Irish abroad stories - July 2000

Inter interest in Robbie gathers momentum - July 28, 2000
Robbie Keane could well have kicked his last football in the English game. Inter Milan have stepped up their bid to sign the 20-year-old Irish international and with the amount of money they are talking about it is going to be hard for Coventry to refuse.
full story »

Barthez loses to Keane in the battle for 16 - July 28, 2000
There was never really any competition but Fabien Barthez thought he had a chance to get the No. 16 jersey at Manchester United!
full story »

Battle ahead for Irish goalkeepers - July 28, 2000
Alan Kelly and Joe Murphy have a serious battle ahead this season. They have lost out on the No.1 jersies at Blackburn and Tranmere Rovers respectively and they will have their work cut out to get them back.
full story »

Luton move for Dean Brennan looks likely - July 28, 2000
Sheffield Wednesday's Dean Brennan looks set to kick-start his career at Kenilworth Road. The 20-year-old Irishman is on trial at Luton and in two pre-season matches has impressed new manager Ricky Hill. Hill knows all about Brennan. It was he who signed Brennan for Wednesday.
full story »

Robbie returns to haunt Wolves - July 27, 2000
Robbie Keane's return to action after a lengthened summer break happened last night at his old club Wolves and within minutes the Irish striker found the net to earn Coventry a 1-0 win.
full story »

Roche hits back at critics - July 27, 2000
Republic of Ireland u18 goalkeeper Barry Roche has hit back at his critics who said that he is not ready to become second goalkeeper at Nottingham Forest.
full story »

Finnan happy at Fulham - July 26, 2000
Republic of Ireland international Steve Finnan has quashed all rumours about leaving Fulham by pledging his future to the club.
full story »

Breen is ready for Coventry challenge - July 25, 2000
Republic of Ireland defender Gary Breen has told Coventry manager Gordon Strachan that he is ready to earn his place in the Premiership side.
full story »

Daly makes giant strides - July 25, 2000
Ireland's Jon Daly could be set for a big season with Stockport County. The 17-year-old, who has just returned to first-team action after a lengthy absence due to a leg break, is showing just how much talent he has on the club's tour of Scandinavia.
full story »

Boxall could be back earlier than expected - July 25, 2000
Republic of Ireland u21 international Danny Boxall is making better than expected progress after tearing knee ligaments when Brentford played Luton last season.
full story »

Robbie linked with Inter again - July 24, 2000
Italian giants Inter Milan are once more being linked with an £11m move for Irish international striker Robbie Keane. It has been reported in Italy that Inter president Massimo Moratti has ordered an £11m bid for the young striker but he accepts he is unlikely to prise him away from Coventry City.
full story »

Des Byrne becomes a Don - July 24, 2000
Wimbledon manager Terry Burton has swooped to sign St. Patrick's Athletic full-back Des Byrne for an undisclosed fee which is thought to be an Irish record.
full story »

Carey fails to impress at Gillingham - July 24, 2000
Gillingham boss Andy Hessenthaler has decided not to offer terms to out-of-contract Norwich City midfielder Shaun Carey after the player failed to impress during a week's trial at Priestfield.
full story »

Millwall claim that Fitzgerald is staying - July 24, 2000
Millwall have claimed that unsettled central defender Scott Fitzgerald is staying at the New Den despite interest from both Crystal Palace and Colchester.
full story »

Irwin expects three more years at Old Trafford - July 22, 2000
Former Republic of Ireland great Denis Irwin expects to playing for Manchester United for at least three more years.
full story »

Leeds grab another Irish boy - July 21, 2000
Leeds United continued their raiding on Ireland by signing the highly rated Paul Keegan from Home Farm.
full story »

David Kelly signs for Sheffield United - July 21, 2000
David Kelly, after taking time to think out his future, has decided to accept a one-year contract with Sheffield United.
full story »

Daly scores first senior goal - July 21, 2000
It has not taken Jon Daly long to make his mark with Stockport County. The rising star scored his first senior goal for his club to help them to a 2-0 pre-season victory over Swedish side Landskrona in the club's five-match tour of Scandinavia.
full story »

Reading: Gamble in, Crawford out? - July 21, 2000
It looks almost certain that Joe Gamble will become a Reading player within the next 24 hours. The 18-year-old Irish underage international has made a big impression at the Madejski Stadium, so much so that boss Alan Pardew is ready to offer him a contract.
full story »

Robbie back and fitter than ever - July 20, 2000
Gordon Strachan's decision to give Robbie Keane an extra rest in the summer seems to have paid off. The Republic of Ireland striker returned to Coventry last week and has looked razor sharp in training.
full story »

Cunningham could miss start of season - July 20, 2000
Republic of Ireland defender Kenny Cunningham could miss the start of the new season with his club, Wimbledon. This could be very bad news for Ireland, who go into their World Cup qualifying campaign in September.
full story »

Heary's misfortune - July 20, 2000
When things are going well, something always comes along and ruins it. Ask Thomas Heary!
full story »

Daly returns to action - July 20, 2000
Jon Daly made a welcome return to football at the weekend after a lengthy absence through injury. The 17-year-old Irishman international suffered a serious break to his leg last year and it was not sure whether he would ever come back as the same player - but happily he returned for Stockport County for a pre-season friendly and played a full part in the game.
full story »

Carsley wants out of Ewood - July 19, 2000
Lee Carsley has sensationally handed in a transfer request at Ewood Park. The Blackburn midfielder wants to move back to the Premiership and after hearing that both Coventry and Middlesbrough were interested he decided it was time to make a stand.
full story »

McClare out to impress - July 19, 2000
Former Ireland u21 international Sean McClare is hoping to make an impact at Oakwell with Barnsley this season.
full story »

Given is Number One at Newcastle - July 18, 2000
Newcastle United's squad numbers have been announced and it is good news for Ireland's Shay Given. There was talk all close season about the club bringing a new goalkeeper to St. James' Gate but that has subsided now and Shay has been handed the No.1 shirt.
full story »

Fenn goes Dutch - July 18, 2000
Neale Fenn has had to look further afield for first-team football after his proposed move from Tottenham to Brentford fell when he failed to agree personal terms with Bees manager Ron Noades. Fenn is now in Holland on trial with Roosendaal who won promotion to top-flight football last season.
full story »

Sadlier out for start of season - July 18, 2000
Richard Sadlier's luck took another turn for the worse at the weekend when he fell awkwardly in training and broke his arm, which will rule him out for the beginning of the season.
full story »

Roche gets Forest chance - July 18, 2000
Irish teenager Barry Roche is making great strides despite his age. The Irish u17 international played the full game in Nottingham Forest's 3-1 win against Jamaican Champions Harbor View in the second leg of the club's American tour.
full story »

Risdale denies O'Leary contract offer - July 17, 2000
Leeds United chairman Peter Ridsdale is fuming over reports which said negotiations with manager David O'Leary about a new deal were under way. This is not the case, Ridsdale said this morning.
full story »

Carey set for Gills move - July 17, 2000
Shaun Carey has been linked with nearly every English First and Second Division club since he was released by Norwich at the end of last season but all that seems to be coming to an end as he joined up with Gillingham today for pre-season training.
full story »

David Kelly on trial at Bramall Lane - July 17, 2000
Former Irish international David Kelly has left Tranmere Rovers to join Sheffield United on loan. The out-of-contract striker is currently training with United and it is believed that they are eager to sign him as cover up front.
full story »

Dundalk goalkeeper joins league newcomers - July 14, 2000
Dundalk goalkeeper Brendan Murphy is going to try his luck in England for the second time in his career. The 24-year-old Wexford-born shot stopper has signed a two-year deal with League newcomers Kidderminster.
full story »

McPhail gets cash windfall - July 13, 2000
Republic of Ireland international midfielder Stephen McPhail has finally put pen to paper to sign a new five-year deal at Leeds United which was agreed on in December. McPhail played above all expectations last season and, as a reward, the club offered to improve his contract to bring it in line with what a first-team player earns.
full story »

Barrett on loan at Canaries - July 13, 2000
Ireland underage international Graham Barrett has agreed a loan move to Norwich City from Arsenal. The young striker has struggled to break into the Arsenal first team because of the glut of world-class strikers at the club.
full story »

Sheedy plans to be a tough taskmaster - July 13, 2000
Tranmere Rovers assistant manager Kevin Sheedy plans to get tough on his charges in a bid to reverse their normal early-season snooze. Tranmere have started the last three seasons like the proverbial snail, leaving them with an uphill battle for the remainder of the year.
full story »

Branagan back in the big time - July 12, 2000
The Republic of Ireland's fourth-choice goalkeeper, Keith Branagan, has been snapped up by Ipswich Town on a free tranfer from Bolton.
full story »

McGovern wants out of Highbury - July 12, 2000
Irish u21 international Brian McGovern has rejected a one-year extension to his contract at Arsenal as he favours a move away from Highbury.
full story »

Kelly released by Tranmere - July 12, 2000
Former Irish international David Kelly has been released by his former international team-mate John Aldridge at Tranmere Rovers. The 34-year-old striker starred for Tranmere in last season's Worthington Cup. He was so impressive that Aldridge decided to offer him a one-year extension to his contract but Kelly decided to turn it down.
full story »

Shaun Carey has become hot property - July 12, 2000
Football is a fickle game. After being released by Norwich City Shaun Carey didn't know what the future held for him but now it seems the midfielder has a choice of teams to join.
full story »

Blackburn give Irish youngsters their chance - July 12, 2000
Blackburn Rovers flew out to Germany on Monday for their first pre-season fixtures and Irish u18 internationals Ben Burgess and Peter Murphy were included in the 22-man travelling party.
full story »

Gannon's testimonial date fixed - July 12, 2000
Stockport's Jim Gannon has a lot in common with Manchester United's Denis Irwin. Both Irishmen are in their testimonial years after spending ten years at their respective clubs and both will face Manchester City on their big day.
full story »

Swan Casey cracks ankle - July 12, 2000
Republic of Ireland under-21 international winger Ryan Casey has cracked a bone in his ankle at Swansea City's pre-season training camp in Chepstow.
full story »

Colchester waiting on Fitzgerald answer - July 12, 2000
Colchester United's boss, Steve Whitton, is still waiting to hear from Millwall skipper Scott Fitzgerald regarding his possible move to Layer Road.
full story »

Sounness chases Staunton - July 10, 2000
Blackburn are the latest team to be interested in signing Steve Staunton, the Republic Of Ireland international, who now looks certain to leave Liverpool.
full story »

No change for Breen at Coventry - July 7, 2000
Gary Breen yesterday learned his fate for the coming Premiership season when Coventry boss Gordon Strachan announced the club's squad numbers for the 2000-2001 campaign. Breen retained his number 17 shirt which is a clear indication that he will only be a bit-part player again this year.
full story »

Kennedy can be king of the castle says Royle - July 7, 2000
Manchester City manager Joe Royle believes that Mark Kennedy will finally prove himself in the Premiership.
full story »

Staunton set for Villa switch? - July 6, 2000
Steve Staunton's Liverpool nightmare could be coming to an end in sensational fashion. Staunton snubbed Aston Villa in 1998 to move back to Anfield in one of the first high-profile Bosman free-transfers but it now looks as if he will be heading back to Birmingham with his tail between his legs.
full story »

Babb completes Sporting move - July 4, 2000
Phil Babb yesterday became the second Irish international in a week to make the move from Merseyside to Lisbon.
full story »

Townsend leaves West Brom - July 6, 2000
Former Republic of Ireland captain Andy Townsend has left West Bromwich Albion after less than a year at the club. The 37-year-old was offered a player/coach role at the club by manager Gary Megson only last week but decided to turn it down saying he wanted to concentrate on playing for another year.
full story »

Ninian Park move for David Greene - July 6, 2000
David Greene, the man that Paul McGrath tipped as his replacement in the centre of the Irish defence, has seen his career stagnating at Colchester since they paid Luton £30,000 for him in 1996. At the end of the last campaign he was released by the club and this seems to have done him a favour. He is now close to signing a deal with Wrexham - a more competitive Division Two team than Colchester.
full story »

Mahon signs four-year deal with Sporting - July 5, 2000
Mick McCarthy can look forward to trips to Portugal to check of the form of two of his senior internationals. Alan Mahon joined Phil Babb at the Portuguese champions, Sporting Lisbon, on a Bosman free-transfer.
full story »

Kennedy rumoured to be joining Celtic - July 4, 2000
The rumour mill has been grinding for the last 24-hours, linking Irish international Mark Kennedy with a move from Manchester City to Glasgow Celtic The rumour earned its first airing on Simon Mayo's Radio One show on Monday morning; since then it has turned into a full-blown story.
full story »

Aldridge advises Mahon not to go to Portugal - July 4, 2000
Tranmere boss John Aldridge has told Alan Mahon that his proposed move to Portugal would be the biggest mistake that the player ever made.
full story »

Maher happy to stay at Roots Hall - July 4, 2000
Former Irish u21 international Kevin Maher has decided to stay with Southend United for another season. The 23-year-old midfielder-cum-defender has signed a new one-year deal with the Shrimpers because manager Alan Little promised that he was in his plans for the coming campaign.
full story »

Orchard link up with City - July 3, 2000
Cherry Orchard have become the latest Irish Schoolboy club to link up with a major club in England. It was announced over the weekend that Orchard are to link up with Manchester City and the deal is expected to be completed today.
full story »

Folan hands-off warning for Galway - July 3, 2000
Galway United's bid to bring Brentford's Tony Folan to Terryland Park has not been met favourably at Griffin Park. Galway have been told in no uncertain terms that Folan is going nowhere as he is a part of Ron Noades' plans for the new season.
full story »

Ampadu signs for Exeter City - July 3, 2000
Former Belvedere Boy Kwame Ampadu has joined Third Division Exeter City on a free transfer. The 29-year-old defender was released by Leyton Orient at the end of last season but did not spend long in the footballing wilderness.
full story »