Irish Footballers

Former Republic of Ireland manager and captain Steve Staunton has been linked with the vacant managerial job at Scottish Premier League side Motherwell.

The BBC reports that Staunton – along with former Northern Ireland manager Lawrie Sanchez – are among a number of individuals interviewed or about to be interviewed for the job which was recently vacated by Mark McGhee.

Staunton had an almost year long spell as assistant manager at Leeds United in 2008 following his high profile departure as Irish manager. He has been away from the game since but has been linked a number of jobs recently.

Republic of Ireland defender Stephen Kelly has signed for English Premier League side Fulham on a three year deal.

He will join Fulham from Birmingham City on 1st July. The former Tottenham Hotspur right-back spent the latter part of last season out on loan at Stoke City.

The move from newly promoted Birmingham to Fulham also means the possibility of European football for Kelly with Fulham in next season’s Europa League.

Speaking to Fulham’s official website Kelly said, “I have spoken to the manager about plans for next season and I’m delighted to have joined a progressive Club which has recently achieved its highest ever top-flight finish. I am also looking forward to being part of a strong squad for next season’s Premier League and Europa League competitions.”

Waterford United are the latest League of Ireland club to confirm a summer friendly with Ipswich Town – now managed by former Republic of Ireland international Roy Keane.

Currently fourth in the League of Ireland’s First Division, Waterford are realistically chasing promotion back into the top flight of Irish football. A money-spinner against the Tractor Boys in July should help raise mid-season funds too.

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Today’s Irish Times suggests that inspirational Republic of Ireland defender Richard Dunne could be set for a summer move to Sunderland.

Dunne is the latest Irish international linked with a summer move. Rumours last week suggested Robbie Keane was set for a Sunderland move while Damien Duff has also been linked with moves to newly promoted Premier League sides Wolves and Burnley as well as a return to former club Blackburn Rovers.

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Following Saturday’s 1-1 draw with Bulgaria in Sofia, the Republic of Ireland’s World Cup qualifying campaign remains firmly on-track. While a top two finish now seems even more likely, top spot and an automatic qualification place seems slightly beyond Giovanni Trapattoni and his squad.

Italy still seem set to claim top spot in Ireland’s group which leaves Ireland looking at the play-off route. The format for qualification from Europe for the 2010 World Cup in South Africa involves the nine group winners gaining automatic qualification. The remaining four European places will go to winners of two legged play-offs in mid- November.

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Former Republic of Ireland manager took charge of the Faroe Islands for the first last night as they hosted Serbia in World Cup qualifying. The Faroes as usual are struggling but a 2-0 home defeat against a side which has won six of its seven qualifiers to date is no disgrace.

Kerr’s longer term role on the Islands is seen as building up the game and its development, although it wouldn’t be surprising to see the Faroes claim a point here and there in qualifying under his control.

The official site of football’s World governing body – FIFA, have a feature on their site at the moment – focusing on the FAI’s technical-director Packie Bonner. The feature concentrates on the glory days of Irish football and that save by the Donegal man in the penalty shoot out win over Romania at Italia 90.

The article continues by highlighting his current role as technical director at the FAI – effectively charged with the development of the game in the Republic of Ireland.

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Former Republic of Ireland manager John Sheridan has taken over as manager of English League Two side Chesterfield on a three year deal.

The former Sheffield Wedesday man left Oldham Athletic earlier in the year. Chesterfield finished just above mid-table in England’s third tier in the season just complete and will be aiming for at least a play-off place under their new boss.

Ireland have ended the international season on a relative high, drawing 1-1 with Bulgaria in Sofia in World Cup qualifying. Although the result won’t put any pressure on top spot Italy – it leaves Ireland with a major advantage over Bulgaria in the race for second place. Ireland took the lead in Sofia tonight thanks to a superb Richard Dunne goal and despite injury the Manchester City defender was head and shoulders above everyone else on the field tonight.

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The Republic of Ireland will be hoping to end the international season on a high as they face Bulgaria in a World Cup qualifier in Sofia on Saturday evening.

Both sides are still unbeaten in the qualifying campaign although Italy do still look favourites to claim top spot and automatic qualification. For either Ireland or Bulgaria to have realistic hopes of qualifying automatically and avoiding the play-offs – a win on Saturday would be essential.

Ireland go into the game two points behind Italy and five points ahead of Bulgaria, although Saturday’s hosts do have a game in hand.

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