Finnan Announces Retirement...

[Fowler's God]

http://www.liverpoolfc.tv/news/drilldown/N158532080122-1406.htm

Steve Finnan has today announced his retirement from international football.
The Liverpool right back made 50 appearances for the Republic of Ireland since making his debut against Greece in April 2000.

Said Finnan: "I've thoroughly enjoyed my time in the Republic team, with the World Cup in 2002 being the highlight of my international career.

"But I'll be 34 when the next tournament comes around so it's the right time for me to step down.

"There will be a new manager coming in soon who will have his own ideas for the future with younger players having the chance to stake their claim to be in his plans."

[Fowler's God]

Well he is one of our national teams best players will be missed but you can understand at his age.

[Redring]

sad day for ireland. good luck stevie.

[Garrett]

A sad loss to our national team,

but it makes sense I guess.

[Monty]

I predicted this last week with my friends. Best of luck to stevie..

[arklowred]

FINNAN ANNOUNCES INTERNATIONAL RETIREMENT

Steve Finnan has today announced his retirement from international football.
The Liverpool right back made 50 appearances for the Republic of Ireland since making his debut against Greece in April 2000.

Said Finnan: "I've thoroughly enjoyed my time in the Republic team, with the World Cup in 2002 being the highlight of my international career.

"But I'll be 34 when the next tournament comes around so it's the right time for me to step down.

"There will be a new manager coming in soon who will have his own ideas for the future with younger players having the chance to stake their claim to be in his plans."

big loss for ireland, he will be missed but im glad he can now concentrate on liverpool and get back to his consistent best soon

[callyno3]

Can see why. hopefully keep himself fresh for a few more years

[Yoko]

Shame, probably one of the few Class players Ireland have still its good for the red men

[fitzpatrickgary]

huge loss for ireland himselself and dunne were our defence
but at least it his can concentrate on playing for the reds

[KOP Season Ticket Holder]

No Offence but the Irish FA seems a bit of a joke, Great choice and Ireland will never win anything anyway.

[sean]

No Offence but the Irish FA seems a bit of a joke, Great choice and Ireland will never win anything anyway.

Got nothing to do with the FAI as far as I can see. The lad is 32, very late in his career to be playing international football. Its a pity as the international team will be well stretched at the back after this.

[shibox]

He will be missed alright. Don't think he got a fair crack of the whip though. Was it Steve Carr or Ian Harte that were preferred during the world cup 2002. And often when he was given a game, he was put in at left back!

[mickey_t]

Its a shame, can't blame him though since he was being constantly played out of position and since the FAI are doing their best to make a mess of the international set up.
Will still remember his great contributions to the side over the years - setting up McAteer for the famous goal against the Dutch to send us to the World Cup and being the only one along with Robbie Keane to score on pennos against Spain, and of course saving us from defeat at home against Cyprus in October. And obviously for being one of our more consistent defenders in the last few years.

[NiallD]

One of the few quality players we had so its going to weaken us further. Should have been the regular right back for years but was overlooked too many times. Hopefully it will keep him in top form the reds though.

[Paul]

No Offence but the Irish FA seems a bit of a joke, Great choice and Ireland will never win anything anyway.


What has Ireland never going to win anything got to do with it?
Maybe all English,Welsh, Scots and Northern Ireland players should retire for the same reason :confused:

[Paul]

He would have got a lot more caps if for some inexplicable reason Kerr hadn't picked Carr ahead of him so much.

[GaryMc]

I think it has something to do with them gimps in the FAI. If a new man has been in charge at the start of the year, then maybe he could have talked to Steve. He was probably asked about his availability for the brazil and he decided to retire.

He never got the reconation he deserved with Ireland as he was so versatile. I remember him scoring against Finland when playing in Midfield.

[donelli]

Very disapomited that Finnan has quit. All his talk of being 34 at the time of the SA world cup is cheap.
he is 31 and a real asset for the irish team. i feel he has let the irish supporter down.

[leonsdaddy]

sad news for ireland but great news for liverpool

[redchariot]

It is a shame to lose one of the team's best players; he really is the unsung hero for both Ireland and Liverpool

[vodkacolly]

I think its probably a good time for him to go. Will miss him though..

[bmac]

I think its probably a good time for him to go. Will miss him though..

Massive loss for Ireland though, El Trap will surely try to get him back... What do you lads think the chances are of Finnan coming out of retirement?

[KOP Season Ticket Holder]

None, he knows Ireland have no chance of qualification from the group there are in.

[SUPERFAN]

None, he knows Ireland have no chance of qualification from the group there are in.
yeah,the same reason why Carra Quit England.he knew they wouldn't Qualify for Euro 2008.if Capello trys to Talk him out of Retirement he'll Tell him no cos he knows they've little chance of Qualifcation for the World Cup from the Group they are in....

[corcaigh]

what,carra quit because he was ignored by erikkson and McClaren even though he should have been 1st sub to Terry and Ferdinand(and there was a time he should have been ahead of ferdinand anyway). now he wont return because hes pushing on a bit.

i hope finnan comes back but i think itll be easier for him to stick to his guns and stay retired.

[donelli]

carra and finnan retired from england and ireland to further their club carreers. Strange how their form has dipped since making them decisons..

[corcaigh]

not further, try to maintain. age isnt helping for both players. im getting really worried about carra since the barnshite game over the weekend, his form has dropped dramatically this season, not looking good. finnan i reckon its more a case of confidence and lack of match time.