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Football just is not the same anymore, weird games played with no fans as we live in a new world which is more like an episode from the 80’s show the Twilight Zone. But it’s the same across the world for all sports, behind-closed-door games, racing tracks closing down in NZ, and popular events like the Olympics and Euro 2020 getting postponed.
The Premier League, starts again having just ended is another strange tale. But as odd as it is, there is something reassuringly normal at looking across the water to the English league, and hoping this season that some Irish players can do well. Last year we had Aaron Connolly scoring twice on his debut and then not scoring again till the final game of the season, Troy Parrott was going to make an impact and didn’t play, Shane Long was finished but then he wasn’t and is still there again. Seamus Coleman was poor pre lockdown and great post lockdown. So which Ireland players will shine in the wacky world of football in 2020?
Jayson Molumby
A potential star in the Irish team, Molumby is all set to become a household name as he was recently included in the senior squad for the Nations League, where he was an unused sub v Bulgaria and started in the game against Finland.
Having worked under Stephen Kenny as part of the U-21 team, the manager is familiar with Molumby’s talent. Moreover, he has been with Brighton in the Premier League ever since 2015, showing his true talent when he was loaned to Millwall last year. Brighton have brought Molumby back and he has signed for another three and a half years. It is only a matter of time before Molumby starts making bigger waves in the Premier League, or is it blind Ireland fans hope?
Matt Doherty
Spurs have signed one of the league’s best right wing backs in Doherty. He has been outstanding for Wolves in their two years back in the top flight, and Spurs are a step up in standards, but where he had a licence to ghost in at the back post where he scored most of his goals for Wolves, under Jose Mourinho he will not get that freedom, and in doing so could he curb all of Doherty’s best traits? Damien Duff at Chelsea is a reminder of what can happen to Irish wingers that play too long under Mourinho.
Darren Randolph
Darren Randolph, has been going back and forth between teams of the Premier League. He joined West Ham United from Birmingham City in 2015, playing with the club for two years. Following this, he went to Middlesbrough in 2017 with a four-year contract. However, with still a year pending in the agreement, earlier this year West Ham United struck a deal with Middlesbrough to get Randolph back on their side. How the latest season will pan out for this yo-yo keeper remains to be seen. But Ireland fans love him as he has been outstanding for Ireland for several years. Also, a little-known fact about Randolph is that he has been a part of the Irish national basketball team previously.
