Ireland to play Ecuador and Bolivia in May

**theworm2345** · 22/04/2007, 4:46 PM

I can fly Southwest to Manchester, New Hampshire or to Providence, Rhode Island which are both about an hour's drive from Boston (at least that is what I am told). Would it be sensible to fly in and out of those two places? Would there be a train that could take me to Boston? Last, what time is the Boston game?

EDIT: The purple line of the MBTA goes through Foxboro and Providence, so that will serve me well if I can get a Southwest Fun Fare to Providence

I wonder how many sunderland players will go on this tour? That'll be an interesting squad. I'd say Stokes and maybe Elliott. Can't see Connolly making it.

Normally, in this situation I would actually agree with you (as he hasn't been scoring), however, Stokes and Elliott have not been scoring either, Murphy does deserve it, and hopefully Sunderland will go up automatically. Ward and Keogh (hopefully) will be involved with the playoffs. Long has not been scoring either, and I've heard Keane is not likely to go. Against everything I just said though, this is an opportunity to play younger people like Murphy, maybe Billy Clarke, Jon Daly, even Terry Dixon maybe so I can't really expect him to be picked.

**Stuttgart88** · 23/04/2007, 2:43 PM

Originally Posted by tetsujin1979

RT� will be showing both games on the US tour.

Thanks Tets - I think your DVD burner may need to be called into use again! I can't get RTE I'm afraid.

**tetsujin1979** · 23/04/2007, 2:48 PM

Assuming it's going to be available for download somewhere, yeah, I'll burn off a few copies

**theworm2345** · 08/05/2007, 1:20 AM

Squads out tomorrow

http://soccerscene.ie/p2036.html

**tetsujin1979** · 08/05/2007, 9:00 AM

from http://www.unison.ie/sportsdesk/stor...=12&si=1826610

Colin Doyle and Wayne Henderson, who faced each other in Championship action last Sunday, may soon be paired together on international duty.

Steve Staunton is today expected to name the two goalkeepers in Ireland squad for the forthcoming friendly games in the US. The Irish meet Ecuador in New York on May 23 and Bolivia in Boston three days later.

With Shay Given ruled out, Doyle (Birmingham) and Henderson (Preston) are expected to share the goalkeeping duties.

Staunton must plan without several other players. Damien Duff is also ruled out by injury; Paul McShane and Andy Keogh are involved in the Championship play-offs; Celtic pair Darren O'Dea and Aiden McGeady have a Scottish Cup final date on Saturday week, when Manchester United's John O'Shea will be hoping to play in the English FA Cup final; and Liverpool's Steve Finnan has the Champions League final.

Wigan's Caleb Folan, Preston's Sean St Ledger and Sunderland's Daryl Murphy are amongst the players likely to earn their first caps.

Staunton is understood to be keen to invite US-based Irish players to train with the squad. Toronto FC's Ronnie O'Brien, New England duo Bryan Byrne and Michael Parkhurst and Notre Dame striker Joe Lapira are all expected to join in.

**Dr. Ogba** · 08/05/2007, 9:54 AM

Bryan Byrne???? Correct me if I'm wrong but isn't he a Kildare County reject?

Surely a pointless call-up...

**bawn79** · 08/05/2007, 9:56 AM

Any idea what time the squad is being announced?

**Dodge** · 08/05/2007, 10:06 AM

Originally Posted by Dr. Ogba

Bryan Byrne???? Correct me if I'm wrong but isn't he a Kildare County reject?

Surely a pointless call-up...

You're not wrong...

**RogerMilla** · 08/05/2007, 10:16 AM

stan will just use them as extra bodies for training purposes i'm sure...

**Ash** · 08/05/2007, 10:17 AM

Save the FAI some travel costs

**DeNiro** · 08/05/2007, 10:22 AM

This will be an interesting squad. I reckon the american based guys are only training, but if one shows any sort of ability I reckon we might see more of him. I wonder will Lee Frecklington and Lewis Emmanuel be called up?

**republicofwhite** · 08/05/2007, 11:31 AM

I sincerely hope Folan doesn't get called up, considering the embarrassment of riches we have up front at the moment. He has been absolutely hopeless for Wigan, and completely lacks ability of any sense.It would be the rpoverbial crying shame if he's called up ahead of the likes of Roy O'Donovan, and I'm as far from a dyed in the wool Eircom Leaguester as you can get!

**kingdom hoop** · 08/05/2007, 11:43 AM

Originally Posted by republicofwhite

It would be the rpoverbial crying shame if he's called up ahead of the likes of Roy O'Donovan, and I'm as far from a dyed in the wool Eircom Leaguester as you can get!

Eircom league will be on going at the time so I'd imagine that won't happen. Though the MLS will be as well.

Agree on Folan though, reminds me of a new born horse (foal - geddit

) trying to find his feet.

**soccerc** · 08/05/2007, 11:49 AM

Originally Posted by republicofwhite

I sincerely hope Folan doesn't get called up, considering the embarrassment of riches we have up front at the moment. He has been absolutely hopeless for Wigan, and completely lacks ability of any sense.It would be the rpoverbial crying shame if he's called up ahead of the likes of Roy O'Donovan, and I'm as far from a dyed in the wool Eircom Leaguester as you can get!

Stephen Staunton has included 9 uncapped players as part of the Republic of Ireland squad which will travel to America later this month to play two friendlies against Ecuador and Bolivia.

Colin Doyle (Birmingham), Se�n St Ledger (Preston), Alex Bruce (Ipswich Town), Derek Geary (Sheffield Utd), Joseph O’Cearuill (Arsenal), Darren Potter (Wolves), Caleb Folan (Wigan Athletic), Daryl Murphy (Sunderland) and Andy Keogh (Wolves) have all been drafted into the squad for the games on May 23 and 26.

Manager Staunton has named 23 players in his provisional squad, which will be finalised after the Championship play-off semi-final between Wolves and West Bromwich Albion.

Speaking at the announcement, Stephen Staunton said: “This is an opportunity for players to stake a claim to be in the squad when the Euro 2008 campaign resumes in the Autumn. It will give me and the management team a chance to look at these players up close and it will also give them valuable international experience”.

The Republic of Ireland play Ecuador in Giants Stadium, New York on Wed, May 23 (kick off 8.00pm local time/1.00am Irish time) while on Saturday, May 26 they take on Bolivia in Gillette Stadium, Boston (kick off 4.00pm local time/9.00pm Irish time)

Republic of Ireland Squad to play Ecuador and Bolivia, May 2007

Name Club DOB Caps Goals

Nicky Colgan Barnsley 19/09/73 8 -

Wayne Henderson Preston North End 16/09/83 4 -

Colin Doyle Birmingham City 12/08/85 0 -

Stephen Kelly Birmingham City 06/09/83 3 0

Paul McShane WestBromwichAlbion01/06/86 5 0

Sean St Ledger Preston North End 28/12/84 0 0

Alex Bruce Ipswich Town 28/09/84 0 0

Derek Geary Sheffield Utd 19/06/80 0 0

Joseph O’Cearuill Arsenal 09/02/87 0 0

John O’Shea Manchester United 30/04/81 38 1

Kevin Kilbane Wigan Athletic 01/02/77 78 7

Darren Potter Wolves 21/12/84 0 0

Stephen Ireland Manchester City 22/08/86 5 3

Stephen Hunt Reading 01/08/81 3 0

Alan O’Brien Newcastle United 20/02/85 4 0

Kevin Doyle Reading 18/09/83 7 2

Shane Long Reading 22/07/87 2 0

Caleb Folan Wigan Athletic 26/10/82 0 0

Daryl Murphy Sunderland 15/03/83 0 0

Stephen Elliott Sunderland 06/01/84 9 1

Liam Miller Sunderland 13/02/81 13 1

Anthony Stokes Sunderland 25/07/88 1 0

Andy Keogh Wolves 16/05/86 0 0

**eirebhoy** · 08/05/2007, 11:53 AM

Nicky Colgan - Barnsley
Wayne Henderson - Preston North End
Colin Doyle - Birmingham City

Stephen Kelly - Birmingham City
Paul McShane - WestBromwichAlbion
Sean St Ledger - Preston North End
Alex Bruce - Ipswich Town
Derek Geary - Sheffield Utd
Joseph O�Cearuill - Arsenal
John O�Shea - Manchester United

Kevin Kilbane - Wigan Athletic
Darren Potter - Wolves
Stephen Ireland Manchester City
Stephen Hunt - Reading
Alan O�Brien - Newcastle United
Liam Miller - Sunderland

Kevin Doyle - Reading
Shane Long � Reading
Caleb Folan - Wigan Athletic
Daryl Murphy - Sunderland
Stephen Elliott - Sunderland
Anthony Stokes - Sunderland
Andy Keogh - Wolves

Strange squad. Miller seems to be the only player capable of playing the holding role, maybe Potter.

**greatbleddyman** · 08/05/2007, 11:55 AM

Can count himself extremely unlucky!

**tetsujin1979** · 08/05/2007, 11:59 AM

Originally Posted by eirebhoy

Paul McShane - WestBromwichAlbion
John O’Shea - Manchester United
Darren Potter - Wolves
Andy Keogh - Wolves

Surely all going to pull out because of Cup finals and play offs?

Originally Posted by eirebhoy

Alan O’Brien - Newcastle United

**bwagner** · 08/05/2007, 12:05 PM

what happened to looking at a few yankie boys and ronnie o brien....never a better time then now

**youngirish** · 08/05/2007, 12:05 PM

Some astonishingly illogical choices as usual from du gaffur.

1. Alan O'Brien instead of Stephen Quinn.
2. No place for Leon Best a player if he really believed in his building for 2010 bull he should really be trying to get to commit to Ireland before he's drafted into the England U21s. Best could easily be playing and scoring in the Premiership next season. Again why in similar circumstances did he draft Terry Dixon into the squad? No consistenty.
3. No place for Owen Garvan who is younger and more talented than either Darren Potter or Liam Miller.
4. Nicky Colgan instead of Shane Supple?
5. Caleb Folan is pants and shouldn't be included. How many strikers do we need? If we need one more then take Best as detailed above or Roy O'Donovan.

**Stuttgart88** · 08/05/2007, 12:06 PM

Agree entirely about Glenn Whelan, likewise O'Donovan unless his club commitments took precedent. Owen Garvan should have been in with a shout. I think Leon Best should also be there. Stange that some play off contenders are there and others aren't.

Nick Colgan must be in a position to blackmail somebody in the FAI. I am utterly dumbfounded by this.

I'm really disappointed by this squad.