The Sun (England)
March 3, 2010 Wednesday
Edition 1; Ireland
TALKING IT UP TO THE TOP;
IRELAND U21 v ARMENIA U21 ; Séamus keeps it real
by DAVID FIELD
EVERTON full-back Séamus Coleman will not allow himself to be carried
away despite being tipped for the top.
The 21-year-old Donegal native is seen by many as Ireland’s future
right-back but he will not let that talk go to his head.
Coleman is in line to win his 10th cap at Under-21 level in tonight’s
European Championship qualifier against Armenia at Tallaght Stadium.
He seems a sound bet to make the transition into Giovanni Trapattoni’s
plans at full international level before very long.
For now, though, Coleman will simply allow the future to take care of itself.
He said: "I heard my name mentioned in relation to the senior squad,
but I wasn’t thinking about it.
"I knew myself that I’d be with the Under-21s for another while yet as
I’ve only played a handful of games for Everton.
Boost "Even to get mentioned was a compliment, to know that assistant
manager Marco Tardelli was aware of me and speaking about me was a
great boost.
"But I won’t get carried away, I know my career will start to dip if I
let this little bit of success go to my head, so I am happy to be with
the Under-21s."
Coleman was handed his senior debut for Everton in the 5-0 Europa
League defeat by Benfica on October 22.
And he has made a further six appearances since as a regular member of
David Moyes’ matchday 18.
He lost his place on the bench for Sunday’s 2-1 Premier League defeat
at Tottenham.
But with Phil Jagielka back and Joseph Yobo also among the subs, he
had few complaints.
Coleman will hope to erase his disappointment by helping Don Givens
(below) and his Under-21s to a first qualifier victory of the campaign
tonight.
Ireland head into the game sitting at the foot of Group Two despite
having lost only two of their six fixtures to date.
A weakened team was soundly beaten in Armenia in November as the hosts
that day recorded their own first success of the qualifying
competition with a 4-1 win.
Coleman and Ipswich midfielder Owen Garvan both missed that game,
which came three days after a 1-1 draw in Georgia, but are expected to
return.
The ex-Sligo Rovers full-back added: "I missed the Armenia game last
year. I played in the first game, but got injured, so I wasn’t there
for the 4-1. "We have had a mixed run with the Under-21 team, so we
are keen to get a win here against Armenia and move up the table."
The match also sees a return to international action for Terry Dixon.
The ex-Spurs underage hotshot was called into Ireland’s senior squad
by Steve Staunton in 2006 at the age of 16.
Once regarded as among the most promising talents in the game – and
compared to Wayne Rooney – a series of injuries almost caused Dixon to
call time on his career.
But the striker is now back playing for West Ham and is hoping to
recover his previous form.
Tickets for the match are ‘5 for adults and ‘2 for Under-16s. IRELAND
UNDER-21 (squad v Armenia): Shane Redmond (Darlington), James McKeown
(Peterborough), Séamus Coleman (Everton), Kevin Long (Burnley), Callum
Morris (Newcastle), Olanrewaju Oyebanjo (Histon), Darren Dennehy
(Gillingham), Cian Hughton (Lincoln), David Meyler (Sunderland),
Séamus Conneely (Galway United), Owen Garvan (Ipswich Town), Scott
Davies (Reading), Conor Clifford (Chelsea), Alan Judge (Plymouth
Argyle), Cillian Sheridan (St Johnstone), Ian Daly (Aris
Thessaloniki), Seán Scannell (Crystal Palace), Terry Dixon (West Ham).