O’Dea Seeks Move from Celtic

Irish Voice Sport

O’Dea Seeks Move from Celtic

July 16, 2008

by Cathal Dervan

IRISH international defensive prospect Darren O’Dea is to seek a loan move away from Scottish champions Celtic after spending most of last season on the bench. “I’ll be going in tomorrow, probably asking to go on loan,” the Dubliner told Monday’s edition of the Irish Independent. “As long as I’m not playing, I’m going to be wanting to play. But he knows that and I’m not sulking about it. I’m working hard.

“It’s horrible to not be fully part of it. Obviously, it was a magnificent end to the season but to not be playing every week, you’re envious of other players.”

“To be honest, I’ve no patience for it. I never want to sit on the bench. I never want to be watching, but it is a part of it. You can’t go away and sulk and sit in your corner crying about it.

“I think the boss thinks a lot of me. But it’s a Catch 22 that I’m not playing. I think he believes that center halves mature at a later age which is probably true, but it’s hard. I love Celtic, I love the club, but I want to play. It’s just a case of waiting to see what happens.”

Manager Gordon Strachan has already strengthened his hand for next season by agreeing a permanent deal with Manchester City for Greek striker Georgios Samaras who spent the end of last season on loan at Parkhead.

Samaras, who scored six goals in the title winning season, said, “I wanted to stay here, Celtic wanted to keep me here and both sides are happy with this transfer. Last season at Celtic was four really enjoyable months for me and a great experience for me to play in both the Scottish Premier League and the UEFA Champions League.

“I think we finished in the best possible way, winning the championship and I am really proud of what we achieved. It was the best moment in my career so far and I am really happy that I have signed here and I hope that more good moments come for both me and the club.

“Celtic are one of the best teams in Europe with a very distinguished manager. His unique way and unconditional desire to see me in his squad persuaded me to sign for the club. The same goes for the fans. They showed their support to me and with their dedication and excitement they helped me decide that this is the right club for me.

“The important element for my decision, however, was the fact that there is a family atmosphere around here.

“We all respect each other and help each other, there is understanding and tolerance and these are all necessary ingredients for the success of a club and for the personal development of a football player.

“Finally, I am waiting for the start of the new season so I can help my team to repeat the successes of the last season. With the help of the fans, it is my view that we will achieve great things.”

Celtic also look set to sign Romanian defender Gabriel Tamas from Auxerre and are reportedly interested in Le Mans and Serbia defender Marko Basa.

Scottish international defender John Kennedy and winger Jim O’Brien are set for loans to Motherwell.

Soccer Shorts

SLIGO Rovers are the latest eircom League club to admit massive financial difficulties after an emergency general meeting of the club was told a figure in the region of $200,000 is need to keep the club afloat. A statement from the club claimed, “It is a matter of fact that if Sligo Rovers Football Club do not raise substantial funds by the end of August 2008 the club will no longer exist in football.” . . .

LIVERPOOL boss Rafael Benitez has formally admitted his interest in Tottenham and Ireland striker Robbie Keane and said, “Keane is one of the names we are looking at and we are still working with other names. We were in contact and we will see now.” . . .

BRAY Wanderers have signed defender Derek Foran from St. Patrick’s Athletic with midfielder Philip Keogh returning to the club after a spell abroad. Boss Eddie Gormley has also signed striker Aidan O’Keeffe from Drogheda United . . .

WOLVES boss Mick McCarthy wants to sign Manchester United midfielder Darron Gibson on another season long loan deal. Birmingham and Crystal Palace are also interested in the Ireland international . . .

CORK boss Alan Matthews is in the market for a striker after George O’Callaghan moved to English side Tranmere and John O’Flynn was ruled out for two months with a broken ankle . . .

READING boss Steve Coppell has told Stephen Hunt and Kevin Doyle they can leave if a Premier League club makes a bid for them. Sunderland have been heavily linked with both Irish players . . .

DERRY City captain Peter Hutton became the first player to make 500 appearances in the eircom Premier Division when he played in the 4-0 win over Bray Wanderers last Friday night . . .

ST. Patrick’s Athletic have signed Drogheda United defender Jason Gavin but midfielder Michael Keane has been told he can leave the club after problems with his weight . . .

BOHS bowed out of the Inter Toto Cup on the away goals rule after a 2-1 win, 2-2 on aggregate, against FK Riga in an ill tempered game at Dalymount on Saturday . . .

THE FAI have appointed former Dutch international Wim Koevermans as their new international performance director . . .

SUNDERLAND boss Roy Keane is about to sign midfielder David Meyler from Cork City .

FORMER Irish winger Mark Kennedy has joined Cardiff City from Crystal Palace . . .

FORMER Ireland goalkeeper Nicky Colgan has gone on trial at Bradford City . . .

BIRMINGHAM City are to appoint new signing Lee Carsley as club captain.

Dunne Wins

BERNARD Dunne continued his return to form after last year’s European title setback when he won all 10 rounds to beat Argentina’s Damian Marchiano on points at the National Stadium on Saturday night.

“Marchiano tried to lure me into close quarters — a punch-up — but I wasn’t having any,” Dunne told the Irish Independent. “He played into my hands by coming forward and I was able to counter-punch him.

“He was not an easy opponent at the same time, but I controlled the fight all the way. I’m still after my old European title, but with Martinez having lost it to Rendell Munroe and a return Martinez-Munroe fight planned for the autumn, I’ll have to wait.

“I’ve put the Martinez loss behind me. I was stupid in not using the ring when he came into me. I would willingly fight him again, or Munroe, though Munroe seems to be ducking me.”

Jim Rock made Irish boxing history on the Stadium undercard when he became the first fighter to win four Irish professional titles at different weights with a win over Jonjo Finnegan in their light heavyweight bout.

Cavan’s Andrew Murray took his pro record to 13-0 by outpointing Galway-born Peter McDonagh to win the Irish lightweight belt. Oisin Fagan, Darren Corbett and Ian Tims also won on the Stadium card.

McDowell’s Open

NORTHERN Ireland’s Graeme McDowell is virtually guaranteed a Ryder Cup place in September after winning the lucrative Scottish Open at Loch Lomond last Sunday.

“I put the Ryder Cup up there with winning majors,” said McDowell, winner of the Ballantine’s Championship in Korea earlier in the season. “It’s something I have really, really desperately wanted.

“I refused to be measured for my Ryder Cup clothes last week but maybe I will accept next time. It’s never over until it’s over of course but this is a massive step in the right direction. It will be a dream come true.”

Meanwhile, Padraig Harrington warmed up for this week’s British Open defense with a four shot win as he retained his Irish PGA title at the European Club on Saturday. Philip Walton, who has qualified for the Open, was second.

World number three Suzann Pettersen recorded a five-shot victory at the AIB Irish Ladies Open on Sunday.

Sports Shorts

OLYMPICS: Sailing competitor Ciara Peelo from Malahide will carry the Irish flag at the Opening Ceremony of the Olympic Games in Beijing next month . . .

RACING: Moonstone landed Aidan O’Brien’s third successive Darley Irish Oaks in the tightest of finishes with another of the trainer’s horses, Ice Queen . . .

RUGBY: Munster and Ireland star Denis Leamy has been ruled for six months with a shoulder injury which requires surgery . . .

RUGBY: Connacht have signed Samoan centre Niva Ta’auso from Super 14 side the Highlanders . . .

RUGBY: Former Ireland international Simon Easterby is to carry on as captain of the Llanelli Scarlets.

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