Republic of Ireland V Poland - Wednesday, 6th February 2013 - Friendly

**Charlie Darwin** · 21/01/2013, 3:14 PM

I'm a big Enda fan but I don't really see what he's done to warrant a place, especially considering Joey O'Brien has been oddly overlooked. Stephen Kelly's absence is also disappointing. Good to see Hendrick and Pilkington in particular in the squad. Not sure why Sammon is in.

**IsMiseSean** · 21/01/2013, 3:15 PM

Looking at the squad. Our options at RB seem to be Coleman, O'Shea & McShane.

**elroy** · 21/01/2013, 3:22 PM

has Kelly been omitted because of the tantrum he threw in the Faroes?

No O'Brien seems bizarre. Ive seen a good bit of W Ham this year and have thought he has looked one of their better players.

**elroy** · 21/01/2013, 3:24 PM

Republic of Ireland squad to face Poland: Westwood, Forde, Henderson; O'Shea, Clark, O'Dea, Dunne (standby), McShane, Coleman, R Keogh, Cunningham, Ward; Pilkington, McClean, Brady, McGeady, Whelan, McCarthy, Hendrick, Meyler, Hoolahan; Cox, Long, Walters, Sammon, A Keogh, Doyle.

Will be interesting to see how many withdrawals we will have for this squad? For the first time in a long time, it may prove difficult to guess our XI for the competitive game against Sweden.

**DannyInvincible** · 21/01/2013, 3:25 PM

Kelly's simply been given a break, along with Robbie: http://www.edp24.co.uk/sport/norwich...quad_1_1801453

Trapattoni said: “I have decided to use this friendly game as an opportunity to work with younger players to see their potential. As a result, I have given senior players like Robbie Keane and Stephen Kelly a break for this fixture.

**Charlie Darwin** · 21/01/2013, 3:26 PM

Originally Posted by elroy

has Kelly been omitted because of the tantrum he threw in the Faroes?

No O'Brien seems bizarre. Ive seen a good bit of W Ham this year and have thought he has looked one of their better players.

I assume he'll be added once a few players pull out, which makes his omission seem a bit pointless.

**paul_oshea** · 21/01/2013, 3:26 PM

Originally Posted by JGKyne

Thought Joey O'Brien would get a look in.

He didn't go to watch West Ham ; )

**tommy_c12000** · 21/01/2013, 3:48 PM

When I saw three Derby players were called in I presumed one of them was Mark O'Brien and I was delighted. Not to be though. Anyone know anything of this Keogh character?? I've seen glimpses of Hendrick, looks promising and scored a cracker two wks ago (prob deserves a call up for that goal alone!) but not sure if he's international class. Sammon certainly ain't international class I'm afraid. Trap continues to play us for fools. He goes to a Derby County game and subsequently calls up 3 Derby players. Ridiculous stuff. It's a real cry of "Look at me Irish public, I am going to games, unearthing hidden diamonds and giving new players chances!!!" Gotta admire Trap, some rascal!!!

**Charlie Darwin** · 21/01/2013, 3:54 PM

Why is O'Brien international class but not Hendrick?

**eitoof** · 21/01/2013, 4:11 PM

Joe Mason would be a better bet than Sammon for me. Nice to see Sammon there all the same as an ex LOI guy.Paul Green, anyone? (ducks for cover !!)

**Sullivinho** · 21/01/2013, 4:21 PM

Originally Posted by Charlie Darwin

Not sure why Sammon is in.

I don't get that one either. Baldy equality? Pun sensitivity?

I'll just assume Alex Pearce's paperwork was shot down over Switzerland and has yet to be resubmitted.

**Charlie Darwin** · 21/01/2013, 4:47 PM

Originally Posted by Sullivinho

I don't get that one either. Baldy equality? Pun sensitivity?

I'll just assume Alex Pearce's paperwork was shot down over Switzerland and has yet to be resubmitted.

Nah, can't be pun sensitivity otherwise Mark Bunn would be in. Must be bald equality.

**Paddy Garcia** · 21/01/2013, 5:52 PM

Originally Posted by Yard of Pace

No Alex Pearce? I suppose he had his turn in the last friendly and Keogh seems to be doing well....but he is playing well for Reading at the minute by the looks of things.

Agree surely Pearce is well worth a place - lots of interest in him from other clubs also underpins his recent form.

**IsMiseSean** · 21/01/2013, 6:14 PM

Originally Posted by Paddy Garcia

lots of interest in him from other clubs also underpins his recent form.

I would suggest that's also got to do with his contract negotiations...

**geysir** · 21/01/2013, 6:21 PM

Originally Posted by Junior

Nope, he's agreed to return for the competitive games only, leaving the understudies to get experience in the friendlies. Those caps arent worth the.......

Yeah, maybe Shay has sincerely agreed to make himself available but Trap isn't forthcoming, is he?
For the first time in decades, Shay isn't calling the shots about his place in the team, therefore Shay agreeing to return for competitive games, doesn't mean that Trap agrees to select him.
I'd say it's more a 'don't call us, we'll call you, if we need you'.

**Charlie Darwin** · 21/01/2013, 6:37 PM

Originally Posted by geysir

Yeah, maybe Shay has sincerely agreed to make himself available but Trap isn't forthcoming, is he?
For the first time in decades, Shay isn't calling the shots about his place in the team, therefore Shay agreeing to return for competitive games, doesn't mean that Trap agrees to select him.
I'd say it's more a 'don't call us, we'll call you, if we need you'.

From what Trap has said, Given has made himself available but he's actively looking at alternative options:

“It’s similar to the way I would have explained it to Robbie Keane, that there’s an evolution in the squad and it’s important for us to keep bringing players through. I explained it to Shay that I needed to use this match to give the players that I have more experience. When Shay spoke to us on the phone he said to us that if we did need him that he’s be there. That shows a great pride in the jersey, a great professionalism, it what characterises Shay as a player and we have a great deal of respect for him. We will continue to follow him as a player.”

http://www.irishtimes.com/sports/soc...329137943.html

**Bungle** · 21/01/2013, 6:53 PM

The only disappointments for me would be Pearce and especially Joey O'Brien. I think Hendrick could be a top player for us. It's good experience for him, even if Sweden and Austria is too soon for him. Keogh is an interesting addition and I suppose it's no harm having Sammon in the squad. Delighted to have Pilkington on board. This guy looks like a player.

Hopefully, we see Coleman, Hoolahan, Pilkington, McCarthy and Long start the game.

**Paddy Garcia** · 21/01/2013, 7:22 PM

Originally Posted by Charlie Darwin

From what Trap has said, Given has made himself available but he's actively looking at alternative options:

“It’s similar to the way I would have explained it to Robbie Keane, that there’s an evolution in the squad and it’s important for us to keep bringing players through. I explained it to Shay that I needed to use this match to give the players that I have more experience. When Shay spoke to us on the phone he said to us that if we did need him that he’s be there. That shows a great pride in the jersey, a great professionalism, it what characterises Shay as a player and we have a great deal of respect for him. We will continue to follow him as a player.”

http://www.irishtimes.com/sports/soc...329137943.html

Hard to agree with that - the pride in the jersey has re-emerged now that he can't get a game at club level & Villa at that - if anything is shows a disrespect for the jersey.

**geysir** · 21/01/2013, 8:09 PM

Originally Posted by Paddy Garcia

Hard to agree with that - the pride in the jersey has re-emerged now that he can't get a game at club level & Villa at that - if anything is shows a disrespect for the jersey.

You are assuming that Shay had lost his pride when he retired. I seriously doubt if there was 'a lack of pride' involved with the original decision.
Shay, by making himself available if we need him, is not showing any disrespect.
That's the way it should be.