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Soccer: Save for the omission of Paddy Kenny, there weren’t too many talking points this afternoon when Giovanni Trapattoni announced his squad for next week’s Euro 2012 qualifier against Macedonia and the subsequent friendly with Uruguay.
In naming an extended 29-man panel, Trapattoni avoided any whiff of controversy with the QPR goalkeeper the only person who could consider himself in any way hard done by.
Even so, the absence of Shay Given through injury notwithstanding, the decision to overlook Kenny could hardly be considered earth shattering. The former Sheffield United custodian, with just seven caps to his name, has not played for Ireland since the 5-2 drubbing at the hands of Cyprus in 2006.
Having served a nine-month doping ban in 2009, the 32-year-old has impressed since being reunited with Neil Warnock at Loftus Road but has failed to make the slightest impression on Trapattoni's radar.
With Coventry's Keiren Westwood certain to be entrusted with the starting role, the Italian will rely on Milwall's David Forde and Darren Randolph of Motherwell to provide back-up.
Richard Dunne has been named in the squad, for the time being at least, as continues his rehabilitation from a shoulder problem. The Aston Villa defender hit the headlines over the weekend following a row with the club's coaching staff and the international break could provide a welcome distraction from his problems in Birmingham.
After managing 22 minutes for West Ham yesterday, Robbie Keane returns to captain the side while suggestions that James McCarthy might be preparing to 'defect' back to his native Scotland appear to have been wide of the mark with the Wigan midfielder also included.
Ireland squad: Keiren Westwood (Coventry City), Darren Randolph (Motherwell), David Forde (Milwall); Kevin Foley (Wolves), John O'Shea (Manchester United), Ciaran Clark (Aston Villa), Seamus Coleman (Everton), Richard Dunne (Aston Villa), Sean St. Ledger (Preston North End), Stephen Kelly (Fulham), Darren O'Dea (Celtic), Kevin Kilbane (Huddersfield Town); Marc Wilson (Stoke City), Darron Gibson (Manchester United), Glenn Whelan (Stoke City), Paul Green (Derby County), Liam Lawrence (Portsmouth), James McCarthy (Wigan), Aiden McGeady (Spartak Moscow), Keith Treacy (Preston North End), Keith Andrews (Blackburn), Keith Fahey (Birmingham City), Damien Duff (Fulham); Robbie Keane (West Ham), Jonathan Walters (Stoke City), Kevin Doyle (Wolves), Shane Long (Reading), Leon Best (Newcastle), Andy Keogh (Bristol City)
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What's going on with Caleb Folan at the minute? Is he still in the US?
According to this article, Stephen Hunt had been hoping to make the squad as he envisages being fit to face Aston Villa for Wolves on the 19th of March. In fairness to Trap though, it's entirely reasonable to leave out someone who's been on the sidelines injured for six weeks.
Oh, and thankfully no Jermaine Pennant...
Don't think he can be picked yet.Originally Posted by DannyInvincible
"We lost because we didn't win"- Ronaldo
It's almost nailed on that at least one of our wingers will have to pull out with injury so I'm sure he will be called up if he's fully fit.
I am just checking to see if James is in the squad. I would have to have the ticker checked if he was not !
Where is McCarthy going to play, surely on the wings?
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