Shamrock Rovers boss hits out at Heimir Hallgrimsson over selection of wonderkid

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Shamrock Rovers manager, Stephen Bradley, has criticised the inclusion of one of his young stars in Ireland's recent friendly camp in May.

Ireland played Qatar and Canada in what was intended to be World Cup warm-up games for the ongoing North-American tournament.

Although, meaningless games, Heimir Hallgrimsson was able to showcase the talent that is striving in the League of Ireland.

The Icelander originally called up six LOI players from four clubs.

Dawson Devoy, Bohemian FC
Kian Leavy, St. Patrick's Atheltic
Matt Healy, Shamrock Rovers
Ed McGinty, Shamrock Rovers
Adam Brennan, Shamrock Rovers
Conor Brann, Cork City FC

Out of the six original call-ups, Dawson Devoy tallied the most minutes. The Bohs captain registered 45 minutes and started Ireland's 1-1 draw with Canada.

Leavy and Brennan were the two other LOI players to feature.

While Brennan's Hoops teammates Ed McGinty and Matt Healy were unused substitutes.

Conor Brann was also an unused substitute.

However, what came as a shock to many was Rovers 16-year-old, Josh O'Dwyer, receiving a training call-up ahead of the Canada fixture.

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The youngster has yet to feature past U17 level for Ireland and his only two senior-team appearances for Rovers came this term in the Leinster Senior Cup.

Speaking to the RTÉ Soccer Podcast on Sunday, Stephen Bradley gave his thoughts on the recent League of Ireland call-ups.

And perhaps unexpectedly, the Rovers supremo vocalised his criticism of young O'Dwyer's inclusion

Bradley said: "I don't agree with the Josh one, I have to say, I didn't agree with that at all. You have Heimir speaking about people needing to play for the Under-21s before they go with Ireland. You have a kid who hasn't played for the Under-19s."

Referencing his own experience, leaving Ireland to join Arsenal at 15, Bradley understands the implications of being known as the young "superstar."

"Now I've been that young player, that superstar at 15 that everyone talks about. When you're pushed before you deserve it, it can really really hurt you. I've seen Keith Treacy talk about it and he was spot on, you need to be very, very careful.
"Josh has a really high level of ability, there's no doubt about that and he can be something very, very good but... it baffled me. There's players that have earned it."
Bradley outlined that he had conversations with the 59-year-old Ireland manager over calling up his senior players. Yet, no mention of Heimir's plans for Josh O'Dwyer.
"Yeah regarding the first three, Matt, Ed, Adam, good conversation. I like Heimir, I think he's a good man, I think he's done a good job, the play-offs, that would have been his aim I'm sure. Unlucky not to qualify but look that's football, it happens.
"I don't know (why he didn't speak to him about O'Dwyer). That's a question that needs to be asked from within there. Did he make that decision? I'd question that, if he made that decision, because it doesn't make sense, in any regard it doesn't make sense.
"And again, nothing against the kid - good family, I've watched him since he's 10, 11, he played in my son's team. I know him really, really well, really good, he's trained with us quite a number of times. He has a really good chance but you need to be really careful."
O'Dwyer is set to join Red Bull Salzburg this summer. Due to the Hoops not securing the 16-year-old midfielder on professional terms, Rovers are set to only receive a training composition for the highly rated Dubliner according to The Irish Times.

Should O'Dwyer have been called up?

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Shamrock Rovers boss hits out at Heimir Hallgrimsson over selection of wonderkid

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