Squad Announced

**Stuttgart88** · 16/02/2006, 10:47 AM

From Irish Times:

16/02/2006: Steve Staunton has drafted six uncapped players into the Republic of Ireland squad for his first fixture in charge of the national team, next month's friendly against Sweden at Lansdowne Road.

The new Ireland manager has indicated he will give youth its head as he builds towards the Euro 2008 qualifiers, which start in September, and will call upon the services of Stephen Ireland, Kevin Doyle, Joey O'Brien, Liam Lawrence, Wayne Henderson and Stephen Kelly when the squad meet up later this month.

Many observers feel Ireland's inclusion is overdue, given the Manchester City starlet's form in the Premiership this season, but a falling out with previous boss Brian Kerr had effectively kept the youngster in the international wilderness.

Former Cork City striker Doyle has been rewarded for his goal-scoring exploits for championship leaders Reading and will almost certainly be plying his trade in the English top-flight by the time Ireland meet Germany next September.

Republic of Ireland squad (v Sweden on March 1st)

Goalkeepers: Shay Given, Paddy Kenny, Wayne Henderson

Defenders: Gary Breen, Andy O'Brien, Richard Dunne, Joey O'Brien, Ian Harte, Steve Finnan, Stephen Kelly, John O'Shea

Midfielders: Liam Lawrence, Steven Reid, Graham Kavanagh, Jonathan Douglas, Stephen Ireland, Liam Miller, Kevin Kilbane, Damien Duff

Strikers: Stephen Elliot, Kevin Doyle, Robbie Keane, Clinton Morrison

**colster** · 16/02/2006, 10:47 AM

From the Times

Staunton names squad for Sweden friendly

16/02/2006: Steve Staunton has drafted six uncapped players into the Republic of Ireland squad for his first fixture in charge of the national team, next month's friendly against Sweden at Lansdowne Road.

The new Ireland manager has indicated he will give youth its head as he builds towards the Euro 2008 qualifiers, which start in September, and will call upon the services of Stephen Ireland, Kevin Doyle, Joey O'Brien, Liam Lawrence, Wayne Henderson and Stephen Kelly when the squad meet up later this month.

Many observers feel Ireland's inclusion is overdue, given the Manchester City starlet's form in the Premiership this season, but a falling out with previous boss Brian Kerr had effectively kept the youngster in the international wilderness.

Former Cork City striker Doyle has been rewarded for his goal-scoring exploits for championship leaders Reading and will almost certainly be plying his trade in the English top-flight by the time Ireland meet Germany next September.

Republic of Ireland squad (v Sweden on March 1st)

Goalkeepers: Shay Given, Paddy Kenny, Wayne Henderson

Defenders: Gary Breen, Andy O'Brien, Richard Dunne, Joey O'Brien, Ian Harte, Steve Finnan, Stephen Kelly, John O'Shea

Midfielders: Liam Lawrence, Steven Reid, Graham Kavanagh, Jonathan Douglas, Stephen Ireland, Liam Miller, Kevin Kilbane, Damien Duff

Strikers: Stephen Elliot, Kevin Doyle, Robbie Keane, Clinton Morrison

**Stuttgart88** · 16/02/2006, 10:50 AM

Harte & Breen are both there. It honestly wouldn't surprise me if the new management didn't even know McCarthy or Clive Clarke, but fair enough if they do & just think the others are better. It's their choice.

Glad to see Lawrence there. Douglas a bit of a surprise. O'Shea too considering his injury. I'd have thought a 27 man sqaud may have been more appropriate just to integrate some others into the scene gently. McCarthy's absence is my main complaint I think.

**livehead1** · 16/02/2006, 10:50 AM

liam miller and no lee trundle

**colster** · 16/02/2006, 10:52 AM

Looks fine to me. Is Andy Reid injured?

**tetsujin1979** · 16/02/2006, 10:53 AM

IS Elloitt going to be fit for the game? He was pulled out of Sunderland's reserve fixture during the week because he's not yet match fit

**JC_GUFC** · 16/02/2006, 10:53 AM

Looking at that squad I think we did well to nearly qualify for Germany.

Look at the central defenders we have Breen/O'Brien/Dunne/O'Shea - we're seriously lacking.

On a positive note the likes of Lawrence, Ireland & Doyle all should be good additions to the squad.

**colster** · 16/02/2006, 10:53 AM

Originally Posted by livehead1

liam miller and no lee trundle

Trundle is injured

**Stuttgart88** · 16/02/2006, 10:53 AM

Yes, but I thought O'Shea & Elliott both were too.

**Donal81** · 16/02/2006, 10:58 AM

Two threads running on this, can we merge them please?

**Donal81** · 16/02/2006, 10:58 AM

No McGeady? Any Celtic reason for this?

**colster** · 16/02/2006, 10:59 AM

Originally Posted by Donal81

No McGeady? Any Celtic reason for this?

Injured

**Over the post** · 16/02/2006, 10:59 AM

Not great options at centre half, I agree it would have been interesting to see McCarthy or even McShane given a run out. I don't reckon either O'Brien or Breen are good long-term options. I still think O'Shea's best position is in the centre of the defence, if only he could play regular club football there!

**NY Hoop** · 16/02/2006, 11:06 AM

Originally Posted by livehead1

liam miller and no lee trundle

With respect trundle is playing in the 3rd tier in england. You might as well pick a player in our league ahead of him.

Daryl Murphy is playing consistently at a higher level and he's Irish. I wouldnt pick either of them but if I had to it would be Murphy.

KOH

**Stuttgart88** · 16/02/2006, 11:09 AM

I'm OK with O'Brien. Breen partnered Staunton all though WC02 so Staunton rates him obviously but his form at club level has been very discouraging. He was absolutely outclassed by a striker from Brentford. Would have preferred McCarthy over Breen, if only to get him involved or to give him a 25 minute run out.

Alternatively, it could be that as such a key player in Leicester's bid to avoid relegation Staunton agreed not to call him up, in case of injury or whatever. I'd like to know why he was omitted though.

**Clipper** · 16/02/2006, 11:31 AM

Is this the end for the Ginger Pele??????

**NeilMcD** · 16/02/2006, 11:35 AM

Happy enough with the sqaud and happy that he has gone for the lads who were expected to come through. Glad that Lawrence is in the squad too.

**Over the post** · 16/02/2006, 11:40 AM

Originally Posted by Clipper

Is this the end for the Ginger Pele??????

Just when he's finally nailed down a first team place (as centre half) at Norwich too!

I think we need to start blooding some of the younger lads. O'Brien can fill the gap for the moment, and although Dunne has some magnificent games, it's hardly a pairing that'll have the German and Czech strikers quaking in their boots.

**Stuttgart88** · 16/02/2006, 11:46 AM

Originally Posted by Over the post

O'Brien can fill the gap for the moment, and although Dunne has some magnificent games, it's hardly a pairing that'll have the German and Czech strikers quaking in their boots.

Off on a tangent here, but does anyone know if Cunningham's CB partner for Birmingham on Monday night (Latka?) is in the Czech first XI? He was described on TV as a Czech international. Didn't impress at all.