McCarthy selected for Ireland Squad

Tuesday, 16 May, 2017 55comments  |  Jump to most recent
James McCarthy has been selected for Ireland despite being out injured for the past two months, as he looks to recover fully from the persistent hamstring injury that has devastated his season for Everton.

Martin O'Neill justifies his selection of the defender on the basis that McCarthy is returning to full training this week, and the World Cup qualifiers do not take place until next month.

However, the Ireland manager has admitted that he is open to giving James McCarthy the summer off, but only if the midfielder insists that he would benefit from taking an extended break.

The Republic of Ireland play friendlies against Mexico and Uruguay before the World Cup qualifier against Austria, and even though O'Neill is hopeful that McCarthy will be involved, he hasn't ruled out allowing the Everton player to recover from a persistent hamstring injury.

"Absolutely," O'Neill said when asked if McCarthy could be given the summer off. "We have to accept there is no point in bringing somebody who is half-fit. If he thinks at the end of the week 'no, these games are too early', I don't have a problem."

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McCarthy has not played for Everton since coming off the bench against Spurs on March 5 yet was still called up to the national team squad to face Wales, only to injured himself in the warm up, prompting a flare up in the club versus country row between the Blues and Ireland.

Koeman accused O'Neill of not protecting McCarthy while the Irish boss reacted angrily, calling the Everton manager the “master tactician of the blame game” in a statement issued the following day.

Aiden McGeady, who is reported to be negotiating a permanent switch to current loan club, Preston North End, has also been called up to O'Neill's 37-man squad.

 

Reader Comments (55)

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Jimmy Salt
1 Posted 16/05/2017 at 16:43:31
If he goes he must be sold.
David Pearl
2 Posted 16/05/2017 at 16:44:22
Of course he has. Sell him. Now!!!
Chris Gould
3 Posted 16/05/2017 at 16:45:39
I think Koeman and O'Neill should settle this with a charity MMA fight. No eye gouges or headbutts, but everything else goes.
Kieran Kinsella
4 Posted 16/05/2017 at 17:12:03
I could understand O'Neill's desperation if McCarthy offered something special. For example, if he was a Bale or Ramsey type in the Wales set up.

The fact is that Ireland are overloaded with scrappy midfielders like McCarthy. They lack in every other part of the field. So why the constant battle to pick a half-fit McCarthy?

Charlie Lloyd
5 Posted 16/05/2017 at 17:22:45
Kieran @ 4

He's picking him because he's angling for another argument with Koeman.

I've always accepted he's a passionate manager and he's never really bothered me but O'Neill's actions over this season have been downright childish.

Using McCarthy as a pawn in his game, though the player should be big enough to just say bugger off, is pathetic.

Guy Hastings
6 Posted 16/05/2017 at 17:25:52
A bit surprised O'Neill isn't thinking of giving Coleman a run out.
Paul Newton
7 Posted 16/05/2017 at 17:26:38
This is ridiculous. I would have thought the answer is obvious for anyone with half a brain. STAY AT HOME!!! If he goes, I'd be very surprised if we see him play for Everton again.
James Hughes
8 Posted 16/05/2017 at 17:31:54
Guy, He did check his fitness and was disappointed he was not available.

You will no doubt see Roy Keane berating Everton on being difficult and hampering team selection.

Chris Williams
9 Posted 16/05/2017 at 17:32:50
In fairness, on this occasion he has openly left the decision up to James for all to see.

Very clearly down to him, particularly if Koeman doesn't pick him for the Arsenal game.

Nobody knows what his motivation is in picking him, and I've been critical of the ongoing treatment by Ireland, but this is effectively giving James the chance to say "No thanks, I need to rest before pre-season."

Over to you, James.

Shaun Taylor
10 Posted 16/05/2017 at 17:38:29
What next? Put in Coleman on one leg for Ireland. O'Neill is a joke.
Ian Bennett
11 Posted 16/05/2017 at 17:39:34
Cash in, and put the money to better use.
John Daley
12 Posted 16/05/2017 at 17:46:06
I've got no time at all for Martin O'Neill (and, interesting-ish fact): I once had a late night slanging match with the man in the bar of a Marriot hotel, back when he was Aston Villa boss). However, he has in this instance magnanimously given McCarthy an easy 'out'.

Now, some may suggest he's being slightly underhand by shifting the emphasis to make a decision solely onto the player, but at least the option is there to sit these games out if McCarthy is prepared to speak up.

Paul Holmes
14 Posted 16/05/2017 at 17:50:04
Good idea for Everton and Koeman to let him play for Ireland because he has missed so many games for us, he needs to play so another club will have confidence in his fitness to buy him. If he was rested, it might put clubs off buying this sicknote. Get rid asap!
Steve Ferns
15 Posted 16/05/2017 at 18:06:10
Ha-ha... it's not April Fool's, is it?
John Pierce
16 Posted 16/05/2017 at 18:06:57
The scenery may change, the persons involved may vary but this argument always comes down to the player and if they have the gumption to stand up for what they want.

In McCarthy's case he has a chronic injury which severely limits his style of game and will ultimately either shorten his career or end it prematurely. Surely for him that must be his first consideration and hence find a specialist who can help him.

I have no real affinity with the player but he should be adult enough to look after his body, his ability to earn. To date, I cannot see any evidence of that. This just seems like international call-up groundhog day.

Dermot Byrne
17 Posted 16/05/2017 at 19:05:51
Does this have any bearing on Ross? Is it Koeman's fault? (Sorry being silly)

Or is it just that McCarthy is more loyal to his national team than his club? Some are.

Oliver Molloy
18 Posted 16/05/2017 at 19:10:25
Hopefully it won't be our problem in the next wee while as McCarthy is definitely For Sale to whoever wants him.

The club will be lucky to recoup the £13 million odd.

Tony Abrahams
19 Posted 16/05/2017 at 19:26:35
I hope McCarthy gets himself fit and stays, especially if we are not going to get more than we paid for him in this soon to be crazy, inflated transfer market.
Colin Glassar
20 Posted 16/05/2017 at 20:10:28
Can't we just sell him to O'Neill and Keane?
Eugene Ruane
21 Posted 16/05/2017 at 20:21:31
Keane: "What do you think boss?"

Link

O'Neil: "Fit!"

McCarthy: "HUMMMPPHAH!!"

Keane: "What did he say?"

O'Neil: "Hurrah!...I think."

Bob Skelton
22 Posted 16/05/2017 at 21:24:03
O'Neill has just ordered a mobility scooter for Seamus, runs on hot air and bile.
Christy Ring
23 Posted 16/05/2017 at 21:34:18
McCarthy and the Everton medical team have to get to the root of the persistent hamstring problem, during the summer, and sort it out once and for all. A fully fit McCarthy next season, especially when we need a big squad, with the Europa League as well, would be a huge plus.

If he decides to join the Irish squad, it's bye bye, James.

Joe Foster
24 Posted 16/05/2017 at 21:43:19
Ha ha, of course he has. Let him go – it's not like he is doing anything anyway.
Oliver Molloy
25 Posted 16/05/2017 at 21:52:20
Doesn't matter what he does, Christy, he's for sale... and if Everton get an offer they are willing to accept, he will be gone, and rightly so in my opinion.
Pete Edwards
26 Posted 16/05/2017 at 22:16:36
Come on, John, you can't leave us dangling... what happened with you and O'Neill??
Peter Lee
27 Posted 16/05/2017 at 22:36:09
Can't see what all the fuss is about.

He's back in training so more training and some competition will either tone him up or reveal that the hamstring remains a mystery problem.

In the first instance, we are assured that he is fit to return to pre-season training and so is any potential suitor.

In the second, it gives us an opportunity to get to the bottom of it rather than have to do so in July.

Win-win in my view. The irritating O'Neill and Keane duo is irrelevant.

Rob Dolby
28 Posted 16/05/2017 at 22:49:51
Going.. going.. gone... to West Brom for £12 mil in the summer. Enjoy lots of sideways and backwards passing and the occasional nosebleed in the opposition half. Give Joe Williams his shirt and move on.
John Raftery
29 Posted 16/05/2017 at 22:58:04
James has made 8 starts and 5 substitute appearances in all competitions this season. He has been plagued with hamstring problems since 2014 and I have almost given up hope of seeing him return to peak fitness and form.

I agree with Peter (#27) we have nothing to lose and everything to gain from seeing how he performs for Ireland.

Matthew Salem
30 Posted 16/05/2017 at 23:26:45
Guy (#6):

Thanks, mate. I have been pissing myself for a minute over your comment. Just what I needed before getting ready to run the stairs. :)

James Stewart
31 Posted 16/05/2017 at 23:43:21
Sell him to Ireland.
Will Mabon
32 Posted 17/05/2017 at 03:53:06
This has now become a pantomime, surely it's deliberate?
Ian Jones
33 Posted 17/05/2017 at 04:18:27
Will, oh no it hasn't

Sorry, couldn't resist...

Will Mabon
34 Posted 17/05/2017 at 05:17:43
Oh yes it
Tim Sharpe
35 Posted 17/05/2017 at 08:37:00
Puts him in the transfer window, I suppose, but really???
Shane Corcoran
36 Posted 17/05/2017 at 10:13:52
35 comments and no mention of his accent.

C'mon lads, although I did enjoy Charlie Lloyd's post claiming that O'Neill is only picking him so he can have a row with Koeman. Priceless.

Jim Bennings
37 Posted 17/05/2017 at 11:37:33
Move him on to Newcastle if they offer anywhere near £15 million for him!

Loved him in his first 18 months here but he's too dogged by injuries now and frankly I'm sick and tired of talking about defensive midfielders, and don't even get me started on the Ireland / Martin O'Neill saga!!

Steavey Buckley
38 Posted 17/05/2017 at 12:39:01
McCarthy has been 'back in training' all season but still has dodgy hamstrings.
Peter Fearon
39 Posted 17/05/2017 at 14:48:53
McCarthy is the kind of player who will try to play out of a sense of obligation, especially if some kind of moral pressure is applied by someone with the Neanderthal mentality of Keane.

Koeman should simply announce that no Everton players will be released to play for the Republic of Ireland until further notice and accept the backlash. What happened to McCarthy and Coleman and for that matter Funes Mori are perfect examples of the Club vs Country conflict.

I'm still not convinced Coleman got the best medical attention after his injury. Everton should have been directly involved along with the FAI. I understand the FAI surgeon who operated on his double leg fracture is actually a hip and knee specialist!

Peter Lee
40 Posted 17/05/2017 at 14:54:45
What does McCarthy's accent have to with it?
Alan J Thompson
41 Posted 17/05/2017 at 14:57:31
Koeman should issue him an ultimatum; Go and you'll be sold!
Frank Wade
42 Posted 17/05/2017 at 15:37:57
Eh, Peter Fearon: "I'm still not convinced Coleman got the best medical attention after his injury."

What on earth are you talking about ? I saw Seamus Coleman walking around Goodison Park last Friday. I would call that remarkable, given his injury. What possible evidence have you got for such a comment?

While I am on here, we now have gobshites in the Irish Media, one Emmett Malone of the Irish Times in an article this morning, making more stupid comments and accusing Koeman and Everton of culpability in the injury situation under the heading:

"Injuries in football: No smoke without fire?"

"Everton have most absentees in the Premier League – including James McCarthy"

"Just now, premierinjuries lists Everton as having more players ruled out than any other club in England"

"Coleman's absence might count as bad luck but Koeman and co. are not, the evidence seems to suggest, in the wrong half of this particular table for nothing."

The evidence for Malone was a cursory glance at a website http://premierinjuries.com/ Link which has a table of Injuries showing Everton leading the way with 9. For Everton, our 9 includes Seamus Coleman and James McCarthy, both injured with the Irish team, the unfortunate Aaron Lennon and unbelievably Calvert-Lewin, Lookman and Connolly included due to their absence ayt the U20 World Cup. Even Joey Barton is listed as injured for Burnley, due to his ban. When we remove those 6 from our list of injuries, we are at 3, with only 3 clubs better off.

I am off to write a strongly worded letter to the Irish Times.

Shane Corcoran
43 Posted 17/05/2017 at 16:35:08
Peter (#40), on previous threads, points were made relating to McCarthy not being Irish etc – some of which referred to him as the lad with the Scottish accent.
Mike Gaynes
44 Posted 17/05/2017 at 17:00:13
Peter Fearon (#39), your brand of bollocks is a regular source of entertainment here, but you have achieved the apex of pure bullshit with that comment.

Coleman's surgery was performed by John O'Byrne and Gary O'Toole. Here is their bio info from the Irish Institute of Trauma and Orthopaedic Surgery:

"Professor John O'Byrne, MCh, FRCSI, FRCS(Tr & Orth), FFSEM, FFSEM(UK), Consultant Orthopaedic Surgeon at Cappagh National Orthopaedic Hospital, Consultant Orthopaedic Surgeon at Mater Private Hospital, Abraham Colles Professor of Trauma and Orthopaedic Surgery at Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland.

He is founder and Director of the Masters in Surgery Degree (MCh) at Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland. He established the first undergraduate Musculo-skeletal Module in Ireland, to introduce undergraduate students to Orthopaedic medicine and surgery. Professor O'Byrne supervises the education of in excess of 350 RCSI and 300 UCD Undergraduate medical students each year at Cappagh National Orthopaedic Hospital. Professor O'Byrne and research colleagues, has been awarded research funds from the EU in excess of €1.2m and Professor O'Byrne continues to innovate and research and also facilitate and supervise the research of his students."

"Gary O'Toole, Consultant Orthopaedic Surgeon specialising in Hip, Knee, Sports Injuries, Tumours. BSc (Hons) MB BAO BCh (Hons). BMedSci MCh AFRCSI FRCS (Tr & Orth), was appointed as a consultant orthopaedic surgeon to St Vincent's University Hospital in 2004.

He is a graduate of UCD (1996) and completed his Internship and basic surgical training in St Vincent's University Hospital (1996-99). His orthopaedic training was on the Irish Specialist Training Programme in Orthopaedic Surgery (1999-2004). He then completed two specialist fellowship training programmes. The first in adult hip and knee reconstruction in the Mater Hospital in Sydney, Australia; the second in orthopaedic oncology in Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center in New York, USA. He has an interest in adult arthritis (both hip and knee) and knee sports injuries. He also has a keen interest in musculoskeletal cancer (bone and soft tissue tumours). He is actively involved in teaching and enjoys a position of Clinical Lecturer in the School of Medicine in UCD. He is widely published in orthopaedics and is a member of numerous academic societies. Retired Irish Olympic swimmer."

Now, Peter, do be so kind as to post YOUR resume here. Can't wait to be dazzled with your qualifications for being "still not convinced Coleman got the best medical attention after his injury".

Geez Louise.

Shane Corcoran
45 Posted 17/05/2017 at 17:17:53
Ha, I hadn't even noticed Peter's post. Just when you thought a McCarthy thread couldn't get any more ridiculous.

And Mike hasn't even mentioned the part about not releasing any more players to Ireland. Is he going to lock them up? I'd say he'd do well to hold Seamus back.

Will Mabon
46 Posted 17/05/2017 at 19:12:51
Frank (post 42) – thanks for that.

That Irish Times item is a very relevant example of the danger of spin, or bullshit if preferred, and how a little digging past the prima facie stage can reveal a very different truth.

Frank Wade
47 Posted 17/05/2017 at 21:17:43
Yes, indeed, Will and I just realised that Funes Mori was injured playing for Argentina, so Koeman is now only 'responsible' for Bolasie and Stekelenburg out of the 'injured' 9. Not bad at all.
Ernie Baywood
48 Posted 17/05/2017 at 22:53:35
It's not exactly a surprise, and doesn't even particularly concern me from an Everton perspective. I highly doubt we'll see him in blue again.

From a general football perspective, it looks like O'Neill is trying to put pressure on the player. It's up to McCarthy to now make decisions about his career. Decisions he seems to have avoided so far.

Shane Corcoran
49 Posted 18/05/2017 at 12:30:23
As an aside, with our early start to the Europa League and with Davies not going to the U-19 Euros (?) this summer, wouldn't it be an idea to have rested him last week and then again on Sunday?

We can't improve our position so it makes little sense to me to be using him, and others, considering Koeman's attitude to players being overplayed.

Dick Fearon
50 Posted 18/05/2017 at 20:49:07
Manure players under SAF were noted for playing the old soldier when Ireland needed them. Among them was Roy Keane himself.
Oliver Molloy
51 Posted 19/05/2017 at 22:41:29
So McCarthy has decided he will not join up with the RoI squad. He will focus on getting himself fit and ready for pre-season according to Koeman, who also said that he wants to keep the player because, when he is fit, he is a staring player!

I still think he will be sold as soon as we receive the right offer and McCarthy proves his fitness.

Tony Hill
52 Posted 19/05/2017 at 23:02:28
Oliver, if McCarthy gets properly fit and stays, it will be a massive boost for us. I am in a minority here on TW (though I see Christy Ring's comments above) in regarding him as an excellent player with much still to offer us.

Aged 26 and, at his best, one of the finest defensive midfielders in the premier league (and with untapped attacking capacity), I am baffled that he is so routinely underrated by our fans.

True, of course, his injury record is wretched and he has suffered in form accordingly, but he was fundamentally important to us in some games this season when his enforced departure caused us immediate problems.

He's a potential top man as far as I'm concerned; if he's decided to concentrate on his fitness for us, and can actually get fit, then that's great news.

I'm sceptical because of the dodgy hamstrings but, like Ronald, I'm hoping for the best.

James Flynn
53 Posted 20/05/2017 at 03:33:48
I see McCarthy has decided not to play for his national team's next games.
Dave Abrahams
54 Posted 20/05/2017 at 16:11:39
Tony (#52), I also am a big fan of James McCarthy. You might be surprised, Tony, by how many people like this midfielder, although you are right, not many show it on ToffeeWeb.

He can be a solid player for Everton next season. There could be 50 to 60 games to play next season so he will be needed.

Peter Gorman
55 Posted 20/05/2017 at 16:23:23
Dave, there have been other games but I recall watching McCarthy play the box-to-box role in Unsy's solitary game in charge and he was just excellent.

He could indeed be more to us than a defensive midfielder but sadly it seems running about makes his hamstrings go 'pop'.

Will Mabon
56 Posted 21/05/2017 at 01:14:47
Rumours now of several interested Premier League clubs, and a £20 million price tag.

If this guy had more rugged hamstrings, he could be one of the best midfielders in this league.


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