McIlroy leaves Stockport

Northern Ireland’s Sammy McIlroy has parted company with Stockport County by ‘mutual consent’.
“I am very disappointed to be leaving Stockport as I have put everything into trying to turn the club around,” said McIlroy.
“I would like to take this opportunity to thank my players and staff, and also to thank the fans whose support has been fantastic. Stockport County is a good club that deserves to succeed and I wish them all the very best in the future.”

McIlroy dismisses sack reports

Despite reports that Stockport County are on the verge of sacking manager Sammy McIlroy, the former Northern Ireland manager has denied suggestions that he’ll soon be parting company with the club. McIlroy didn’t attend training yesterday (Tuesday), and the BBC claim that an announcement about his departure will be made tomorrow.
SM: “I’m still the manager of Stockport and right now I’ve got no intention of leaving, I’m quite happy to stay.”

Oops…

Roy Carroll’s position as number 1 at Manchester United is under threat after he made a howler during their 2-1 Champions League victory over Lyon at Old Trafford tonight. Carroll has repeatedly refused to sign a new contract with United because he fears he won’t remain in Alex Ferguson’s first team plans for long, and Carroll’s assertion will be tested now after he let a tame shot from outside the box bounce off his arms and roll into the net.

Steve Davis: First start for Villa and MOTM

Northern Ireland’s Steven Davis was handed his first start for Aston Villa last night as they beat Tottenham 1-0 to move above Manchester United to 5th in the league. A surging run from the 19 year old midfielder won the corner from which Villa scored. Davis had made his first team debut for Villa in September against Norwich, and included in the Northern Ireland squad for the match against Switzerland in August.
Reaction:
Villa Fans:
- “Davis: 9- Would of been 3 based on the first 20 minutes. Really was little boy lost running in circles. After that, well what can I say…will be a villa regular within 12 months.”
- “Davis – 9 Brilliant. Looked a fish out of water for the first 10 miutes but grew in confidence and ended up looking like Juninho! Some of his flicks and fancy football was awesome!”
Juan Pablo Angel:
“It was a great debut by Steven against very good players and he was so confident and sharp and I think he is going to do well.
It is vital young players do well because there’s not much strength in depth. They have to take the chances when they come and he played very well.”
The lad himself:
“I’ve been in the last 10 or 11 squads, so it’s nice to get a start.
“Hopefully it will give the manager something to think about when he’s picking his next team but Lee Hendrie has been on form this season and is scoring a few goals. The gaffer has given me a chance to show what I can do. My game’s about getting on the ball and knitting things together with the strikers and that’s what happened.
“I got a few early touches which gave me confidence. I heard my name being announced as man of the match with a few minutes left, so that was a nice treat, too.”

The Weekend

Philip Mulryne made his first start for Norwich City this season – and it coincideded with their first win, against Southampton. Healy scored again. Feeney scored for Stockport but they lost. Stuart Elliott was on target for Hull. Andy Kirk is still injured, and Boston United were left rueing his absence after a penalty miss cost them the points. Grant McCann scored for Cheltenham, although countryman Alan Fettis was at fault for the goal. Steve Jones came on in the 88th minute for Crewe but still managed a goal.

Feeney shows Smith how it’s done

- Andy Smith made his debut for Stockport today against Huddersfield Town, but it was countryman Warren Feeney who took the plaudits after scoring a brace. Feeney has only been selected in a Northern Ireland squad once by Lawrie Sanchez – and that because of injury – but Smith seems to command a place in the squad. Stockport were already ahead after a Danny Griffin corner had been headed home, before Smith set up Feeney to double Stockport’s lead. Feeney added another on the stroke of half-time in a game The Hatters eventually won 3-1.
- In the English Premiership, Michael Hughes headed in an equaliser for Crystal Palace against Liverpool at Anfield, but the home side went on to win 3-2.
- Meanwhile Alan Blayney won’t exactly be full of confidence after Southampton brought in American goalkeeper Kasey Keller to replace him. The diplomatic report on the official Saints’ website puts it like this:
“Third-choice keeper Alan Blayney has deputised in the last two matches and has proved a good shot-stopper.
But the Northern Ireland Under 21 international is still young and raw and Saints urgently need a commanding figure between the posts.
Although the transfer window is closed, they have been granted special dispensation by the Premier League to bring in Keller loan while Niemi recovers from knee surgery and Smith is sidelined by a thumb injury. And fourth-choice Michael Poke is still recovering from a broken finger – but has still had to sit on the bench for the last two games.”
- Finally, Tony Capaldi made his comeback for Plymouth Argyle today after his injury, coming on as a substitute in the second half of their 1-0 defeat to Stoke City.

Ferguson hopes for Carroll change of heart

Alex Ferguson’s recent efforts to persuade goalkeeper Roy Carroll to sign a new contract has culminated in a plea in his program notes for last night’s 2-0 Carling Cup win over Crystal Palace. Carroll is currently Number 1 at Manchester United but he isn’t convinced that he will remain ahead of American Tim Howard in the pecking order and is prepared to move so he will be guaranteed first team football. If he did leave United, Royston would have no lack of suitors – Everton are said to be looking for a long term replacement for Nigel Martyn (Richard Wright out of favour or what?) and Real Madrid and Barcelona have also been mentioned – although the cynical United fans would point to Carroll’s agent rather than any real prospect of a move.
Ferguson said:
“Roy doesn’t let you down; he is a steadying influence at the back.”
“We have made Roy the offer of a new contract that his agent has turned down. We hope there will be a change of mind and that he will stay. We were recently linked with five keepers, and not one was right. I can assure you that we are not looking for a keeper.”
“At the moment Roy is the first choice because he has performed well and he has never let us down.”
Needless to say, Northern Ireland’s number 2 wasn’t involved in last night’s Mickey Mouse encounter.

Smith loaned to Stockport

With Stockport County rooted to the bottom of League One and calls for the sacking of boss Sammy McIlroy, the former Northern Ireland manager has brought in Andy Smith on a month’s loan from Preston. Preston moved quickly to sign Smith ahead of MK Dons over the summer, but he has failed to make an impact for them and has yet to score. He will link up with countrymen Danny Griffin and Warren Feeney. Feeney joined County from Bournemouth in the summer and had a dream start, but Sammy McIlroy’s side have failed to find the net much recently.

Healy brace, Kirk hattrick, Blayney starts

David Healy scored his first two goals from Leeds United as they beat his old club Preston 4-2 on Saturday. Boston striker Andy Kirk went one better however and netted a hat-trick for Boston United, away to Kidderminster. Kirk didn’t seem to have much of an international future after he moved to Boston in the summer after being released by Hearts because of their financial troubles. Kirk had offers from Division Two (League One) clubs but opted to move to League Two and a better paid contract at Boston. The former Glentoran striker has been in fine form for Boston and has now scored 8 goals in 9 appearances. With James Quinn’s suspension looming and Paul McVeigh’s decision to absent himself in body as well as spirit, Kirk’s inclusion in the next Northern Ireland squad looks inevitable.
Southampton were forced to play 3rd choice goalkeeper Alan Blayney on Saturday against West Brom. Sadly however Blayney had nowhere near the impact he had when given a similar chance against Newcastle last season, and the NI U23 keeper was at fault for West Brom’s first goal.
Things are looking up for Northern Ireland winger Keith Gillespie at the minute. Under Mickey Adams, Gillespie hadn’t started at Leicester since January, but now the Foxes have installed ex-Hearts boss Craig Levein and he has started Keith in his first two matches in charge – a draw with Crewe and win over Coventry. Gillespie was only on standby for the last Northern Ireland squad but was recalled due to the amount of injuries we had.
Oh aye, and the site of the Maze is now the official site for the construction of our new national stadium.

Last week’s news

McVeigh’s committment to the cause hits a new level:
Paul McVeigh has decided to ‘take a break’ from his international career. The 26 year old striker had been no stranger to withdrawing from the squad frequently in the past, but his club manager Nigel Worthington usually took most of the blame. Now however the gloves are off and although, in my opinion at least, he was a useful asset to have on the bench, you’ll be hard pressed to find a single Northern Ireland fan who ever wants to see him back.
Steve Jones linked with a move:
Steve Jones was talking last week about clubs being interested in him, with Blackburn being the one he was most ‘excited’ by. You’re always a bit suspicious when it’s the players themselves talking about these things, but a move could be good for the pacey Londonderry born forward.
Ingham loaned to Doncaster
Sunderland keeper Michael Ingham has been loaned to League One side Doncaster for a month’s loan to get him some first team football.