Ireland boss O’Neill to run the rule over Dundalk full back Massey

Dane Massey

Republic of Ireland manager Martin O’Neill has suggested that he will run the rule over Dundalk FC left back Dane Massey in the coming weeks.

The 26-year-old has been one of the Lilywhites’ outstanding performers this season, leading to calls from RTÉ pundit Stuey Byrne for him to be included in an international squad.

Byrne commented after Ireland’s draw with Poland last month that the left back area was an issue and said: “Looking at Ward as a left full-back, if that is the bar that has been set it got me thinking and there isn’t that many out-and-out specialist left-fulls who are really good defenders. The player that came into my head was Dane Massey. For this particular game, it wasn’t the right week but considering that we have had issues in this position before, he would be worth a look in the squad for a friendly coming up.”

However, O’Neill – speaking at the launch of the 2015 SportsWorld Summer Soccer Schools in the Aviva Stadium today – said he will need to see Massey in action himself before taking any decision on whether the full-back fits into his plans.

“Yes, I’ve kept an ear on him more than an eye if anything else and I hope at some stage to keep an eye on it,” said O’Neill.

Ireland boss O’Neill to visit Dundalk this Thursday

Dundalk manager Stephen Kenny with Ireland boss Martin O’Neill

Ireland manager Martin O’Neill be at Oriel Park this Thursday night to take in Dundalk’s Europa League clash with Hadjuk Split.

The game is the first item on his agenda after working in Brazil as a pundit for ITV during the World Cup.

News of O’Neill’s pending trip to Dundalk was revealed in this morning’s Irish Independent, who suggest he will use the match as an opportunity to cast his eye over some of Dundalk’s young guns.

One of O’Neill’s predecessors, Mick McCarthy, was also in Oriel last week to take in Dundalk’s victory over AS Jeunesse Esch.

Kenny confident he can add another Irish international from Dundalk to his CV

Stephen Kenny with Ireland boss Martin O’Neill at yesterday’s Dundalk FC-Dundalk IT partnership launch in Dublin

Stephen Kenny believes he can produce an Irish senior international at Dundalk.

A local hasn’t lined out for Ireland since Stephen Staunton made his debut in 1988 but Kenny has a proven track record of turning League of Ireland stars into Ireland internationals.

Amongst those who have gone on to represent their country having played under Kenny were the likes of James McClean, Connor Sammon, David Forde and Glen Crowe.

Paddy McCourt, who is expected to be at Oriel Park on Friday night for Barnsley’s visit, also went on to represent Northern Ireland having made his name playing under Kenny while at Derry City. Other Northern Ireland reps who played under the current Lilywhites boss were Niall McGinn and Daniel Lafferty, with Ger Doherty having made the squad despite not winning a cap. Eamon Zayed also went on to play for Libya.

Speaking at the launch of Dundalk FC’s new partnership with Dundalk IT in Dublin yesterday, Kenny said a Dundalk player could follow suit in the not-too-distant future if they believed in themselves.

“Derry hadn’t many internationals for a long period but I was at Derry for four years and we had eight players who became full internationals. I think with the proper infrastructure players can get opportunities to progress and do well.

“I managed Glen Crowe when he was picked, the first since Pat Byrne, in that period. Nobody thought he could.

“The likes of David Forde, who is there now, was really driven and would talk regularly about his desire to become an international even then. Players have to absolutely think like this.

“When I got to Dundalk, I said one of the problems is that Steve Staunton is the last Dundalk international which isn’t great.

“Its a bad indictment as it’s a football town. It would be different if it was a hurling stronghold but it’s not. With the proper infrastructure players can get opportunities to progress and do well.

“I’d be disappointed with the group I have now if I didn’t get an international out of the group. I’m not saying they’ll play for Dundalk and Ireland in the one year but what I will say I would be genuinely disappointed [if one didn’t reach senior international level].”

Dundalk IT and Dundalk FC combine to offer third level scholarships to budding talents

Denis Cummins, president Dundalk IT; Stephen Kenny, Dundalk FC manager; Martin O’Neill, Ireland senior manager and Ciaran Bond, Dundalk FC chairman at the launch of the new Dundalk IT-Dundalk FC partnership in Abbotstown this afternoon

Dundalk IT president Denis Cummins and Dundalk FC Chairman Ciaran Bond this afternoon launched a Soccer Scholarship Academy, which will provide third level scholarships to students of Dundalk IT who will also be attached to Dundalk FC.

The scheme is aimed at those CAO candidates who wish to pursue a third level education whilst simultaneously pursuing a professional soccer playing career at the highest level in Ireland.

DkIT will offer a total of four soccer scholarships each year to both Leaving Certificate students and mature students. A successful candidate’s performance will be assessed annually, under both academic and soccer performance criteria, across the duration of their academic programme. They will also assist as student ambassadors on college open days and in school recruitment initiatives as well as playing on the college teams.

The scheme is timely given the purchase of the Dundalk IT sport facility, due to open in September, where players can avail of the gym and facilities allowing them to continue with strength and conditioning training on campus. The partnership will be further endorsed when the DKIT logo is added to the back of both the ‘home’ and ‘away’ Dundalk first team players’ shirts this season.

Speaking at the launch at the Abbotstown National Sports Campus in Dublin on Monday, Denis Cummins said that he is delighted the college is in a position to create opportunities for footballers to pursue their careers whilst fulfilling their academic potential.

Dundalk FC chairman Ciaran Bond expressed his support for the initiative saying that the scheme is in keeping with Dundalk IT’s and Dundalk FC’s shared philosophy of contributing to the betterment of the economic and social life of the North-East region.

The launch was attended by Ireland football manager Martin O’Neill and FAI President Paddy McCaul, who welcomed the partnership initiative and praised Dundalk for their progress in recent times.

Dundalk FC to launch partnership with Dundalk IT on Monday

Dundalk FC will be holding the launch of their new partnership with Dundalk Institute of Technology on Monday.

The Dundalk FC/DKIT partnership launch will take place at the FAI headquarters in Abbotstown in Dublin and a number of dignitaries and special guests will be in attendance.

The link will be formally launched by FAI President Paddy McCaul and Republic of Ireland first-team manager Martin O’Neill with full details on the partnership being revealed on the day.

Speaking at the event will be Dundalk FC chairman Ciaran Bond, Denis Cummins (DKIT), Paddy McCaul (FAI) and Dundalk FC manager Stephen Kenny.

Staunton backs O’Neill for the Irish job

Former Ireland manager Steve Staunton has thrown his weight behind Martin O’Neill to replace Giovanni Trapattoni in the Irish hotseat.

The Dundalk native, who won 102 caps for his country before retiring in 2002, told Sky Sports News that he felt the Derry native was the ideal candidate to succeed the Italian.

“He’s got more experience than anybody out there so it wouldn’t be a bad shout,” said Staunton.

“He’s managed Celtic for five years and done really well up there, and at other clubs he’s done really well, so that wouldn’t be a bad choice. Who knows what the FAI have in mind, but Martin would be up there high on the list.

“I would like to see an Irishman get it or somebody who’s from these islands, who knows what the Irish boys are about and knows the mentality. The FAI has a tough job now,” he said.

O’Neill is the bookies’ favourite for the job and there could even be the possibility of Staunton joining him in the new set-up as the pair worked together at Sunderland before O’Neill’s dismissal in March.

You can watch Staunton’s interview with Sky Sports News above.

Related articles

• Dundalk boss Kenny an outsider for Ireland job (talkofthetown.ie)

Staunton facing the axe at Sunderland

Steve Staunton signing autographs for young fans on a visit to Oriel Park almost two years ago

Former Ireland manager Steve Staunton is on the look out for work again after being asked to leave his role with Sunderland.

The Dundalk man, who had a successful playing career with Liverpool and Aston Villa, was recruited as a match assessor during Steve Bruce’s time at the Stadium of Light.

He continued in that role under Martin O’Neill but has now been deemed surplus to requirements under Paolo Di Canio – who took over the Black Cats at the end of last season.

Source: Staunton set for Sunderland exit as ruthless Di Canio and Short overhaul backroom staff (Daily Mail)