Fenlon & O'Neill name their FIFA 13 LOI XI

Northern Ireland manager Michael O’ Neill and Hibernian manager Pat Fenlon took time out of their managerial commitments to name their FIFA 13 ultimate league of Ireland eleven.

FIFA ultimate team is essentially fantasy football within FIFA 13, but officially an in-game mode found within the FIFA 13 menu, allowing players to create their own fantasy team and compete with them in both online and offline modes.

Both named strong line ups (see end of article for full team selections) with Michael choosing many Shamrock Rovers players he managed and other very talented League of Ireland players. The inclusion of Pat Sullivan at right back was no surprise after many great performances for Rovers and his wonder goal against Partizan Belgrade in the Europa League qualifiers.

"For me he’s the best right back in the league without a doubt. Pat’s all round game really stands out."

In nets Derry City’s Ger Doherty was chosen and O'Neill had a lot of good things to say about him and will be keeping a close eye on him with Doherty earning a call up to the Northern Ireland Squad for the match against Malta last month.

"He is a goalkeeper for the big occasions and has got the temperament and is able to deal with the big games. He is the best in the league."

Pat Fenlon’s team selection was a bit different and he had lots of good things to say about the young St Patrick's Athletic winger Christopher Forrester.

"I think he has the raw talent to be a very good player. I brought him to Bohemians from Belvedere. He had a good season last year and I am delighted he is doing so well, he is a great kid."

In Fenlon’s centre midfield there was no doubt that it would include Joseph Ndo who has played for him at Bohemians and Shelbourne.

"Joseph is a special player if you’re looking at players coming from outside the league he has probably been the best that’s ever been."

Michael O’Neill and Pat Fenlon are supporting EA SPORTS™ FIFA 13 Ultimate Team. Build your squad, acquire new players and compete with your Ultimate Team. Buy FIFA points NOW. For more information log onto http://www.ea.com/uk/football/fifa-ultimate-team. 
 

Speaking about his former assistant and current Shamrock Rovers manager Trevor Croly, Michael O'Neill was happy to see him appointed but conceded it will be a challenging job for him.

"It will be a different role for him from what he was doing previously as a first team  coach and in his first year the board need to support him and adapting to being a manager will be his most difficult challenge."

In his new job as manager of Northern Ireland Michael O’Neill has been very unlucky with results drawing at home to low ranked teams such as Luxembourg and Azerbaijan.

"Our performances have been good and our results have not matched our performances but we have to persevere and hopefully the results will turn around for us. It’s a massive challenge for us against Russia and Israel, but these are the games we have everything to gain."

With Rovers playing Bohemians on the 19^th of March, both Fenlon and O’Neill are very fond of this Dublin Derby as it a great spectacle and a great advertisement for the League of Ireland. O’Neill feels the pressure is always on Rovers.

"These games are tough for Rovers because the expectation lies with them because they are expected to win particularly against a young inexperienced Bohemians team. Bohs have everything to gain."

Having managed Bohemians and played for Shamrock Rovers and the Gypsies, Pat Fenlon knows the passion of this game better than anyone.

"It’s a big game and it’s a real rivalry and if you speak to the players that have played in it over the years it’s the one game as a manager you feel that it’s a real proper football match because it’s a big crowd and a good atmosphere and people just don’t want to lose.

With Fenlon now managing Hibernian in Scotland his managerial career is getting better and better but like Michael O’Neill he has International  experience managing the Ireland Under 21’s and Under 23’s.

In 2007 he picked a League of Ireland Under 23 squad including two current Republic of Ireland players, Everton’s Seamus Coleman and Derby County striker Conor Sammon. He had great things to say about these players.

"Seamus is a special player with a fabulous attitude but to be able to cement his place in Everton over a period of time is a great credit to him.

With Conor he has a tremendous work ethic and attitude and he plays to his attributes and his strengths. You’re delighted to see players coming out of our own league and doing so well."