Squad announcement is imminent. One player has to miss the tournament for "personal reasons." All will be revealed shortly! Discuss here.
James McCarthy is the unlucky one to miss out - his father has been diagnosed with cancer. Terrible news, but in a way it takes away any controversy from the squad selection. This is basically the 23 that I would have picked: Goalkeepers: Shay Given (Aston Villa), Keiren Westwood (Sunderland), David Forde Millwall). Defenders: John O’Shea (Sunderland), Richard Dunne (Aston Villa), Seán St Ledger (Leicester City), Stephen Ward (Wolves), Kevin Foley (Wolves), Stephen Kelly (Fulham), Darren O’Dea (Celtic). Midfielders: Keith Andrews (West Brom), Glenn Whelan (Stoke), Darron Gibson (Everton), Damien Duff (Fulham), Aiden McGeady (Spartak Moscow), Stephen Hunt (Wolves), Keith Fahey (Birmingham), James McClean (Sunderland). Forwards: Robbie Keane (LA Galaxy), Kevin Doyle (Wolves), Simon Cox (West Brom), Jon Walters (Stoke), Shane Long (West Brom). Standby: Darren Randolph (Motherwell), Paul McShane (Crystal Palace), Paul Green (Derby County), Seamus Coleman (Everton), Andy Keogh (Millwall).
Happy enough with the squad, I would have probably taken Ian Harte, just a pity Trap didnt know he was Irish until about a week ago!
At 34 he's probably a bit too old anyway, but I'm impressed with how he's handled himself. Dreadful WC02, abortive move to Spain which suited neither party. He then returned to England to Carlisle who were then old 3rd or 4th Division and the feeling was, that's it play out his days in the lower divisions and disappear. But this is the second year running he's made the Championship team of the year and next year will be back in the Premier League. Plus a a decent argument could be made to take him to the Euros on ability and experience. Not too shabby.
Yeah I thought we'd seen the last of Harte once he left for Levante but fairplay to him for getting himself back to his best, should be great seeing him in the premier league next year
So now that Ireland have qualified for a major tournament he's ready to return? The player's who helped Ireland to qualify should be the ones to go to the Euros. ireland fixture is so hard.
Trap knew full well Harty was Irish!!! Are you all forgetting that when he was in the team the vast majority of us didn't want him there!! And I know the lad
There was a great Doc on RTE Wed night 'Green is the colour'. It's a 4 parter so check it out next week and catchup on RTE player.
I was no fan 10 years ago, but as I said above, I'm impressed with how he stuck with it and came back. Championship team of the year 2 years running, after rescuing himself from Spain. Next year a Premier League player, and, as I said, a decent argument could be made for his inclusion. But I'm not upset he's not included.
O'Shea sat out training today, but it's just a precaution. Fahey and Foley continue to train at the gym, and Robbie Keane is due in from Los Angeles tonight.
Our injury concerns appear to be mounting, but the FAI are keen to play down the threat of any player actually missing the tournament. Shay Given has a sore knee, but posted on twitter today that all he needs is a few days rest. He will not be considered vs Bosnia on Saturday. Kevin Foley and Keith Fahey both have long-standing problems. St. Ledger has a sore groin. Richard Dunne has a very worrying abdominal problem, and John O'Shea is still nursing his ankle injury picked up on the last day of the season. For Bosnia, Paul McShane has been drafted in as cover, and could well start as I don't think any of the above will be considered.
Good news is that Dunne is fit to take his place tomorrow vs. Bosnia. Also a huge chance for Darron Gibson and James McClean to impress. Starting XI: Westwood, McShane, Dunne, St. Ledger, Ward, Duff, Whelan, Gibson, McClean, Keane, Doyle.
Thought we were very good against Bosnia today. McClean was excellent in the first half, but faded in the second. McGeady superb when he came on... he and Duff will start against Croatia. Gibson was fine, but for me didn't do quite enough to dislodge Whelan/Andrews. Long and Walters were bright... we have never gone into a major tournament with such depth in the striking department. I wonder, though, how much that performance was down to Bosnia's midfield four, as opposed to the fluid five-man system we tend to struggle against?
I was impressed aswell, we kept the ball well in the first half. We have a very good chance of upsetting a few teams this summer!