NOT the least of Curtis Fleming's virtues over the years has been patience. Yesterday, not a moment too soon (indeed several years later than might have been the case), the Middlesbrough full back was drafted into the Republic of Ireland senior squad for the first time. Also called up for next Wednesday's friendly against the Czech Republic in Prague is his 21 year old club colleague Alan Moore.
The additions to Mick McCarthy's second squad as manager have been brought about by a predictable spate of withdrawals. No doubt, there will be more to come. Underlining BBC pundit Alan Hansen's point that he wasn't fit enough to resume during the FA Cup semi final against Manchester United, Terry Phelan is still sidelined by the thigh muscle injury sustained in that Chelsea defeat over a fortnight ago. The Norwich newcomer Keith O'Neill has pulled out with a ligament injury.
John Aldridge has also with drawn, due to his new duties as the recently appointed Tranmere Rovers player manager. McCarthy is understanding of Aldridge's position.
Republic of Ireland duty for a season or so, but there must now be a doubt surrounding the 37 year old striker's international career.
In any other era, 27 year old Fleming might have already won about 25 caps. Instead, he's been unfortunate to come in at the tail end of a supply line of full backs that began with Chris Morris, Denis Irwin and Terry Phelan. He was then passed in the queue by Gary Kelly and Jeff Kenna.
A pure footballer, and as good as any player to come through the National League since Paul McGrath, Fleming graduated from Belvedere to St Patrick's Athletic. In four outstanding seasons at St Patrick's (he won a league medal in 1990), Fleming was frequently linked with English clubs. Swindon, then in the old second division, rejected him after a trial before Lennie Lawrence took him to Middlesbrough in August 91.
Now in his fifth season at the club, Fleming is currently keeping Brazilian Branco and Chris Morris out of the team. Lucky breaks seem to come Fleming's way later than others. By coincidence, McCarthy attended Middlesbrough's 2-1 defeat, at the Riverside Stadium, by Wimbledon last Saturday when Fleming scored his first goal in 150 games.
Moore also greatly impressed the watching McCarthy (another young Dubliner, Graham Kavanagh also starred). A teammate of Jason Sherlock's and Darren Grogan's at Rivermount, Moore joined Middlesbrough four years ago and, remarkably, has made scoring debuts for the Republic of Ireland at schoolboy, under 16, Youth and Under 21 levels. May the trend continue.
