Ireland goalkeeper Shay Given retires from international football
Republic of Ireland goalkeeper and record cap-holder Shay Given has announced his immediate retirement from international football.
Speaking on his official twitter account, Given said “After a lot of thought and consideration, I have made the most difficult decision to retire from international football. It’s been a great honour and privilege to play and on occasion captain the team. I shall remain a huge fan of the team as I have been all my life and I wish them every success for the future.
“I wish to thank all the players,managers,staff & most importantly the most wonderful fans in the world. Finally I would like to thank my wife Jane,my 2 amazing kids and my entire family for their unwavering support over the 16 years & 125 caps.”
Given made his Ireland debut back in 1996 against Russia, and played in all of Ireland’s 2002 World Cup games as well as each Euro 2012 game. The Aston Villa keeper is currently Ireland’s most capped player, with Robbie Keane close behind on 120 caps.
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This could become an issue if Westwood is sitting on the bench every weekend for Sunderland…
He was nearing the end of the road. Let in soft goals against Armenia, Estonia and had a poor Euros. Duff and Dunne need to go too. We can still get another campaign out of Keane.
An Issue! the Sh*% has hit the fan. I admit that his best years are behind him, I think even shay would admit that, but the alternative to Given at the moment is not at the same level. Westwood simply can’t get a game for Sunderland.
Given was a great servant to Ireland, but it was time for him to move on. If Westwood plays regularly in the premier league or championship, he will be fine. In that respect, Westwood probably needs to leave Sunderland. Mignolet frankly is a fantastic keeper, and unless he is injured, Westwood will not get his chance.
Need a keeper playing regularly at their club. If Westwood isn’t, I think Paddy Kenny is the best option available. Not that I expect him to be called up.
Retire in peace, shay. Great servant.
What now?
Legend Shay!!!!
Westwood
O’Brien, O’Shea, O’Dea, Kelly
Coleman, Whelan, McCarthy, McClean
McGeady
Long
That is what the team should be.
Given is by far and away still the best Irish keeper playing football and he has several good years still ahead of him. Westwood is decent and I agree he needs to play regularly. Kenny is no longer an option – he has gone rapidly downhill over the past couple of years – QPR have replaced him with Green!!!!
It is unfortunate but Given is entitled to say ‘I have done my bit’ and pass the mantle on to whoever might be next.
As for the others – it is daft to suggest that Dunne and Duff should go and Keane should be kept. We have nothing at centre back and if Dunne retires we will leak goals like a sieve. Duff is versatile and can still do a job all over the pitch. He would be better than anyone else at left back with the possible exception of O’Shea (who is needed elsewhere). The one oldie who we can actually get by without is Keane. We have Doyle, Long, Waters (and even Cox) who are more than capable of stepping up to the plate (and will do a lot less whining).
I hope Dunne and Duff stay and Keane goes. Of course it will count for nought if Trappatoni continues to ignore our better young players and persists with the likes of St. Ledger, O’Dea, Whelan etc.
Lambert really put the screws to Given. I fear he will do the same to Dunne.
We could survive without Duff and Keane but we need O’Shea and Dunne for one more campaign.
Clark and Duffy should be ready in another two years. I’d argue that Clark is ready now but alas.
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