Birmingham city Football club are set to announce a record signing this coming Monday 22 July 02’. The club have to date signed others along with our own Kenny Cunningham, and his own deal was thought to be worth GBP£3.5mil in total. So whom’s the new boy coming to St Andrews? Well there’s’ no doubt that the club are keeping tight lipped about the signing, so can we assume that its Republic of Ireland international Clinton Morrison? Although the deal looked likely to be off during last week, Palace Chairman Simon Jordan has now declared that Morrison is desperate to play at the highest level in the Premiership, and after four or five years at the club maybe it is time for the Eagles & Republic of Ireland Striker to move on. Jordan is also concerned that Morison’s fee could drop if the Eagles have a bad season. Well for confirmation log onto Birmingham Citys Official Website this Monday and all “should” be revealed
Sunderland still on loosing roll
Although Sunderland lost 2-1 to French side Amiens yesterday, two Irish men shone out in particular. It was Phil Babb’s’ first game for the Wearsiders in a Sunderland shirt, and his first 45 minutes were confirmation as to why Reid brought the out of favour Republic of Ireland international to the Stadium of Light from Sporting Lisbon in May. One of many of Babb’s diagonal balls found Sunderland’s Kevin Kyle, and McCann was just off the mark with the finish. Babb played the first 45 in this pre season friendly.
Tommy Butler (Republic of Ireland U21) looked the livliest player on the park, as he played just in behind the two strikers. Butler has yet to agree terms on his new contract, for the Dubliner is waiting for assurances that he will be guaranteed first team football when the new season kicks off in August this year. Butler was on the field for the full 90 minutes. Final score Amiens 2 – 1 Sunderland A.F.C.
Sunderland: Macho, Haas (Williams 46), Thome (Thome 46), Babb (Bjorklund 46), Gray (McCartney 46), Arca (Medina 46), Thirlwell (Schwarz 46), McCann, Butler, Kyle, Bellion (Proctor 46).
Keanes' return nothing to worry about, at Tolka Park, that is
Roy Keane captained his side Manchester United to a 0-5 win over Irish Giants Shelbourne yesterday in their pre-season friendly. It was the Corkmans’ first game back on home soil since his stormy exit from the Republic of Irelands World Cup Squad in May. Keane received a standing ovation from the Shels supporterd and not surprisingly from the visiting Man U. supporters, and again when he was substituted in the second half also. Goals came from Diego Forlann, his first for the club and a hat trick from Ruud Van Nistelroy, with one final strike from Dwight Yorke. Man U defence was guarded by Republic of Ireland international John O'Shea in the centre. Final score Shelbourne 0 – 5 Manchester United
Carroll; P Neville, Blanc, John O'Shea, Silvestre; Forlan, Keane, Veron, Giggs; Solskjaer, van Nistelrooy. Subs: B Williams, Tierney, Roche, Stewart, Djordjic, Yorke.
And Finally
It seems that Sunderland may be set to complete the signing of Leeds' Gary Kelly, after the Irish defender failed to make the trip with the Leeds squad for their tour of the Far East. Peter Reid has been tracking our 28 year old Republic of Ireland International, who can play at right back, and is expected to cost Sunderland around £3m
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