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This is episode 2 in our series as excitement builds ahead of the playoff clash with Estonia. On this epsiode, two dedicated Irish supporters join us to give their views.
We have John from YBIG.ie, a Raheny man looking forward to jetting off to Tallinn. We also have Paul from Foot.ie, a Rossie living in London.
We discuss:
0.00 Introduction
3.20 Players discussed on foot.ie - Darren O’Dea
4.10 Sean St Ledger
5.00 Trapattoni not looking at club form of Irish players ( Leon Best, Marc Wilson)
16.00 Formations and Wes Hoolahan
18.00 Estonia
22.10 Foot.ie discussion about plastic paddy’s (Kevin Nolan, Jamie Noble, Jamie O’Hara)
28.00 YBIG.ie Go Green on November 15th Campaign
The show is by the fans and for the fans and if you want to get involved you can mail us as TheWorldsTalking@gmail.com
Ireland Under 21 international Conor Henderson has signed a new Arsenal contract to commit his long term future to the Gunners.
Henderson has yet to make the breakthrough into the first team at the Emirates Stadium but is rated extremely highly by club bosses.
The midfielder was a regular for the reserves last term and travelled with Arsene Wenger's senior squad for the pre-season trip to Germany, only to suffer a knee injury that has kept him sidelined for the past few months.
Henderson was handed his first professional contract with the gunners in 2008, with the left footed central midfield player instantly impressing the management with his ball skill and strength.
Irish striker Shane Long has set his sights on forcing his way in Ireland's starting line-up for the crucial Euro 2012 play-off games against Estonia.
Long was a surprise ommission for the decisive group match with Estonia in Dublin last week, which saw Ireland secure a runners-up spot.
But the suspension of Kevin Doyle for the first leg of the play-off, and doubts over the fitness of Robbie Keane, have given Long an extra incentive ahead of next month's fixtures.
Long was again man-of-the-match for West Brom during Sunday's 2-0 win over Wolves at the Hawthorns.
He said: "It was disappointing not to play against Armenia but it was the right result.
"We now have Estonia in the play-offs and hopefully we can get to the Euros and make it a good summer next year.
"There are a lot of games for West Brom before that so hopefully I can stake my claim in those games.
"People say I've got a great chance to start with Kevin Doyle suspended and Robbie Keane injured.
"Kevin is missing and I would like to think I am a natural replacement for him.
"But I thought I may start the last game as well, and it wasn't to be, so we will have to see what happens.
"Hopefully I can keep doing what I am doing here at West Brom, keep putting in performances, and the Irish manager will take note.
"The manager didn't say why I didn't play against Armenia. He just told me I was on the bench and to make sure to be ready if I was needed."
Estonia stand between Ireland and a place in the Euro 2012 finals following today's play-off draw in Krakow.
Giovanni Trapattoni's side will be away in the first leg on either Friday, 11 November/Saturday 12 November, with the return tie at the Aviva Stadium on Tuesday, 15 November.
Estonia have never reached the finals of a major tournament, and this is Tarmo Ruutli's side's first play-off appearance.
The other pairings see Turkey take on Croatia; the Czech Republic will play Montenegro, while Portugal will face Bosnia & Herzegovina.
Former Ireland striker John Aldridge has backed the team to beat Estonia and qualify for the finals.
Asked if he thought Trapattoni's side would go through, he told Sky Sports News: "Yes. We've got the greatest travelling fans and it would be great to see them on the road again."
"We travel better than we play at home, we've had better results away than we have had at home."
Aldridge added on his hopes for the first leg: "They will try to get a clean sheet, try to get a win which would set us up nicely."
Aldridge admitted the suspension of striker Kevin Doyle, still waiting to hear the length of his punishment after being sent off in the qualifier against Armenia on Tuesday which the Republic won 2-1, would be a blow to the team's chances.
However, he backed Shane Long to fill the breach.
"Shane Long has done really well when he has deputised for either Robbie (Keane) or Kevin so it's a great opportunity for him."
Ireland and Estonia have met twice before, in qualifying for the 2002 World Cup.
The Irish, then under Mick McCarthy`s management, won both games 2-0, with defender Richard Dunne, a scorer against Armenia, on target in each match.
UEFA have confirmed that Ireland will be seeded for the Euro 2012 play-off draw alongside Portugal, Croatia and the Czech Republic.
Giovanni Trapattoni's 'Boys In Green' are the third highest ranked side out of the eight play-off qualifiers in UEFA's coefficient list.
Ireland will now face Montenegro, Turkey, Estonia or Bosnia and Herzegovina in the two-legged play-off.
Thursday's draw for the UEFA EURO 2012 play-offs takes place in Krakow, Poland.
Ireland secured a Euro 2012 play-off spot after a dramatic 2-1 win over Armenia, but it came at a price as Kevin Doyle was sent-off in the second half.
The striker is now certain to miss the first leg of the play-offs and will need some generosity from UEFA to avoid a two-game ban.
With injured skipper Robbie Keane struggling to make next month's double header, Ireland's striking options are limited for their biggest game in two years.
However, Giovanni Trapattoni will take some comfort from a fine performance by Keane's replacement Simon Cox.
Cox's inclusion over Shane Long had prompted much talk and he had the chance to repay his manager's faith after ten minutes.
Doyle flicked on for Cox, who turned well but was crowded out as he tried to shoot. Doyle fired straight at Berezovsky when the ball came his way.
At the other end, Ireland's defence was cut open by Marcos Pizzelli's pass. Shay Given was happy to see Yura Movisyan's heavy touch push the ball wide.
Ireland were given a huge boost just before the half hour mark, as Berezovsky was sent-off for handling Cox's lob outside the box.
McGeady was instrumental as Ireland doubled their lead through Dunne. The winger danced away from his markers to cross. Petrosyan flapped at the ball and Dunne knocked it into the net.
Armenia were rewarded for their efforts as they caught Ireland napping to get back in the game. Mkhitaryan was given too much space and fired low, although Given will feel he should have done better with the shot.
The game became stretched as Armenia pushed for an equaliser, which left gaps at the back. Duff found McGeady in space but he hesitated and was quickly closed down.
Doyle compounded a disappointing evening by picking up a second yellow card when he caught Karlen Mkrtchyan with his elbow.
Jonathan Walters' impressive late cameo will have done little to harm his chances of starting that play-off first leg, alongside man-of-the-match Cox.
Ireland: 1 Given; 4 O'Shea, 2 St Ledger, 5 Dunne, 3 Kelly; 7 McGeady (15 Hunt 68), 6 Whelan (17 Fahey '76), 8 Andrews, 11 Duff; 9 Doyle, 10 Cox (13 Walters '80).
Subs not used: 16 Westwood, 12 Coleman, 14 Long, 18 O'Dea.
Booked: St Ledger, McGeady, Doyle.
Sent-off: Doyle.
Armenia: 1 Berezovsky; 4 Hovsepyan, 15 Mkoyan, 16 Aleksanyan, 20 Hayrapetyan; 9 Malkyan (23 Petrosyan 29'), 6 Mkrtchyan; 10 Ghazaryan (11 Sarkisov '62), 8 Pizzelli (22 Manucharyan '53), 18 Mkhitaryan; 14 Movsisyan.
Subs not used: 21 Badoyan, 17 Artak Edigaryan, 7 Artur Edigaryan, 3 Yuspashyan.
Booked: Petrosyan.
Sent-off: Berezovsky.
Attendance: 45,200
Simon Cox will start in attack alongside Kevin Doyle for Ireland in tomorrow's vital Euro 2012 qualifier with Armenia in the Aviva Stadium. It was widely expected that in-form West Brom striker Shane Long would partner doyle, in the event of Robbie Keane failing his fitness battle.
Stephen Kelly comes in for the suspended Stephen Ward.
Richard Dunne returns from his ban to the Irish central defence with Darren O'Dea dropping out.
Ireland team to play Armenia:
Shay Given, Stephen Kelly, Sean St Ledger, Richard Dunne, John O'Shea, Aidan McGeady, Keith Andrews, Glenn Whelan, Damien Duff, Kevin Doyle, Simon Cox.
Ireland skipper Robbie Keane is being given every chance to prove his fitness ahead of Tuesday night's Euro 2012 showdown with Armenia in Dublin.
The 31-year-old Dublin born striker is a major doubt for the game at the Aviva Stadium which will decide Ireland's Group B fate as they attempt to secure a play-off berth.
Manager Giovanni Trapattoni yesterday revealed Keane was to undergo a scan on a sore abductor muscle, and it was later confirmed that his chances of making the game were minimal.
Today it emerged the problem is actually an adductor muscle injury, and while assistant manager Marco Tardelli was refusing to rule the Los Angeles Galaxy frontman out of a fixture in which his country need to avoid defeat to finish second in the group, the chances of him playing appear to be slim.
Tardelli said: "Robbie has a little problem, but we are hopeful he will recover. It will be very difficult, but we are hopeful.
"It's the same problem he had after the last match in Los Angeles.
"Yesterday, he had a scan and he has a little problem - a big problem, not a little problem."
Asked to put a percentage on Keane's chances, Tardelli said: "I don't know. It is better to ask the doctor. There is very little possibility that he will recover, but we are hopeful."
But asked further if he would have been able to play had the game been today amid suggestions he could be sidelined for a fortnight, he added: "No, no, I don't think so."
Keane and his team-mates endured a gruelling trip back from Friday night's 2-0 victory in Andorra, which involved a three-hour coach journey from the Pyrenean principality to Barcelona and then a delayed flight of almost the same length, eventually arriving back in Dublin shortly before 7am yesterday.
Those members of the squad who played at the Estadi Comunal were rested from an open training session at Tallaght Stadium yesterday afternoon, but the bulk of them, Keane excepted, were back in action at a windswept Gannon Park in Malahide this morning.
Among them was Stoke striker Jonathan Walters, who met up with his colleagues on their return after missing the trip to Andorra with an ankle injury.
He and West Brom pair Shane Long and Simon Cox are the leading candidates to partner Kevin Doyle in a new-look front two if Keane does indeed miss out.
All three have impressed for their country in the recent past with Long in particular having established himself as a genuine option for Trapattoni's starting line-up.
However, Tardelli was giving little away today.
He said: "We have many options. We have Walters, Long, Cox - we have many options.
"We are confident in all our players. We have different solutions, but we will wait and see tomorrow."
Richard Dunne will also be available once again after serving a one-match ban in Friday's game, although left-back Stephen Ward will replace him on the sidelines after picking up his second yellow card of the campaign in Andorra.
Kevin Doyle's 10th international goal set Ireland on the road to a comfortable victory in Andorra as Giovanni Trapattoni's men completed the first half of their European mission.
Doyle's seventh-minute strike gave Ireland an advantage they never threatened to surrender and when defender Ildefons Lima deflected Aiden McGeady's shot into his own net 13 minutes later, the points were effectively safe.
Russia's victory in Slovakia means they will win Group B if they beat the Andorrans at home on Tuesday evening, but a draw with Armenia will be enough to send the Republic into the Euro 2012 play-offs.
Ireland manager Giovanni Trapattoni has named his team for Friday's Euro 2012 Group 2 qualifier with Andorra.
John O'Shea replaces Stephen Kelly with Sean St Ledger coming in for the suspended Richard Dunne from Ireland's last game in Russia.
Trapattoni has resisted the temptation to bring Keith Fahey into the midfield after he hinted at using the Birmingham midfielder in training earlier this week.
Glenn Whelan and Keith Andrews start in the middle of the park.
Damien Duff and Aiden McGeady continue on the wings with Robbie Keane and Kevin Doyle leading the Republic attack.
Ireland team to play Andorra:
Shay Given, John O'Shea, Sean St Ledger, Darren O'Dea, Stephen Ward, Damien Duff, Keith Andrews, Glenn Whelan, Aidan McGeady, Kevin Doyle, Robbie Keane.
West Bromwich manager Roy Hodgson believes club record signing Shane Long will prove to be the Barclays Premier League’s bargain buy of the season.
The Ireland international met up in Dublin with his Ireland team-mates yesterday ahead of this week’s crucial Euro 2012 qualifiers against Andorra and Armenia, 24 hours after scoring his third goal since his £5million summer move from Reading.
It was Long's first since opening the season with goals against Manchester United and Chelsea, and a welcome boost ahead of a critical week for his country in which he will be under additional pressure to score the goals which could take Ireland to the finals in Ukraine and Poland
Hodgson was delighted with the Tipperary born players' overall contribution and was keen to remind supporters that the 23-year-old has been signed as a player for the future, who just happens to have been thrust into the top flight, and international football, ahead of the normal schedule.
Hodgson said: 'I don't think we paid a lot for potential. The figures quoted are wrong, I am not saying how much it was but I have seen the quotes. He might be the bargain of the year as it turns out.
'He came from Ireland where he was playing hurling, then at 17 he went straight into Reading and became a star player within two or three years.
He got into the Irish national team and then into the Premier League, so it is a meteoric rise and we are talking about a young lad of 23/24 who started very late and is still to some extent learning the game.
'I am not at all surprised it has taken time for him to settle, in fact it has taken less time than I thought with what the Premier League is.
'He had a flying start with a goal against Manchester United and today his all-round play was very good, his target play was good and he was a threat in front and behind defender, rarely gave the ball away and of course his work rate is outstanding.
Hodgson consulted Ireland manager Giovanni Trapattoni as part of the long process of adding Long to his squad.
He saw off interest from Premier League rivals Newcastle and Stoke, and the lure of better wages, plus the prospect of top flight football after a promotion season in the Championship with West Ham or Leicester.
The experienced Hodgson also promoted the cause of West Brom striker Simon Cox before his successful summer call-up.
Cox has only started two games for his club, both in the Carling Cup, and did score against Bournemouth. He has just two substitute appearances to his name.
Hodgson revealed the fourth striker in Trapattoni’s squad, who is keeping out Newcastle’s in-form Leon Best, came close to a third at the Stadium of Light.
He said: 'I have a relationship with Giovanni and where he was exceptionally good was in transfer deadline week.
'It took a long while to get the Long transfer through and he had actually joined up with the Ireland squad but Giovanni was very good and let him spend the day with us and complete his medical.
'It suits Ireland to have him playing in the Premier League and with Doyle, Long and Keane and Cox as well. They look strong.
'Simon was in good form and was unlucky not to get on today and under normal circumstances I would have put him on with Peter not at his best but I didn't want to destroy Peter and was hoping he would produce a bit of magic late in the game. But I was wrong on that one.'
Scunthorpe United have extended the loan stay of Ireland U21 international Shane Duffy.
The Derry born centre-half has impressed during his month at Glanford Park and the Iron were keen to extend the deal.
Saturday's 2-1 victory over Yeovil Town was the 19-year-old's fourth appearance for United and Scunthorpe boss alan Knill has persuaded Premier League side Everton to allow him to remain on a month by month basis.
"I've spoken to Shane and he is benefiting from playing in someone's first team," said the Iron boss.
"It's better he plays in a competitive team that is playing quite well rather than the reserves.
"That's what they sent him to us for, to learn, and that's what he's doing. And I have to say, I think he's getting better.
"The thing I like most about him is when the ball comes into the box, he really wants to head it – before anybody else. He's a proper centre-half."
Both Duffy and fellow Iron Irish international Niall Canavan have been called up into the latest Ireland U21 squad.
The pair have been selected for the forthcoming UEFA 2013 European Championship Qualifier versus Liechtenstein which will take place on Tuesday, October 11.
Canavan is currently out of action with an ankle injury but, should he be fit, he will join up with the squad alongside Duffy the day after Scunthorpe's home clash with Leyton Orient.
The pair would then return to training ready for the away game at Brentford on Saturday, October 15.
Ireland manager Giovanni Trapattoni has named a 27 man squad for the Crucial Euro qualifiers against Andorra and Armenia next month.
Jon Walters and Seamus Coleman both return to the squad and Wigan's James McCarthy is also named in the Irish midfield
Shay Given Aston Villa
Kieran Westwood Sunderland AFC
David Forde Millwall AFC
John O'Shea Sunderland AFC
Kevin Foley Wolves
Stephen Kelly Fulham
Stephen Ward Wolves
Richard Dunne Aston Villa
Kevin Kilbane Derby
Sean St. Ledger Leicester
Darren O'Dea Leeds
Damien Delaney Ipswich Town
Glen Whelan Stoke
James McCarthy Wigan
Seamus Coleman Everton
Keith Andrews Ipswich
Keith Fahey Birmingham
Andy Keogh Leeds
Damien Duff Fulham
Aiden McGeady Spartak Moscow
Stephen Hunt Wolves
Liam Lawrence Portsmouth
Robbie Keane LA Galaxy
Kevin Doyle Wolves
Shane Long West Brom
Simon Cox West Brom
Jon Walters Stoke
Ireland U19 international Paul George made his first competitive Celtic appearance last night in the 2-0 victory over Ross County in the Communities League Cup.
George from Killough in County Down came on for the last few minutes of the game and only for an excellent close range save late on from County keeper Frazer, he could well have marked his debut with a first senior goal.
The Irish winger recently stepped up to Paul Doolin’s Under 19 squad and played in the Serbian double-header last month in Belgrade.
The 17 year old signed a three year deal with Celtic last summer and spent last year at the Celtic Academy. He made a previous appearance with the first-team, coming on as a substitute in a friendly match with AZ Alkmaar last year.
Speaking at the time of George's contract announcement, Celtic Head of Youth, Chris McCart said: “We are absolutely delighted to have secured Paul for the next three years, he is the type of player that is an entertainer. He has very good skills, but is also dedicated and hard-working too.
Ireland U21 international Robbie Brady could have scored a hat-trick, but ended up without a goal to his name on Saturday, as Hull beat Portsmouth 1-0 at the KC Stadium.
The Manchester United on-loan winger was thwarted three times by Pompey keeper Jamie Ashdown, whose heroics were enough to limit the Tigers to just one goal, scored by the equally impressive Robert Koren early in the first-half.
Dublin born Brady, who is on loan with Hull until the end of the year, was the most potent attacking force for Nigel Pearson's side and had two curled efforts saved by the superb Ashdown. The stopper also prevented the Irish youngster from close-range following a chaotic goalmouth scramble.
Brady has been turning heads all over the Championship with his superb displays for Hull and has caught the eye of commentators and pundits alike, who are tipping the young winger for a massive career ahead.
Ireland U19 defender Mark O'Brien has signed a four-year deal with Derby County
The 18-year-old Dublin born international has seized his chance in the first team this season, featuring in all seven Rams games.
O'Brien has started six matches at centre-half, starting in place of the injured Shaun Barker in five of the club's six Championship matches.
Manager Nigel Clough told the club website: "He has been playing well and deserves his contract."
O'Brien, who will now stay at Pride Park until the summer of 2015, had to undergo heart surgery in Novemer 2009.
And Clough has been impressed with how he has come back: "He has had to overcome some challenging hurdles but his attitude has been exemplary.
"He has taken his chance because of the injuries.
"He has shown to everybody he is an honest, brave and committed player who will put his head where some players would not even put their feet."
The new deal is the latest chapter in O'Brien's remarkable story.
Only months after making his first-team debut for Derby as a 16-year-old at Watford on the final day of the 2008-9 season, O'Brien was told he needed heart surgery.
He had the operation in October 2009 and was back in action for the Academy six months later.
His progress was hindered towards the end of last season when he underwent surgery on his ankle and then injuries to a number of the club's centre-backs opened the first-team door for him.
But he is not taking anything for granted.
"I feel I am still easing my way in because anything can happen," said O'Brien.
"Shaun Barker, Russell Anderson and Jake Buxton can come straight back in for me, so I cannot think I have got my feet under the first-team table or anything like that.
"My aspirations are the same as they were at the start of the season. I wanted to be a part of the squad and get some games under my belt. That has not changed.
"Hopefully I can keep progressing.
"All I can do is try to keep playing and doing as well as I can."
O'Brien's first League start came in the 1-0 win at Watford last month and he also helped the team to keep clean sheets in the victories over Blackpool and Doncaster Rovers.
Clough has been delighted with the youngster's attitude.
"It has been exemplary when you think what he has gone through for such a young person, never mind a young footballer," said Clough.
"To come through and get in the side, everybody is delighted for him. He is back on the pitch, he is healthy and he is playing well.
"He deserves his deal.
"He is ahead of schedule and it is out of necessity he is in the team.
"When you look at the centre-halves on our books, certainly they are more experienced than Mark but he has come in and taken his chance.
"Until such time as somebody is fit who we think is better than him and can do a better job, he will stay in the team."
Ireland boss Giovanni Trapattoni saluted Richard Dunne and Shay Given for their heroic performances in a precious 0-0 draw in Moscow.
Dunne produced two superb blocks and ended the game with four stitches in a head wound as Ireland managed to cling on for their first ever point in Russia.
Given was equally resilient as the Donegal man pulled off a string of fine saves, including a vital late stop from Konstantin Zyryanov, to claim a seventh successive clean sheet for his team which kept them firmly in he race for Euro 2012 qualification.
Trapattoni said of Dunne's performance: "He was fantastic. I thank God that we had Richard in this game.
"He sacrificed himself because he went back on to the pitch with four stitches. He understood the need to stay on the pitch.
"Shay Given also saved two or three goals. They were fantastic saves."
Dunne had to have stitches after suffering a head wound in a challenge on Yuri Zhirkov which cost him a second booking in as many games which will rule him out of next month's trip to Andorra.
He was made to change his shirt, but with no number five replacement on the sidelines, goalkeeping coach Alan Kelly had to write the number on a plain shirt in felt-tipped pen.
Trapattoni said: "In life, these things happen. We forgot the reserve shirt. We wrote the number five and thank God, he went back on to the pitch immediately."
Ireland were under the cosh almost from the off as Russia set about the task of easing their way further clear in the race for automatic qualification from Group B.
Trapattoni was quick to admit that his team had ridden its luck on the night.
He said: "It is impossible not to recognise that we have been lucky in this 90 minutes.
"The determination and the application on the pitch of the team, particularly of the senior players like Richard Dunne, Shay Given, Keith Andrews, Aiden McGeady was the pull for the younger players who gained confidence from them.
"That balance allowed us to achieve what I call a golden point.
"With this result, we can look to the future because we have cleared a big obstacle tonight.
"I told the players St Patrick was looking down on us tonight."
Speaking after the game Irish hero Dunne said :
"We probably weren't fancied to get anything here, everyone from front to back did a job. It gives us something to build on and hopefully keeps us in the competition."
Dunne added: "It was a tough game. We knew we had to come here and try and put in something similar to what we did in Paris [in the World Cup play-off against France].
"The second half was quite tough. The pitch is so fast and you have to be on your toes.
"But we knuckled down and put in a performance we can be proud of."
Meanwhile in the other group two game Armenia scored four second-half goals to crush Slovakia and keep alive their hopes of reaching the Euro 2012 finals.
The result means Armenia move up to third in the table, one point behind Ireland and three points behind Russia.
Ireland captain Robbie Keane has admitted Tomorrow's Euro 2012 qualifier with Russia is a game 'The Boys In Green' cannot afford to lose if they are to maintain hopes of qualifying for the finals in Poland.
Giovanni Trapattoni's side were held by Slovakia last Friday in a disappointing performance in the Aviva Stadium and trail Russia by two points with three rounds of games remaining in Group B.
Russia emerged with a 3-2 victory in the first meeting of the teams in Dublin and Keane feels Ireland need to bring home a result ahead of games with Armenia and Andorra in the Aviva next month.
Keane told a press conference ahead of the game in Moscow: "It is a game we can't lose. We want to still be in the hunt when the last two games come around and it is vitally important we are in amongst it. There are nine points to play for. We're well aware of that.
"Our main focus is getting three points tomorrow and there is certainly a lot of games to play and anything can happen.
"I think our performances away from home, in this campaign and the last, have been very, very good. We are coming here with a lot of confidence. Of course it is always nice to come into a game on the back of a win but it wasn't the case. The most important thing is we didn't lose.
"We'll be looking for the same tomorrow and hopefully the three points. There is no reason why we can't win. Our main aim is to get something out of this game and why not? Why can't we?"
Ireland must also cope with the Luzhniki Stadium's artificial pitch, a surface Keane experienced with Tottenham Hotspur last year in Switzerland in a Champions League qualifier.
He warned his team-mates they must adjust to the pitch as quickly as possible.
"I played last year for Tottenham against Young Boys. It is certainly different to what we're used to. When we played them we were 3-0 down after 20 minutes because we couldn't get used to the pace of the pitch.
"That is something we'll try to get into the lads early doors and try to get used to the pitch as soon as possible. It is obviously going to be a complete change."
Keane was passed for the game despite a back problem while Stephen Kelly and Darren O'Dea also came into the team.
Ireland team to play Russia:
Shay Given, Stephen Kelly, Richard Dunne, Darren O'Dea, Stephen Ward, Damien Duff, Glenn Whelan, Keith Andrews, Aidan McGeady, Robbie Keane, Kevin Doyle.
Ireland's hopes of automatic qualification for Euro 2012 are in the balance after an abject 0-0 draw with Slovakia at the Aviva Stadium.
The home side produced a nervous and sloppy display that allowed the visitors to control possession and territory.
A number of fine saves from Shay Given and a Sean St Ledger block on Marek Hamsik made sure the visitors left with just one point.
Richard Dunne could have snatched an undeserved winner but he failed to make a good connection with Stephen Hunt's cross in injury-time.
Slovakia got the point they came for and they could have had all three but for some last-ditch defending by the home side, which ensured a record sixth successive clean sheet.
Russia are next up for Ireland on Tuesday and on the evidence of this, Dick Advocaat's side will be confident of taking the three points.
A late booking for St Ledger means he misses the trip to Moscow, giving Trapattoni a further problem ahead of a crucial tie.
Shane Long's calf strain saw Trapattoni revert to his tried and trusted front two of Keane and Doyle, while Stephen Ward took Kevin Kilbane's place at left-back for his first competitive start.
Hamsik started for Slovakia despite pre-match doubts about the captain's fitness, but danger man Robert Vittek had to make do with a place on the bench.
Doyle's initial omission had caused some surprise but he seemed lethargic and was replaced by Simon Cox midway through the second half.
It was a game full of grunt but lacking in guile. There were more stray passes than incisive ones, with almost all of the neat touches coming from the men in blue.
Slovakia began with their traditional counter-attack style, but began to play more in Irish territory as the half wore on and they sussed out what they were up against.
Ireland were grateful to Ward and Dunne for two goal-saving tackles, while Given did well to keep out Miroslav Stoch's shot and a glancing header from Filip Holosko.
The visitors were also cheered on by vocal support in the north stand, leading one Irish fan to aggressively encourage those around him to respond. His pleas went unanswered.
One sloppy pass apart, it was Duff who was once again Ireland's main source of danger.
Jan Mucha was finally called into action on 38 minutes. A clever one-two between Duff and Keith Andrews saw the winger draw a fine parry from the Everton keeper.
Referee Pedro Garcia's whistle was a nagging feature of the opening 45 minutes, but most were glad to hear him call for half-time.
Slovakia were the first to threaten after the break as Stoch picked out Vladimir Weiss. His shot took a slight deflection and slipped past the far post.
Moments later at the other end, Duff found space after coming inside and linking with McGeady, but his shot flew over Mucha's cross bar.
St Ledger ensured a dominant Slovakia stayed scoreless when he threw himself in front of Hamsik to deny the skipper an opener after a slip-up by Dunne.
Cox's introduction had little effect as Weiss ghosted past a static Irish defence. Ward cleared for a corner with Holosko threatening.
If there was one Irishman you would want a chance to fall to, it would be Keane. Yet he wasted the opportunity to score his 52nd international goal.
The skipper drifted off Martin Skrtel as Duff's cross made its way over. Keane's header lacked the class that we have come to expect from him and cleared the bar.
Keane then turned creator by controlling Dunne's punt downfield and finding Cox. The striker twisted away from his markers but shot wide with Andrews free on the overlap.
Stephen Hunt was introduced to big cheers with five minutes remaining and many will wonder why he was given so little time to make an impact.
It was his cross that picked out the unmarked Dunne, who somehow got under the ball as it dropped perfectly for him.
Ireland: 1 Given; 4 O'Shea, 2 St Ledger, 5 Dunne, 3 Ward; 7 McGeady, 6 Whelan, 8 Andrews, 11 Duff; 9 Doyle (18 Cox '64), 10 Keane.
Subs not used: 16 Westwood, 12 Foley, 13 O'Dea, 14 Lawrence, 15 Hunt, 17 Keogh, 18 Cox.
Booked: Dunne, St Ledger.
Slovakia: 1 Mucha; 2 Pekarik, 3 Skrtel, 4 Durica, 5 Cech; 6 Karhan, 19 Kucka (21 Guede '77); 17 Hamsik, 10 Stoch; 7 Weiss (18 Jendrisek '85), 13 Holosko (11 Vittek '88).
Subs not used: 12 Putnocky, 8 Jez, 9 Stesak, 14 Michalik.
Booked: Kucka, Skrtel.
Referee: Pedro Garcia (Portugal).
Ireland boss Giovanni Trapattoni has rewarded Shane Long for his strong start to the season at West Brom with a starting place for tomorrow’s vital European Championship qualifier against Slovakia, with Kevin Doyle the player to miss out.
Kevin Kilbane has failed to recover from a back injury and will return to Derby County this afternoon. Damien Delaney has been drafted in to the squad to replace the veteran left back.
The rest of the line-up is along expected lines, with Shay Given passing a fitness test to take his place in nets, with John O’Shea named at right back and Richard Dunne and Seán St Ledger filling the central defensive slots.
Keith Andrew and Glenn Whelan have been named in central midfield, with the wide berths going to Aiden McGeady and Damien Duff. Robbie Keane will partner Long up front.
Wigan midfielder James McCarthy will also be called into the squad later this evening after he takes part in the Under-21 match against Hungary in Sligo.
Ireland: Shay Given, John O'Shea, Richard Dunne, Sean St Ledger, Stephen Ward, Damien Duff, Keith Andrews, Glenn Whelan, Aiden McGeady, Robbie Keane and Shane Long
