Doyle heads home. Credit: Daniel Hambury/PA Wire/Press Association Images
AFTER HIS DEADLINE Day loan move from Wolves to QPR, Kevin Doyle was thrown straight into the starting line-up for Saturday afternoon’s Championship fixture at home to Burnley.
The 30-year-old striker had only managed three goals all season in League One but took just seven minutes to grab his first for the Rs with a glancing header at the front post from Niko Kranjcar’s corner.
With the club’s top scorer Charlie Austin out with a serious shoulder injury, 30-year-old Wexford native Doyle is expected to get a run in the team and manager Harry Redknapp seemed satisfied with the shift he put on his debut.
“Kevin Doyle’s won the fans over straight away today,” Redknapp told the club’s website. ”Not only because of his goal but his work-rate was fantastic. He’s put a shift in today.
“That’s Kevin Doyle; he gives everything and he’ll do that week-in week-out for us.”
Irish team-mate Richard Dunne, who also scored a rare volley on the day, added: “Kevin is an honest player and he gives 100 per cent every game.
He goes for every tackle and every header. We miss that with Charlie (Austin) being out and I think he is a great replacement for him.
“It was a great start for him and I think his performance today is a sign of what is to come. He is a hard worker and hopefully he can score the goals.”
With Ireland’s next international a month away, it is pleasing to see the Doyle of old winning headers, holding up play, closing down defenders and tracking back and, most importantly, getting on the scoresheet.
Here are his individual highlights:
And check out Dunne’s volley:
YouTube credit: Queens Park Rangers FC
Cheat
Get over it
Also go and get your facts right
He is disgrace to the nation. Bet this time sample B won’t go missing
bit severe. it was his horse. he’s the real cheat. glue factory.
Seen his horse hanging out on the boardwalk of the Liffey.
Why is it that people give out when we don’t win medals, but when we put a rider into a competition who has a really good chance of a medal, people call him a cheat, ( his horse failed a doping test ) not Cain and don’t forget he was cleared of having any involvement, plus all of cian’s horses have passed every doping test within the last four years . so why don’t you all get of your high horses . I wish Cain all the best in the qualifier maybe he’ll even bring a medal home .
Well said.
I’m disgusted that this guy is representing my country. As far as I’m concerned he’s a cheat, he shouldn’t be there. If he wins a medal I won’t be celebrating.
im the same..can’t support him.
Well said Vanessa
Humans who take drugs have control over what goes into their bodies, if you are a rider, lots of other people have access to the horse, grooms, vets, anyone passing the stable.
That last episode was all a story from “spooks” missing sample, break in to offices ect
Very strange but still stripped of gold and should not have gone his place should have been given to next in line
Where are all these stupid cheat comments coming from? From my recollection it was his horse that tested positive for a banned substance and not Cian and he was cleared of all involvement in the doping incident. Before or since Athens there hasn’t been a single concern raised about any horse ridden by O’Connor. Get your facts straight before accusing a sportsperson of something so serious.
It’s the fact that there was a real underhanded effort to get sample b to disappear. Said he had no knowledge of it. Well he would say that wouldn’t he.
Don’t we have short memories.
I am a show jumping fan 24/7. I am involved in the production of young horses and travel to shows around the country week in and week out. I do not recognise most of the people commenting on this thread. Yes you are entitled to an opion but that doesnt make you informed or correct. Well done Cian and good luck in the next round from a real Irish Show Jumping Supporter.
Eric Lamaze reigning Olympic champion was thrown out of the Canadian team on several occasions because of cocaine abuse. Now clean and forgiven and hugely popular ( as well as really brilliant ) … Why can’t Cian O’Connor benefit from a similar forgiveness? Especially since his horse tested positive for a tranquilliser?? Go on Cian! Win a medal !! Might be difficult against this English and Saudi Arabians…
Other riders and their families have suffered as a result of this guys drug history. Yet because of his connections he gets picked – whoever picked him should be fired and the committee that helped decide. It means the selectors are cheats as well as O Connor. If a family member of mine was missed out as a result of corruption and cheating I would be disgusted. It’s real Irish where the rich can buy their way out of trouble. Pat Hickey gets promoted and the honest people who compete against O Connor and his selectors must try and keep their chins up against these cheats. It’s our children who will suffer from the example given ie take drugs and you get ahead. Thank you Pat Hickey and your selectors for this sin against decent people. I hope he falls of his horse.
Irish people don’t like success in others, they just like to wallow in their own self pity and blame other people, the government, the British. Someone does well? Must be a cheat, someone earns to much? Must be corrupt. Get over yourselves, knock that large chip off your shoulder and support your country and those competing and working hard for it. Bring on the reds!
so who gave the horse the drugs?
the FEI said it was satisfied that Cian O’Connor was not involved in a deliberate attempt to influence the performance of the horse.
Although the substance was prohibited, it was not performance enhancing.
Always amuses me when i state FACTS and get red thumbs, seems people don’t like the truth.