McNulty returns

[corn02]

Some seem to be of the perception that McNulty is going to be shoehorned straight back into the first 15. There's nothing to suggest that is going to happen. In fact, I can't see him winning his place without a fairly severe defensive injury crisis. That doesn't mean that his presence in the panel is without value. He was a member of our greatest ever team, and will probably go down as one of our finest ever corner backs. The more of his ilk around our young panel the better in my eyes.

Totally agree. I'd imagine he is almost in a player-coach capacity.

[Rma13]

If this is the case though (which I'm also presuming to be the case), why does he need to be on the panel depriving one of the other players of his position? surely his experience, knowledge etc. of the game could have been provided from a sideline perspective?!?

[corn02]

If this is the case though (which I'm also presuming to be the case), why does he need to be on the panel depriving one of the other players of his position? surely his experience, knowledge etc. of the game could have been provided from a sideline perspective?!?

Well all we need is for Shannon and PK to pick up injuries and all of a sudden our cb position is very vunerbale. Fair enough McKeown came in at the same time, and he'll nail that down shortly and will be a starter for a decade.

But, even with his regression McNulty probably easily outshines most cbs in the county. Throw in his experience and it's not overly crazy.

[Rma13]

But he's played absolutely no county football & has only just started training with the panel. Much & all as I think Enda was an excellent player in his day & I'm sure & certain he keeps himself in shape, I think it would be very hard to come in at this stage & be ready for Championship pace county football.

[corn02]

But he's played absolutely no county football & has only just started training with the panel. Much & all as I think Enda was an excellent player in his day & I'm sure & certain he keeps himself in shape, I think it would be very hard to come in at this stage & be ready for Championship pace county football.

He is playing club football. All potential candidates not on the squad are also playing club football and not county as well.

As stated, I would imagine Shannon, PK and McKeown are ahead of him in the pecking order, and it would take something extraordinary to get him in there, but I'm struggling to think of any corner backs were a real solid case could be stated for their inclusion ahead of him as fourth-choice.

[AFS]

But he's played absolutely no county football & has only just started training with the panel. Much & all as I think Enda was an excellent player in his day & I'm sure & certain he keeps himself in shape, I think it would be very hard to come in at this stage & be ready for Championship pace county football.

The same could be said for any other corner back in the county outside of Shannon, Mallon and Kernan. It's not like he has been called up, while seasoned intercounty footballers have been ignored.

If this is the case though (which I'm also presuming to be the case), why does he need to be on the panel depriving one of the other players of his position? surely his experience, knowledge etc. of the game could have been provided from a sideline perspective?!?

It seems that they're running with well in excess of the standard 30 on the panel, so rather than taking someone else's place, the way I'd see it is that an 'extra' place has been created for McNulty.

[hargun]

id imagine as the lads here have said hes well down the packing order and there more ina motivational/coaching role and only a serious injury crisis would see him come in as a contender even off the bench.

ahead of him we have shannon, p kernan, mckeown for the remaining corner back slots with even duffy and moriarty having played there which would allow dyas to come in. unlikely all three corner backs and one of the forementioned half backs would all get injured at the same time to let him in.

[Rma13]

Don't get me wrong I have absolutely nothing but admiration for Enda & what he has achieved throughout his career, I just wouldn't like to think that a potential defender of the future would lose his place on the panel for Enda coming back in at this late stage.

Does the panel not have to be cut back at some stage in the run up to the Championship?

[corn02]

Don't get me wrong I have absolutely nothing but admiration for Enda & what he has achieved throughout his career, I just wouldn't like to think that a potential defender of the future would lose his place on the panel for Enda coming back in at this late stage.
Does the panel not have to be cut back at some stage in the run up to the Championship?

Who though? I can;t think of anyone I'd have in there instead.

I think they can train away with the big panel but have to name 24 on matchdays.

[wingback]

i think he will be a big presence on the training feild and in the changing room but after that i cant even see POR even thinkin about giving him a game! he is there to pass on expeirience to the younger fellas and possibly get stuck into a few of the young lads at training to weather them for championship football.