Will David McGoldrick Get Some Game Tonight?

There is one part of me that wants Town striker David McGoldrick to play this evening in Dublin and another part of me that is hoping he will not. This state of ambivalence is born out of a fear of the worst case scenario. He plays and pulls his hamstring.

If this was to occur the fingers would be pointing firmly in the direction of old nemesis assistant boss Roy Keane again and the Irish medical crew, who said that he was fit enough to play.

There is another aspect to this that should not go ignored however and that is the player’s determination to make up for lost time.

The 29 year old has missed out so many times on international caps through injury and circumstance, that it is easy to understand why he would do almost anything to get into an Irish team, which has not been functioning of late as an attacking force.

He is confident of his own ability, and certainly a fully fit David McGoldrick would be a valuable asset to a Martin O’Neill squad, that lacks technical ability in most departments.

McGoldrick certainly started his international career well and impressed on his debut with two assists in a 4-1 win against the the United States.

The trouble is, unless you have a long memory, it is easy to forget that game – especially as it was one of those seemingly irrelevant international friendlies.

But McGoldrick is in good form for the Blues just now and has already scored six goals in all competitions. He has apparently trained all week; having been given the all-clear to play, following an extensive scan.

Although he was forced off during the second half of last Saturday`s 3-1 defeat at home to Bristol City with a hamstring injury, maybe he decided that as Town were already two goals adrift in that match, his international future was of greater significance at this time? Or perhaps McCarthy felt it was?

Whatever the reasoning for his withdrawal, we can only hope that he really is fully fit and that his hamstring niggle is nothing more than that and he plays a blinder tonight!

And speaking of his possible involvement this evening he said, ‘I think that the gaffer likes me and I am there for a reason. It`s not just because I am Irish and a striker. He must feel that I can bring something different to the team and I believe I can. Hopefully I can impress in training before the next two games.’

Let us hope he is right and that the Irish pull through.


Frank Weston – Editor of Vital Ipswich