Here is the extended, preliminary squad for Ireland's end of season matches v Turkey (in Dublin), Italy (in London), Costa Rica (in Philadelphia), and Portugal (in New Jersey): Westwood and Andy Reid are injured, Richard Dunne is rested, Stephen Ireland may still be considered, Andy Keough and Sean St. Ledger miss out. Robbie Keane will probably only join up for the two US matches. Goalkeepers: D Forde (Millwall), D Randolph (Birmingham), R Elliot (Newcastle Utd); Defenders: R Keogh (Derby County), M Wilson (Stoke), S Coleman (Everton), J O'Shea (Sunderland), A Pearce (Reading), S Kelly (Reading), D Delaney (Crystal Palace), C Clark (Aston Villa), S Ward (Brighton), J O'Brien (West Ham); S Duffy (Everton), Midfielders: J McCarthy (Everton), J Hendrick (Derby County), G Whelan (Stoke ), P Green (Leeds Utd), A McGeady (Everton), A Pilkington (Norwich), J McClean (Wigan Ath), S Quinn (Hull), D Meyler (Hull), W Hoolahan (Norwich); Strikers: R Keane (LA Galaxy), S Long (Hull), D Murphy (Ipswich), J Walters (Stoke), K Doyle (QPR), A Stokes (Celtic), S Cox (Nottingham Forest), C Sammon (Derby County).
Darren Randolph, Joey O'Brien, and, unfortunately, James McCarthy have withdrawn from the squad. All the rest will be involved at some point over the four matches.
19 year old keeper called up in reserve for the next match only due to Rob Elliot's wedding. And we're probably gonna see all 3 of the Derby County guys - including Sammon!
I hope that I'm wrong, but I'm guessing that the crowd in New Jersey will be overwhelmingly Portuguese.
That said, there was a more-than-decent Irish turnout for the Spain match at Yankee Stadium last year, so hopefully the New York-based Irish will turn out again.
Starting XI vs Italy at Craven Cottage this afternoon: Forde, Coleman, O'Shea, Pearce, Ward, Hendrick, Meyler, McGeady, Hoolahan, Pilkington, Long. 4-2-3-1. Really looking forward to seeing Hendrick play against a top side. Has been in excellent form for Derby.
Italy 0-0 Ireland. Very, very positive performance tonight. The ingredients of a good side are there - we just need to finish our chances. Meyler and Hendrick have emerged as genuine midfield options, and I preferred Pilkington to McClean. Shane Long badly needs a goal in the green shirt.
Doesn't look like there is any English-language broadcast of tonight's match vs Costa Rica in Philadelphia. Hopefully we can find a Spanish stream
Ryan Meara (GK) invited for some training... http://www.independent.ie/sport/soc...irish-radar-after-training-call-30341045.html
In fairness, it's a position where we badly need cover. Good to see! Will not be part of the squad for the match tonight, though.
the kid can play...he's stuck at NYRB behind a hot #1 keeper at the moment but I suspect that he might have a chance somewhere in Europe.
Please don't hack and break some legs, the World Cup starts in 2 days. Portugal would be screwed, royally.
I expect that it will be pretty tame stuff, to be honest. I'm not even sure if I'll watch tonight. I'm in Dublin giving a talk at UCD at 9 tomorrow morning, and the match only kicks of at 1:05AM Irish time. The professional option is definitely to go to bed early and catch up on the result tomorrow!
That sucks. I'm going to watch it, I wanted to see the Coleman McCarthy connection which was awesome at Everton this season but unfortunately McCarthy isn't part of the squad Would have provided a even sterner test for Portugal.
Would love to see us challenge Portugal tonight but I reckon it will be a tame affair, I can see a scoreless draw easily happening. Pity we won't see Ronaldo...
And Coleman won't be playing tonight. It will by no means be a first choice Irish team - at this stage the players are desperate for their summer holidays!