Ireland U21 Squad Named (v Denmark 28th May & Italy 4th Jun)

[Predator]

Noel King has named his squad for the upcoming games in Tallaght (against Denmark) and The Showgrounds (against Italy).

http://www.goal.com/en-ie/news/3942/...-italy-matches

Ian McLoughlin - MK Dons
Aaron McCarey - Wolverhampton Wanderers 
Mark Connolly - Unattached 
Shane Duffy - Everton 
Greg Cunningham - Manchester City 
Niall Canavan - Scunthorpe United 
Lanre Oyebanjo - York City 
John Egan - Sunderland
Jeff Hendrick - Derby County 
Eunan O’Kane - Torquay United 
Richie Towell - Hibernian - on loan from Celtic 
Aidan White - Leeds United 
Conor Clifford - Chelsea
Samir Carruthers - Aston Villa 
Conor Hourihane - Plymouth Argyle 
Sean Murray - Watford
James Collins - Shrewsbury Town 
Rhys Murphy - Arsenal 
Aaron Doran - Inverness Caledonian Thistle 
Robbie Brady - Manchester United

Unfortunately, captain Rob Kiernan looks set to miss out as he's recovering from an ankle op. Also heard it mentioned that Forrester and Matt Doherty are on standby.

Surprised that Joe Mason isn't in there, or Daniel Kearns and Gav Gunning.

[AlaskaFox]

Great to see O'Kane in the squad. I'll say no more for fear of turning this into the eligibility thread.

[drummerboy]

Matt Doherty was interviewed in the Irish Times yesterday and alluded to the fact he was not selected but that was on standby. He is not a happy camper and said at first he would be booking a holiday but then backtracked somewhat. I suppose the fact that clubmate Richie Towel, who he is keeping out of the Hibs team in selected is a little annoying to him.

Having said all that it is a strong squad. I was surprised that Forde of Wolves is not involved. I'm not surprised Gunning is left out, don't think he made a good impression when last in the squad.

[Charlie Darwin]

Forde is in Doolin's U19 squad if I remember correctly. Forrester should possibly be in ahead of Rhys Murphy but that is a very strong midfield selection.

Does this mean it's confirmed Mark Connolly has left Bolton?

[Dodge]

Cork's Gearoid Morrissey is on standby too.

Disappointed Forrester sin't involved (for purely tribal reasons)

[tetsujin1979]

It was probably a long shot, but I'd like to have seen Conor Henderson in there as well. He's not long back in training at Arsenal, and has completed a few games for the reserves.

[tetsujin1979]

Does this mean it's confirmed Mark Connolly has left Bolton?

It's not official yet, but he posted this on twitter yesterday:
https://twitter.com/#!/Mark5Connolly...59655752663040

I'd like to thank everyone at bolton wanderers football club for the past 3 years.. Great bunch of players there that ill miss, wanna wish

from https://twitter.com/#!/Mark5Connolly...59843783323648

Them all the best for next season and I'm sure ill be seeing yous next year ☺

from https://twitter.com/#!/Mark5Connolly...60117725892608

Also a massive thank you to the fans for there support over the last few years, it has meant a lot

[DannyInvincible]

Great to see O'Kane in the squad. I'll say no more for fear of turning this into the eligibility thread.

Just on that...

Is Rhys Murphy committed to us then? He played competitively for England at under-19 level and has already featured in a competitive game for us at under-21 level. My previous understanding was that it would mean he's effected his solitary switch, but possibly he can still opt to switch back. Things were left a bit up in the air on that in the eligibility thread and I recall 'Not Brazil' was awaiting an email back from FIFA in order to confirm what exactly effected a switch; was it any competitive game or merely a senior competitive game?

It was probably a long shot, but I'd like to have seen Conor Henderson in there as well. He's not long back in training at Arsenal, and has completed a few games for the reserves.

Any idea how he's looked since his return?

[Junior]

I know these lads have their own threads but anyone got a quick update on Conor Clifford and Greg Cunningham - post injuries/loan spells? Not read anything on them for a while.

[Not Brazil]

I recall 'Not Brazil' was awaiting an email back from FIFA in order to confirm what exactly effected a switch; was it any competitive game or merely a senior competitive game?

Letter sent to FIFA dated 26th March 2012 - no response to date.

[IsMiseSean]

Anyone have details on tickets for the game in Sligo? Might make the trip to warm up for Euro2012...

[tetsujin1979]

Any idea how he's looked since his return?

There's only been two reserve games since he came back, Everton and Newcastle, he started the Newcastle game - http://www.arsenal.com/match-menu/34...res?tab=report - but didn't feature at all against Everton - http://www.arsenal.com/match-menu/35...res?tab=report
He did complete 90 minutes in a friendly in April VS an Oman selection: http://www.arsenal.com/news/news-arc...0-match-report but that's the last of any first team action I can find for him

Short interview with him after the Newcastle game: http://www.arsenal.com/news/news-arc...ar-on-comeback
Wegner on Henderson's return: http://www.arsenal.com/news/news-arc...henderson-back

Been pretty quiet on twitter recently too: https://twitter.com/#!/Henderson_91

[Olé Olé]

http://www.lionofviennasuite.com/201...-leaves-bolton
Article there on a Bolton blog in which the author states her disappointment on Connolly's exit. That £1million they paid to Wolves can certainly be deemed a sunk cost. Hopefully a decent clubs picks him up.

Interesting to see Rhys Murphy in there ahead of somebody like Joe Mason, given that Murphy was unable to register a goal for Preston in League One, whilst Mason finished off the season quite well with Cardiff. King must be keeping faith with Murphy on the back of his scoring debut.

Fantastic to see Murray and Carruthers make the step up with both having impressed many quarter in the second half of this season. McLeish held a lot of faith in Carruthers so hopefully that faith will be bestowed upon the incumbent manager at Villa, whoever that may be.

All the best to young John Egan, a month on after his father passing away.

[nigel-harps1954]

Kinda scratching my head as to why Joe Mason isn't selected.

[Predator]

Kiernan suggested to Duffy via Twitter yesterday that he probably wouldn't be fit until the game at home to Turkey. He said something like "Don't let me down. Get the Italian Job Done!"

Matt Doherty was interviewed in the Irish Times yesterday and alluded to the fact he was not selected but that was on standby. He is not a happy camper and said at first he would be booking a holiday but then backtracked somewhat. I suppose the fact that clubmate Richie Towel, who he is keeping out of the Hibs team in selected is a little annoying to him.

Having said all that it is a strong squad. I was surprised that Forde of Wolves is not involved. I'm not surprised Gunning is left out, don't think he made a good impression when last in the squad.

Doherty's comments might not endear him to King too much. He might see that as an undesirable attitude problem.

What did you hear about Gunning? He was playing well enough at left back before Cunningham regained his fitness.

[tetsujin1979]

Carlisle's Paddy Madden called into the U21 squad: https://twitter.com/#!/Paddymadden/s...61453780516865

Called into Ireland 21s squad for the game vs denmark #buzzing

[Dodge]

Strange one. He's been released by Carlisle and his agent/brother has been shopping him around LOI clubs.

He's 22 too. From memory he was 1/2 caps from the 2009 season

Nothing from the FAI?

[Charlie Darwin]

He hasn't been released. Where are you getting that from?

[Dodge]

He hasn't been released. Where are you getting that from?

His contract is up, isn't it?

Just what the rumour mill was saying. Apologies if wrong

[Charlie Darwin]

Nope, he has a year to run. There's a little piece about his call-up on the club's website:

"We're all delighted for Paddy," United manager Greg Abbott said.

"He had to battle back from his injury last season and playing games at this level will do him the world of good. Hopefully he'll perform well and he'll come back to us on a real high so that he is ready to go again for next season."

http://www.carlisleunited.co.uk/page...784973,00.html