Joe Mason tipped for Bluebirds' success

Cardiff City Midfielder Peter Whittingham has backed young attacking midfielder Joe Mason to force his way into the Bluebirds’ starting XI after his stunning display against Bristol City.

Mason’s mix of direct running and vision inspired the home side to a 3-1 win after coming off the bench to replace the injured Aron Gunnarsson at the Cardiff City Stadium.

The 20-year-old Ireland U21 international, who signed at three-year contract at the club this summer after joining from Plymouth Argyle, has already received huge praise from manager Malky Mackay.

And now Whittingham has backed the Ireland under 21 international to seal a first start against Brighton tomorrow night.

“Joe has been brilliant ever since he came here. He has been amazing in training and it is just good for him to go on the pitch and show everyone what he can do,” Whiitingham said

“He picks up some great positions and he seems to ghost past people, which is great for the team. Hopefully he can carry on his form.

“After a performance like that you’d have to say he is pushing for a starting place.

“He’s played really well and he’s put himself in the frame. Good luck to the manager to make that decision,” he added.


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Plymouth losing battle to hold talented young Irish striker

Plymouth Argyle face a fight to hold onto their talented 19-year-old Irish striker Joe Mason.

Manager Peter Reid has revealed a number of clubs have inquired about Mason and while Reid is desperate to see the Ireland under-21 international stay at Home Park, the Pilgrims' financial plight could force them into a reluctant sale. Mason signed a two-year extension to his contract last January.

Reid said: "In an ideal world, Joe Mason certainly isn't a player I would like to lose because he has got great potential.

"I think he has showed that recently. He has been terrific while he has got a run in the side, playing in that position in the hole off the front man."

Mason has scored three goals since the start of 2011, with one coming in the 3-2 win at Bristol Rovers on January 4.

Then, a week later, the former Pilgrims' apprentice netted twice in the 3-2 defeat away to Huddersfield Town.

He played much of that match as a lone striker after the early dismissal of defender Curtis Nelson.

Reid said: "I thought Joe was outstanding at Huddersfield when he went up top by himself and was getting in between the centre-halves.

"It was a very mature performance from the young man, to be perfectly honest."

Plymouth born Mason qualifies to represent Ireland via his mother who comes from County Mayo. He represented Ireland at Under-18 level before being called up to the Under-19's and eventually making his Under-21 debut in September last year against Switzerland.

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Irish success in end of season awards

Kevin Doyle - Wolves. Players’ player of the year award.

Doyle scooped the squad’s vote and top scorer for his eight goals in the Premier League at a star-studded bash at Telford’s International Centre.




Robbie Keane – Celtic. Fans player of the Year award.

16 goals from Robbie since his arrival on loan at Parkhead in January, has earned him the supporters player of the year award.


















Richard Dunne – Aston Villa. Players’ player of the year & also part of the Premier League Team of the Year.

Dunne modestly attributed his Villa honour to the efforts of Martin O’Neill’s entire squad throughout the course of the season.


Stephen Hunt – Hull City. Official supporters player of the year

The Irish winger who scored six goals in 27 games before picking up a foot injury, won the award at a presentation evening held at the KC Stadium. Hunt is likely to move from Hull during the summer.


















James McCarthy – Wigan. Player’s young player of the year.

In his first season at Wigan, McCarthy was the unanimous choice of his fellow professionals for the young player of the season award. He also scooped third in the overall player of the season award.

Aiden McGeady – Celtic. Players’ player of the year.

Voted player of the year by his fellow celtic teammates. Linked with a summer move to premiership side Birmingham.


Kieren Westwood – Coventry City. Players’ player of the year & supporters player of the year.

Ireland goalkeeper Keiren Westwood was confirmed as Coventry City’s supporters Player of the Year for 2009/10 and also scooped the Players’ Player of the of the Year award.

Adam Rooney - Caley Thistle - Scottish PFA Division One Player of the Year.

The former Ireland u21 international striker, who was voted the PFA Division One Player of the Year earlier this month, has attracted recent interest from clubs in England & Scotland, with English Championship side Doncaster Rovers the latest to be linked with the Irishman.

Shane Duffy – Everton. Reserve player of the year.

Everton Reserve Player of the Season was Derry’s young Irish centre-back Shane Duffy who broke through to David Moyes first team early in the campaign, impressing with his gutsy displays in Europa League action. Duffy has been included in Giovanni Trapattoni’s upcoming training camp in Dublin.

Joe Mason - Plymouth Argyle – Young player of the year

Ireland u19 striker Joe Mason was voted Plymouth Argyle player of the year. Mason made his breakthrough into the Pilgrims senior team this season with a debut against Sheffield United at Home Park in December and went on to play a further 19 times for Argyle, scoring three goals. He has won a call-up to the Ireland squad for the upcoming Under-19 European Championships qualifiers in Ukraine later this month.






















Aidan O’Brien – Millwall. Schoolboy player of the year.

Ireland u17 international Aiden O’Brien scooped the Millwall schoolboy player of the year award after an impressive season for the u18 ‘lions’. O’Brien scored two of Ireland’s three goals in the final elite stage qualifying game against Austria which saw the u17 team heartbreakingly lose out on the finals to Greece.




















Richard Keogh – Carlisle United – Player of the year

Former Ireland u21 international Richard Keogh was presented with his award before Carlisle’s final home game against Walsall. Keogh has recently been linked with a move to Hibernian.