RSS
Soccer


Home Page > Sport > Soccer > Hunt: Ireland's return could damage morale

Blogs


comment on article Make a comment
print this article Print
email this articleE-mail

Hunt: Ireland's return could damage morale

By
SETANTA SPORTS,

Published Wednesday, June 10, 2009, 9:30 AM
Updated Thursday, July 23, 2009, 5:44 PM

 

Bookmark and Share

Republic of Ireland's Stephen Hunt holds off Italy's Simone Pepe during the World Cup Qualifying match at the Stadio San Nicola, Bari, Italy.
Photo by PA Wire/PA Photos

Stephen Hunt feels that the return of Stephen Ireland to the international fold could spell disaster for unity within the Ireland squad.

While admitting that Ireland has been the outstanding Irish player in the Premier League over the last 12 months, Reading winger Hunt says that his return would only serve to anger those that have worked hard to get the country to next year's World Cup Finals in South Africa.

"You might say it will help the camp but might hinder the camp too," said Hunt.

"If he comes back, he would be a good player to have and might get us that extra step to the World Cup.

"But if you tell someone who has been waiting for a chance that he is not going to the World Cup because he has come back in late doors, you might have a few players upset about it - especially at this stage of the campaign. That's fair enough, I think.

"I don't think he'll come back. We're probably better off forgetting about it until the campaign is finished. If Stephen Ireland did come back, then it would be a bonus for the team and everything else would have to work around it.

"But if was to come back now," added the 27-year-old, "it would come with extra media on the team at a time when it's vitally important we stay focused on qualifying for the World Cup. Stephen Ireland hasn't said much. It's more quotes coming from his dad. It's time to let it go."

print this article Print
email this articleE-mail


Be the first to make a comment.

It may take several minutes for your comment to appear.


Click to learn more from DiscoverIreland.com.


Connect to IrishCentral with your Facebook account

or sign-in directly

Welcome to IrishCentral!
Please provide the following information in order to create your account

Username:
E-Mail Address:
Password:
Confirm Password:
I agree to the Terms of Use and Privacy Policy


Welcome to IrishCentral!
All we need is the following information and you will be part of the #1 Irish community in the US

E-Mail Address:
First select a unique username:
Username:
Now choose a password:
Password:
Confirm Password:
I agree to the Terms of Use and Privacy Policy
Thank you!

Just one more step and you will be part of the largest Irish community in America! Tell us a little more about you to start enjoying all the features of IrishCentral.

Additional Information:

First Name:
Last Name:
Date of Birth:
Zip:
Gender: Male  Female 
Country:
Degree of Irishness:
Household Income:
Level of Education:

Subscribe to our newsletters:

The Best of IrishCentral - Daily Newsletter
Special Offers from our sponsors

or
Skip

You can edit your information at any time, just go to "my account" when you're logged in.

Log into IrishCentral with your Facebook account

or sign-in directly

E-Mail:
Password:
 Remember me Forgot my password