James Whelan
Aston Villa would become the first team in Premier League history to field and all-Ireland starting 11 if they picked this side. Here's a guide through the players and their positions.
Shay Given (35 years old, goalkeeper): The Donegal-born keeper is the record cap-winner for the Republic of Ireland, having won 120 caps to date. He made 462 appearances in all competitions for Newcastle United before moving to Manchester City in 2009. He joined Villa in 2011 on a five-year contract. He has been described by Villa and Ireland team-mate Robbie Keane as ‘the best goalkeeper in the Premier League’.
Richard Dunne (32 years old, defender): The Dublin-born centre half has been an Ireland international for many years, earning 71 caps. He played for Manchester City before moving to Villa in 2009 for £5m. His performances in the qualifying campaign for Euro 2012 earned him many plaudits, not least amongst them Ireland and Villa legend Paul McGrath’s assessment of his performance against Russia in Moscow as ‘the best performance from an Irish centre half I’ve ever seen’, including his own legendary performance against Italy in the 1994 World Cup.
Enda Stevens (21 years old, defender): The left sided defender recently joined Villa from League of Ireland champions Shamrock Rovers. He has appeared twice for the Republic of Ireland U21s and recently captained the Aston Villa reserves against Arsenal. Dublin-born Stevens appeared in all of Shamrock Rovers’ Europa League fixtures.
Derrick Williams (19 years old, defender): Republic of Ireland U19 defender who has starred for the reserves and in the NextGen Series this term. Born in Tramore, County Waterford. Played every game in Villa’s run to the FA Youth Cup final in 2009-10. Formed an impressive central defensive partnership with Daniel Devine as Villa won their section of the Barclays Premier Academy League last season – also boasting the best defensive record. Mainly operates at centre-back but can also play full-back.
Daniel Devine (18 years old, defender): Dublin-born central defender who also played in the run to the FA Youth Cup final in 2009-10, scoring in the quarter-final win at Fulham and in the first leg of the final against Chelsea at Villa Park. Alongside Williams helped Villa achieve the best defensive record in the Academy League last season (as above). His football hero is Villa and Ireland legend Paul McGrath.
Stephen Ireland (25 years old, midfielder): Stephen moved to Manchester City from Cobh Ramblers in his native Cork in 2001. After making 167 appearances for City, including a brilliant season in 2008-09, he moved to Villa in 2010. The slick-passing, creative midfielder has begun to show the form that made him Manchester City Supporters’ Player of the Year in 2009, and recently won Man of the Match honours against Everton and in the New Year’s Eve victory against Chelsea.
Ciaran Clark (22 years old, midfielder): Ciaran has won two international caps for the Republic of Ireland to date. Born in Harrow, he captained England U20 before declaring for the Republic of Ireland. He has come through the ranks at Villa and made 32 appearances for the first-team so far. He has scored five goals, including two against Arsenal and a last-minute equaliser against Chelsea in the 2010-11 season, and a brilliant solo effort against Bristol Rovers in the FA Cup in 2012. He can play in both defence and attack, having operated in the middle of the field, at centre half and at left back this season.
Samir Carruthers (18 years old, forward/winger): Plays international football for Republic of Ireland U19s despite being born in Islington. Operates as a wide player or just off the striker. Played for Arsenal as a schoolboy before opting to sign an academy scholarship with Villa. Also played in the aforementioned Youth Cup run. Broke into the reserves last term, scoring four goals in 11 appearances. Also scored six times for the U18s en route to the Barclays Premier Academy League Group B title. This season he scored the first goal of Villa’s NextGen campaign in the 4-0 win over Fenerbahce at Villa Park. Also scored for the reserves in wins over Arsenal and Bolton this term. Signed a one-year professional contract in May.
Graham Burke (18 years old, forward/winger): Dublin-born player who has been deployed up front or wide on the left. Burst on to the scene with the first goal of Villa’s pre-season campaign in July 2010, playing alongside the likes of Luke Young, Carlos Cuellar, Marc Albrighton in a friendly against non-league Basingstoke. Went on to score 14 goals in all competitions (reserves, Academy league and FA Youth Cup). Scored against Peterborough, Leeds and Middlesbrough in Villa’s run to the FA Youth Cup semi-final last term. Scored two goals in 4-1 NextGen Series win over Rosenborg at Villa Park this term. Made the bench for Villa’s Carling Cup tie against Bolton in September – the day before his 18th birthday. Made the first team bench for the Barclays Premier League game against Liverpool in December.
Robbie Keane (31 years old, striker): Robbie is the current Republic of Ireland captain, the record international goalscorer for the Republic and sits third in the all-time caps list, behind Kevin Kilbane and Villa teammate Shay Given. He is the fourth highest active international goalscorer, with 53 goals in his 114 games. He has played for several top clubs, including Inter Milan, Liverpool and Tottenham Hotspur. Most recently he was part of the LA Galaxy team, also featuring David Beckham and Landon Donovan, that won the MLS Cup.
Michael Drennan (17 years old, striker): Kilkenny-born striker. Fox-in-the-box type striker who scored 10 goals in the Barclays Premier Academy League last season to help Villa win the Group B section. Also scored once for the reserves. Signed his first pro-contract on his 17th birthday last February, shortly after being named the Republic of Ireland U16s Player of the Year. Went on to earn a call-up for Ireland U17s Euro Championship Elite qualification group. This season he scored in the NextGen Series victory over Rosenborg. Also bagged goals against Swansea and Arsenal for the reserves. Had huge potential as a hurling player as a young boy before signing for Villa to pursue his Premier League dream.
See the print edition tomorrow, Saturday January 21, for the full story.
Source: http://feeds.examiner.ie/~r/iesportsblog/~3/0UD7UeyWoxk/post.aspx
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