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Make or break
 With
the start of the new football season dozens of Irish footballers around
Britain will be hoping that this is the year in which they make the breakthrough
to attract the attention of Steve Staunton. Here The Irish Post looks
at four of the most promising prospects and all of them can make an impact
for their clubs this season.
Stephen O’Halloran
Aston Villa
The young Corkman (main picture) won his first international caps on the
Republic of Ireland’s much-maligned tour of the USA earlier this
summer but if he wants to become a regular at international level he will
have to make the breakthrough at club level this season.
With Gareth Barry deployed more and more in midfield for Martin O’Neill’s
men there definitely appear to be opportunities for the young defender
to make an impression in the Premiership this season.
Eoin Garvan
Ipswich
Dublin-born Eoin comes from a proud footballing pedigree. His uncle
Mick Martin was an Irish international while his grandfather Con Martin
is one of the greats of Irish football.
Garvan made his Ipswich debut as a 17-year-old in 2005 but his time in
Suffolk has been blighted by homesickness. During a spell out injured
last season Eoin was brought so far towards the brink of despair that
he wanted to retire from professional football and return to Dublin.
He missed most of Ipswich’s pre-season campaign due to homesickness
but was still selected for the Tractor Boys for each of their League games
so far.
A creative midfielder he is an excellent passer of the ball and has been
tipped to go to “the very top of the game” by his manager,
former Northern Ireland international Jim Magilton.
Kevin Foley
Wolves
The attacking full-back expressed his desire to break into the international
team following his transfer from Luton to Championship promotion hopefuls
Wolves.
Twenty-two-year old Kevin was one of the few stars for Luton last season
as they were relegated from the Championship but the Hertfordshire born
def-
ender has a chance to prove he can make it at the top level with this
move to Mick McCarthy’s Irish leg-ion at Molineux.
With the Irish squad urgently needing a dedicated right-back as cover
for Steve Finnan international recognition could come the talented defender’s
way sooner rather than later.
Jim O’Brien
Celtic
The talented winger was almost part of one of the greatest comebacks in
football history last season.
Jim joined Dunfermline on loan from Celtic towards the end of last season
and starred as the Stephen Kenny-
managed side re-corded a string of good results and came within four minutes
of avoiding relegation from Scottish football’s top flight.
Much is expected of O’Brien back at Celtic this season and if he
can make the breakthrough at Parkhead then international recognition won’t
be far away. |
