Apr 19th 2019, 3:50 AM

    @Baz Dunne: And youโ€™re clearly not half the expert you think you are.

    4
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute BMJF
    Favourite BMJF
    Report
    Apr 19th 2019, 9:16 AM

    @Bluepoolroad: yes Lowe can play I. Next 6nations I think โ€ฆ has to be in the mix as does Adam Byrne I think if he keeps progressing post the Kearney, Earls era

    2
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute southside
    Favourite southside
    Report
    Apr 18th 2019, 7:51 PM

    Is there anything to be said for Simon Zebo?

    59
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Baz Dunne
    Favourite Baz Dunne
    Report
    Apr 18th 2019, 7:58 PM

    @southside: No

    123
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Rudiger McMonihan
    Favourite Rudiger McMonihan
    Report
    Apr 18th 2019, 8:11 PM

    @southside: if he comes back then absolutely

    44
    See 11 more replies โ–พ
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute T Meister
    Favourite T Meister
    Report
    Apr 18th 2019, 8:26 PM

    @Rudiger McMonihan: Zebo shouldnโ€™t have to come back to qualify. He is 1/2 French and has chosen to experience that culture. Should that restrict his eligibility?? NO
    Bad example but Imagine telling Irish soccer players plying their trade in England you need to play in the league of Ireland.
    Zebo record try scorer for Munster
    Was on shortlist in his 1 season for Top 14 player of the year. Of course he should be considered.

    33
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Chris Mc
    Favourite Chris Mc
    Report
    Apr 18th 2019, 8:29 PM

    @southside: yeah get lost Simon

    18
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Anthony
    Favourite Anthony
    Report
    Apr 18th 2019, 9:04 PM

    @T Meister: yes it most certainly should restrict it. We need to protect our provincial game because at the moment itโ€™s working. Look at how bad the French team are because they have no control over french club players

    50
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Baz Dunne
    Favourite Baz Dunne
    Report
    Apr 18th 2019, 9:53 PM

    @T Meister: I canโ€™t believe weโ€™re STILL having the Zebo conversation.

    28
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute The Great Unwashed
    Favourite The Great Unwashed
    Report
    Apr 19th 2019, 12:05 AM

    @Anthony:
    So should Sexton have been dropped too?

    11
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Martin Quinn
    Favourite Martin Quinn
    Report
    Apr 19th 2019, 1:11 AM

    @The Great Unwashed:

    Different times my friend and all gone over many many times .

    13
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute T Meister
    Favourite T Meister
    Report
    Apr 19th 2019, 9:25 AM

    @Anthony: FREEDOM of choice for ALL.
    Best players who qualify for this country should be considered. Provinces should stand on their own merits encourage Irish players to stay but not the detriment of the National Side being able to choose The Best 15.

    2
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute The Great Unwashed
    Favourite The Great Unwashed
    Report
    Apr 19th 2019, 9:51 AM

    @Martin Quinn:
    Not different times at all. The โ€˜ruleโ€™ applied to players before Sexton and after Sexton, so why didnโ€™t it apply to Sexton himself?
    You canโ€™t have a policy and then choose to disregard it when itโ€™s inconvenient โ€“ either itโ€™s the policy or it isnโ€™t.

    1
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Chris Mc
    Favourite Chris Mc
    Report
    Apr 19th 2019, 9:58 AM

    @The Great Unwashed: maybe you should change your name to the great uneducated, this was enforced because of sexton.

    2
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute The Great Unwashed
    Favourite The Great Unwashed
    Report
    Apr 19th 2019, 2:07 PM

    @Chris Mc:
    What does that even mean? The policy was there long before Sexton moved to Racing, so why wasnโ€™t it applied to him as it was applied to other players who moved overseas?

    1
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute ยฉ๏ธโš™๏ธNNAยฉ๏ธHT6๏ธโƒฃ6๏ธโƒฃ
    Favourite ยฉ๏ธโš™๏ธNNAยฉ๏ธHT6๏ธโƒฃ6๏ธโƒฃ
    Report
    Apr 19th 2019, 3:00 PM

    @The Great Unwashed: I know the reason as you certainly do by the question you asked and for THIS reply to be published this is all I can say.

    1
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Paddy Waggon
    Favourite Paddy Waggon
    Report
    Apr 18th 2019, 7:24 PM

    No.
    His a winger.
    Stick to players playing in there natural position. Instead of fannying about.

    66
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Kevin Donnelly
    Favourite Kevin Donnelly
    Report
    Apr 18th 2019, 9:18 PM

    @Paddy Waggon: played u20 at full back and pretty impressive at that

    38
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Paddy Waggon
    Favourite Paddy Waggon
    Report
    Apr 18th 2019, 10:06 PM

    @Kevin Donnelly: why was he moved to the wing so .

    3
    See 1 more reply โ–พ
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Dino Baggio
    Favourite Dino Baggio
    Report
    Apr 18th 2019, 10:23 PM

    @Paddy Waggon: To get game time in a position which is not as challenging for a young inexperienced player. He will be Ulsterโ€™s 15 for years to come imo

    13
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Declan Snow
    Favourite Declan Snow
    Report
    Apr 18th 2019, 7:39 PM

    Even though his defence has improved over the past 12 months, it remains the weakest part of his game. At 15 he could be exposed by all of the open ground as opposed to being able to use the touchline as an extra defender. It could improve for pro14 level but I donโ€™t think he could manage international.

    48
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Daragh O'Brien
    Favourite Daragh O'Brien
    Report
    Apr 18th 2019, 11:12 PM

    @Declan Snow: Itโ€™s his defensive positioning and reads that have let him down, rather than his tackle technique. At 15 heโ€™ll only really be needed to shut someone down when they break the line and he has the speed to do it. Would really like to see him there.

    10
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Baz Dunne
    Favourite Baz Dunne
    Report
    Apr 18th 2019, 7:57 PM

    The thoughts of a Stockdale, Lowe, Larmour back 3 going into the next world cup cycle is mouth watering!

    41
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Aaron Tynan
    Favourite Aaron Tynan
    Report
    Apr 18th 2019, 7:21 PM

    Iโ€™d prefer to see Larmour getting some serious game time back there!

    He needs to be given a few games on the run

    17
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Bluepoolroad
    Favourite Bluepoolroad
    Report
    Apr 18th 2019, 7:24 PM

    @Aaron Tynan: In what aspect(s) of his game is Jordan better than Jacob?

    8
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute John Keenan
    Favourite John Keenan
    Report
    Apr 18th 2019, 7:39 PM

    @Bluepoolroad: actually grounding the ball for one

    112
    See 4 more replies โ–พ
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Graham O'Hara
    Favourite Graham O'Hara
    Report
    Apr 18th 2019, 10:20 PM

    @John Keenan: savage

    13
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Stephen Foster
    Favourite Stephen Foster
    Report
    Apr 18th 2019, 10:28 PM

    @John Keenan: that was harsh now in fairness.

    9
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Biscuits Patinkin
    Favourite Biscuits Patinkin
    Report
    Apr 18th 2019, 10:39 PM

    @Stephen Foster: funny tho

    13
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute The Great Unwashed
    Favourite The Great Unwashed
    Report
    Apr 19th 2019, 12:06 AM

    @Bluepoolroad:
    Knowing when to pass.

    1
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Brian O'Driscoll
    Favourite Brian O'Driscoll
    Report
    Apr 19th 2019, 1:14 AM

    I think everyone is forgetting about Addison. I think he will have a say in that back 3 over the next 4 โ€“ 8 years.

    13
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Bungee Aky
    Favourite Bungee Aky
    Report
    Apr 18th 2019, 8:11 PM

    Stockdale canโ€™t / wonโ€™t pass.
    You need a 15 that can pass.

    14
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Ian Frizzell
    Favourite Ian Frizzell
    Report
    Apr 18th 2019, 8:44 PM

    @Bungee Aky: so Rob Lyttle got the ball by telepathy on Friday night?

    34
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Bungee Aky
    Favourite Bungee Aky
    Report
    Apr 18th 2019, 9:03 PM

    @Ian Frizzell: you said it

    3
    See 4 more replies โ–พ
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Kazoochka
    Favourite Kazoochka
    Report
    Apr 18th 2019, 9:11 PM

    @Bungee Aky: Rob โ€œStraightens the lineโ€ Kearney never saw a ball he couldnt run into the first chaser with

    27
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Kevin Donnelly
    Favourite Kevin Donnelly
    Report
    Apr 18th 2019, 9:20 PM

    @Bungee Aky: Kearney is knowing for his passing rather than his running into contact ;-)

    7
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Richard James
    Favourite Richard James
    Report
    Apr 19th 2019, 3:53 AM

    @Bungee Aky: also a dodgy defender

    1
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Richard James
    Favourite Richard James
    Report
    Apr 19th 2019, 3:54 AM

    @Kevin Donnelly: In what alternate universe is that true?

    2
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Malachy Guilfoyle
    Favourite Malachy Guilfoyle
    Report
    Apr 18th 2019, 8:43 PM

    I never feel confident that he will catch a high contested ball in game.

    12
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Macca
    Favourite Macca
    Report
    Apr 18th 2019, 7:48 PM

    The question is, who will be fb come world cup

    11
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Rochelle
    Favourite Rochelle
    Report
    Apr 18th 2019, 10:07 PM

    Henshaw is our best natural fullback, I hope Joe sticks with him in the warm ups.

    9
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Kazoochka
    Favourite Kazoochka
    Report
    Apr 18th 2019, 10:44 PM

    @Rochelle: showed against england he has almost no positional sense to defend the chip over the top. If he isnt playing 15 for leinster (he wont be) its a non runner for Ire

    12
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Ravensburger
    Favourite Ravensburger
    Report
    Apr 18th 2019, 10:58 PM

    @Rochelle: He is in his hoop

    7
    See 2 more replies โ–พ
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Dino Baggio
    Favourite Dino Baggio
    Report
    Apr 18th 2019, 11:03 PM

    @Kazoochka: bovine excrement! He covered as well as anyone would have with that defensive set up. Even with the tweaks that followed RK with all his experience was caught several times v Italy. Give players that much time to look up and pick and choose their kicks and with nobody else dropping into the backfield the best 15 in the world would have struggled. England just out gunned us tactically and broke our defence down, I wouldnโ€™t go pointing the finger at any one player.

    4
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Chris Mc
    Favourite Chris Mc
    Report
    Apr 19th 2019, 10:01 AM

    @Kazoochka: both Earls and Stockdale made horrible calls in the game and expecting an full back to read those is a bit much.

    2
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Jim Lynch
    Favourite Jim Lynch
    Report
    Apr 18th 2019, 9:55 PM

    Larmour is prob next in line, he still has a lot of learning to do in my opinion. There are a lot of times in games where his decision making with ball in hand gets him (team) in trouble. No doubting his ability but sometimes he should just take the direct line of contact and get go forward rather than trying to jink statically around guys and then get pushed back a few meters

    7
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Gavin Mitchell
    Favourite Gavin Mitchell
    Report
    Apr 18th 2019, 7:19 PM

    Well itd be interesting. Hes a tall lad so fielding wouldnt be an issue. In terms of speed hes very quick as well. But is he too tqll that hes an easier target?

    Worth a try at least.

    6
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Anthony O Connell
    Favourite Anthony O Connell
    Report
    Apr 19th 2019, 9:26 AM

    Iโ€™d much rather keep him on the wing. Itโ€™s a pity Haley has taken the fullback position at Munster as I believe Conway is our best all rounded fullback in the country. While larmour and Addison have still to add to their game, I believe Conway has all the right attributes to make a top quality fullback at international level.

    3
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Chris Mc
    Favourite Chris Mc
    Report
    Apr 19th 2019, 10:03 AM

    @Anthony O Connell: Conway has never really claimed the Munster 15 shirt and always seems to be injured when the internationals come around. Heโ€™s no spring chicken either.

    1
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Mick O'Shea
    Favourite Mick O'Shea
    Report
    Apr 19th 2019, 11:23 AM

    You shut up.
    Iโ€™m Eoin McLove.
    I can do what I lie!

    1
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.

Leave a commentcancel