The squad for Bulgaria game from the FAI website

[NeilMcD]

Republic of Ireland manager Brian Kerr has named a 23-man squad for the friendly international with Bulgaria on Wednesday, August 18 at Lansdowne Road.

More to follow

Squad: Given (Newcastle United), Colgan (Barnsley), Kenny (Sheffield United), Finnan (Liverpool), Cunningham (Birmingham City), O'Brien (Newcastle United), Maybury (Hearts), O'Shea (Manchester United), Carr (Tottenham Hotspur), Doherty (Tottenham Hotspur), Breen (Sunderland), Miller (Manchester United), Quinn (Sheffield United), Keane (Manchester United), Holland (Charlton Athletic), Kavanagh (Cardiff City), Reid (Nottingham Forest), Barrett (Coventry City), Kilbane (EVerton), Duff (Chelsea), Lee (Cardiff City), Morrison (Birmingham City), Connolly (Leicester City).

[max power]

carr.......soon to be of newcastle

[tiktok]

we'll see how many make it past the weekend.

heavy on defenders, light on strikers :(

[NeilMcD]

Dont think there is anybody left out that should be in it though. Is Ian Harte injured, or is Kerr letting him start the spanish league first. Of course Robbie is missing, but after that it is pretty much the full squad.

[John83]

carr.......soon to be of newcastle Any actual movement on that, or is it yet another rumour?

I can't believe that squad - there's no experimentation in it at all. What is he doing with three right-backs? Could he be planning to use Finnan on the left at last, or will Maybury get a run there? Please God, let it be the former.

[Peadar]

we'll see how many make it past the weekend.

heavy on defenders, light on strikers :(

He'll come looking to the eL then when his squad is halved.
3 strikers? This is heading for a 0-0 draw.

[NeilMcD]

The time for experimentation was last season, and Kerr did that, and as a result, Quinn, Barret, Maybury, Miller and Reid came through. Now is the time to play are full team as it is our last friendly. Kerr will be using this to work on set piecies pattern of play etc. I am just glad that Brian Kerr is in charge of the team instead of you.

[pete]

From what i've observed Kerr does not really experiment. IMO he will use this fixture to prepare his team for upcoming qualifiers. He will not start game by experiementing with players or tactics although he may alter as game progresses.

I thuink he'll start with close to stroingest team available.

Would look to be almost end of international careers for the likes of McAteer & Kinsella.

Be surprised if less than 5-6 players pulled out of squad before game & Kerr may bring few u-21's as backup.

[Peadar]

I am just glad that Brian Kerr is in charge of the team instead of you.

What a load of bullshít!
If his experiment was successful he'd have more than one striker on the bench. What happens if Connolly and/or Morrisson get injured at the weekend? Lets be a small bit realistic here.

[NeilMcD]

Just to clarify my post was not aimed at you , Obviously you just got ahead of me and i was replying to the post before that. The fact is he has named the strongest possible squad available. There are not any other players that should be there. We are missing Robbie so that is one of teh strikers. We do not have many strikers available to us, that is not Brian Kerrs fault that is just the way it is. Also Reid and Barrett, can play up front or just behind one strker. Duff has playered there too, although i dont agree with playing him there. Also if someon gets injured at the weekend, you just call up a replacement. Its as simple as that. Brian Kerr is a practiccal man that goes with common sense decisions. There is not one player that should be in that squad, other than maybe Robbie Keane, and Ian Harte, instead of Maybury, but maybe Harte is injured.

[eirebhoy]

What a load of bullshít!
If his experiment was successful he'd have more than one striker on the bench. What happens if Connolly and/or Morrisson get injured at the weekend? Lets be a small bit realistic here.
I'm not saying I would agree with it but how do you know he's not planning on playing Duff or Reid up front? Who else would you suggest to add to the squad? Whats the point on calling up 4 strikers if he's only planning to play 2/3?

We have a match in a few weeks, Kerr got the longest time for experimentation than any other Ireland manager and its now time to get the team playing together and gelling.

[eirebhoy]

davros, Barrett is far from a journey man. Liam Miller only broke into the Celtic team last season and people are lavishing praise at him, Barrett is the same age (22) and has bags of potential.

[NeilMcD]

well i though Barrett played really well against Holland in amsterdam. Miller has only played a couple of games, and he won man of teh match for one of them, so i dont know what u are basing that on, oh maybe u are a celtic fan, that coudl be it. Reid has been very good in most of the games so far. I agree Maybury has looked a bit out of his depth at times. But at the end of teh day. there is no point slagging players unless u can come up with viable alternatives.

[Peadar]

well i though Barrett played really well against Holland in amsterdam.
Saw him play many times at U19 and U21 level for Ireland and was always impressed with his movement. He surely learned a lot from his time at Arsenal. I can't see anyone else in that squad who deserves to start on the right ahead of him against Bulgaria.

[NeilMcD]

I think this will be the team, if everybody is fit, from that squad


Given,

Carr Cunningham O Brien O Shea,

Miller Keane Holland/Kilbane Duff

Morrison Reid/Connolly

I am not saying that is the team i woudl pick but i reckon thats what Kerr will go for

[Bowsy]

Barrett is 22 and has performed excellently for Ireland in recent games. only one first team season under his belt. Extremely harsh to write him off. For my money his performance against Holland was better than Miller's against Romania.

[NeilMcD]

Republic of Ireland manager Brian Kerr has named a 23-man squad for the friendly international with Bulgaria at Lansdowne Road on Wednesday, August 18 as Kerr puts the finishing touches to his panel ahead of the World Cup qualifiers.

Injuries meant that Kerr was unable to pick Robbie Keane or Steven Reid while the manager has also decided to leave out experienced duo Ian Harte and Richard Dunne in favour of younger players that impressed during the friendlies over the last ten months.

That means there are places in the squad for Graham Barrett, Andy Reid, Liam Miller, Alan Quinn, Graham Kavanagh and Alan Lee who have all impressed the manager in recent months.

It also means that no less than eight of the 23-man panel have never played a competitive match for Ireland before though Kerr is confident that they are ready for the step-up.

“I think anyone that is in the squad is ready and able for the competitive matches,” he said. “They’ve all done well in the summer matches and in the friendlies before that and I’ve called them in with the intention of them being available for the competitive matches.”

Kerr is still hopeful that Robbie Keane will be fit for the start of the World Cup qualifiers in September while he revealed Damien Duff is well on the road to recovery from the shoulder problem that plagued him last season.

“He thinks he still has a chance of making it. There’s nearly four weeks to go and Robbie is very positive himself. Damien is doing well and just wants to play a few games to get over any fears he might have.”

But the news on Steven Reid was worse. “Steven hasn’t played that often for us or for Blackburn since they paid big money for him. Hopefully, he will get over this soon and it wont hold him back.”

[Bowsy]

Kerr is picking by his own words players ready for competitive matches. I think we need to play our best team in this game. Wouldn't have minded seeing a new face tried(maybe O'Flynn) but think in general this squad is a shrewd one.

[Peadar]

Liam Miller is streets ahead of Barrett

How much 1st team football is he likely to get this season?

[eirebhoy]

I forgot Dunne. He was Man City's best player last season, after Wright Phillips, surely he deserves to be there ahead of Doc.

[tiktok]

Miller is still on the treatment table at United

Fergie won't play him in the CL qualifier and won't play him against Chelsea at the weekend, IMO he'll still be on the injured list and will not be travelling on Monday next.

Barrett or Holland will get the slot on the right

[Peadar]

Barrett or Holland will get the slot on the right

Holland is lost out there.
I doubt Keane will play so Holland will be in his usual role with Kavanagh or Kilbane.

[green goblin]

In fairness, Barrett's lunge for the goal was the only thing that kept me awake during the Jamaica match.

[Bowsy]

I forgot Dunne. He was Man City's best player last season, after Wright Phillips, surely he deserves to be there ahead of Doc.

I think Doc's alleged versatility is what gets him the nod, not that i agree. Don't think Honey Monster is fit after his end of season op either. At least he hasn't been featuring in City's pre-season games.

[Peadar]

Don't think Honey Monster is fit after his end of season op either. At least he hasn't been featuring in City's pre-season games.

That's why he was left out I'd say.
I wonder will Harte ever feature again?
The league in Spain doesn't start 'til September so maybe he hasn't been doing much pre-season work.

[tetsujin1979]

Don't think Honey Monster is fit after his end of season op either. At least he hasn't been featuring in City's pre-season games.

Dunne's played in most of our preseason games, no major mistakes but nothing outstanding either, reckon he's still getting his fitness back after the operation. Came off for McCarthy in the 2nd half against Lazio last saturday.

I reckon with a few more games under his belt he'll be ahead of Doherty, who I can't see playing much this season when everyone's fit.

[Bowsy]

Here's the boy himself in Levante colours. As to my meagre Spanglish's understanding he was included in his first squad vs NAC Breda last week. they won 4-0. Can't seem to find a match report.

http://www.levanteud.es/levante/plantilla/20042005/Harte.html

[Bowsy]

Dunne's played in most of our preseason games, no major mistakes but nothing outstanding either, reckon he's still getting his fitness back after the operation. Came off for McCarthy in the 2nd half against Lazio last saturday.

I reckon with a few more games under his belt he'll be ahead of Doherty, who I can't see playing much this season when everyone's fit.

I stand corrected. He has featured in 3 games. Maybe a little off full fitness though as he's featured less than others. I hope so anyway. Either that or Kerr actually does rate the Doc higher.

[thejollyrodger]

I must admit, there is a fair few players there that I have not seen and have only heard about. There is a right few changes/options in the squad. As usual there is the usual problem up front. Without Robbie we are in serious trouble and will be lucky to score once. Were going to have to keep it very tight at the back.

Is this match on RTE or what ?? Lets hope so, I would like to ACTUALLY see ireland play and not just hear about it :)

[Slash/ED]

Barrett is 22 and has performed excellently for Ireland in recent games. only one first team season under his belt. Extremely harsh to write him off. For my money his performance against Holland was better than Miller's against Romania.

He's had two seasons in the first division and has been equally bad in both. He's a tryer but has little to no quality whatsoever.

I'm absolutley raging here. Maybury in ahead of Heary? Rubbish. Anyone who saw the match on wednesday would see Heary is streets ahead of Maybury who's been a joke for Ireland in most of his matches. He's only called in three strikers, could he not even spare a place on the bench for Byrne/O'Flynn or is his token gesturing finished now? Quinn couldn't get into the Sheffield United team and he's in while Hoolahan is left out, it's a ****ing joke. Shels proved they, and the league, had players capable of being at least squad members last wednesday and Kerr still can't even humour a single EL player with a place on the bench.

[dynamo kerry]

slash/ed man - you're having a laugh. shels proved nothing last wednesday except they are a decent side. it's going to take a lot more to start pressing for international places. have you no patience?

you've named three shels players- are you sure you don't want a few more called up as well?


i will admit however that considering robbie's injury byrne was due a call up but I wouldnt be going ape-sh!t about it either

the home-based lads are knocking on the door - it won't be long before they get the nod

[Slash/ED]

slash/ed man - you're having a laugh. shels proved nothing last wednesday except they are a decent side. it's going to take a lot more to start pressing for international places. have you no patience?


A more decent side than Sheffield United reserves I'd say, which is where one member of the squad came from. I wouldn't mind if Ireland had a selection of top level players to pick from playing for decent clubs alla round Europe but they don't.

[eirebhoy]

Is this match on RTE or what ?? Lets hope so, I would like to ACTUALLY see ireland play and not just hear about it :)
I haven't missed an Ireland match in years. Either pay €20 to go the game or head down to your local pub. It should be on RTE anyway.

Slash/Ed, we have division 1 players like Clarke and premiership players in Dunne that can't make the squad. As much as I hate to admit it, the Eircom league is the last resort.

[Slash/ED]

I haven't missed an Ireland match in years. Either pay €20 to go the game or head down to your local pub. It should be on RTE anyway.

Slash/Ed, we have division 1 players like Clarke and premiership players in Dunne that can't make the squad. As much as I hate to admit it, the Eircom league is the last resort.

Dunnes not fully fit though is he? And Clarke being left out is as daft as anything, from what I've seen he too is far better than Maybury, who's awful.

[Peadar]

Dunne's played in most of our preseason games.

What did you quote me for?
I didn't say it, I'm no Man City fan.

[eirebhoy]

But they are not the only defenders not included in the squad.

Just to name 1 more. Graham Coughlan, division 2 player of the year, won 4 league's in 6 years, always in his clubs top 3 scorers and he's a centre half. He's playing in Division 1 this season.

Heary is one of the best defenders in the Eircom league so us Eircom league fans hear of him more but there are plenty of players playing in the lower division's in England who go unrecognised by a lot of us. I don't think Coughlan should get a call up so I certainly don't think Heary should.

[dynamo kerry]

A more decent side than Sheffield United reserves I'd say, which is where one member of the squad came from. I wouldn't mind if Ireland had a selection of top level players to pick from playing for decent clubs alla round Europe but they don't.

isn't it a little early to be saying quinn is in the reserves at SU. he may get his game yet.

as for maybury - I've not seen heary play in ages so I couldnt and won't comment.

[dynamo kerry]

But they are not the only defenders not included in the squad.

Just to name 1 more. Graham Coughlan, division 2 player of the year, won 4 league's in 6 years, always in his clubs top 3 scorers and he's a centre half. He's playing in Division 1 this season.

Heary is one of the best defenders in the Eircom league so us Eircom league fans hear of him more but there are plenty of players playing in the lower division's in England who go unrecognised by a lot of us. I don't think Coughlan should get a call up so I certainly don't think Heary should.

dave worrell wouldnt be out of place in Eircom league and he's nowhere near a call-up

[tricky_colour]

Play Kilbane up front!

[The Legend]

Play Kilbane up front!

ah sure put him in goal for the laugh! :mad:

[carnstien]

Play Kilbane up front!
Imagine if we had 11 Kevin Kilbanes, surely then we would be unbeatable.

[blobbyblob]

Did anyone see how McGeady did for Celtic yesterday?

[tricky_colour]

Did anyone see how McGeady did for Celtic yesterday?

I read he had a good first half but he was not so effective in the second,
in which he was subsituted.

I think both goals were scored when he was on though.

[tetsujin1979]

He did make the pass for McNamara's strike on goal, although I think he was probably trying to keep possession more than set Jackie up.

Fantastic goal though.

[NeilMcD]

Yeah i watched the game in full on setanta, and he look promising, he is steady, and does not tend to give the ball away too much. He looks to have a bit of pace and a few tricks up his sleeve, but it is very hard to judge on one match. I would rather judge someone over a period ten games. He was taken off , not because he was playing badly but I think O Neill wanted to bring Pearson on and Mc Geady was a bit tired.

[Footie_Fan]

I don't understand why Maybury is still in the squad. He is a massive liability. I would have Harte in there every day ahead of him. At least with Harte we have an excellent deadball outlet.

We are very very lightweight up front and I wouldn't be surprised to see McGeady called up to the senior squad.

[carnstien]

Yeah i watched the game in full on setanta, and he look promising, he is steady, and does not tend to give the ball away too much. He looks to have a bit of pace and a few tricks up his sleeve, but it is very hard to judge on one match. I would rather judge someone over a period ten games. He was taken off , not because he was playing badly but I think O Neill wanted to bring Pearson on and Mc Geady was a bit tired.
If he is going to be playing regularly for Celtic this season I have no doubt that he should be thrown straight into the Irish 1st team. I would be very surprised if he was worse than Morrison. With Keane injured, now is the perfect time. He should start the Bulgaria game.

[eirebhoy]

Again I will ask, would Keane be happy to play the striker role? Every team needs a striker and both McGeady and Keane are far from that.

[NeilMcD]

He has not even played a game for the U21s which he will do in Drogheda next tuesday. I am sure if he is playing well for Celtic throughout the season he will get a call up to the senior squad. It must be said that he is playing wide right and left for Celtic at the moment, and not playing up front.