Royals scour Ireland for next Kevin Doyle

Anthony Smith • Published 7 Oct 2010 16:30 7 Comments

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READING’S hierarchy are undertaking a talent-spotting mission in a bid to unearth another hidden gem.

Royals have an excellent track record in signing players from the lower leagues and turning them into superstars.

The best examples in recent years are Kevin Doyle and Gylfi Sigurdsson who were sold for massive profits.

Striker Doyle cost just £78,000 from League of Ireland club Cork City in 2005 and was sold to Wolves for a staggering £6.5 million in summer 2009.

And Sigurdsson did not cost a penny as he joined Royals’ Academy at the age of 15 before moving to Bundesliga side Hoffenheim for a whopping £7 million a few weeks ago.

Manager Brian McDermott was heavily involved in bringing both players to the Madejski Stadium during his time as chief scout.

He also spotted Dave Kitson playing for Cambridge United before Reading bought him for £150,000 then sold the striker for £5 million five years later in summer 2008.

And the likes of Stephen Hunt and Ibrahima Sonko also left for seven-figure sums, having joined Royals on free transfers.

This weekend’s international break will now give McDermott and director of football Nick Hammond a chance to find their bargain buy.

McDermott is currently in Ireland watching a striker, with cash available from the club-record Sigurdsson deal.

Hammond explained: “Brian and I have been branching out on the road again and looking how we do things.

“We did most of the scouting over the previous 10 years but obviously we haven’t done as much recently now Brian is manager and I’m spending more time with the first team.

“Steve Shorey is obviously chief scout but we felt we could use this international break to go and see some matches.

“We want to make sure everything is right so that come the January transfer window we are in a position to make recommendations to the board.

“It’s been a good week for us in that respect because it’s always useful to get back out there and pick up on information we already have.”

The Chronicle understands McDermott was at the League of Ireland premier Division clash between Bohemians and Shamrock Rovers on Tuesday night. It is thought he was tracking Rovers striker Gary Twigg, who scored 24 goals in 34 games for the club last season and was named the division’s Player of the Year.

The 26-year-old Glaswegian once played for Derby County, making his Premier League debut against Sunderland in May 2002.

But after returning to his native Scotland via a short spell with Oxford United he followed his former Brechin manager, Michael O’Neill to Shamrock Rovers where his career has taken off again.

McDermott is in the market for a goalscorer, and Twigg could be available for a cut-price fee.

Hammond admitted: “At Reading we have always believed there are players in the Irish league who have the ability to come to England, play at this level and earn a living.

“There are good players in Ireland, make no mistake. We always keep a close eye on what’s going on over there.”

Have your say. Post a comment on this article.

BMac
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Oct 7, 17:00
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Surely neither Doyle nor Sigurdsson came from the 'lower leagues'? This term refers to English divisions (normally referring to those below Championship level).

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Paul
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Oct 8, 00:47
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Agreed BMAC, but to be fair Kitson and Hunt were playing lower league football and Doyle came from the Irish league which is a lower standard. I think the point the article is making, that Reading have to look to "lower leagues" is fair comment and I think we would all accept that Wolfsburg who took Sigurdsson to the Bundeliga are in a higher league than us, although in a different country. Reading have to look for gems for progress and if they are sold later for a big profit, hopefully a bit of the money will go to keeping ticket prices down. (I won't hold my breath though). Failure to do look for these players would be a big mistake in my view.

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Robsy
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Oct 8, 11:04
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Sigurdsson went to Hoffenhiem - Ticket prices were reduced significantly for this season - Irish Leagues are on a par with League One - Reading will have to look lower down the food chain for gems due to the wage demands.

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davyc
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Oct 8, 20:46
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As some one who has been goin to airtricity league games (irish league) for years, i can say that is is not a lower league. the top teams would easily hold there place in the championship. The likes of gary twigg would be a great addition to the team.

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GAV21
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Oct 8, 22:29
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Agree with DavyC here. Bohemians, Shamrock Rovers, Sligo Rovers and one or two other teams would hold their own quite comfortably in the Championship in England in relation to their current squads. But I take the point of the article. There is some decent talent to be found in Ireland that can be sold on for bigger money in the not too distant future.

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GAV2141
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Oct 8, 22:29
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Agree with DavyC here. Bohemians, Shamrock Rovers, Sligo Rovers and one or two other teams would hold their own quite comfortably in the Championship in England in relation to their current squads. But I take the point of the article. There is some decent talent to be found in Ireland that can be sold on for bigger money in the not too distant future.

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Janet O
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Oct 15, 12:45
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I just hope they find someone as handsome and well hung as Kevin Doyle!!! Those swing ball shots are seriously HOT!!!!

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