Judge Could Win Cap as Ireland Face Gibraltar
Saturday, 23rd Mar 2019 10:00

Blues midfielder Alan Judge could win his sixth Republic of Ireland cap this evening when Mick McCarthy’s side face Gibraltar away in their opening European Championships qualifier (Sky Sports Main Event/Football from 4.55pm).

Judge, 30, was most recently capped in June last year when he scored his only international goal having come on as a sub in a friendly against the US, his games with Ireland having been limited by the serious injury he suffered at Town in April 2016.

"I wasn't originally in the squad, I scored and thought, 'That'll do me'," he recalled earlier this week.

"I thought if that was me finished with Ireland, that was a good way to end it. It was only a friendly but it was like being to hell and back.

"Everything I'd worked so hard for, to score for Ireland...I only had five caps, I felt I would've had a hell of a lot more.

"So it was just relief. My family was there, it meant everything. They were more happy for me than I was! When I went up to the room after, dad was in bits, my ma was in bits.”

He added: "I'm only 30. After two years out, I feel like I'm 28, that I'm in my prime now. It's just enjoying every minute of it. I know I've maybe missed my chance to go to the Premier League, but it's about taking every minute you can on the pitch.”

Judge is contracted to the Blues until the summer but with the short-term deal he signed in January including an option for a further year and discussions regarding a longer stay currently ongoing.

The former Brentford man says he isn't fazed by the prospect of remaining with a club almost certainly destined for League One.

"I’m extremely happy there," he continued. "Mick told me I would when I first spoke to him about going there. I’ve had enough time not playing.

"If I have to have a year in League One, get up straight away, I’ll look at that."

Ireland, whose squad also includes ex-Blues striker David McGoldrick, host Georgia in their second qualifier at the Aviva Stadium in Dublin on Tuesday.

Meanwhile, academy right-back Dylan Crowe, 17, won his third England U18 cap as the Young Lions were beaten 1-0 by the Czech Republic at the Sport Chain Cup in Dubai yesterday afternoon.

Photo: TWTD

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midastouch added 10:28 - Mar 23 Hope Derby aren't watching!
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Dissboyitfc added 10:39 - Mar 23 I hope nobody is watching
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midastouch added 10:50 - Mar 23 Maybe Derby (among others!) will need to be selling in actual fact! DAILY MAIL Aston Villa, Derby County and Sheffield Wednesday are among the clubs who now face sanctions for breaches of financial regulations after Birmingham City were slapped with a nine-point deduction. Source: https://www.sportinglife.com/football/news/paper-talk-kroos-control/164231
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midastouch added 10:55 - Mar 23

It's about time some action was taken on teams wildly spending beyond their means in the Championship, we've cut our cloth considerably for several seasons trying to live within our means (and still losing a few million each season if Marcus is to be believed) and that's taken us to the bottom of the pile. If action had of been taken like this last season we probably wouldn't be in quite such a mess this season, as this would of forced plenty of other teams to lower their wage bill significantly in order to comply.

midastouch added 10:57 - Mar 23 THE TIMES Frank Lampard's future as Derby County manager has been plunged into doubt after club owner Mel Morris cancelled the squad's trip to Dubai in one of his latest cost-cutting measures. Source: https://www.sportinglife.com/football/news/paper-talk-kroos-control/164231
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RobITFC added 16:48 - Mar 23 Couple of quotes on BBC from Mick McCarthy ... LOL he has changed his tune! It's 17 years since he left in 2002, but McCarthy has already said he wants to play with a more positive style. We're encouraging players to pass forward, get in the box, create chances and try to take them," McCarthy said.
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NoelTheDub added 18:00 - Mar 23 listening to McCarthy on the sideline and watching the HOOFBALL up the pitch brings it all back shocking tactics v Gibraltar 0.0 HT no shock there.Planes grounded at Gibraltar airport its not a drone issue its a bloody football.
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alfromcol added 19:00 - Mar 23 Report on the game said ""it wasn't pretty but that's a win for the Republic of Ireland in Mick McCarthy's first game in charge."" So nothing has changed!
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midastouch added 19:09 - Mar 23 Got a big pool of players over there on the Rock to pick from. From all 6.8km2 of it! We could fit their entire population into Portman Road nearly! I didn't watch it but my friend did and he said it was awful! He had been to Wembley last night so must of been a big comedown watching that on the box this eve compared to the night before!
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ITFCsince73 added 19:11 - Mar 23 Considering the massive difference in standard between the 2 teams. Imagine a Premier League team V National League South. A very embarrassing result for the Rep of Ireland. Expect more of the same.
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