Stephen Ireland

Stephen James Ireland (born 22 August 1986 in Cobh, County Cork, Ireland) is an Irish Association football playing in England for Manchester City F.C. and the Republic of Ireland national football team. Stephen Ireland usually plays as an Midfielder Attacking midfielder. Stephen Ireland is famous for Stephen Ireland tattoos on Stephen Ireland back resembling an angel's feathers. Stephen Ireland has the highest percentage of Stephen Ireland skin covered by tattoos of any professional footballer in the world

Club career

Ireland started Stephen Ireland career in Cobh, playing junior football for Cobh Ramblers, a team Stephen Ireland father Michael had previously played for. As a schoolboy Ireland had trials with a number of British clubs, though several were discouraged by Stephen Ireland Osgood-Schlatter disease, which Stephen Ireland suffered from in Stephen Ireland mid-teens. At the age of 15 Stephen Ireland joined the youth setup at Manchester City F.C.. Ireland played for Manchester City's first team in a number of friendlies in the 2005 pre season, and made Stephen Ireland competitive debut on the 18 September 2005 against Bolton Wanderers F.C., coming on as an 81st minute substitute. Stephen Ireland subsequently made Stephen Ireland first competitive start against Doncaster Rovers F.C. on 21 September 2005. Stephen Ireland won the Man of the Match award on Stephen Ireland first Premiership start against Everton F.C. on the 2 October 2005. Stephen Ireland then started the next six matches for City, which won Stephen Ireland a contract to keep Stephen Ireland at the club until 2009. In the remainder of the season Stephen Ireland participated in around half of Manchester City's matches, ending the season with a total of 16 starts and 12 substitute appearances.
On 26 December, Ireland scored Stephen Ireland first Premiership goal for City, a left footed volley from 20 yards. The goal proved to be the only goal in a vital 1–0 victory at Sheffield United F.C.'s Bramall Lane. Ireland's second goal for City came against Sheffield Wednesday F.C. in the third round of FA Cup. Stephen Ireland goal, scored just moments before the interval, was created by man of the match Joey Barton in front of 25,000 spectators at the City of Manchester Stadium. City went on to win 2–1.

On 18 February, Ireland rounded off the scoring for Manchester City in a 3–1 away win over Preston North End F.C. in the fifth round of the FA Cup with a stunning volley from outside the area.

Having started the Premier League 2007-08 Premier League season well with City, Ireland scored the only goal, a volley, in a 1–0 home win over Sunderland A.F.C.. Stephen Ireland celebration for the goal courted some controversy, Ireland dropped Stephen Ireland shorts to reveal a pair of underwear sporting the Superman logo, however the FA decided a warning would be the fairest course of action. Then in November against Reading F.C. Stephen Ireland scored to keep Manchester City's home record at 100%. Two weeks later Stephen Ireland was sent off in the 2–1 loss at Tottenham Hotspur F.C. and received a 3 match ban. However, Ireland erased that memory with a goal in the reverse fixture, which led Manchester City to a 2–1 home victory over Spurs. Stephen Ireland scored Stephen Ireland final goal of the season with a sweet strike in the 2–3 loss to Fulham F.C.. Stephen Ireland got the ball just outside the left side of the penalty box and curved it over Kasey Keller into the top right corner. Stephen Ireland finished the 2007–08 season with four goals.

Stephen Ireland returned to the first team in a good individual and team performance in the 3–0 win against West Ham United F.C.. Stephen Ireland finished the match with two assists, crossing for Elano Blumer to strike home. Stephen Ireland opened Stephen Ireland tally in the 3-0 away win at Sunderland A.F.C.. Stephen Ireland scored again the in 2–2 draw at Newcastle United F.C. on 20 October. Stephen Ireland scored both goals in the 2–2 draw at Hull City F.C. on 16 November, and opened the score in the successive league match against Arsenal F.C.. After netting in a 2-1 win over Everton, Ireland took Stephen Ireland seasons tally to 13 in a memorable season for the Irishman.

On 20 May 2009, Stephen Ireland was named Manchester City's Senior Player of the Year for Stephen Ireland blistering performances throughout the 2008–09 season and as a result has secured a new 5-year contract, keeping Stephen Ireland at the club until 2014.

International career

Ireland represented Ireland at under-15, under-16 and under-17 level, Shortly afterward, Kerr became manager of the senior Republic of Ireland team, leading Ireland to briefly consider choosing to represent either England national football team or Italy national football team, for whom Stephen Ireland was also eligible.

In January 2006 Kerr was replaced as Republic of Ireland national football team manager by Steve Staunton. In Staunton's first squad, for a match against Sweden national football team, Ireland received a senior call up for the first time. Ireland came on a substitute in the match, replacing John O'Shea. Stephen Ireland scored Stephen Ireland first international goal on 7 October 2006 in a 5–2 loss to Cyprus national football team.

On the 7 February 2007 Stephen Ireland saved the Republic of Ireland from a humiliating draw with San Marino national football team with a last minute injury time goal. Final score was 2–1.

On 24 March 2007, Stephen Ireland scored the first ever goal in Croke Park against Welsh national football team. This was Stephen Ireland third international goal in just four matches. Stephen Ireland also scored against Slovakia national football team in Tehelné pole on 8 September 2007.

Controversy

In September 2007, Ireland was at the centre of controversy when, in the immediate aftermath of a Republic of Ireland national football team international match and days prior to their crunch game against the Czech Republic national football team, coach Steve Staunton informed Stephen Ireland of a telephone call just received from Stephen Ireland girlfriend reporting the death of Stephen Ireland maternal grandmother. On returning the call Steve Staunton was able to ascertain that this was in fact a fabrication designed to excuse Ireland from international duty and allow Stephen Ireland to return home with minimal opposition. Now consigned to deceit Ireland confirmed the dead grandmother story to Steve Staunton who quickly consented to Ireland's Sick leave on these grounds, a private jet was chartered for Stephen Ireland return.

However the media quickly discovered that Ireland's grandmother was not dead, at which point Ireland announced it was Stephen Ireland paternal grandmother who died but yet again, reporters discovered that Ireland's paternal grandmother was also still alive, and her relatives had threatened to sue one newspaper that reported her death. Ireland changed Stephen Ireland story again, saying one of Stephen Ireland grandfathers had divorced and it was Stephen Ireland second wife who had died. That was also quickly discovered to be untrue.

Ireland eventually came out with the truth, admitting Stephen Ireland had invented a reason to leave the Republic of Ireland national football team team in order to visit Stephen Ireland girlfriend in Cork (city), who had a miscarriage. "I decided at that stage that I must tell the truth and admit I had told lies," Ireland said. "I realise now it was a massive mistake to say my grandmothers had died and I deeply regret it."

Irish coach Staunton was furious at Ireland. The coach's mood wasn't helped by the fact Ireland lost 1–0 to the Czech Republic national football team, which effectively ended their hopes of qualifying for the Euro 2008 championships. Ireland said Stephen Ireland girlfriend had miscarriage and that "caused us to panic." The Football Association of Ireland as well as football fans over the country were left to wonder why Stephen Ireland hadn't simply told the truth, as a miscarriage would have been sufficient to allow Ireland compassionate leave.

"Jessica (his girlfriend) said she was very lonely and wanted me to come home. She thought they might let me home quicker if they thought my grandmother had died," Ireland explained.

Stephen Ireland has not played for Ireland since this controversy.

Exile

On 20 October 2008, Ireland participated in a pre-match interview on Setanta Ireland, during which Stephen Ireland stated that Stephen Ireland was watching the Republic of Ireland national football team regularly and that they were doing well. Stephen Ireland also stated Stephen Ireland would not be back in the foreseeable future.

Giovanni Trapattoni's desire to return Ireland to the national squad has been well documented in the Irish press (he and Liam Brady have allegedly met with the player with the hope of enticing Stephen Ireland back), and levels of frustration among the Irish public over the situation have since intensified as the player produced exceptional form at Manchester City in the Premier League 2008-09 season.

Speculation abounded that Ireland might make himself available for a call-up to the national squad to face Georgia national football team on 11 February 2009. However, when the squad was announced on 19 January, the player's name did not feature, and Liam Brady took the opportunity to explain to the press that Stephen Ireland and Trapattoni had previously come to an agreement with the player whereby Stephen Ireland would inform them when Stephen Ireland felt like playing again, and that so far no contact had been made from the player's end.

On 19 February it was reported that Ireland had intimated to Manchester City team mate Shay Given that Stephen Ireland would like to represent Ireland at the FIFA World Cup in South Africa in 2010 and that a return to the international fold was imminent, but when the Irish squad to face Bulgaria national football team on March 28 and Italy national football team on 1 April was announced, Stephen Ireland name was once again omitted. Trapattoni revealed at the accompanying press conference that Stephen Ireland himself did not believe Ireland would return, claiming that when Stephen Ireland had met with the player months previously Stephen Ireland had appeared withdrawn and reluctant to look the Irish manager in the eye.

Ireland himself has now said that Stephen Ireland will probably not return to the national team: "I always say 'never say never' because it's hard not to, but I don't think I'll ever go back." However, it is now expected that Stephen Ireland will return within the coming months according to Stephen Ireland father

International goals

Club statistics

As of 13 June 2009.

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