STEPHEN KELLY HIT back at Republic of Ireland manager Giovanni Trapattoni this morning as the public row over the defender’s international future took another turn.
A shocked and disgusted Kelly said comments made by Trapattoni yesterday were “untrue and unwarranted” and insisted that he will always be available to represent his country.
The row came to a head in the aftermath of Ireland’s 2-0 win against Poland when Trapattoni was asked if Kelly would be considered for next month’s qualifiers against Sweden and Austria. The Italian questioned Kelly’s international commitment and claimed that the Reading man did not want to be involved with the national team unless he was guaranteed to play.
“He said, ‘I play or I go home,’” Trapattoni explained, referring to a dispute between Kelly and management ahead of the trip to Faroe Islands last October. “Go home.”
The angry criticism was described by Kelly in a statement this morning as an attempt “to defame my commitment and loyalty to Ireland.”
“It is extremely disappointing for me to have to make this statement,” Kelly, 29, said.
I am simply shocked and disgusted with the untrue and unwarranted comments made by Giovanni Trapattoni. These hurtful and untrue comments have caused distress and upset to myself and my family who have supported me throughout my career and know the level of commitment and passion I have always shown in representing my country.I have proudly represented Ireland from the age of sixteen, and I have never shown anything other than 100% commitment to my country and my team. I cannot and will not tolerate attempts to defame my commitment and loyalty to Ireland.
Representing Ireland at senior international level has given me some of my proudest moments in my professional career, and for me captaining my country will always be my greatest achievement.
It saddens me greatly that I should have to defend my good character and reputation in a profession I love, however, I refuse to allow anyone to question my passion for representing Ireland. I will continue as always to proudly be available for my country.
Another player falling out with Trap, how many more will there be ? Kelly has been an honest pro since the day he kicked his first football and his treatment is disgracefully, even if there was a problem, Trap shouldn’t air it in public no matter who the player involved is !
Totally agree! Can’t keep blaming the language barrier. It’s a bit of a joke to be honest.
This row isnt made from nothing though. He had to be persuaded to get on the flight to the Faroe Islands. I’ll agree that it is concerning me the amount of players Trap is falling out with. But at the same time some of the players need to take their heads out of their asses. Gibson quit the national team because he wasnt picked. Foley acts like it was a crime he wasnt taken to the euros. Andy Reid undermined the manager. Who is Kelly to tell Trap he won’t go with the squad because allegedy he was told he wouldn’t be picked. I’d take Kelly over O’Dea seven days a week, twice in sunday, but the manager picks the team. Not the players.
Im convinced Trap is trying top get fired and paid off.
Sure anyone would think we don’t want to win another eurovision
Trapattoni: “Never tell anyone outside the FAI what you are thinking again”.
Kelly: “Yeah OK, but what happened to Moe Greene?”
Trapattoni: “I made him an offer he couldn’t refuse”
Its worrying . ALL.the players can’t be wrong . Trappatoni out now
His contract should never have been renewed , the man is a clown he hasn’t even bother to learn the language he’s an embarrassment at press conferences with his interpreter .
Trapp has to go NOW.
I think I was just proved right when the FAI said that Trap should keep his comments in house !
Enoughs enough! Time to retire Trap!
Trap out!
The only common denominator in all these player/ management spats is Trap. Thanks for your time but it’s time to go Trap!
The fans need to cop on.
They wanted Trap to see games in person, he went.
They wanted McCarthy. He starts him.
They wanted Long. He starts him.
They wanted McClean. He starts him.
They wanted Clark. He starts him.
They wanted Coleman. He starts him.
They wanted Brady. He starts him.
They wanted Wilson. He starts him.
They wanted Pilkington. He gets a call up.
They wanted Hoolohan. He gets game time. (Club instructions would have blocked him from starting)
Nothing he does is going to please you fools.
Stephen Kelly was one of Trap’s favourites. He converted him into a CB before trying newer players in that position. He has played on either side at full back. Trap had him captaining sides. Trap had no issue with Kelly. Why would he make the story up? Kelly has done something to stir things up. He can save the innocent card.
Some of our players lack commitment. The best example is Gibson. He has a long history of not showing up for duty even before Trap took charge. If he only picks and chooses when he plays, why should he start?
here here!
We have a very limited amount of players to select from and we cannot afford to alienate them. Whatever about him falling out with players or not picking them coz he feels they’re not committed, discussing it with the press is just ridiculous. Christ knows he gets enough coin that he should at least know to keep these things in house. He must be losing the backing of the group at this stage. Bring on the red thumbs u c@nts!
absolutely. well said man. the majority of people calling for Trap’s head are morons though so I wouldn’t worry. Interesting how Kelly’s statement doesn’t directly refer to the incident in question. its all about how great he is.
I love Trap, he is the best thing to happen to the GAA in years. The under age GAA club teams are burstin at the seams because kids dont like supporting teams that lose. The GAA sholud offer to pay half his wages. On the language thing still understand him better than any of the Healey Ray gang.
It’s probably a huge mistake on traps side. Maybe if they spoke the same language it wouldn’t happen. God knows he’s been paid enough to learn it.
What a joke. Trap is nuts. How many more till they finally get rid of him…..
Traps fall out XI. Kiely; Foley, Kelly, Wilson, Harte; S Reid, McCarthy, Gibson; Ireland, A Reid; Long. I think we have a whole team just need some subs now, get to it trap.
Agree with most of these except
Andy Reid: Seemed to have some dietary issues, shall we say.
Stephen Ireland: Think he fell out with the players first, then decided he didn’t want to play at all.
Both have gone through too many clubs for it to be a coincidence.
Theres about 3 players in there that are worth talking about. Oh no, Dean Kiely won’t play for us anymore?!
Whatever about Trap, but anyone who tells their manager he’s not turning up unless he plays can stay at home in my book. Trap was fairly animated about the whole thing but why would he fabricate a story like that out of thin air for no reason whatsoever?? A case of an average player thinking he’s Roberto Carlos. You’re Stephen Kelly, not Stephen Messi – get a grip of yourself and get on the plane.
He aint gettin on no plane.! Not ever again whie Crap is in charge anyway.
Billie Hetfield, the Trap lover, makes so many arguments for his expulsion without even realising it with his bullet point statement. He claims that Crap is giving us everything we want in the world, he’s like a conjurer. He can fulfill our ever whim and fantasy. Like f**k he can. He is just a demented old clown who has fallen out with practically a full squad of players who refuses to try anything new or different on the field. His tactics are so outdated and, like Baxter says, driving kids away from the game. The Euros was such an embarrassment and things really havent changed. All it takes is for Paul McShane to stick on that jersey for me to blush. Every single player you proclaim to be saved and blessed by Trap should have at least 20 more caps to their name. Maybe Trap is a magician because he has made so many players just disappear, whoossshhhhh!
Well…. I’m just going to click ‘like’ to all that because, to be fair, it was a good rant. Seriously though, think Billie Hetfield’s point above is very valid. Agree with that over all else said here.
Cheers Ger. Maddens me most (as a loyal and sometimes proud Shels fan) that due to Craps stubborness and tactical ineptitude we have practically lost out on our most creative composed midfielder since Brady. All because Crap didnt like what he saw when he gave Weso a 2 minute debut against colombia back in ’08. Only for Crap was found out after Euros and FAI coped on he was doin f**k all, Wes would never have gotten another chance play for Ireland.
2 mins v Colombia, 45 mins(2nd half) v Greece and now 30 mins v Poland shows his complete unwillingness to give him a chance. Would have been ideal to give him a full game and test something new before Sweden, but no. We expect to see the same old Crap for the rest of his tenure.
F**k all? He got us qualified for a tournament. Our first one in 10 years. Is it just me or does anyone seem to have forgotten the Stan and Kerr eras? Remember? When we had Premier League players and still failed to qualify? Scratch that. Failed to make playoffs.
F**k all work is the intent of what i said Declan. Not goin to games for 4 years sitting at home in Milan not watching videos of any of the talent available to him at any level. He was incredibly lazy for 4 years and only when threatened by a possible sacking has he started to tow the line and look to Irelands future. Yes i Probably am biased towards his treatment to Wes but its not just one player he has overlooked for too long, or one player he has fallen out with.
And dont dare mix Brian Kerrs name and Steve Stauntons in the same sentence. Kerr was treated terribly by the FAI. Sacked after only one full campaign in charge. He had a 55% win percentage while also bringing through new talent and not sticking with his tried and trusted. Staunton was so ill equipped for the job. It was a complete joke of an appointment from Delaney. Its not just about qualifying for competitions either Declan. Craps pure ignorance of youth and renewal for the last 5 years has us in the position we are in now, a stale hard working but incredibly inexperienced squad of players.
I agree I would have given Kerr another bite of the cherry. And yes I’d love to see Wes in the side more often. He was marvellous the other night when he came on. But look at the team the other night or the teams since the Euros even. All the publics choices are in there. Clarke, McClean, Wes, McCarthy, even Pilkington would have had a game had he been fit. In fact, only 2 lads started that were first team at the Euros. Trap came out and said that Robbie won’t be a guaranteed starter anymore. I think people need to be more realistic about our prospects. Sweden and Germany are excellent teams. Sweden have only once missed out on a tournament in the last 12 years and Germany have only finished outside the semis once since 2002. I knew when we drew this grouo that we had very little chance of progressing. And its likely to be Traps last campaign too anyway. But then maybe we’ll have a shot at going to Euro 2016. As far as Im concerned this campaign is about building experience and making a good shot of qualification.
Giovanni should shut his trap and stop deflecting away from his poor selections,formations and player and pr relations! Trap out!
pr relations? you realise this reads as public relations relations don’t you? and in turn, does not make any sense!
Marty jog on with your poxy grammar police pals, this is a sports debate not a spelling test! Youl never be as cool as Marty mcfly it’s time you lost the chip on your shoulder and accepted that. Move on with your life lad.
Marty McFly was pretty cool. Some might say he was a fly guy.
If he’s being a premadonna then he needs to be brought down a peg or two.. Acting the premadonna when your a mediocre player at best is a bit rich though to be honest.
Are u referring to an era before ‘like a virgin’ and such pop classics or do u mean prima donna?
:-) Thats what ya get with a christian brothers schooling….lol… That and a good thump…lol
Lol david o leary you made me spit out my cornflakes..haha
‘I umm how you say?’(Que a whisper in his ear) ‘Put eh! my foot in eet again’
pissing and moaning won’t help his cause.
David OLeary?
What about him?
bring back the gaffer
i think its time we had a new manager Trapattoni does not give a toss whether we win or not he gets his money. we need another Manager fast.
Agreed. Under him we’ve made it to a playoff and qualified for a tournament. Shambles. things were much better before him.
Kelly is a good pro And any time he has represented Ireland he has done himself justice, be it right back , centre back or left back, my personal opinion is he should have played instead of ward from day one
ouch
Who ever thought back in 2008 that this guy would make Stan look like Pep Guardiola?
Too many stories like this coming from Ireland camp. Whole thing is a complete disaster. The FAI had their chance to sort this after Germany defeat but failed. We can expect more of this in future until FAI have the balls to tackle the issue head on.