SEAN MCDERMOTT RECEIVED his first senior call-up for Ireland today ahead of next month’s matches with Wales and Poland.
Here’s what you need to know about the 25-year-old…
- He was born to a Norwegian mother and a Donegal-born father in Kristiansand.
- He grew up in Norway, but has represented Ireland at underage level from U15 to U21 level.
- He played for Arsenal at youth level, spending time on loan at Leeds, before embarking on a career in Norway with Sandnes Ulf, Start, Ull/Kisa and his current club Kristiansund.
- He joined Arsenal as a 15-year-old in May 2009 following a successful trial, but was released just three years later. Nevertheless, he holds no ill will towards the London club, describing his stint there as “very, very good for me and my education”.
- Asked by The42 in May about possibly being disadvantaged in terms of Ireland selection because he was playing in Norway, McDermott replied: “I’m happy in this league. I think sometimes that if you go to League One or these places, you can disappear a bit. Here I am in the top league in Norway, there’s more media coverage, I feel like I get more attention, there are a lot of scouts from Germany, Belgium, Denmark and England, of course. So, for me, I think it’s better to be here.”
- In an interview with The Sun last year, McDermott did not rule out the possibility of switching his international allegiance to Norway, saying: “I’ve always played for Ireland and I’ve always seen myself playing for Ireland. But if Ireland never call and Norway do, then I have to consider it at least.”
- He enjoyed a positive debut campaign with his latest club, Kristiansund, appearing regularly. In their first-ever season in the top flight, they finished eighth out of 16 teams in the Eliteserien.
- He is a good shot stopper, comfortable with the ball at his feet, and a commanding presence in the box as the video below illustrates.
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tommy haugen / YouTube
- He caught the eye last season in particular, picking up his club’s fan’s Player of the Year award.
- He suffered a setback aged 19. Having been first-choice stopper for Sandnes Ulf, he lost his place after the club brought in Icelandic number one Hannes Halldorsson. He struggled to get game time in the subsequent season with Start, before finding his feet again in the second tier with Ull/Kisa.
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Have to say Kenny saying Seamus was in the best period of his career was a bit disconcerting, because he really is far from it and that statement indicates he’s probably starting. Maybe the solution would be to play the back three we have here, but play Omabamidele as a more defensive oriented wing back to add a bit of pace to cover Mbappe. We’ll likely have most Joy on the break anyway so, playing Ogbene down the right side of the forward line would make sense as he runs into the channel a lot and could take up the space that would be vacated by Omabamidele not pushing as far forward. Horses for courses as they say. In reality though we’re unlikely to get anything out of this game, because are just that good, so hope the usual doom merchants around here don’t start the usual pile on after a loss. The team is growing, we need support not this constant negativity.
@Zim Zimma: There are no doom merchants as you imply, people that know the game inside out are quiet fully aware that we simply do not have the talent and all this tripe about how young the squad are and give them a chance simply doesn’t wash. The sight of Stephen Kenny jumping about and celebrating after Ireland scored the winning goal in a friendly game at home to a team ranked 133 in the world just about sums it all up.
The lack of game time for these players will be shown up now against the French.
Collins especially. Kept running out with the ball from the back.he was dropped by wolves because of that He’s not match sharp.
The Doherty has been glued to the bench since he joined athletico
It be a miracle to get a draw, it’s possible if France have an off night but looking how they played last night be a tall order.
Think if your asking Coleman to cover the right wing versus Hernandez and Mbappe your asking for trouble. Have to double up on that side.
Alot of people questioning Coleman’s selection. But if we are to have any hope of a result in this match, a lot of things would have to happen. One of them would have to be a vintage display from Coleman. Any decent result Everton have managed recently, he’s been key.
Bazunu looks all over the place at Southampton at the minute, would start Kelleher, doesn’t make the same mistakes as Bazunu at the minute
@Lord Lurgan: well bazunu has played football this season kelleher hasn’t.
Kelleher needs to be playing first team football. Then he can be the irish number 1
@Lord Lurgan: How could Kelliher make a mistake he does not play
No
No hope for this team
@Mark Dunne: Do you work for the Samaritans?
Eire team needs to gather the midfield as Argentina Did, attack the flanks
My team
Bazunu
Coleman
Egan
ODara
Doherty
Knight
Cullen
Collins
McClean
Smallbone
Ferguson since Idah is not ready
Doesn’t matter which team we put out, they’ll hammer us. Let’s hope the Dutch don’t get any better than they played last night and we might have a chance against them. Was watching the Greece game aswell and they’ll be tough to get points from. So all-in-all we’re pretty-much bunched. COYBIG!
@Terry Fagan: No reason why we can’t give the french a good game. Holland were awful last night.
@Louis Jacob: Let’s hope so!
Good team. Totally agree about Ogbene on current form. He’s more similar to Mitoma at Brighton than Obafemi, a more direct runner. Smallbone as an option for the second half is good too. Not sure what to do with Doherty but I guess he has to start.
I agree with this team. Up front I like Ogbene’s attitude on the pitch and for that reason combined with his pace and strength I’d like to see him start
Think smallbone played too well against latvia to not start