spirited Ireland go down to world champions

Spain defeated Ireland 2-0 in a friendly international at Yankee Stadium New York early this morning.

As expected the reigning World and European champions controlled the majority of possession early in the game but an Ireland team missing six first team regulars, defended well and grew into the game as it progressed.

Pedro went close just before half-time, after showing excellent skill in the box to create space for a shot, but his rasping effort came back off the underside of the bar.

Conor Sammon had Ireland’s best chance in the first half, when after stealing possession from the Spanish defender he shot wide from a tight angle inside the box.

Spain continued to press the Irish defence after the break, but struggled to create many clear-cut goal scoring opportunities, while Ireland’s defence remained solid, determined and focused.

The pressure however eventually told on 69 minutes though when Soldado swivelled and shot into the bottom left hand corner after the ball broke to him in the box.

There was further disappointment for Ireland after 80 minutes when Sean St Ledger had the ball in the Spanish net, only to see it disallowed for offside.James McClean also had a great strike saved by Iker Casillas following a typically strong run.

Spain grabbed a late second on 88 minutes when Juan Mata shot past Ireland sub keeper Darren Randolph.

Overall a gutsy, organised performance from an understrength Ireland against the World Champions, and plenty for Trapattoni to build on for the crucial World Cup qualifiers against Sweden and Austria in September.

Trapattoni names eleven to face Spain

Giovanni Trapattoni has named his starting eleven for tomorrow night's clash with world champions Spain at Yankee Stadium in New York.

Connor Sammon will partner Robbie Keane in attack.
 
Everton's Seamus Coleman moves into midfield for the New York clash with Paul McShane slotting into the back four alongside Sean St Ledger, Darren O'Dea and Stephen Kelly.

Coleman will start on the right side of midfield with Jeff Hendrick making his first start for Ireland in the centre of the park. James McCarthy returns from suspension to partner Hendrick, while Andy Keogh makes up the midfield four.

The inclusion of Andy Keogh on the left wing looks like another of Trapattoni's bizarre selections, with winger James McClean missing out again to a player not associated with the left wing.

Depleted Ireland fly to New York for Spain clash

Giovanni Trapattoni's depleted Ireland squad travelled to New York yesterday for a friendly clash with Spain, minus a number of senior players who have been excused for various reasons.

Marc Wilson (operation), Jon Walters (knee), Aiden McGeady (wedding), Wes Hoolahan (foot), Keiren Westwood (shoulder), Richard Dunne (speaking to clubs about his future), John O’Shea (bereavement) and Glenn Whelan (rest) will not make the trip to play Spain on Tuesday night.

Captain Robbie Keane, who scored a hat-trick in Ireland's 3-0 win over the Faroe Islands, leads the Ireland squad into the Yankee Stadium on Tuesday.


Ireland squad: David Forde, Darren Randolph, Aaron McCarey, Sean St Ledger, Seamus Coleman, Damien Delaney, Darren O’Dea, Paul Mc Shane, Stephen Kelly, Richard Keogh, James Mc Clean, David Meyler, James McCarthy, Andy Keogh, Jeff Hendrick, Stephen Quinn, Simon Cox, Conor

Keane Hat-Trick secures World Cup qualifying win

Ireland captain Robbie Keane celebrated his record breaking 126th international cap with a hat-trick as Ireland defeated the Faroe Islands 3-0 in a Group C World Cup qualifier in Dublin.

The LA Galaxy striker opened the scoring after five minutes following some excellent build-up play by Wes Hoolahan and Aiden McGeady, before adding his second in the 55th minute, getting on the end of a Seamus Coleman cross.

And the third goal arrived nine minutes from time as Keane rounded off a fine man of the match performance with a neat finish following an exquisite pass from substitute Conor Sammon.

Giovanni Trapattoni labelled Robbie Keane the best Irish player he has seen in 30 years after the striker's hat-trick earned Ireland a World Cup qualifying victory over the Faroe Islands.

He said: "I particularly wish to congratulate our captain because for 30 years, I have known the Irish team and the Irish players and for me, he is the best Irish player I have known in 30 years.

"I wish to congratulate him because he scored. At the moment, he is in good form, but I repeat what I said yesterday, he is also one of the best players in Europe."

Trapattoni and his players head for New York tomorrow for Tuesday's friendly against Spain, although Shane Long and McGeady will not be travelling because both are to be married, while Marc Wilson is due to have surgery to remove a metal plate from his leg.

Keane at the double as Ireland defeat Georgia

Robbie Keane celebrated his record-equalling 125th cap with two goals as Ireland ran out easy 4-0 winners over Georgia.

The game turned in the 20th minute when Georgia had goalkeeper Giorgi Loria sent off for bringing down Shane Long after he was sold short by a backpass, and from there on Ireland had it relatively easy as they prepare for next Friday's World Cup qualifier against the Faroe Islands.

Keane came on as a substitute at half-time to move level with Shay Given on 125 caps, and he soon added his 55th and 56th international goals, adding to strikes from Richard Keogh - his first for Ireland - and Simon Cox.

"Of course it's always nice to score goals as a striker," Keane told Sky Sports. "It's very important for the confidence.

"I felt a bit sorry for them with the red card, it was a shame and it killed the tempo of the game.
"We wanted a bit of a test before next week's game but it gives us confidence."

Asked about the caps milestone, he added: "If you asked me 10 years ago would I get this many caps, I'd say you were crazy."

"I'm obviously delighted and it’s something I can look back on in years to come but at the moment I just hope to get a few more."

With Keane starting among the substitutes, Shane Long captained the side for the first time as he is suspended for Friday's qualifier.

"It's an unbelievable honour," he said. "At half-time I offered Robbie the band but he said, 'No, it's your night, you keep it'. I'm delighted, it's a big honour and it's nice to get a win.

"It would have been nice to get a goal as well but that's the way it goes."

Long will now leave the Irish camp due to his suspension.

"It's a shame," he added. "I would really like to play alongside Robbie next week but I managed to pick up two yellow cards so I'm going to miss it and instead I'm going to get married in a couple of weeks."

Ireland face the Faroe Islands on Friday night and after an encouraging week of friendlies - a 1-1 draw against England at Wembley followed by today's easy win - Keane is eager to make it count.

"If gives you confidence and it's important to win games," he said. "Next week against the Faroes people expect us to win the game and really we should, but to be honest we can't take it too lightly.

"You have to give the teams a lot of respect and do it in the right way on the pitch. Hopefully we get the three points. It's been a very good week for the players but the main game is next week. These two games mean nothing apart from pride."

Trapattoni prepared for England challenge

Ireland boss Giovanni Trapattoni has challenged his Ireland players to prove they are every bit as good as England's in Wednesday night's friendly international at Wembley.

It will be the first meeting between the two countries since the abandoned game in Dublin in 1995.

Trapattoni said: "The players play in England for Stoke and many teams; the England players play for Manchester United, they play for Arsenal.

"But we can show them we are the same - that's very important. That's a stimulation for me, it's very important that they show they are every bit as good."

Trapattoni and and England manager Roy Hodgson are old foes from their days in club management in Italy and bumped into each other at the Champions League final at Wembley on Saturday evening.

However, the Ireland boss was less than sympathetic over his English counterpart's injury troubles.

He said with a smile: "I met him at Wembley. He told me he has doubts about missing some players, but I don't think so.

"He's missing Gerrard - okay; Carroll is also out, but they have a strong team. They have others -  Defoe,  Rooney, Sturridge, Welbeck - it's okay, he has enough offensive players.

"But I have confidence because our team in the last game gave me much trust."

The game will be one of four Ireland will play over the next two and a half weeks with the World Cup qualifier against the Faroe Islands in Dublin on 7 June by far the most important.

However, a much-anticipated renewal of acquaintances with England and a glamour friendly against world and European champions Spain in New York have their own attraction.

Trapattoni will use the depth of his squad against England as he uses that fixture and Sunday's friendly against Georgia in Dublin to finalise his plans for the Faroe Islands.

However, he knows a positive result against England would do his players little harm.

He said: "I changed countries four times and every country showed me many different situations.

"People pay their money and they want to see a show, but they also want a result. When you play not so well, but you have achieved a result, the supporters are 50 per cent happy; if you play well and lose the game, 51 per cent are not happy."


Irish captain Robbie Keane is not expected to meet up with the rest of his team-mates until tomorrow after club LA Galaxy's game against Seattle Sounders during the early hours of this morning, with Toronto's Darren O'Dea and Spartak Moscow's Aiden McGeady were also expected to be late arrivals.

Solid display in Stockholm by 'The Boys In Green'

Ireland's World Cup qualification hopes received a great boost after a fighting 0-0 draw against Sweden in Stockholm last night.

Giovanni Trapattoni's 'Boys In Green' had the better of the first-half exchanges with Shane Long wasting their best chance, blasting over when he had time and space inside the box.

But the away point, against their main rivals for a play-off place in Group C, sets Ireland up perfectly for Tuesday's home game against Austria in the Aviva stadium.

Manager Trapattoni brought in James McCarthy, originally dropped in favour of Paul Green, after Glenn Whelan failed to recover from an ankle injury.

Ireland threatened early with James McClean and Robbie Keane beating their markers on the left wing, while Shane Long twisted and turned Andreas Granqvist, but blasted over from 16 yards when the goal opened up.

Sweden won a couple of corners, but were generally off the pace around the pitch. However, David Forde - making his competitive debut - was tested by Tobias Hysen's volley midway through the half, and had to be alert as Kim Kallstrom's free kick made its way across a crowded penalty box untouched.

If Ireland's plan was to keep Zlatan Ibrahimovic on the periphery, then it was working, with the temperamental PSG striker dropping deep for some action and looking none too pleased with his team-mates when they failed to deliver the ball to his liking.

Still, the ex-Juventus man almost snuck a goal when his shot from an unlikely angle deflected off Seamus Coleman. Forde was stranded but the ball rolled the right side of the post from Ireland's point of view.

Just before the break, Green, honest and hard-working throughout, went in the book for a late challenge on Alexander Kacaniklic, but the Boys in Green were not allowing the hosts to create in the final third and the majority in the 49,436 in attendance at the Friends Arena began to whistle their frustration.

Long and West Brom team-mate Jonas Olsson were enjoying a private battle, clashing on a number of occasions, as Ireland again began the half brightly.

Even when Clark and Green misplaced passes, Erik Hamren's side couldn't take advantage and Coleman made a magnificent tackle as Ibrahimovic threatened on the edge of the box.
Moments later, Larsson fired wide from 18 yards after another poor clearance by Clark, who was preferred to Sean St Ledger in central defence.

Up the other end, Ireland were struggling to create any clear-cut chances. Captain Keane beat the offside trap but over-hit his cross and then Olsson miscued a clearance but the ball evaded Walters.
With legs tiring, Trapattoni introduced Wes Hoolahan for Keane, Andy Keogh for McClean and Conor Sammon for Long.

Sweden almost claimed what would have been three undeserved points deep into injury time.
The ball dropped for Rasmus Elm is the box, but O'Shea, who was given the Irish man-of-the-match award by the home judge, was on hand to soften the strike and Forde guided it over the bar.
The goalkeeper then caught the resulting corner and with that Ireland had their point, and Trapattoni, who came in for a lot of criticism ahead of the game, had made his.

Kelly backs David Forde to produce against Sweden

Ireland goalkeeping coach Alan Kelly believes that David Forde's life experience will make him more than capable of coping with the pressure of his competitive debut on Friday night.

The 33-year-old has been promoted ahead of Keiren Westwood due to the latter's lack of first-team action at Sunderland, and Giovanni Trapattoni has decided to stick with the Galwegian instead of recalling Shay Given.

Forde faces a major test in Stockholm, but Kelly feels that the player's strength of character will see him through, referencing the highs and lows that he has tasted before reaching this stage.
"Experience," responded Kelly (right), when asked about Forde's biggest strengths. "I don't just mean on the pitch but in life, getting knock backs, appreciating what you have at the right times. He definitely has that. He's a good communicator and has a great work-ethic.

"It has all come together at the right time and in the right place and he's there on merit now."
Although Forde has always had faith in his own ability, Kelly has noted his current confidence, believing that a good run of form at club level with Millwall and the full support of Trapattoni has put a spring in his step.

"He's kept three clean sheets in his last three games and he's won a spot in the FA Cup semi-final and a Wembley appearance," said Kelly.

"David is an absolute gentleman and one of the hardest working goalkeepers I have worked with, he's always looking to improve.

"He really has come through the ranks in the League of Ireland and then back and forward over the water – he has really served his apprenticeship. I look at him now and I'm seeing him believe now. He is a big lad and his stature has grown in these two weeks. He believes this is his stage and this is his time. To have that mindset and faith in your ability gives you confidence going into the game."

Forde did struggle with his kicking in the early stages of last month's friendly with Poland, but Kelly shrugged off that as a possible concern. "It's something you work on in training," he said. "David would be the first to come over and say, 'I did this and that'. You go over it and put a train of thought in a player's mind so when it comes to the next time they don't have negative thoughts."

Moyes to put his faith in Shane Duffy

Everton boss David Moyes is set to put his faith in Shane Duffy as Everton enter a pivotal spell in the Blues boss’ Goodison reign.

The Derry born Ireland international has been told he is right in the mix to challenge favoured pair Phil Jagielka and Sylvain Distin for a first-team place as the Toffees chase a top four finish and FA Cup glory.

Duffy had previously been fourth in line to start in central defence and Moyes had considered allowing him to go on loan to gather experience, but has been impressed with his development in recent months.

And with John Heitinga’s poor run of form proving costly in recent weeks, Moyes has informed Duffy he will be going nowhere as the club attempts to compete on two fronts which could yet prove crucial to Moyes’ own Goodison future.

The 21-year-old was selected ahead of Heitinga to come on as a late substitute during Saturday’s fifth round FA Cup draw with Oldham, and will be on the bench again for the visit to face Norwich at Carrow Road in the Premier League on Saturday.

Earlier this month Duffy led the Ireland  U21's to an impressive 3-0 win over the Netherlands in Tallaght Stadium and the young Galliagh defender will be keen to get some club games under his belt and force his way into Trapattoni's senior Ireland squad.

Marc Wilson keen to get back for Ireland

Ireland defender Marc Wilson is hoping his Stoke City return will give him a chance to join Ireland's battle for a World cup place in Brazil in 2014.

The 25-year-old County Armagh born defender expects to be available for Stoke's game at Fulham next Saturday after four months out with a broken leg.

He revealed that Ireland manager Giovanni Trapattoni has kept in touch during his injury absence, so he is hoping to force his way back into the manager's plans as Ireland try to qualify for next summer's World Cup in Brazil.

Wilson, who has three senior caps, said: "I need to get myself playing for Stoke first and foremost before I can even consider being selected for Ireland.

"Giovanni Trapattoni has texted me a few times to ask how I am getting on and said he hasn't forgotten me.

"That was good to hear, so if I can get myself right here hopefully I can get myself back in the international team.

"Ireland have a difficult game coming up against Sweden. It's a crucial match because they are one point ahead of us in the group after they got that magnificent result against Germany.

"It's going to be a very important game for us and I want to get myself back for it."

New faces in Trapattoni squad to face Poland

Giovanni Trapattoni has named his Ireland squad for the Poland international friendly on 6 February at the Aviva Stadium, their last game ahead of the crucial double-header away to Sweden and home to Austria on 22 and 26 March.

New faces include Anthony Pilkington as well as Derby County trio Conor Sammon, Jeff Hendrick and Richard Keogh.

The manager 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.

"We saw a number of strong performances from our younger players in the second half of last year and we intend to build from those strong foundations, using this friendly match to introduce more new talent like Pilkington, Hendrick, Sammon and (Richard) Keogh.

Provisional Ireland squad: Keiren Westwood, David Forde, Stephen Henderson, Ciaran Clark, Darren O’Dea, Paul McShane, Seamus Coleman, Richard Keogh, Richard Dunne*, Greg Cunningham, Stephen Ward, Anthony Pilkington, James McClean, Robbie Brady, Aiden McGeady, Glenn Whelan, James McCarthy, Jeff Hendrick, David Meyler, Wes Hoolahan, Simon Cox, Shane Long, Jon Walters, Andy Keogh, Kevin Doyle

Trapattoni reveals Ireland squad for Greece friendly

Ireland boss Giovanni Trapattoni had named his squad for the upcoming friendly international against Greece in Dublin later this month.

The Boys In Green take on the Euro 2012 quarter finalists on the 14th Novemeber


Robbie Keane has been left out of the squad, as has striker Shane Long, who is suffering from a hamstring strain. Norwich striker Wes Hoolahan is included, as is Robbie Brady and Ciaran Clark.


Derry duo Shane Duffy and James McClean are also named in the 26 man provisional squad.


Ireland squad


Keiren Westwood - Sunderland AFC

David Forde - Millwall FC

Darren Randolph - Motherwell FC



Shane Duffy - Everton

Seamus Coleman - Everton

Ciaran Clark - Aston Villa

John O’Shea - Sunderland AFC

Darren O’Dea - Toronto FC

Stephen Ward - Wolverhampton Wanderers FC

Stephen Kelly - Fulham FC

Paul McShane - Hull City FC

Damien Delaney - Crystal Palace



Wes Hoolahan - Norwich City

James McClean - Sunderland
James McCarthy - Wigan Athletic FC

Seamus Coleman - Everton FC

Glenn Whelan - Stoke City

Aiden McGeady - Spartak Moscow FC

Andy Keogh - Millwall FC

James McClean - Sunderland FC

Conor Clifford - Chelsea

Keith Fahey - Birmingham City

David Meyler - Sunderland




Kevin Doyle - Wolverhampton Wanderers FC

Simon Cox - Nottingham Forest

Jon Walters- Stoke City FC

Robbie Brady - Manchester United

Trapattoni continues with his premiership tour this weekend

Ireland manager Giovanni Trapattoni will continue with his new premiership tour this weekend when he take's in the game between Stoke and Sunderland at the Britannia Stadium.


This follows on from his visit to Norwich last week to eye-up Wes Hoolahan & Anthony Pilkington in their impressive defeat of Arsenal at Carrow Road.

The Stoke v Sunderland game could feature up to seven potential members of the squad for next month's friendly with Greece at the Aviva Stadium.


Potters boss Tony Pulis will  likely start with Marc Wilson and Jonathan Walters, who both impressed in the comfortable win over the Faroes, while Glenn Whelan will be involved if he shakes off his hamstring problem.

John O'Shea and McClean are regular starters for the Black Cats, while midfielder David Meyler, who has broken into Trapattoni's plans in recent months, might be brought off the bench at some stage.

Ireland's first-choice goalkeeper Keiren Westwood may need Simon Mignolet to suffer some kind of misfortune if he is to get the chance to impress O'Neill and nail-down a a regular Sunderland starting birth.

It will be interesting when the Ireland squad is announced for the Greece friendly next wednesday, if Trapattoni's sudden ability to watch players on a regular club basis will have any bearing on his squad selection.
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Trap not for the sack

The Football Association of Ireland has confirmed that Giovanni Trapattoni will stay on as Ireland manager.

The association released a statement this evening confirming that the Italian would continue in his current role.

The FAI statement read: "While disappointed like everyone with the poor result and performance against Germany and understanding the frustration of some of our supporters, we believe the currnet position in the group means that qualification for Brazil in 2014 remains a realistic and achievable prospect"

"We reaffirm that Giovanni Trapattoni is to remain in charge of the national team."

The statement ended "The Board recognises the depth of feeling surrounding the team, the performances, the results and the manager, reflecting the passion which everyone in Irish football has for the game and will continue to work closely with the manager."

The 73 year old Italian’s position has come under severe pressure following a disappointing run of results and performances from the European Championships, where the team lost all three games, to a 6-1 hammering at the hands of Germany on Friday night.

Under pressure Trapattoni names starting 11 for Faroes

Robbie Keane, Marc Wilson and Robbie Brady will start for Ireland when they take on the Faroe Islands in their World Cup 2014 qualification game on Tuesday evening in Tórshavn.

Under-pressure manager Giovanni Trapittoni is facing growing pressure from supporters, former players and the media after a dismal defeat to Germany last week and his player selection.

But perhaps the most damning criticism of the Italian is the suggestion that he has now lost the dressing room, something he denies, although the reports of the mild-mannered Stephen Kelly’s dissatisfaction have been greeted as firm evidence to the contrary.

Ireland will revert to a 4-4-2 formation and three points is a must if the boys in green are to remain in contention in group C.


Ireland starting eleven


Westwood (Sunderland)

Coleman    (Everton)
O’Shea       (Sunderland)
O’Dea        (Toronto FC)
Wilson       (Stoke)

Brady         (Manchester United)
Andrews     (Bolton)
McCarthy   (Wigan)
McGeady    (Spartak Moscow)

Keane          (LA Galaxy)
Walters       (Stoke)

Tardelli aiming for three points against Germany

Ireland assistant boss Marco Tardelli is adamant that Ireland will go into their World Cup qualifier against Germany on Friday looking to secure all three points.

"We will try to win, it's normal for us. If we can win against Germany, it will be important for the team and for the country"

"But a draw? I don't know. It is better to wait. The Germans are a strong team, they are very quick and they play very well with their wingers because they cut in with their strikers".

"We know that Germany is a very good team and we have many problems, but we need to believe it's possible to play against all teams."

Ireland have been hit with an injury crisis ahead of the Germany and Faroe Islands games with Kevin Doyle, Sean St Ledger, Richard Dunne, James McClean and Glenn Whelan all missing.

Conor Clifford, David Meyler and Manchester United's Robbie Brady have been drafted into the squad as cover.

Tardelli also hinted that a change in Irish formation may be required to try and contain the German midfield threat.

"We need to change something against Germany because the Germans are a very strong team and play 4-3-3. Maybe it's possible to play 4-3-3."

Ireland U19 squad named for Euro qualifiers

Ireland under-19 manager Paul Doolin today announced his squad for the upcoming UEFA U19 Championships qualifying tournament.

Ireland will travel to Luxembourg next month where they will meet the hosts, FYR Macedonia and Germany in Group Five.

 

Thursday October 11
Ireland v Luxembourg


Saturday October 13
FYR Macedonia v Ireland

Tuesday October 16
Ireland v Germany


The top two nations qualify for the Elite Qualifying Round with the finals tournament in Lithuania next summer.

Name	Club
1. Ian Lawlor	Manchester City FC
2. Danny Rogers	Aberdeen FC
3. Brian Lenihan	Cork City FC
4. Thomas Hoban	Watford FC
5. Pierce Sweeney	Reading FC
6. Ryan O'Reilly	Stoke City FC
7. Shane Griffin	Reading FC
8. Bradley Garmston	West Bromwich Albion FC
9. Ryan Coombes	St. Patrick's Athletic FC
10. Luke Gallagher	Burnley FC
11. Kenneth McEvoy	Tottenham Hotspur FC
12. Kieran Sadlier	West Ham Utd FC
13. Michael Drennan	Aston Villa FC
14. Conor Wilkinson	Millwall FC
15. Jack Grealish	Aston Villa FC
16. Noe Baba	Castlebar Celtic FC
17. Conor Pepper	Inverness CT FC
18. Sam Byrne	Manchester Utd FC

Hat-trick hero Byrne secures Ireland U17 victory

Ireland U17's secured an impressive 4-1 victory over hosts Macedonia in the second game of their UEFA Championships qualifying group in Skopje today.

Tom Mohan's side produced a disciplined and composed performance to move top of Group Ten on goal difference ahead of Sweden, who beat Romania 2-1 in the other game in the group.

Jack Byrne was the Irish hero with a hat-trick - including two first half penalties - with Dan Cleary netting a second half goal. Tauljant Sulejmanov was the Macedonian goal-scorer with a 44th minute penalty.

The opening penalty came in the 22nd minute when Eoghan Stokes was taken down by goalkeeper Nikola Aleksovski and Byrne stepped up to send the keeper the wrong way from the spot-kick.

Byrne then added a second from the spot after Lazar Stojkovski handled a Jake Mulraney cross in the 35th minute and once again Byrne converted with aplomb. The Irish missed a number of chances before handing the hosts a lifeline when they conceded a penalty four minutes into the second half. Sulejmanov firing home from the spot.

Mohan's side weathered a Macedonia storm with Real Madrid youngster Dorian Babunski the focus of the home side's attacks and Cleary calmed the Irish nerves when he headed home from a Mulraney corner in the 63rd minute.

Byrne's brilliant display was rounded up in the last minute when he volleyed home from the edge of the box. "It was an outstanding individual display by Jack but overall the performance from the whole team was very pleasing," said Mohan.

"The heat was testing but the boys stood up well to the challenge and we created a lot of chances with some very good play. We didn't take enough of those chances and let Macedonia back into it so I was pleased we finished strongly.

"The midfield was very good with Cody Mulhall doing well but overall I felt it was a good team performance. "We have Romania now on Thursday so we have to look to that. This game is done and dusted and has put us in a good position to qualify for the elite phase but the work isn't finished yet."

IRELAND: Peter Burke; Robin Dempsey, Dan Cleary, Noe Baba (C), Bobby Moseley, Craig Donnellan, Dean O'Halloran, Cody Mulhall, Jack Byrne, Eoghan Stokes (Cory Galvin 61), Jake Mulraney (Stephen Confrey 73).

Trapattoni names starting 11 for Oman

Giovanni Trapattoni has named his starting eleven for tomorrow night's friendly international against Oman at Craven Cottage.

Kevin Doyle will captain Ireland for only the second time in his career in what is an experimental side, with a number of fringe & new players being given the opportunity to impress the Irish boss.

Manchester United's Robbie Brady & Sunderland's David Meyler will both make their international debuts. However there is no place for Sunderland's James McClean in the starting team.



David Forde - Millwall

Seamus Coleman - Everton
Stephen Kelly - Fulham
Paul McShane - Hull City
Marc Wilson - Stoke City

David Meyler - Sunderland
James McCarthy - Wigan Athletic
Robbie Brady - Manchester United
Andy Keogh - Millwall

Kevin Doyle - Wolves
Shane Long - West Brom

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Trapattoni names Ireland 11 for Kazakhstan opener

Ireland manager Giovanni Trapattoni has named his starting eleven for tomorrow's World Cup qualifier in Kazakhstan

Trap has named a back four of John O'Shea, Darren O'Dea, Sean St Ledger and Stephen Ward will line up in front of Sunderland keeper Keiren Westwood.

Wigan's James McCarthy starts in a four-man midfield that also contains Aiden McGeady, Simon Cox, and Glenn Whelan, while Jon Walters gets the nod ahead of Kevin Doyle to partner Robbie Keane up front.

Ireland starting 11 v Kazakhstan - Westwood, O'Shea, St. Ledger, O'Dea, Ward, Whelan, McCarthy, McGeady, Cox, Walters, Keane