Sunday, August 25, 2013

Richard Dunne returns as Trapattoni names Ireland squad

Richard Dunne has been included in the provisional Ireland squad for the crucial World Cup double header with Sweden and Austria next month.

Ireland boss Giovanni Trapattoni watched yesterday as Dunne helped his new club QPR to a 1-0 victory over Bolton Wanderers on Saturday.

Dunne, who enjoyed a solid pre-season, played the full 90 minutes for QPR and showed no sign of the groin problems that caused him to miss all of last season.

Former Bohemians striker Paddy Madden retains his place in the set-up after making his international debut in a friendly with Wales in Cardiff earlier in the month.

Paddy Madden, Robbie Keane, Conor Sammon, Jon Walters, Simon Cox and Shane Long are named in the squad up front.

Looking forward to the games, the Ireland manager said: "We have reached the most important part of our qualifying campaign. The team performed very well against both Sweden and Austria back in March. We will look to emulate both performances, and build towards producing two positive results."

He continued: "Sweden and Austria are two very strong teams, and the qualifying table proves this. However, I believe these players have the mentality, attitude and composure to work together and get the points we need in order to qualify. We will prepare for both games next week and focus on the task facing us."

Ireland World Cup qualifier squad: Forde, Westwood, Randolph, O’Shea, O’Brien, St Ledger, Wilson, Coleman, Kelly, O’Dea, Clark, Dunne, McShane, Whelan, McCarthy,Green, Hendrick, McGeady, Pilkington, McClean,Brady, Meyler, Hoolahan, Long, Keane, Sammon, Walters, Madden, Cox.

Tuesday, August 13, 2013

Trapattoni names starting 11 for Wales clash.

Giovanni Trapattoni has named his starting eleven for tomorrow night's friendly international against Wales in Cardiff.

Instead of the Italian's favoured 4-4-2 formation, Trap has opted for 4-5-1 with Shane Long as the lone frontman and Wes Hoolahan playing in a deeper role behind the target man.

At the back, Keiren Westwood starts in place of the injured David Forde in goal, and he will play behind a back four of Seamus Coleman, Ciaran Clarke, John O'Shea and Marc Wilson.

QPR's Richard Dunne has not been included in the squad as he attempts to regain full fitness.

Trapattoni looks set to continue with playing Jonathan Walters out on the wing, with James McCarthy and Glenn Whelan in the centre, and Robbie Brady getting the nod ahead of James McClean.