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'{{Infobox Football biography 2 | playername = Stephen Ireland | image = [[Image:Stephen Ireland.jpg|250px]] | fullname = Stephen Ireland | height = {{height|meters=1.73}}<ref>[http://www.mcfc.co.uk/default.sps?syndicatorguid=&rmasiteinstanceguid=&pagegid={439A001B-9F18-408E-BD8E-8466AB3C97FD}&bioid=12809&siteid=502 Stephen Ireland squad profile]. Aston Villa. Retrieved on 2009-05-30.</ref> | dateofbirth = {{Birth date and age|df=yes|1986|8|22}} | cityofbirth = [[County Cork|Cork]] | countryofbirth = [[Republic of Ireland|Ireland]] | currentclub = [[Aston Villa F.C.|Aston Villa]] | clubnumber = 8 | position = [[Midfielder]] | youthyears1 = 1994–2001 | youthyears2 = 2001–2005 | youthclubs1 = [[Cobh Ramblers F.C.|Cobh Ramblers]] | youthclubs2 = [[Manchester City F.C. Reserves and Academy|Manchester City]] | years1 = 2005–2010 | clubs1 = [[Manchester City F.C.|Manchester City]] | years2 = 2010– | clubs2 = [[Aston Villa F.C.|Aston Villa]] | caps1 = 138 | goals1 = 23 | caps2 = 0 | goals2 = 0 | nationalyears1 = 2005 | nationalyears2 = 2006–2007 | nationalteam1 = [[Republic of Ireland under-21 national football team|Republic of Ireland U21]] | nationalteam2 = [[Republic of Ireland national football team|Republic of Ireland]] | nationalcaps1 = 1 | nationalgoals1 = 0 | nationalcaps2 = 6 | nationalgoals2 = 4 | pcupdate = 09:21, 18 April 2010 (UTC) | ntupdate = 23:08, 20 October 2008 (UTC) }} '''Stephen Ireland''' (born 22 August 1986<ref>http://www.stephenireland.com/biography/ Official website</ref> in [[Cobh]] [[County Cork|Cork]], [[Ireland (state)|Ireland]]) is an Irish [[Association football|footballer]] who currently plays as a [[midfielder]] for [[Aston Villa F.C.|Aston Villa]] in the English [[Premier League]]. ==Club career== ===Cobh Ramblers=== Ireland started his career in [[Cobh]], playing junior football for [[Cobh Ramblers]], a team his father Michael had previously played for.<ref name="Cobh">{{cite web | title = Player profile – Stephen Ireland | url = http://www.cobhramblers.com/Schoolboys_Premierleague.htm | publisher = Cobh Ramblers| accessdate = 2007-04-04}}</ref> As a schoolboy Ireland had trials with a number of British clubs, though several were discouraged by his [[Osgood-Schlatter disease]], which he suffered from in his mid-teens. ===Manchester City=== At the age of 15 he joined [[Manchester City F.C.|Manchester City]]. Ireland played for Manchester City's first team in a number of friendlies in the 2005 pre season, and made his competitive debut on 18 September 2005 against [[Bolton Wanderers F.C.|Bolton Wanderers]], coming on as an 81st minute substitute.<ref>{{cite web | title = Player profile – 7 Stephen Ireland | url = http://soccernet.espn.go.com/players/profile?id=46525&cc=5739 | publisher = ESPN| accessdate = 2007-04-04}}</ref> He subsequently made his first competitive start against [[Doncaster Rovers F.C.|Doncaster Rovers]] on 21 September 2005. He won the [[Man of the Match]] award on his first [[FA Premier League|Premier League]] start against [[Everton F.C.|Everton]] on 2 October 2005.<ref>{{cite news| title = Mills' wonder goal inspires City as Moyes remains rock bottom | url = http://sport.independent.co.uk/football/premiership/article316719.ece | publisher = ''The Independent''| date= 2005-10-03| accessdate = 2007-04-04 | location=London | first=David | last=Instone}}</ref><ref>{{cite news| title = Ireland impresses as City add to Everton woes | url = http://www.unison.ie/irish_independent/stories.php3?ca=94&si=1480827&issue_id=13086 | publisher = ''Irish Independent''| date= 2005-10-03| accessdate = 2007-04-04}}</ref> He then started the next six matches for City, which won him a contract to keep him at the club until 2009.<ref>{{cite news| title = Ireland signs new contract with City | url = http://www.rte.ie/sport/2005/1026/irelands.html| publisher = RTÉ| date= 2005-10-2]| accessdate = 2007-04-04}}</ref> In the remainder of the season he participated in around half of Manchester City's matches, ending the season with a total of 16 starts and 12 substitute appearances.<ref>{{cite book |last=James |first=Gary |title=Manchester City – The Complete Record |publisher=Breedon |location=Derby |year=2006 |isbn=1-85983-512-0}} p479</ref> On 26 December, Ireland scored his first Premier League goal for City, a left footed volley from 20&nbsp;yards. The goal proved to be the only goal in a vital 1–0 victory at [[Sheffield United F.C.|Sheffield United]]'s [[Bramall Lane]]. Ireland's second goal for City came against [[Sheffield Wednesday F.C.|Sheffield Wednesday]] in the third round of FA Cup. His goal, scored just moments before the interval, was created by man of the match [[Joey Barton]] in front of 25,000 spectators at the [[City of Manchester Stadium]]. City went on to win 2–1. On 18 February, Ireland rounded off the scoring for Manchester City in a 3–1 away win over [[Preston North End F.C.|Preston North End]] in the fifth round of the [[FA Cup]] with a stunning volley from outside the area. Having started the [[Premier League 2007-08|2007–08]] Premier League season well with City, Ireland scored the only goal, a volley, in a 1–0 home win over [[Sunderland A.F.C.|Sunderland]]. His celebration for the goal courted some controversy, Ireland dropped his shorts to reveal a pair of [[underpants]] sporting the [[Superman logo]], however the FA decided a warning would be the fairest course of action. Then in November against [[Reading F.C.|Reading]] he scored to keep Manchester City's home record at 100%. Two weeks later he was sent off in the 2–1 loss at [[Tottenham Hotspur F.C.|Tottenham Hotspur]] and received a 3 match ban. However, Ireland erased that memory with a goal in the reverse fixture, which led Manchester City to a 2–1 home victory over Spurs.<ref>[http://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/main.jhtml?xml=/sport/2007/11/06/ufnmancity106.xml Stephen Ireland avoids censure for flash pants] ''Daily Telegraph'' (2007-11-06)</ref> He scored his final goal of the season with a sweet strike in the 2–3 loss to [[Fulham F.C.|Fulham]]. He got the ball just outside the left side of the penalty box and curved it over [[Kasey Keller]] into the top right corner. He finished the 2007–08 season with four goals. He returned to the first team in a good individual and team performance in the 3–0 win against [[West Ham United F.C.|West Ham]]. He finished the match with two assists, crossing for [[Elano Blumer|Elano]] to strike home. He opened his tally in the 3–0 away win at [[Sunderland A.F.C.|Sunderland]]. He scored again the in 2–2 draw at [[Newcastle United F.C.|Newcastle United]] on 20 October. He scored both goals in the 2–2 draw at [[Hull City F.C.|Hull City]] on 16 November, <ref>[http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/football/article-1086394/Hull-City-2-Manchester-City-2-Hart-break-England-good-break-Ireland.html?ITO=1490 Hart break England good break Ireland]. ''Daily Mail''</ref> and opened the score in the successive league match against [[Arsenal F.C.|Arsenal]]. After netting in a 2–1 win over Everton, Ireland took his seasons tally to 13 in a memorable season for the Irishman. On 20 May 2009, he was named Manchester City's Senior Player of the Year for his blistering performances throughout the 2008–09 season and as a result has secured a new 5-year contract, keeping him at the club until 2014.<ref>[http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/teams/m/man_city/8056984.stm Man City secure new Ireland deal ] BBC Sport; 28 May 2009 </ref>. He later became the Greater Manchester player of the Year.<ref>[http://www.goal.com/en-india/news/105/main/2009/10/14/1560282/manchester-citys-stephen-ireland-scoops-award goal.com]</ref> He opened his account in the 2009-10 Season with an opening day goal in the 0–2 win at [[Blackburn Rovers]].<ref>[http://www.guardian.co.uk/football/2009/aug/15/premier-league-blackburn-rovers-manchester-city Emmanuel Adebayor's debut strike puts Manchester City on the road to a winning start] The Guardian; 15 August 2009 </ref> He was substituted against [[Fulham FC|Fulham]] after complaining of dizziness throughout the game. There were fears that his vigorous training scheme he went through over the summer may have led him to have a minor cardiac arrest, although these rumours were quickly denied. In the fourth round of the [[Carling Cup]] Ireland scored a curling shot against [[Scunthorpe United]] to help send his team to the quarter finals.<ref>[http://www.thesun.co.uk/sol/homepage/sport/football/2653831/Ireland-in-heart-atack-scare.html Ireland in heart attack scare] The Sun; 25 September 2009</ref>. In December 2009, Mark Hughes was sacked as manager and was replaced by former Internazionale manager Roberto Mancini. With the good form of Nigel de Jong, Vincent Kompany and new signing Patrick Vieira at the club, Ireland spent most of the second half of the season as a substitute. By the end of the 2009/10 season, he only scored 3 goals, which were all before Mancini's arrival. Speculation that Ireland was no longer needed by Manchester City began.The club's manager Roberto Mancini said Ireland must change his head in order to play."I don't know what he is thinking about his future but, for me, Stephen is a fantastic player and if he can change his head I think he can start to play like last season [2008-09] again.<ref>"[http://www.guardian.co.uk/football/2010/may/10/stephen-ireland-roberto-mancini-manchester-city guardian.co.uk]</ref>. ===Aston Villa=== At the start of the [[2010–11 Premier League]] season, Ireland was targeted to be transferred to [[Aston Villa]] in exchange for [[James Milner]], but the deal was held up when he demanded £2 million from Manchester City to agree to the move. On 17 August 2010 it was reported the deal had been done, and he was at Aston Villa's [[Bodymoor Heath Training Ground]] for a medical. The final price was £8million in a part exchange for [[James Milner]].<ref>{{cite web| title = Manchester City complete signing of Mario Balotelli | url = http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/teams/m/man_city/8910570.stm| publisher = BBC| accessdate = 2010-08-14}}</ref> ==International career== Ireland represented Ireland at under-15, under-16 and under-17 level,<ref name="Cobh"/>, but when called up to under-18 level he had a dispute with coach [[Brian Kerr (football manager)|Brian Kerr]] after he was left out of the side and told to watch the match from the stands. The team lost the match 4–0, and Kerr suggested Ireland would be involved in the next match. When Ireland was again left out, he requested to return to his club, and Kerr informed him that he would never play for the [[Republic of Ireland national football team|Republic of Ireland]] while Kerr was manager.<ref>{{cite news| title = Ireland sets his sights on international return | url = http://www.rte.ie/sport/2005/1220/irelands.html| publisher = RTÉ| date= 2005-12-20| accessdate = 2007-04-04}}</ref> In January 2006 Kerr was replaced as [[Republic of Ireland national football team|Republic of Ireland]] manager by [[Steve Staunton]]. In Staunton's first squad, for a match against [[Sweden national football team|Sweden]], Ireland received a senior call up for the first time. Ireland came on a substitute in the match, replacing [[John O'Shea]].<ref>{{cite news| title = Rep of Ireland 3–0 Sweden | url = http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/internationals/4764816.stm| publisher = BBC| date= 2006-03-01| accessdate = 2007-04-04}}</ref> He scored his first international goal on 7 October 2006 in a 5–2 loss to [[Cyprus national football team|Cyprus]]. On the 7 February 2007 Stephen Ireland saved the Republic of Ireland from a humiliating draw with [[San Marino national football team|San Marino]] with a last minute injury time goal. Final score was 2–1. On 24 March 2007, he scored the first ever goal in [[Croke Park]] against [[Welsh national football team|Wales]].<ref>{{cite news| title = Ireland's the victor in every sense | url = http://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/main.jhtml?xml=/sport/2007/03/25/sfgire25.xml| publisher = ''Sunday Telegraph''| date= 2007-03-25| accessdate = 2007-04-04 | location=London | first=Trevor | last=Haylett}}</ref> This was his third international goal in just four matches. He also scored against [[Slovakia national football team|Slovakia]] in [[Tehelné pole|Bratislava]] on 8 September 2007. ===Controversy=== In September 2007, Ireland was at the centre of controversy when, in the immediate aftermath of a [[Republic of Ireland national football team|Republic of Ireland]] international match and days before their crunch game against the [[Czech Republic national football team|Czechs]], coach [[Steve Staunton]] informed him of a telephone call just received from his girlfriend reporting the death of his [[maternal]] [[grandmother]]. Staunton quickly consented to Ireland's [[Sick leave|compassionate leave]] on these grounds, a [[private jet]] was chartered for his return. However the media quickly discovered that Ireland's grandmother was not dead, at which point Ireland announced it was his [[paternal]] grandmother who died but yet again, reporters discovered that Ireland's paternal grandmother was also still alive, and her relatives had threatened to sue one newspaper that reported her death. Ireland changed his story again, saying one of his grandfathers had [[divorce]]d and it was his second wife who had died. That was also quickly discovered to be untrue.<ref>{{cite news| title = Ireland sorry after Republic lie | url = http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/internationals/6995114.stm | publisher = BBC Sport| date= 2007-09-14| accessdate = 2008-07-05}}</ref> Ireland eventually came out with the truth, admitting he had invented a reason to leave the [[Republic of Ireland national football team|Irish]] team in order to visit his girlfriend in [[Cork (city)|Cork]], who had a miscarriage. "I decided at that stage that I must tell the truth and admit I had told lies," Ireland said. "I realise now it was a massive mistake to say my grandmothers had died and I deeply regret it."<ref>{{cite news| url=http://www.guardian.co.uk/football/2007/sep/15/newsstory.sport4 | work=The Guardian | location=London | title=Ireland apologises for lies over fate of both grandmothers | first=Daniel | last=Taylor | date=15 September 2007 | accessdate=24 May 2010}}</ref> Irish coach Staunton was furious at Ireland. The coach's mood wasn't helped by the fact Ireland lost 1–0 to the [[Czech Republic national football team|Czechs]], which effectively ended their hopes of qualifying for the Euro 2008 championships. Ireland said his girlfriend had [[miscarriage|miscarried]] and that "caused us to panic." The [[Football Association of Ireland|FAI]] as well as football fans over the country were left to wonder why he hadn't simply told the truth, as a miscarriage would have been sufficient to allow Ireland compassionate leave. "Jessica [Ireland's girlfriend] said she was very lonely and wanted me to come home. She thought they might let me home quicker if they thought my grandmother had died," Ireland explained. He has not played for Ireland since this controversy. ===Exile=== On 20 October 2008, Ireland participated in a pre-match interview on [[Setanta Ireland]], during which he stated that he was watching the [[Republic of Ireland national football team|Irish team]] regularly and that they were doing well. He also stated he would not be back in the foreseeable future. [[Giovanni Trapattoni]]'s desire to return Ireland to the national squad has been well documented in the Irish press (he and [[Liam Brady]] have allegedly met with the player with the hope of enticing him back), and levels of frustration among the Irish public over the situation have since intensified as the player produced exceptional form at [[Manchester City]] in the [[Premier League 2008-09|2008–09]] season. Speculation abounded that Ireland might make himself available for a call-up to the national squad to face [[Georgia national football team|Georgia]] on 11 February 2009.<ref>{{cite news| title = City ace Ireland hints at return to green fold | url = http://www.independent.ie/sport/soccer/premier-league/city-ace-ireland-hints-at-return-to-green-fold-1574870.html | publisher = ''Irish Independent''| date= 2008-12-15| accessdate = 2009-01-07}}</ref> However, when the squad was announced on 19 January, the player's name did not feature, and Liam Brady took the opportunity to explain to the press that he and Trapattoni had previously come to an agreement with the player whereby he would inform them when he felt like playing again, and that so far no contact had been made from the player's end.<ref>{{cite news| title = Brady blasts Ireland reports: City star remains in self-imposed exile, according to assistant | url = http://www.skysports.com/story/0,19528,11095_4817799,00.html | publisher = Sky Sports News| date=2009-01-19 }}</ref> On 19 February it was reported that Ireland had intimated to Manchester City team mate [[Shay Given]] that he would like to represent Ireland at the [[2010 FIFA World Cup|World Cup in South Africa in 2010]] and that a return to the international fold was imminent, but when the Irish squad to face [[Bulgaria national football team|Bulgaria]] on 28 March and [[Italy national football team|Italy]] on 1 April was announced, his name was once again omitted. Trapattoni revealed at the accompanying press conference that he himself did not believe Ireland would return, claiming that when he had met with the player months previously he had appeared withdrawn and reluctant to look the Ireland manager in the eye.<ref>{{cite news| title = Ireland finds door shut | url = http://www.herald.ie/sport/soccer/ireland-finds-door-shut-1675347.html| publisher = ''Evening Herald''| date= 2009-03-17| accessdate = 2009-03-17}}</ref> Ireland himself has now said that he will probably not return to the national team: "I always say 'never say never' because it's hard not to, but I don't think I'll ever go back."<ref>[http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/football_focus/8041610.stm Interview – Stephen Ireland] BBC Sport (2009-05-09) Retrieved on 2009-05-10</ref> ===International goals=== {| class="wikitable" style="font-size:90%" ! Goal !! Date !! Venue !! Opponent !! Score !! Result !! Competition |- | 1. || 7 October 2006 || [[Neo GSP Stadium]], [[Nicosia]] || {{fb|CYP}} || '''1'''–0 || 2–5 || [[UEFA Euro 2008 qualifying]] |- | 2. || 2 February 2007 || [[Serravalle, San Marino|Serravalle]] || {{fb|SMR}} || '''2'''–1 || 2–1 || [[UEFA Euro 2008 qualifying]] |- | 3. || 24 March 2007 || [[Croke Park]], [[Dublin]] || {{fb|WAL}} || '''1'''–0 || 1–0 || [[UEFA Euro 2008 qualifying]] |- | 4. || 8 September 2007 || [[Tehelné pole]], [[Bratislava]] || {{fb|SVK}} || '''1'''–0 || 2–2 || [[UEFA Euro 2008 qualifying]] |} ==Club statistics== ''As of 21 November 2009.'' {{Football player statistics 1|YY}} {{Football player statistics 2|ENG|YY}} |- |[[FA Premier League 2005-06|2005–06]]||rowspan="5"|[[Manchester City]]||rowspan="5"|[[Premier League]]||24||0||3||0||1||0||-||-||28||0 |- |[[FA Premier League 2006-07|2006–07]]||24||1||4||2||1||0||-||-||29||3 |- |[[FA Premier League 2007-08|2007–08]]||33||4||3||0|||3||0||-||-||39||4 |- |[[Premier League 2008-09|2008–09]]||35||9||0||0||1||1||14||3||50||13 |- |[[Premier League 2009-10|2009–10]]||22||2||6||0||3||1||-||-||31||3 {{Football player statistics 5}}138||16||16||2||9||2||14||3||177||23 |} ==References== {{reflist|2}} ==External links== *[http://www.stephenireland.com Official website] *[http://www.mcfc.co.uk/default.sps?syndicatorguid=&rmasiteinstanceguid=&pagegid={439A001B-9F18-408E-BD8E-8466AB3C97FD}&bioid=12809&siteid=502 Manchester City squad profile] *{{soccerbase|id=41708|name=Stephen Ireland}} *[http://soccernet.espn.go.com/players/profile?id=46525&cc=5739 ESPN Profile] {{Aston Villa F.C. squad}} {{DEFAULTSORT:Ireland, Stephen}} [[Category:1986 births]] [[Category:Irish people of Italian descent]] [[Category:Living people]] [[Category:Association football midfielders]] [[Category:Manchester City F.C. players]] [[Category:People from County Cork]] [[Category:Premier League players]] [[Category:Republic of Ireland association footballers]] [[Category:Expatriate footballers in England]] [[Category:Republic of Ireland international footballers]] [[ar:ستيفان آيرلند]] [[bg:Стивън Айрлънд]] [[ca:Stephen Ireland]] [[da:Stephen Ireland]] [[de:Stephen Ireland]] [[es:Stephen Ireland]] [[fr:Stephen Ireland]] [[ga:Stephen Ireland]] [[ko:스티븐 아일랜드]] [[id:Stephen Ireland]] [[it:Stephen Ireland]] [[nl:Stephen Ireland]] [[ja:スティーヴン・アイルランド]] [[no:Stephen Ireland]] [[pl:Stephen Ireland]] [[pt:Stephen Ireland]] [[ru:Айрленд, Стивен]] [[simple:Stephen Ireland]] [[fi:Stephen Ireland]] [[sv:Stephen Ireland]] [[tr:Stephen Ireland]] [[zh:史提芬·艾利蘭]]'