Trapattoni names Ireland squad for Macedonia and Uruguay
Giovanni Trapattoni has named his 29 man squad for the Republic of Ireland’s upcoming games against FYR Macedonia and Uruguay.
With Shay Given out with a shoulder injury, Coventry keeper Keiren Westwood will be taking his spot between the posts, but Trapattoni has also called upon two uncapped keepers as reserves. Millwall’s David Forde and Motherwell’s Darren Randolph have received their first call ups, and one of them could possibly feature as a substitute against Uruguay.
Wigan midfielder James McCarthy had been on the receiving end of a lot of speculation last month, but after a meeting with Trap and Marco Tardelli this weekend, is once again included in the Ireland squad. At today’s press conference, Trap said “”There were no issues with James McCarthy, he was injured. He smiled and insisted he’d stay with Ireland.”
Previous injury worries Richard Dunne and Robbie Keane should be fit to play, while Keith Andrews has returned to the squad after his layoff.
Stephen Hunt remains out injured, while Anthony Stokes misses out once again, thanks to the league form of Leon Best and Jon Walters’ starting role for Stoke.
Ireland squad:
Goalkeepers:
Keiren Westwood (Coventry), David Forde (Millwall), Darren Randolph (Motherwell)
Defenders:
Kevin Foley (Wolves), John O’Shea (Man Utd), Richard Dunne (Aston Villa), Ciaran Clark (Aston Villa), Sean St. Ledger (Preston), Stephen Kelly (Fulham), Darren O’Dea (Celtic), Kevin Kilbane (Huddersfield), Marc Wilson (Stoke)
Midfielders:
Seamus Coleman (Everton), Damien Duff (Fulham), James McCarthy (Wigan), Keith Andrews (Blackburn), Glen Whelan (Stoke), Darron Gibson (Man Utd), Liam Lawrence (Portsmouth), Paul Green (Derby), Aiden McGeady (Spartak Moscow), Keith Treacy (Preston), Keith Fahey (Birmingham)
Forwards:
Robbie Keane (West Ham), Leon Best (Newcastle), Kevin Doyle (Wolves), Shane Long (Reading), Jon Walters (Stoke), Andy Keogh (Bristol City)
Related posts:
Trap obviously likes something about Tracey. Not so sure about calling up Randolph but i guess we had little options there. Looks like the end of Paddy kennys international career. Glad he has called up McCarthy, and gone against Martinezs comments when he said he wouldnt be in the squad. The ball is in your court now James. I am excited just thinking about him playing for us in a competitive game
Would Paddy have come back to sit on the bench again? Now that Westwood is back in action. Doubt it was all that enjoyable sitting there watching Shay every game, and when Shay comes back, he’d be third in line.
Fantastic to see McCarthy in there, and to hear about Trap’s meeting with him. That’s the kind of thing he should’ve done last month.
Ditch Treacy, O’Dea, Green, Kilbane, Keogh & 1 more and hopefully that will be the 23 man squad.
Think Stokes should be ahead of Keogh & Bruce given Kilbane’s place. But at least McShane has been ditched. I think it is folly to ignore Pennent!
Good looking squad (Robbie’s hair cut not withstanding). Surprised Keogh is ahead of Stokes & Kilbane still included. Bruce & Delaney having impressive season. At least Mc Shane ditched but frivolous not to include Pennant who has Premier know-how; which is more than can be said for the very ordinary Green.
suprised Hoolahan didnt make it
Jim, I think the likes of Pennant has to wait for up to 3 months for FIFA to change his citizenship. I think this rule applies if you were capped competitively at U21 level for a different country.
I think it’s a decent squad. Presumably Paddy Kenny wouldn’t want to come back just to be understudy again. Fingers crossed that Westwood & Dunne make it. You could certainly argue for Stokes or Noel Hunt to get in there ahead of Keogh but Keogh seems to be a favourite of Trap’s. I’d prefer to see either Reid or maybe Wes Hoolahan get called ahead of Green but it seems like it’s his spot to lose for better or worse. It’ll be interesting to see which 6 get cut for the final squad.
Cheers Mike with regards Pennant’s elegibility or otherwise. Trouble is, in 3 months time he could be back inside or making his debut for his beloved Eire wearing an electronic-tag beneath his green sock!
Yeah, Pennant would have to wait three months for clearance. So the next Carling Cup squads could be interesting.
we already have mcgeady or duff so we really do not need pennant. he offers the same as both of them. if one of them gets injured then he could be of use. what we need is another strong central midfielder to compliment mccarthy. maybe experiment and put O’shea in the midfield with mccarthy. andy reid will not play as long as trap is manager due to bad blood and the fact that reid is horrible at tracking back and playing defense. there is an argument that with mccarthy playing a holding role reid could be effective as an offensive playmaker, but trap will never agree to this. would have liked to see stokes get a shot but he has been quiet the past few weeks while Long (20 goals) and Best have been in good form overall. I would start Long over Keane, and have Keane come on in the last 20 minutes if we need a goal.
Holahan m o t m tonight (again) & Norwich up to 2nd; yet he’s seen as not good enough for the sq. Green is with struggling Derby & Treacy is with rock-bottom Preston.
Why wasn’t a few LOI players called up…..3/4 Rovers players should have made the cut
Paul Green would’nt get a game with Athlone Town..he is rubbish
I don’t think you’ll ever see a League of Ireland player under Trap.
Agreed Jim. Hoolahan is the outstanding player in the Championship right now. The fact he cant make a 29 man squad and the likes of Paul Green can surely only proves Trap doesn’t attend games or even bother watching dvds of the games posted through his letter box. On his salary it is the least we could expect!
You wont see a league of ireland player under any Irish manager…. Except maybe Steve Staunton – at look how that went. the league of ireland is not up to snuff for international football. Agree though would like to see Hoolahan play.
if dunne and o’shea are both injured for this match id be seriously worried about leadership at the back. some experienced defender needs to be in there with clark,st.ledger etc. kilbanes as experienced as they come but not really as a defender. if someone like carr came back for the match it would be ideal
hopefull thinking
why no pennant? and why isnt paddy kenny picked as at least one of the GKs?
Pennant hasn’t made any official moves yet. And with Keiren Westwood fit, Kenny would have only been on the bench anyway.
Martinez has come out AGAIN today to claim that Mccarthy is still undecided about ireland
This new episode along with his previous comments only goes to show what sort of an individual Roberto Martinez is. However, McCarthy is & never was going to play for anyone but Ireland.
Paddy Kenny, clean sheet again today for top of the table QPR in the Championship. Surely its up to Mr. Trapatoni to pick him and then if kenny is not interested to declare himself not interested, as Paul Robinson did with england. Hoolahan still not getting a look in,despite playing for the team in 2nd position in the C’ship. While paul green is in a Derby team that can hardly buy a win. Leon Best did not feature for Newcastle today, neither did Keith Andrews for Blackburn. Keith Tracey taken off for Preston, never seem him play but he cant be that good if he is being subbed for the bottom of the table side. Incredible that Anthony Stokes or Noel Hunt cannot make the 29. If you needed a goal who would you like to rely on more Stokes or Andy Keogh with his paltry 3 goals this season?. If we qualify from this tournament it will be more by luck than judgement in a poor group. Only positives are that he picked McCarthy and Coleman and dropped McShane. Kilbane is now playing in third tier in England. Not the best situation.
Just managed to find the green scene again after several days. No new news; don’t understand after saturday’s win. Going to try & re-connect. I think this is our best group of players for a generation. Duff still an inspiration & mcgeady looking, at last, a player who could grace the Prem. A win in Macedonia & we should be well on our way!
Trapatoni must be the most ignorant and pathetic manager i,ve ever come across for not selecting wes hoolahan,the guy is a pocket dynamo,
outstanding skills,by far and away the most gifted player the rep of ireland have had for a very long time.The team should be built around him,and to think someone like keith Treacy is in the squad in his place,he,s not good enough to polish Hoolahan,s boots.I hope ireland fail to qualify for the sheer stupidity of overlooking their most talented player by a mile.Trapatoni,s a disgrace.
Dean. No matter who he picks I still want us to qualify! I think Wes merits a place in the squad but to suggest the Irish team should be built around is nonsense! He’s a good player in the Championship!! Clark, Coleman, Gibson, Long, McCarthy, McGeady & Westwood are the future. Wes deserves recognition & inclusion but let’s see what he can do at the highest level before going overboard.
Leave your response!
Upcoming Matches
Recent Posts
Links
Archives
Latest Updates on Twitter
Share this site
Most Commented
Most Viewed