David Connolly
@MrDavidConnolly
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Ex footballer-Watford/Feyenoord/Wimbledon/West Ham/Leicester/ Wigan/Sunderland/Southampton/ Portsmouth and 🇮🇪Ireland -UEFA Pro Licence/LMA Diploma/BA(Hons)1st
Joined February 2020
Who’s playing me? Danny DeVito?.
Steve Coogan to Play Mick McCarthy, Éanna Hardwicke Cast as Roy Keane in 'Saipan' Film About Irish Soccer Icon's Infamous World Cup Walkout (EXCLUSIVE)
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Unboxed more treasure…I kept a video diary of the 2002 World Cup 🇮🇪 and recorded hours of footage, it was a great bit of fun. The camera passed to lads injured to record training/ downtime and even the moments just before, and just after, Roy and Mick had their fall out…
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De Klassieker today as 2nd placed @AFCAjax hosted 1st @Feyenoord-just three points separated them- winning away v Ajax in the @eredivisie is rare for Feyenoord, only 3 times in 36 yrs,make that 4 now, below in 2001 as we won 3-4 and I bagged a couple- 20,000 fans at De Kuip now
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Best of luck to @SunderlandAFC tonight against Luton Town- fingers crossed for a result like the one in May 2007 as we won 0-5, I grabbed the last goal, and we secured the @SkyBetChamp- two bairns born in Sunderland Royal and the north east will always hold a special place- 🤞
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Roma spent around €1.4 billion since 2000-Feyenoord again running them close- incredible against the odds achievement by @Feyenoord to once more be competing at such a high level after selling the likes of Sinisterra, Senesi and Malacia from the side that lost narrowly in May 🔝
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Best of luck to @Pompey tonight. A long road that has had so many twists and turns, is nearly at an end with promotion to The Championship. A fantastic football club.
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I have been asked how many times I went to Lansdowne Road as a child- I never did- though I could tell you how many times I was at the GAA pitches of London/ Ireland, too many to mention…here with my late dad and his three brothers togged out for Brian Borus,me in my 80s jumper!
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27 years ago today! Honour to represent @Feyenoord in the @ChampionsLeague at Old Trafford, a few months out of my teens. Tough group with Juventus too. Win v Juve at home was special, Zidane, Del Piero, Deschamps etc, I was sub for that. Veel succes today v @SLBenfica 🤝
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Gefeliciteerd @Feyenoord ik ben so blij voor jullie allemaal , ongelofelijk voetbalclub- je fans moeten so trots zien 🤝
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I know Wilson will look to make amends and the @SunderlandAFC fans will back him to do so. His comments show he cares. The best thing to do is support him and know he took the responsibility. That character will be vital for the rest of the season for @SunderlandAFC 🤞.
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The split second decision to think what is best for the team. Any delay weakens the team. All eyes on you. If you don’t take it, the responsibility lands on someone else. This is where you build character. You can’t get it from reading a book. @SunderlandAFC 🤞
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Best of luck to @Feyenoord today in De Klassieker against Ajax- the last training season before the game is always special with fans, flares and thousands in attendance, often temporary stands are built to accommodate the public, unlike anything else, so special 🤝
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What a season this was. Loved playing for @SunderlandAFC, fantastic time. The chant the fans had for me, my all time favourite ❤️.
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De Klassieker to be resumed from the 55th Minute score at 0-3 to @Feyenoord on Wednesday 27th September behind closed doors/ broken doors/ no doors
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I’m one of the the six!.
Wishing our fourth highest goalscorer of all time Don Givens a very happy 75th birthday 💚🥳. His hat-trick in a 3-0 win over USSR in 1974 makes him one of only six Senior Ireland Men's internationals to claim the match ball in a competitive fixture ⚽️⚽️⚽️
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Talk that Heimir Hallgrímsson isn’t attending any @premierleague games today. I just worked an itinerary. Flight ☘️leaves 7.20am Dublin to Southampton, 12.30pm KO. See chat to Smallbone, Manning, Bazunu. 30 mile drive to Brighton 3pm KO to see Ferguson/ Mahoney, may miss KO
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I was at Reading v Sunderland in September for @talkSPORT when Sunderland scored the goal of the season, building from the back with Jack Clarke finishing off a superb move but I took a few other things on board after talking to some of the @SunderlandAFC staff…👇.
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Found some used hurleys. Some were made by Tom Murphy Hurleys in Glenmore and must be 40 to 50 years old. The smallest one was given to me when I was a baby, the middle one i had as a child. The rest would have seen some mighty action in the day with Brian Borus
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He was so polite when he swapped shirts in 2002. So well mannered and unassuming, an incredible player.
"We have an extraordinary person as our coach. Barça fans can be proud.". — President @JoanLaportaFCB
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My deepest sympathies to the family of Russell Hargreaves, who sadly passed away over the weekend. A fantastic friend and colleague who will be sorely missed. We spent many games, shows and beers together! His wife and children are foremost in my thoughts at this time. RIP 🙏
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Major clear out sorting more boxes. I kept a football diary. This is from 1995, I was 17. I note the late Billy Bingham came to watch me. So proud, I say, but I only want to play for the Republic. Maybe only second generation born know the loyalty you inherit from your parents🇮🇪
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Dusted these off as well! The shoes the Ireland 🇮🇪 team were kindly given for the homecoming in Phoenix Park and subsequent night out. Can’t wait to put these on again 🔥
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I hope @SunderlandAFC can do it today, former @Rovers boss Tony Mowbray has done a great job- being number two on this list was great to see and what a game and night this was- best of luck Black Cats
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Me at 13 playing for the rep’Irish team in Watford…Born in Willesden, raised on GAA, but loved soccer/Ireland, have never had to prove/care to prove my eligibility to anyone. Evan Ferguson has been asked why he is so committed,lazy journalism but not👇
A brilliant video I stumbled across the other day with some former Irish internationals born in the UK speaking about how much it means to them to represent Ireland !🇮🇪. A top watch that’s includes John Aldridge, Gary Breen, LEE CARSLEY and more.
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Thanks guys. Such a shame for Wilson last night. It takes real guts to take a penalty after missing one already. It can either way. I am sure he will be a great success for the rest of the season for you @SunderlandAFC 🤞
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Been moving boxes and have found a lot of photos of late, if only I was more organised. I was lucky and privileged to receive the @IrelandFootball Young International Player of the Year from the great Franz Beckenbauer. RIP
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If I’m not Brad Pitt from 2006 then the deal is off
Steve Coogan to Play Mick McCarthy, Éanna Hardwicke Cast as Roy Keane in 'Saipan' Film About Irish Soccer Icon's Infamous World Cup Walkout (EXCLUSIVE)
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But they don’t have the tapes!!
Steve Coogan to Play Mick McCarthy, Éanna Hardwicke Cast as Roy Keane in 'Saipan' Film About Irish Soccer Icon's Infamous World Cup Walkout (EXCLUSIVE)
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Dwight Yorke joined @SunderlandAFC the same time as me and was in charge of the Xmas party one year. So off we went to London, to all his favorite spots, we even had our Xmas meal at Nobu. Black cod barely touched, well out of the lads comfort zone, most went to Mc D’s instead 😂
“You can’t borrow him. If you want him, you have to take him to England.”. Dwight Yorke on the extraordinary deal that took him to Aston Villa as a 17-year-old. @DwightnFriends
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This was a fantastic move from last night- one of many- the movement and speed of Kokcu to come out of the shadows and play out 4v3- starting in one six yard box ending in another- fantastic structure @Feyenoord , Kokcu incredible player, Geertruida was excellent last night too.
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Bellinghams Real Madrid lost 0-4 to Barcelona a few weeks ago. Kane’s Bayern lost 4-1 to Barca too but both had 11 players for 90. Pickford’s Everton lost 4-0 to Spurs late August. Shake it off and move on 🇮🇪 these results happen.
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Feest in Rotterdam- eerst @Feyenoord wint @eredivisie nu @excelsiorrdam de degradatie-play-offs vermijden 🎉🎉- what do the experts know 🤣
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Good luck to Troy Parrott signing for AZ Alkmaar. A move like this was discussed many times on @offtheball after his superb spell at @excelsiorrdam . AZ took me to court in 2001 for breach of contract on a proposed transfer. Hopefully Troy gets along better with them than I did!
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@eireguide All down hill from there!! And a small quirk, as a right footer all three goals were scored with my left foot…I did practice and am proud of that.
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Sorry to hear the great Johan Neeskens has passed away. I spent a little time with Johan when he was manager of NEC and I was lucky to have a nice football chat with him. RIP
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Sorry Mick, frustration got the better of me.
Thomas Tuchel broke a toe last night after he kicked a box in his 𝙥𝙧𝙚-𝙢𝙖𝙩𝙘𝙝 team-talk!. For Mick McCarthy, it was a flask of hot coffee after the play-off defeat to Belgium in 1997 and @MrDavidConnolly's red card. ☕️😂. #UCL
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Imagine Lotomba had done what coaches/ parents/ kids shout to “get rid of it” in this position. ❤️ @Feyenoord showing the way.
Lotomba die in de 87e minuut, bij een 2-3 achterstand, vanaf zijn eigen achterlijn even Haaland passeert.
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A top midfielder who can build up from the back with both feet/ break lines from the middle third to the final third/ his passing range and ball handling speed superb, plus his best season so far for goals- huge loss @Feyenoord if and when he leaves- underrated I feel 🔝.
🥇| Liverpool are one of a number of Premier League clubs to scout Feyenoord’s 22-year-old midfielder Orkun Kokcu. [@telegraaf]
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Great day this. Coming back from 2-0 down. Two fine goals and a packed away end as usual. Happy days @SunderlandAFC.
#OnThisDay in 2006: @BurnleyOfficial 2-2 @SunderlandAFC . ⚽️ @MrDavidConnolly . #SAFC | #HawayTheLads .
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Really enjoyed talking to A Love Supreme about all things @SunderlandAFC. Best of luck to the team for the rest of the season. 🤞.
🇮🇪 ALS PAGE PREVIEW: CONNOLLY’S CRAIC🔴⚪️. In the new issue of ALS we interviewed @MrDavidConnolly about his (belated) Sunderland transfer, winning promotion under Keano and what it’s like to take a second penalty after missing the first one…
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I recall being called to an urgent meeting as a @Pompey player/coach with the chairman and CEO. They asked me to be the first team coach. I told them they had a fine first team coach in Alan. I said thanks but no thanks, Macca was a great man, I wouldn’t do that. PUP.
On this day in 2021, we lose Alan McLoughlin. Alan was an absolute gentleman and I had the pleasure of meeting him on two occasions. It should never be forgotten that Alan scored arguably the most important goal in Irish football ever, against Northern Ireland.
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Thanks to Galway GAA programmes below for a wonderful photo of my dad and his brother Martin, who were All Ireland junior champions in 1963, what an achievement,.
@MrDavidConnolly @Nenaghman Great picture David. Would that be your dad in this photo ? 1963 all Ireland junior champions
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It was really nice to catch up with some of the staff, who are still there from my time in the north east, and who provided me with a little insight into the harmony at Sunderland…happy club and has been since Tony took over due to subtle changes like this.
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2022 @FIFAWorldCup final day- 20 years ago the Republic of Ireland team that reached the last 16 each received one of these from FIFA for taking part in the 2002 World Cup
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Against 12 men as well 🤷♂️ Molumby yellow? Ref given us nothing so far.
Wow. This is a fantastic first half 🇮🇪 absolutely brilliant.
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My former @Feyenoord teammate Jon Dahl Tomasson has done a great job so far @Rovers and he will be desperate to succeed, a fantastic professional who was so determined, huge desire and work ethic as a player which he is taking into his coaching career, Leonardo inbetween us below
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Good win this and a nice assist for the first, Dean with a third man run and I managed to pick him out.
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Yesterday 22 years ago @Wolves won 1-6 against @BristolCity and I bagged four of them but the mascots stole the show @nigelpearson straight red card for Wolfie! @WolvesFPA.
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Atletico Madrid v Feyenoord 4th October in the @ChampionsLeague. I am working with the official UEFA radio coverage on @UEFAcom so all eyes on the Madrid derby today and De Klassiker
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Next best date for another south coast trip Saturday 21st September @SouthamptonFC v @IpswichTown, he could stay at my house like Mick McCarthy did once in Holland, to save the FAI some cash, then Sunday 22nd @OfficialBHAFC v @NFFC, flight €44 if booked far enough n advance ☘️
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Brilliant win in Heerenveen, a tough place to go, plus Troy Parrott gets off the mark! great news for him and many more to come hopefully
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How we didn’t win this game I don’t know. Their GK made a save from.me when I was sure it was a goal. I put Ray Houghton through for the penalty, Roy Keane grabbed the ball but their GK saved once more. We lost in the play offs…we should have gone through to the 1998 WC.
On this day in 1997, the Boys in Green lose 1-0 to Romania in a WCQ, at the Steaua Stadium in Bucharest. The lads played well, reverting to a back four and should have equalised, although Roy Keane missed a penalty, after Denis Irwin had gone off injured at ht. #coybig
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Lee Carsley in attendance at Aston Villa v Everton to see the grand total of. two England players who figured against Ireland and Finland. Sitting next to injured England player Tyrone Mings. another conversation he couldn’t have if he didn’t go. Watch at home on TV they say🤦♂️.
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Great goal from former @Feyenoord player Gustavo Hamer 1-1 at Wembley, can be tricky to open your foot out and side foot home first time as the ball comes across the body, Mudryk tried it recently
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That’s very kind @janverhaas what an incredible career you have had, far better than mine- the absolute best- hopefully you make it to the game v @GoAheadEaglesNL or @MijnVitesse to see @Feyenoord lift the Schaal! 🤝.
The legendary snooker ref @janverhaas is a season-ticket holder at Eredivisie title-chasing Feyenoord 🇳🇱. And it turns out he is a big fan of our own former Irish international striker at the Dutch club, @MrDavidConnolly 🙌🏻
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This comes at a good time- Friday I am attending a presentation by Fran Garagarza, part of Julen Lopetegui’s staff @Wolves- at the @PFA offices in London- Fran was instrumental in the success of @SDEibar- a shift away at Wolves from Jorge Mendes is clear and Fran crucial to that
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With a penalty and extra man, now they start the trick and flicks and a rabona cross. Didn’t see much of that 11 v 11. Class. Lack.
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Former @Feyenoord winger Luis Sinisterra with the only goal so far has given @LUFC the lead, a header at the back post from a brilliant cross by Jack Harrison 1-0 on @talkSPORTLive
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Giovanni Trapattoni, I was told in training, would award a penalty against a team in training if they conceded three corners in a SSG. It got into the players the importance of trying not to give away cheap corners. That was 20 years ago. Nothing new set pieces being important.
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Great photo with Gary Breen- the voting for the yellow Jersey was taken on the bus back from training and being voted the worst in training that day would hurt- a few lads would have direct debits for some teammates, some suspicious voting ganging up on certain lads standard 🤣.
The moment the dream of a team of Gary Breen's died and the I Had A Macedonia shirt wasn't the worst one in the jersey pile. 🙌
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Tony Mowbray is a north east native, this is really important for the other staff, Tony works hard as all the staff do but at the end of the working day has a family he wants to get home and see…he isn’t in a hotel and therefore doesn’t want to spend every hour at training 👇.
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Lovely piece on @talkSPORT with @dannykellywords and @talkdants driving home, on the passing of Nigel Pearson , my thoughts with his family, friends and work colleagues, we worked together at Luton Town a little while ago and he was as lovely as ever, very sad RIP 🙏.
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I first came across Ademola Lookman in an U18 fixture in 2015 when he was at @CAFCofficial. Still have the team-sheet. He was excellent that day against my Millwall side and what a career he continues to have. Was playing locally well into his teens before Charlton picked him up.
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The Netherlands sixth in Europe on @UEFAcom coefficient list and another @ChampionsLeague place next season- Serie A tv deal circa €927m v Eredivisie €80m- @Feyenoord received just €7.5m in TV revenue this season- top coaching/ recruitment/academy help bridge impossible gap 👏.
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On track for Euro 2000 and blew it. Denis Irwin slipped me in here, I didn’t have to look, I knew the shadow of green shirted Robbie Keane was inside me, I had to get the ball to him asap, so a quick outside of the boot pass was needed. Pleased with the assist. Gutted to draw.
On this day in 1999, the Boys in Green are leading 1-0 in a Euro 2000 1st leg play-off at home to Turkey, until current England interim manager Lee Carsley has a complete brain-fart. Off to Bursa we go. #irishfootball
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Came across this, a photo of my Secret Santa @LaticsOfficial 2005/06 gift for captain fantastic @graham_kavanagh - I spent more time on this present than for any of my four children but it was worth it, a Mr Incredible toy repurposed as The Incredible Major Kav 😂
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Makes you wonder, as a lot of these young men, and women not pictured, had to leave home to make something of themselves, they would have left Ireland at 18/19/20yrs of age, some younger, and probably spent 40/50/60 years ( if lucky to live that long) of their lives in England. .
Thanks to Galway GAA programmes below for a wonderful photo of my dad and his brother Martin, who were All Ireland junior champions in 1963, what an achievement,.
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@SunderlandAFC could become only the fourth side to achieve back-to-back promotions from League One to the Premier League- I was part of one of them @SouthamptonFC 2010/11 and 2011/12, momentum and form is with Sunderland so it is possible, have to try and seize the opportunity!
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For @IrelandFootball the England game on Sunday is secondary to beating Finland tonight. Heard a few people say the big one is on Sunday. No, the big one is tonight. A win and we go to a play off to avoid League C. A draw or a defeat leaves the trap door open on Sunday. 🇮🇪
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This is often overlooked but it creates a more normal working routine and leads to a happier staff due to more normal working hours- some coaches/managers spend long hours at the training ground because they are away from their families. the alternative is a lonely hotel room 👇.
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Working from dusk till dawn might be ok for some who are away from their families, though for the other staff, and there are many who make a lot of sacrifices, it is draining…Tony has brought more balance 👇.
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My son ordered these shin pads. I recall that my former @Feyenoord teammate Jean-Paul van Gastel suffered a bad leg injury, a break I believe. He ended up wearing huge ice hockey shin pads. Everything looks cool until it costs you an injury. Kids, wear proper shin pads!
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Wow. This is a fantastic first half 🇮🇪 absolutely brilliant.
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Many happy returns Denis 🎉What a free kick this was by Denis. I think I was more happy than he was, we nearly jumped into each others arms! Incredible player.
Birthday shout-out to the one & only Denis Irwin! 🥳🇮🇪
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A privilege to share the pitch with these Ireland 🇮🇪 players, fantastic teammates. What a game, 100,000 fans present, into the lions den, to qualify for the 2002 World Cup, which we did 💥.
Suprised Robbie Keane was able to leave the country after spitting during the pre match prayer. 2001
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Had to check this was true. @BCFC advertised for an Academy coach for U15-21, on volunteer basis ( now removed) Essential to have A Licence ( £4000) With Pro Licence desirable (£13,000) Plus the Youth Award, and a degree if possible, circa £40,000 outlay, 6-10 years study, for £0
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@SoccerAM 2003 Golden Shoe winner whilst at Wimbledon FC in The Championship for highest goals per games ratio in all four divisions of English football- 24 goals in 28 games(0.89) after injuring knee ligaments pre season…second was 👇
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Really pleased to be part of the @MLS broadcast team this season on @SkySports, there is a 28th side @CharlotteFC, there has been nine new stadiums since 2015 and a thriving youth policy helped by the new @MLSNEXTPRO- season start 26th Feb @SkySports
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Really sad news with the passing of Craig Shakespeare. I did my pro licence with Craig and we worked together on a lot of tasks and he was just brilliant. He had so much time for everyone. Sending my condolences to his family and friends.
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Qualification for the Champions League by @Feyenoord and @Atleti meant their youth sides got to play in the @UEFAYouthLeague which must be fantastic for the youngsters. Feyenoord youth won 1-2, coached by Robin van Persie, whilst Atleti had Fernando Torres in charge of their U19
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I am a huge admirer of Jurgen Klopp and his many strengths, though I don’t feel he has innovated in terms of how players play on the pitch or in terms of systems or formations. The likes of Cruyff/ Pep have used the inverted full back long before Klopp did this season.
🗣 "He is an observer. exactly like Alex Ferguson.". 🗣 "Being innovative isn't something I'd associate with Jurgen Klopp.". On the back of yesterday's seismic announcement, @MrDavidConnolly analyses Jurgen Klopp's managerial traits. Football w/ William Hill Ireland.
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This was great to do- talked of @Wolves in the late 90s, @Wolves of 2023 and what Fran Garagarza may bring to the club- also my four goals v @BristolCity and the infamous scrap between Wolfie and the three little piggies plus going go to training in slippers living in Tettenhall!.
🚨NEW PODCAST ALERT🚨…on the 108th edition with @MrDavidConnolly …. We talk 🗣️. 🐺Wolves now!.🐺Wolves then!.🐺The 4️⃣ at Bristol City!.🐺Penalties!.🐺Feast or famine!. ‘Striking it lucky!’.👉
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Congratulations to @WestHam U18s and coach Kevin Keen, who was my first team coach at the hammers, plus Academy manager @kennyjbrown67 on their FA Youth Cup win tonight ,what a season they have had- the league and cup double- winning 5-1 in the final v @Arsenal U18s
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One of my all time most admired strikers. A phenomenal player. Didn’t go to Saudi or retire/ take the easy option. Mentality monster. Gets all he deserves. I would never sub him off as I said on @offtheball following Englands Euros final defeat. Prefer my golden cap though
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I touched on Santiago Gimenez of @Feyenoord yesterday @offtheball and if Arne Slot would look to bring him to @LFC. It looks like he is instead off to @NFFC. A fantastic striker and a huge loss for @Feyenoord if he goes.
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Wonderful to see the Town End stand named after former Ireland teammate Alan McLoughlin
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