Potential Irish storylines to be written across FA Cup third-round weekend
The action starts on Thursday night, when Rocco Vata might be in the Watford squad travelling to Fulham, while
Jake O’Brien is probably going to play for Everton.
The FA Cup third round weekend has grown into a five-day extravaganza and continues to give Irish players a chance
to get a scalp or play time.
Qualifiers from the first two rounds will compete against Premier League and Championship teams from Thursday
to Monday in order to advance to the round of 32.
Not in the league It is a mismatch for Tamworth to host Tottenham Hotspur on Sunday. It is impossible for Ange
Postecoglou to consider sneaking in. Sean Dyche will do the same against Peterborough, a third-tier team, on
Thursday.
Manchester City, denied another double in last year’s final, welcome neighbours Salford City and their gallery of
stars from Manchester United’s golden area into the directors box.
Here we look at some of the potential Irish storylines, opportunities for the top-flight idle to become active and
others in the lower reaches to strike a punt at toppling a giant.
The winger wasn’t waiting around Celtic for an opening, quitting the former club of his Dad Rudi in the summer
after just six appearances.
Watford is notorious for its volatility but the Ireland U21 attacker has so far racked up 18 appearances, bagging his
first two goals in December too, gradually working his way into contention for senior promotion.
Rudi hasn’t ruled out Albania as an alternative route and another masterclass against Premier League opposition
could stiffen the competition.
When O’Brien tweeted “can’t wait to get started” following his summer move from Lyon, the expectation was for
more than 214 minutes by the midway stage of the season.
A mere four involvements, two as a sub in the league and another pair in the League Cup, amount to the centre-
back’s participation.
That the team is immersed in another relegation battle only deepens the frustration, amplifying the importance of
the 23-year-old grasping any morsel of opportunity.
He’s overdue this selection.
Long-serving captain Séamus Conneely (36) will hope to lead the team out at Anfield but another ex-Galway United
player, 14 years younger, will also relish the stage.
Limerick-born Costelloe was the shock inclusion in Vincent Kompany’s managerial debut at Burnley two-and-a-half
years ago but has since undertaken four loan spells, the latest with League One Accrington.
A dangerous attacker with a turn of pace, he may have to prove his fitness to feature against the Premier League leaders.
Romantic notions of Wayne Rooney finally untapping the potential of fellow striker Obafemi during their spell at
Plymouth soon perished.
Just two goals, the last in early November, have been delivered by the Irish striker and Plymouth being marooned at
the foot of the table cost Rooney his job last week.
It may well be the case that Obafemi is marked by his compatriot Nathan Collins in this Cup clash but the chances
are running out for the 24-year-old to produce the goods.
Plymouth Argyle’s Michael Obafemi celebrates scoring.
Barry Roche is not a player, but his contribution will be essential to Morecambe’s plans to undermine Chelsea’s
power at Stamford Bridge.
Before retiring in 2020 to become a goalkeeping coach on staff, the former goalie for Brian Kerr’s youth Ireland
squad spent 12 years as the team’s top goalkeeper.
As the second-bottom team in League Two, they have had a difficult season under manager Derek Adams. The
challenge will be expanded if you try to restrain a Premier League squad that is ranked fourth.
Cork native O’Connor came within 15 minutes of dumping Tottenham out of the FA Cup three years ago when his
goal had Morecambe ahead at White Hart Lane.
They couldn’t hold on but, with the club he joined 12 months later, he’s plotting Harrogate’s downfall of Yorkshire
neighbours Leeds United.
That’s an uphill task against the Championship leaders but O’Connor leads by example as captain, veteran and
towering centre-back.
Negru was still an amateur player when lining out for Damien Duff’s Shelbourne in the 2022 FAI Cup final.
Oxford United swooped for a bargain purchase and the defender, still only 22, has spent this season on loan at the
club owned by Manchester United’s Class of ’92.
Also eligible for Moldova, he was in contention for Ireland’s U21s before drifting overage. Marking Erling Haaland
ought to supply an insight as to his capabilities.
Only for the wondrous goalscoring intervention of their ‘keeper against Oldham, the League One outfit wouldn’t be
sharing the stage with Championship stock today.
Keeley – on loan from Tottenham Hotspur for the season – channelled Jimmy Glass with his late headed equaliser
but it’s his hands and feet that have been most beneficial to his temporary club.
The side languishing 16th in the Conference have nothing to lose against a Spurs side in wretched form.
Although Tamworth’s two Irish players only participated in one FAI underage camp each after claiming their
ethnicity, they could play a significant role in this match.
A third, Ronan Maher, a Walsall loanee, had his spectacular day cut short by injury.
Alan Dunne’s Newcastle United vs. Bromley game, 3 p.m.
Another member of the underdog who doesn’t play is trying to plan a surprise. During his 22 years at Millwall,
Dunne was renowned for being a strong opponent.
Although his dream of playing for Ireland never came true, the Dublin native is still active in the sport and, as assistant coach, has helped Bromley surpass the barrier to promotion into the football league.
Read more news on https://sportupdates.co.uk/
Leave a Reply