The Republic of Ireland squad is to play Cyprus at Croke Park on Wednesday 15 October: Shay Given (Newcastle United), Dean Kiely (West Brom), Joe Murphy (S****horpe United), Alex Bruce (Ipswich Town), Damien Delaney (QPR), Richard Dunne (Manchester City) , Kevin Kilbane (Wigan Athletic), Joey O'Brien (Bolton Wanderers), John O'Shea (Manchester United), Paul McShane (Sunderland), Stephen Hunt (Reading), Aiden McGeady (Glasgow Celtic), Damien Duff (Newcastle United), Liam Miller (Sunderland), Andy Reid (Sunderland), Glenn Whelan (Stoke City), Kevin Doyle (Reading), Robbie Keane (Liverpool), Andy Keogh (Wolves), Shane Long (Reading), Daryl Murphy (Sunderland).
McShane is doing alright for Hull this season. They're 3rd in the League Id go with; Shay McShane O'Shea Dunne Killer Keogh O'Brien (by default) Reid Hunt Robbie and Kevin Glen Whelan has done ok for Ireland in his last few games. Problem is he was injured for a couple of weeks and cant get a game all season for Stoke so I'd go with O'Brien because he is the best of the rest who is left and has played regularly enough this season. Or Play Killer holding in the middle and play delaney left full
i think cyprus could be there for the takin sure we owe them one anyway aswell the 2 lads up front are in great form
Don't think O'Brien will start I thinks its Whelan's spot till he gets injured or has a major melt down in the green jersey. and as for Kilbane he just isn't good enough imo to play for Ireland how he has the record for apperances he does I don't know although I will admit that he had a good game the last game but that does not make a career although Morrison seems to have done it
Hopefully we can put one over these despite our injury worries, it would be fantastic to have 7 points out of 9. I love Trapattoni, I think he's doing well so far, long may it continue.
Right back is a bit of a problem , can't Joey O'Brien play there ? My midfield would be Duff,A Reid,G Whelan,McGeady !
Yeah right back is a bit ropey alright, id prob go with O Brien myself. Same midfield as Richie lfc mentioned and then obviously Keano and Doyler. Come on Ireland
Gibson in the team for tomorrow night, a massive risk. I actually agree with him on Reid. At international level, he is not a central midfielder and McGeady and Duff are better options on the wing. If the formation was 4-5-1 or 4-3-3 I am sure Reid would get in the team.
I think Reid needs to play a part tomorrow at some stage; Runs the risk of really unsettling the player internationally. I agree there might be better central players .... but Gibson? I hope he steps up to the mark, mind you when a manager with Trapps CV believes in you, its a good start.
Hopefully he doesn't end up with egg on his face as I find the team selection baffling to say the least. Gibson albeit talented but ahead of Andy Reid in the pecking order c'mon in a game like this tomorrow we need his quality. And then we come to McShane. WTF like he is going to be more of a hinderence in our defence. We will see what happens but mistakes need to be learned from the past regime, there is no easy games in International football and you need to play your best team all the time if possible and sadly Trap has opted not to do so. But his CV speaks for itself so who am I to criticise.
what happened to alan mcloughlin... poor lad got us the equaliser to send us to USA '94 and never featured again.... i doubt darren potter is up to international quality... though i cant see why andy reid has been overlooked... i'd have thought he'd have the vision to slot keane and doyle through on goal from an advanced midfield position... havent seen much of gibson to be honest... but trap must see somethin in him. lets hope whelan continues his run of good form for us.... duff is back playing well for newcastle and scoring... lets keep him fit and bring his levels back up. we need all the experiance and quality we can get. being dogged will only get us through so many games... come on ireland.... a tough game... and a must win.
oh and incase anyone hasnt heard.... the team announced is: Given McShane, Dunne, O'Shea, Kilbane McGeady, Whelan, Gibson, Duff Keane, Doyle
Interesting midfield choice there, hopefully we have enough to over power them in that quarter, if we can get a good grip there early on we might be alright.
Why do Ireland have the tradition of giving the opposition the upper hand by announcing the team a day early? Bugs the @#$% out off me.