MARTIN O’NEILL HAS named a 27-man Ireland squad for their first home Euro 2016 qualifier against Gibraltar in Dublin on Saturday, 11th October.
Everton midfielder James McCarthy is the most notable absentee, having suffered problems with his quad muscles in recent times. However, his clubmate Seamus Coleman is involved despite recent concussion and soft tissue issues.
Twice-capped Newcastle goalkeeper Rob Elliot is included as part of a four-strong group of shot stoppers that also features veteran Shay Given, David Forde and Kieran Westwood.
Reading’s Alex Pearce, Derby’s Jeff Hendrick, Anthony Pilkington of Cardiff and Celtic’s Anthony Stokes are among the players with the least international experience in O’Neill’s squad, but the Ireland manager has largely gone for the tried and trusted.
There are no uncapped players in the 27-man group, as Robbie Keane looks set to attempt to add to this haul of 62 goals, the highest total of any player still active in international football.
Ireland squad to face Gibraltar:
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)
We,ll need him badly for the germay game hope hes fit and Martinez lets him play for us!
Martinez will have no say in the matter as its a competitive game. But I agree with your overall view!
Pretty relieved not to see Green or Sammon in there.Gibsons goton game time in recent weeks no reason why he can’t step in for McCarthy,same could be said for Quinn
Jeff Hendrick is a lad I’d love to see start. Has had a brilliant start to the season
Really need for 4 goalkeepers while Eoin doyle scores again for Chesterfield. Top scorer in England. Surely worth a place on squad for confidence alone and bring his name forward for higher quality clubs
The seven down must be the DUP or hate Chesterfield. Sure there gas at that age!!!
Is “tried and trusted” a euphemism for same old Shite? 4 keepers? No sheridan.
What’s this “opening Euro 2016 qualifier” stuff? We’ve already played Georgia last month.
I think it may be in reference to it being Ireland’s first qualifying game in Dublin, rather than overall. I agree, though, that it is very poorly phrased!
Keano has scored some top class goals recently for la galaxy! Here hoping he carries that on into the next few games for Ireland!
Any ideas what andy Reid has done wrong? Or is he injured
Hoolahan is a much fitter consistent type of player and there is no need for both
isnt this the squad for both games though? so hes out for the germany game?
Hope not but not sure either
Don’t be trying to sensationalise it without knowing the facts, he’s injured quad muscle injury i think that why he’s not in the squad could be back for Germany match though.