Well, another campaign is almost upon us! Euro 2016 qualifying begins in Tbilisi as Ireland take on Georgia on September 7th. A few days earlier, on Sept. 3rd, we take on Oman in a friendly in Dublin. Can't say I'm all that optimistic to be honest. I think the Georgia qualifier will be very, very difficult. Can see a draw or even a defeat - but we have a good record against them, so hopefully the players can put in an improved performance and gain three vital points. Preliminary Irish squad: GOALKEEPERS: Forde (Millwall), Westwood (Sheffield Wednesday), Randolph (Birmingham), Elliot (Newcastle). DEFENDERS: Keogh (Derby County), Wilson (Stoke), Coleman (Everton), O'Shea (Sunderland), Ward (Burnley), Pearce (Reading), Kelly (Reading), McShane (Hull), Delaney (Crystal Palace), O'Brien (West Ham), Clark (Aston Villa), Duffy (Everton). MIDFIELDERS: McCarthy (Everton), Hendrick (Derby County), Whelan (Stoke), Gibson (Everton), Reid (Nottingham Forest), McGeady (Everton), Pilkington (Cardiff), McClean (Wigan), Brady (Hull), Quinn (Hull), Meyler (Hull), Hoolahan (Norwich). STRIKERS: Keane (Los Angeles), Long (Southampton), Walters (Stoke), Doyle (Wolves), Stokes (Celtic), Cox (Reading), Murphy (Ipswich), Sammon (Ipswich).
Shay Given to return? http://www.independent.ie/sport/soc...ck-international-return-reports-30543802.html
Confirmed! Final squad is below. Some strange ones, apart from Given. How are Keough and Pearce ahead of Delaney and McShane, both of whom are playing regularly in the Premiership? And McClean, Gibson, and Doyle are surely not match fit? Stephen Kelly, Andy Reid, and Jeff Hendrick are injured. Goalkeepers: D Forde (Millwall), R Elliot (Newcastle), S Given (Aston Villa), K Westwood (Sheffield Wednesday). Defenders: S Coleman (Everton), R Keogh (Derby County), J O’Brien (West Ham), J O’Shea (Sunderland), A Pearce (Reading), S Ward (Burnley), M Wilson (Stoke). Midfielders: R Brady (Hull), D Gibson (Everton), W Hoolahan (Norwich), J McCarthy (Everton), J McClean (Wigan), A McGeady (Everton), D Meyler (Hull), A Pilkington (Cardiff), S Quinn (Hull), G Whelan (Stoke) Forwards: K Doyle (Wolves), R Keane (LA Galaxy), S Long (Southampton), D Murphy (Ipswich), A Stokes (Celtic), J Walters (Stoke).
O'Neill has confirmed this morning that Gibson will be given a start vs. Oman tomorrow to boost his match fitness. Still can't see past Whelan and McCarthy to start v Georgia, though.
Irish XI reflects giving game time to those who haven't been starting to their clubs: Given, Meyler, Keough, Pearce, Ward, Brady, Gibson, Quinn, Pilkington, Hoolahan, Doyle.
Half Time: Ireland 1-0 Oman. Decent half from Ireland against a limited but well-organized Oman side. Think we'll need a second goal to see them off, though.
2-0 win in the end. Quite routine and low-ley, Oman were very poor to be honest. The goals both came from set pieces (Doyle and Pearce), but we created quite a few chances from open play. Stephen Quinn, Meyler, Brady, and Gibson all impressed.
Squad travelled to Tbilisi today. Westwood (injured) and Stokes (dropped) didn't make the trip. 23-man squad in total.
Starting XI: Forde, Coleman, O'Shea, Wilson, Ward, Walters, Whelan, McCarthy, McGeady, Quinn, Keane. No place for Long or Hoolahan. They'll come on if we're chasing a goal.
3 massive points. Don't think both Scotland and Poland will in in Tbilisi. Average to poor performance, but to take 3 points out there is a great result.