Goalkeeper & Defence
SHAY GIVEN’S ABSENCE means Darren Randolph will surely get a chance to continue, after a solid substitute outing against Germany. Worryingly, none of Ireland’s three squad goalkeepers — Randolph, David Forde and Rob Elliot — are first choice with their clubs. The only Irish goalkeeper who is currently playing first-team club football, Keiren Westwood, has been overlooked for the squad.
Meanwhile, fit-again Seamus Coleman will likely come back in at right-back, while Robbie Brady was impressive in midfield against Germany, so perhaps Marc Wilson might be the best option at left-back with Stephen Ward unavailable. Elsewhere, Richard Keogh and John O’Shea have done more than enough to keep their places in the centre of defence.
Midfield
In midfield, Martin O’Neill will be highly tempted to re-introduce the fresh Glenn Whelan, who missed the Germany match through suspension, while James McClean may also be in line to start. But the midfield was so impressive against Germany that it would be harsh to drop anyone, so Robbie Brady, James McCarthy and Jeff Hendrick undoubtedly deserve to play. The Ireland coach has indicated that Wes Hoolahan may not be able to play two games in such a short space of time, but the 33-year-old has become so integral to this Irish side that he will surely play if possible.
Attack
Up front, Jon Walters is odds-on to start after an inspirational display against the Germans, and he will add some vital defensive cover in midfield when Ireland don’t have the ball. Who O’Neill starts alongside him is uncertain — Shane Long will fancy his chances after that stunning goal against Germany, though Robbie Keane and Daryl Murphy are also both viable candidates, as O’Neill may again prefer to spring the speedy Tipperary native from the bench.
Our Ireland XI to play Poland (diamond formation with Walters dropping back)
Randolph
Coleman Keogh O’Shea Wilson
McCarthy
Hendrick Brady
Hoolahan
Walters Long
Blatant is not the word , he only missed adding some ketchup before munchies
I’ve always found a nice castle lager goes well with south African beef myself. Otherwise a nice pinot noir from central otago in New Zealand, a little unheralded but splendid with even the toughest steak!!!
I would have thought you would have gone for a nice Chianti and fiver beans ab!!
Nah pal, life in cliches just ain’t no fun! Plus… Ain’t a fan of these new overly lentil diets… Stink like a vegan!
It seems an Italian Red was what he preferred after all
I’ll never understand how a player bites another player thinking they’ll get away with it even though there is cameras everywhere
It’s not thinking is it! Thinking in red. Not blue like the AB’s! Lessons in life, more than lessons in avoiding the camera. If you are going g to do it I don’t think k camera on you matters or not. If you think of cameras at that level of the game, may as well not be there.
@AJB123: are you in search of the most unpopular person of the year award? you’ve posted on various connacht match items with this same diatribe. grow up
Didn’t realise it was a popularity contest! Diatribe? Hardly! I forgot though people aren’t allowed critise anything to do with Connacht, now it seems that even a show of understanding for the opposition cannot be accepted either. Grow up indeed!
Their best attack of the match.
It was about the only way Zebre could add a bit of bite to their play.
@Tom Reilly:what an unfunny comment. It suggests that such actions have a degree of levity about them. May I assure you they do not and our zebre friend is unlikely to see rugby this side of Christmas. It’s hard enough to take all the hits without this behaviour
Ban him for a year
Is he a cousin of luis Suarez?? All joking aside, a blatant act. Should be banned for a long time!!
Hookers really are a special breed, aren’t they.