Domestic game seeks international bliss

IS THERE any chance that a National League player might be included in the Republic of Ireland squad to be announced tomorrow? If not tomorrow, then some time sooner rather than later? Is this a mad notion, an invitation to the men in white coats?

Well it shouldn't be. Until such time as a National League player makes that step, the domestic game will continue to fail Irish football. The spin off in public perception alone would be immeasurable. In one stroke, it would eradicate the perception of bias against home based players - and even Irish born players at under age level - under the previous regime.

Yesterday's one off representative game at Tolka Park provided a rare chance for the National League's finest to be placed in the shop window against players a step below the full squad. Not just for whatever scouts might have been watching but, just as pertinently, for the Republic of Ireland's managerial team. Viewed in that light, it was probably both a success and a failure.

On the failure side - and stoking up old embers - poor organisation was a factor. Ten of the starting side selected by Pat Devlin played on Sunday. All told, 12 of the 5 players used played in Premier Division games on Sunday. Furthermore, five of them (as well as the B side's Dessie Baker) then endured a coach journey home from Cork before linking up with the NL squad late on Sunday night.

By the end of yesterday's game, some of them looked absolutely shattered. It, as we've said here before, the administrators were serious about yesterday's game, then they should have moved Sunday's games forward a day or two.

Nevertheless, some of the National League's finest didn't look at all out of place in such prodigious company. With the possible exception of the B side's right wing back Steve Finnan (the Notts County youngster has an innate balance, is quick, has good control and strikes the ball well), Tony Sheridan was as good, technically, as anything else on view.

Devlin, to his credit, risked jeopardising the relatively settled side that accounted for the English semi professionals and the Welsh League by accommodating both of the men most likely to break into the full squad and/or move across channel, namely Sheridan and Shelbourne team mate Stephen Geoghegan.

However, to maintain his midfield lineup, Devlin included Sheridan up front alongside Geoghegan, breaking up the latter's partnership with Pat Morley. It was a delicate balancing act. It perhaps both worked and didn't work.

Not that Sheridan didn't play well up front. A player of his gifts could possibly play anywhere, bar in goal, and his cushioned lay offs with head and chest, as well as left foot, proved the point. But when Morley came on to partner Geoghegan, with Sheridan playing `in the hole', they all looked the better for it.

Geoghegan was immediately able to find Morley over his left shoulder without looking. Soon after, the latter's ball juggling and volleyed pull back sparked a jaded League side into life.

Alas, Geoghegan departed after injuring his wrist in a collision with an advertising board. So much for that great National League hope? If he misses Shelbourne games as well, then that is the ultimate, almost inevitable, indictment of these badly timed fixtures.

Even so, Sheridan's quick witted free released Morley, who cleverly waited for a hobbling ball to settle down before scoring with his usual aplomb. I feel sorry for Morley. Now 31, it's generally accepted that he missed his chance. Yet, playing in a better club team with better players, he looks every bit the classy striker he is.

As for Sheridan? He certainly didn't endear himself to Mick McCarthy, and especially Ian Evans, when he elbowed the imposing Richard Dunne. The Everton player departed with a black eye and blurred vision, but it looked more accidental than malicious. Sheridan is not that kind of player; he has only been booked once in two seasons.

"He'll live," said McCarthy afterwards. McCarthy cast doubt as to whether Sheridan's free kick was taken from the right place, whether the ball was moving and whether Morley was offside. "But apart from that it was a good goal. It was a bit of invention, a bit of ingenuity from Sheridan, who had a good game to be honest," McCarthy added.

So then, any chance of one National League player playing themselves into the full squad in a game like this, or is it a non runner? McCarthy thought long and hard. "Stephen Geoghegan and Sheridan are two quality players and to be fair, they could play in the league back home.

"Stephen's never gone and why Tony Sheridan isn't over there perhaps only he knows. He's certainly good enough. I know the standard players are playing over there is better."

Unfortunately, Sunday's game between the leading sides in the league, Bohemians and Derry, didn't strengthen the home based players' case. McCarthy, however, accepted that the game was not necessarily indicative of the general standard. "But Geoghegan and Sheridan have as much ability as any in the league and would have a chance I suppose.

So then. Maybe ... or maybe not.