Sunday, October 12, 2014

James McClean delighted with Ireland performance

Ireland midfielder James McClean hailed a professional performance from his Ireland team-mates after contributing 2 goals in their 7- 0 rout of Euro 2016 qualifying opponents Gibraltar in Dublin yesterday.

Robbie Keane scored a hat-trick inside 12 first-half minutes - including the opener after just six minutes - to give the home side a decisive lead in the Aviva Stadium and take his individual tally in international football to 65.
Derry born Wigan winger McClean then got in on the act after the break, scoring either side of goalkeeper Jordan Perez's own goal, and Wes Hoolahan completed the rout with a 56th-minute effort to make it two wins out of two for the Irish in Group D.

McClean told Sky Sports: "We did a professional job, we prepared the right way. It was important to get the early goal and settle everyone down.
"The goals meant everything. Playing for my country is the greatest privilege in football and to score goals, my first home goals as well, it's something that will be with me forever. Hopefully I can push on from that and get a few more.''
Martin O'Neill's men now take their qualifying campaign to Gelsenkirchen and a meeting with world champions Germany on Tuesday night, and McClean knows the importance of having two wins under their belt ahead of that match.
"We've got six points on the board and from the start that was our objective going into Germany," added McClean.
"We're under no illusions that's going to be a really tough ask, but hopefully we can go there and get at least a point.''




Saturday, October 4, 2014

Martin O'Neill names 27 man squad to face Gibraltar in Euro 2016 qualifier














David Forde Millwall 
Shay Given Aston Villa 
Keiren Westwood Sheffield Wednesday 
Rob Elliot Newcastle United 

Richard Keogh Derby County  
Marc Wilson Stoke City 
Seamus Coleman Everton 
John O’Shea Sunderland 
Alex Pearce Reading 
Ciaran Clark Aston Villa  
Stephen Ward Burnley  

Jeff Hendrick Derby County 
Glenn Whelan Stoke City 
Darron Gibson Everton  
Aiden McGeady Everton 
Jon Walters Stoke City 
Anthony Pilkington Cardiff City 
James McClean Wigan 
Robbie Brady Hull City 
Stephen Quinn Hull City 
David Meyler Hull City 
Wes Hoolahan Norwich City 

Robbie Keane LA Galaxy 
Shane Long Southampton 
Daryl Murphy Ipswich Town 
Kevin Doyle Crystal Palace 
Anthony Stokes Celtic