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Should Robbie Keane be brought to Euro 2016?

The Ireland skipper’s fitness worries were the big news coming out of their training camp in Cork yesterday.

Martin O'Neill with Robbie Keane Keane and O'Neill at Turner's Cross yesterday. Donall Farmer / INPHO Donall Farmer / INPHO / INPHO

WITH 143 INTERNATIONAL caps to his name, Robbie Keane has lined out for Ireland more times than anyone else.

The all-time record goalscorer was set to add to that tally at Turner’s Cross tonight when the Boys in Green take on Belarus (7.45pm), but it was confirmed yesterday that he will have to sit the game out after picking up a calf strain.

It’s cruel timing as Martin O’Neill will finalise his Euro 2016 squad just after the match, so he must decide whether it’s worth the gamble to include Keane and hope the 35-year-old regains his fitness in time for the first of three group matches on 13 June.

Keane is a huge presence in the dressing room and remains the one household name that opposition players and fans point to when they are asked about the Ireland team.

There is an argument to bring him along for his experience in a non-playing capacity as part of the backroom staff, similar to David Beckham’s role at the 2010 World Cup, but that could prove messy if he does shake off the injury during the finals.

If Keane doesn’t make the final cut, it could conceivably spell the end for Ireland’s greatest ever striker in a green shirt as many expect him to retire from international football after the tournament.

So, do you think O’Neill should include Keane in his final 23-man squad for Euro 2016?


Poll Results:

Just get the man on the plane, his experience is invaluable (2863)
Yeah, but only if 100% fit as he's still good for a goal (1508)
Sure, bring him along on the coaching staff but not in the 23-man squad (969)
Definitely not, he’s had his day (586)
No, there’s no room for players carrying knocks (338)

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Where exactly are the remaining places up for grabs in Ireland’s Euro 2016 squad?

Ireland captain Keane a doubt for Euro 2016 after picking up injury in training

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18 Comments
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    Mute Karol Doran
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    Oct 17th 2015, 12:20 PM

    Come on spurs. Destroy those deluded fools.

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    Mute Shane Flanagan
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    Oct 17th 2015, 12:22 PM

    The irony.

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    Mute Karol Doran
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    Oct 17th 2015, 12:24 PM

    Liverpool fans are the most deluded on this planet. Everyone knows that.

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    Mute Supernova
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    Oct 17th 2015, 12:24 PM

    Yidds are in cookoo land

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    Mute Alan b
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    Oct 17th 2015, 12:26 PM

    Coming from a United supporter still in denial

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    Mute VinHeffer89
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    Oct 17th 2015, 12:46 PM

    How are Spurs delusional? Ask City…

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    Mute tmwtbc
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    Oct 17th 2015, 12:58 PM

    Spurs fans have been deluded since their Champions League dizziness.

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    Mute VinHeffer89
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    Oct 17th 2015, 1:02 PM

    Spurs on their day can beat any team in that league; consistency is the problem more so than delusion. The ability is there in droves.

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    Mute Niall Lonergan
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    Oct 17th 2015, 1:13 PM

    Karol is 100% bang on. Liverpool fans think they are a title winning side that can still compete in the champions league. They’re a mid table club as best. Or as Carragher once said. “Liverpool are no longer a big club”.

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    Mute Ron Koeman
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    Oct 17th 2015, 1:17 PM

    Yeah a lot of fans are deluded, sure many united fans thought they were favourites to win the league a few weeks ago. Back where they belong? Hilarious.

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    Mute Niall Lonergan
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    Oct 17th 2015, 1:43 PM

    Lads, does Ron know United are 3rd and 2 points off top?

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    Mute Unknown
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    Oct 17th 2015, 1:45 PM

    Ron, City lodt 4-1 to spurs, a lesser side than Aresnal. Don’t write United off just yet

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    Mute Ron Koeman
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    Oct 17th 2015, 1:50 PM

    Ironic, so biased

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    Mute Frank Cauldhame
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    Oct 17th 2015, 2:15 PM

    All football fans are biased when it comes to the team they support, its human nature.

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    Mute Notthatguy
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    Oct 17th 2015, 2:21 PM

    Carol and Loner are correct, they have accepted that Man U are average and have moved on.

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    Mute Tom Collins
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    Oct 17th 2015, 3:56 PM

    Another few hundred million and the league cup is within your sights. The idea of a spurs fan calling Liverpool fans deluded is embarrassing for them

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    Mute Karol Doran
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    Oct 17th 2015, 4:09 PM

    I’m not a Spurs fan.

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    Mute Sean
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    Oct 17th 2015, 12:26 PM

    How on earth are our 3 main strikers all injured?

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    Mute David Smith
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    Oct 17th 2015, 1:09 PM

    Liverpool fans must be delighted with a manager actually playing Can and Lucas together in midfield.

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    Mute Paul Doyle
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    Oct 17th 2015, 12:00 PM

    Come on the pool !!!

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    Mute Paul Doyle
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    Oct 17th 2015, 12:09 PM

    And why is anyone even surprised that Daniel Sturridge is out injured, sick note head on him

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    Mute tmwtbc
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    Oct 17th 2015, 12:54 PM

    He’s hardly making it up, and is fairly useful when he is fit.

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    Mute John Reese
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    Oct 17th 2015, 12:35 PM

    Will take a draw

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    Mute tmwtbc
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    Oct 17th 2015, 12:59 PM

    2-2 is 11/1 with PP

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    Mute Andrew
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    Oct 17th 2015, 12:10 PM

    Jeasus he’s no-one up front to choose from .. Hope it goes well for him YNWA

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    Mute Unknown
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    Oct 17th 2015, 12:36 PM

    For his first game he has a pitiful choice of players.

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    Mute Ron Koeman
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    Oct 17th 2015, 1:14 PM

    Come come now. The Liverpool squad is full of promising young players, it’s a bit harsh to be writing them off. I know for a fact if anyone of them played for United you’d have a different perspective. Biased, simple as…..

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    Mute Matt Beaumont
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    Oct 17th 2015, 12:13 PM

    Come on Kloppo!

    3-1 to the Pool!

    YNWA

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    Mute Chris Cantwell
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    Oct 17th 2015, 12:22 PM

    Wouldn’t get ahead of yourself there, I got a back lashing the last time I gave a prediction. It will a good game however.

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    Mute IrishGravyTrain
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    Oct 17th 2015, 12:24 PM

    You’re not calling him Kloppo already are you. Oh God.

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    Mute Alan b
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    Oct 17th 2015, 12:25 PM

    Ah Chris is back!!!! I LOL with his prediction in the arsenal game how do you call it today Chris?

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    Mute Chris Cantwell
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    Oct 17th 2015, 12:30 PM

    Alan B = Pathetic.

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    Mute Alan b
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    Oct 17th 2015, 12:35 PM

    Not as pathetic as your predictions Christopher

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    Mute Chris Cantwell
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    Oct 17th 2015, 12:45 PM

    Difference is Alan B, I can say I got it wrong and acknowledge it.

    Where there is you, whom keeps sprouting crap on this site.

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    Mute Unknown
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    Oct 17th 2015, 12:57 PM

    I can imagine Alan B having really greasy hair and needs glasses because of all the time he’s spent looking at a computer screen.

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    Mute Alan b
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    Oct 17th 2015, 1:02 PM

    You do know the journal is available as an app on smartphones unknown you don’t have to log on to your computer to read it

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    Mute Alan b
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    Oct 17th 2015, 1:02 PM

    What’s your prediction today Christopher?

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    Mute Notthatguy
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    Oct 17th 2015, 2:23 PM

    Chris, I would have predicted this would turn into a slagging match.

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    Mute John Manahan
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    Oct 17th 2015, 12:40 PM

    3 – 1 Spurs with Kane 1st goalscorer

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    Mute Unknown
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    Oct 17th 2015, 12:55 PM

    Make that 2-1 and I’d agree with you

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    Mute Ron Koeman
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    Oct 17th 2015, 1:15 PM

    What’s your prediction in the united game?

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    Mute Unknown
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    Oct 17th 2015, 1:43 PM

    1-1 draw

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    Mute jolly rodgers
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    Oct 17th 2015, 9:31 PM

    Mine was 0-3 ! Was I close ….

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    Mute Shakka1244
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    Oct 17th 2015, 12:15 PM

    I’ve had a bet with my Liverpool supporting nephew that whoever loses has to send the other a photo naked in a shopping center. Please win Spurs !!!

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    Mute Matt Beaumont
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    Oct 17th 2015, 12:17 PM

    @Shakka

    Could turn out to be the worst bet of your life.

    Come on da Pool!

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    Mute Jason Matthews
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    Oct 17th 2015, 12:34 PM

    why do you want to see your nephew naked?

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    Mute mark
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    Oct 17th 2015, 12:40 PM

    Are you his aunt or uncle. Too weird either way

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    Mute Ron Koeman
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    Oct 17th 2015, 1:18 PM

    Please tell me your nephew is over 18 at least.

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    Mute Diddydolittle
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    Oct 17th 2015, 1:21 PM

    I’d go into the jacks in one and send one from there. you should have been more specific

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    Mute Larry Doyle
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    Oct 17th 2015, 2:11 PM

    Or a changing room

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    Mute Notthatguy
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    Oct 17th 2015, 2:23 PM

    Which shopping centre?

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    Mute Notthatguy
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    Oct 17th 2015, 3:07 PM

    What was the plan in case of a draw?

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    Mute Notthatguy
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    Oct 17th 2015, 2:38 PM

    Well, a patched up team, against a very good team that destroyed Man City…. Sorry to disappoint deluded Man U fans, but Liverpool have a manager who is going to reinvent this club, bring them back to where they belong….. Will take time, but it will happen.

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    Mute Ron Koeman
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    Oct 17th 2015, 2:48 PM

    Yeah shoring up the defense has to be the priority but Liverpool did get a few chances in the second half. Spurs were the better team but not by enough to deserve the win.

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    Mute Notthatguy
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    Oct 17th 2015, 2:56 PM

    And having faith in some players….Sakho for example.

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    Mute Hoof Hearted
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    Oct 17th 2015, 9:33 PM

    Sakho Sh!te

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