Stephen Kelly withdrawing from ROI squad

[Super Kevin Bremner!]

I know he has recently had a baby, but the usual pro footballer thing to do is be at the birth, then get back playing ASAP. Seems unusual he'd be missing a qualifier as a paternal leave kind of thing. Anyone know if everything went alright with the birth?

Posting out of genuine concern rather than anything ghoulish, so serious answers only would be useful.

[Big Ern]

Wouldnlt surpriseme if he is sold. In my opinion would be a shame as I rate him more than Gunter

[scumbag]

I had the same train of thought, i hope everything is alright. Tidy footballer and should be playing ahead of Gunter IMO.

[King van der Kwaak]

Hopefully all is okay, but the only thing that did come to mind is if he's not guaranteed a start (which he isn't), is it really worth him being away from his newborn and partner for about 10 days, including a foreign trip, for effectively no reason? I suspect he might've asked Trapattoni if he is likely to start and felt on balance given the reply, that it isn't worth it.

Also we may not be aware of the support network and what the family situation is either and maybe Kelly feels he can't leave his partner on her own currently, whatever the situation.

[mikey0406]

I think after his recent omissions from the squad in the last 6 months and Kelly giving interviews that he was gutted to be dropped from the ROI squads that he would only withdraw for a damn good reason. I for one wish him and his family all the very best

[The Real Sandhurst Royal]

Scumbag wrote: Tidy footballer and should be playing ahead of Gunter IMO

Totally agree....Kelly look very comfortable in the right or left back position when selected last season.

I am sure what he has done wrong to lose his place other than Adkins does not rate him highly.

[melonhead]

Which is a worry, since he is so obviously a better rb than Gunter

[BraisingsteakRoyal]

Also we may not be aware of the support network and what the family situation is

I'm loving how metrosexual we're all becoming on here. How involved a father do we think he's going to be? Nappies and baths, or strictly playing?

FWIW - he's our best RB and second best LB.

As Shorey has signed for Brizzle, the question is whether or not Hartey still a free agent?

[lardydah]

Harte is at Bournemouth, no?

[BraisingsteakRoyal]

Ooh so he is - must've missed that one as he wasn't bleating about it on tw@tter.

We need a new LB then.

[Nameless]

|'m confused, Harte and Shorey left the club months ago so where they happen to be playing makes no difference to how we off for left backs,
Kelly is a perfectly decent left back and Cummings can play there as well so it's hardly a problem position.

If Mapps has gone then I'd be amazed if we are wasting any time looking for left backs when striker and centre back have gaping holes....