Blues Abroad

by Shane Murphy

(first published in the September 2011 Finn Harps match programme)

With the return of football across the water and the recent good news of some former Blues, this seems like an opportune time to check in with some past players and locals making a name for themselves on foreign shores.

Last year’s number one, Chris Konopka, recently made his debut for New York Red Bulls in the MLS. Chris was initially signed as a Major League Soccer “pool goalkeeper” meaning that he could be signed up as emergency cover for any team in need. With New York keeper Frank Rost injured, Chris was drafted in to the Red Bulls’ squad and, having impressed in training, he was selected to start against Chicago Fire in August. This was a shock move as the New Jersey native was preferred to Senegalese international goalkeeper Bouna Coundoul. Chris performed well alongside teammates Thierry Henry, ex Barcelona star Rafael Marquez and former Spurs midfielder Teemu Tainio in front of 25,000 fans at the Red Bull Arena. He produced three great saves as the sides drew 2-2 although it was said that he could have done better on the goals he conceded. In fact, his superb 76th minute stop when Orr Barouch was through on goal saved a point for his new side. Describing his debut as a dream, Chris said “I did ok. I let in two goals. It is what it is”. Unfortunately, Coundoul came back into the starting line-up for the next match away to New England (another 2-2 draw) and Chris’s chance to get back into the team for the clash with Keane and Beckham’s LA Galaxy was spoiled when the game was postponed due to Hurricane Irene.

Four of last season’s Blues packed their bags for Australia at the start of the year. Liam Kearney joined Dandenong Thunder of Melbourne, playing in the Victorian Premier League – one level below the A League. His teammates included former Drogheda, Derry and Bohs’ defender Stephen Gray and their manager was ex Rangers player Stuart Munro. Thunder finished the season in 9th place so they missed out on the divisional play-offs in controversial circumstances. Having led the league early on, Dandenong were deducted six points for misconduct of club officials towards a referee (so it’s not just the League of Ireland that features asterisks on the table). Liam was a very popular player at Thunder scoring four goals, having five assists and winning three man-of-the-match awards in 21 appearances. He is currently working with a fruit-picking programme as part of the process to extend his Australian Visa for next year. Kilkennyman Timmy Purcell played in the same division. His Richmond Eagles team finished ahead of Kearney in 7th position, but also missed out on the play-offs. He scored two goals and played an important creative role in the side. James O’Sullivan is currently playing for Western Suburbs in Division One of the Victorian State League – a level below Dandenong and Richmond. Suburbs are engaged in a relegation battle at present. James scored a vital goal in a 4-3 away win over North Geelong Warriors in mid-August, but their most recent result was a 4-0 home defeat by Whittlesea Zebras for whom Vinny Faherty (ex Galway United and St Pat’s) scored. Meanwhile, John Kearney joined Bayswater City of Perth who are currently 8th in the Western Australia Premier Division (also one level below the A League). Kearney has been in impressive form especially against Floreat Athena early last month when he scored twice and was voted man-of-the-match in a 5-1 win.

Closer to home, Daryl Murphy made a season-long loan move to Ipswich Town from Celtic. This, of course, is Daryl’s second loan spell at Ipswich having previously starred there under Roy Keane. The big striker, a Blues star from 2002 to 2005, made his debut in a 2-1 win over Leeds United two weeks ago and will hope to get back scoring goals at Portman Road having found his chances limited at Celtic. Another former Blue plying his trade in the Championship is Noel Hunt of Reading. Hunty impressed at the RSC when on loan from Shamrock Rovers in 2002 and has gone on to great success in Scotland and England. The sale of Shane Long means that there will be even more responsibility on Noel to score goals for Reading who suffered Wembley heartbreak in May when losing to Swansea in the play-off final. The only former Blue currently in the Premiership is Robbie Blake of Bolton. The former Bradford, Leeds and Burnley man played two games on trial at Waterford in 1996, but returned to Darlington having failed to impress due to illness. Meanwhile, James Chambers has begun the season well with Hamilton in Scotland. The Dubliner spent 2006 on loan at the RSC from Shelbourne. He joined Hamilton in January from Shamrock Rovers and scored one crucial goal in a 2-1 away win at Hibernian in April, but it was not enough to save the Accies from relegation from the SPL. They are currently top of the First Division and Chambers has scored twice so far this season.

There are several other local players starring across the water too. Eddie Nolan, brother of the Blues’ Brian and a full Irish international, plays with Scunthorpe United in League One. Scunthorpe are currently winless after six games although that could have been different had Garry Thompson been able to finish Nolan’s through ball late in their 1-1 home draw with Colchester last weekend. Ex Bohemians keeper Brian Murphy made a great move back to the Premiership with QPR last month. Neil Warnock signed him from Ipswich to challenge Paddy Kenny for the number one spot although his debut ended in a shock Carling Cup defeat to Rochdale. Waterford’s most famous footballer and Blues fan John O’Shea left Manchester United this year after thirteen years at Old Trafford. He will add experience to Steve Bruce’s team although he is unlikely to add to his five Premiership medals. His international teammate Stephen Hunt has had a great start to the season with Wolves and almost did enough in ten minutes to earn Ireland a win over Slovakia last Friday. Tramore’s Derrick Williams was a lynchpin of the Republic of Ireland under 19 squad which reached the European Championship semi-final this summer and is hoping to make the breakthrough to Aston Villa’s first team this season. Another Tramoreman, Jim Goodwin, is captain of St.Mirren who have had a terrific start to the Scottish Premier League season.  The Buddies are in fourth position despite losing their most recent game 2-0 to Celtic. The other surprise package in the SPL are second-placed Motherwell who feature Tim Clancy in defence – a recent signing from Kilmarnock. Tim is a native of County Meath, but his father, Des, is a well-known Blues diehard. One local player who has moved a little further afield is Shane Robinson who is now with FC Haka of Finland having spent the previous year in Australia. Haka are in 7th position in the Finnish league with Robbo starring in central midfield. The success of these players from Waterford is surely an inspiration for young players throughout the county. Hopefully the Blues can help to develop more of the stars of the future through the Academy, the under 19s and eventually the senior team.