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7 Irish players facing uncertain futures after World Cup play-off exit

Tuesday night could spell the end for a number of veteran footballers’ international careers.

TUESDAY NIGHT MAY have been the last time we see a number of players line out for the Boys in Green.

Ireland were comprehensively beaten 5-1 by a Christian Eriksen-inspired Denmark, as the dream of getting to next summer’s final in Russia ended in the most brutal fashion imaginable.

The result will potentially cause the following players to weigh up their futures…

Wes Hoolahan – Age: 35

Republic of Ireland v Denmark - 2018 FIFA World Cup - Qualifying Play-off - Second Leg - Aviva Stadium Niall Carson Niall Carson

Wes Hoolahan will be 38 by the time Euro 2020 rolls around. Martin O’Neill has already used the Dubliner sparingly in this campaign, with the Norwich player starting just four of Ireland’s 12 qualifiers. He has contributed significantly to the O’Neill era, earning a man-of-the-match display in the famous 1-0 win over Germany, and setting up vital goals in wins against Italy and Austria among others. However, it seems unlikely he will carry on with the national side through the next campaign.

Jon Walters – Age: 34

Jon Walters Ryan Byrne / INPHO Ryan Byrne / INPHO / INPHO

Walters’ presence and footballing intelligence was badly missed in recent matches, with the player unavailable for the play-offs through injury. The experienced forward, in particular, was integral to Ireland securing Euro 2016 qualification. The team’s attack looks limp without him, so the Boys in Green could probably do with having the Burnley attacker available for next campaign. Nonetheless, whether his body can withstand another two years of international football remains to be seen.

John O’Shea – Age: 36

John O'Shea Ryan Byrne / INPHO Ryan Byrne / INPHO / INPHO

Probably the most likely to retire out of all the players listed here, the Waterford native has been a terrific servant to Ireland, winning over 100 caps. However, centre-back is one of the positions where Ireland are reasonably well covered. Tuesday night was a clear exception, but Ciaran Clark and Shane Duffy have generally excelled over the course of this campaign, conceding just six goals in 11 games before the Aviva play-off debacle.

Daryl Murphy – Age: 34

Daryl Murphy reacts after coming close with a flick on goal Morgan Treacy / INPHO Morgan Treacy / INPHO / INPHO

Though Ireland are not blessed with many top-quality strikers now, Daryl Murphy is getting to the age where he may want to prioritise club football. He joined Nottingham Forest on a three-year contract in the summer, so he certainly intends to be around for another few years, but may now decide to step away from the international game.

Glenn Whelan – Age: 33

Glenn Whelan Ryan Byrne / INPHO Ryan Byrne / INPHO / INPHO

Whelan’s appearance off the bench in the first leg against Austria was his 84th cap. It saw him surpass Paul McGrath’s tally and move up a spot in the all-time appearance list. Whether he will feel the need to stick around is uncertain though. The Aston Villa man has slipped down the pecking order in recent times, with the younger likes of David Meyler, Jeff Hendrick and Harry Arter all recently preferred to him in midfield.

Keiren Westwood – Age: 33

Keiren Westwood Bryan Keane / INPHO Bryan Keane / INPHO / INPHO

The life of a substitute international goalkeeper can be frustrating. No matter how well you are playing at club level, if the number-one choice is playing well, as Darren Randolph has been, there is not much the back-up stopper can do. Whether Westwood, at 33, has the patience to potentially sit on the bench for another two years is uncertain.

Stephen Ward – Age: 32

Stephen Ward dejected after the game Morgan Treacy / INPHO Morgan Treacy / INPHO / INPHO

It was a difficult night at the Aviva for Stephen Ward in particular. Two defensive errors by the Burnley man were ruthlessly punished by the Danes. It would be a sad way to bow out if it proves to be the final appearance for another player who has been a terrific servant for the Irish side. There are more talented left-backs out there, but in terms of honesty and worth ethic, Ward is second to none.

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    Mute Aidan Rainsford
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    Aug 19th 2017, 2:18 PM

    Cmon the pool.

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    Mute Jordo Callaghan
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    Aug 19th 2017, 2:46 PM

    Can see palace getting something out of this

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    Mute Dermo
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    Aug 19th 2017, 5:10 PM

    @Jordo Callaghan: can ya?

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    Mute Joe Kennedy
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    Aug 19th 2017, 4:32 PM

    The mane man!

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    Mute Ciarán
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    Aug 19th 2017, 2:36 PM

    3 changes to a backline even a bad one is never good, Hopefully they do well and get a win, A CB and CM is a must we all know that though.

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    Mute S Mac Giolla Choin
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    Aug 19th 2017, 4:02 PM

    @Ciarán: TAA – Gomez – Sakho – Robertson

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    Mute Hardly Normal
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    Aug 19th 2017, 2:22 PM

    That’s not the actual team is it??

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    Mute Snurt Burt
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    Aug 19th 2017, 2:29 PM

    @Hardly Normal: Champions league rotation already?

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    Mute Kian
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    Aug 19th 2017, 2:31 PM

    @Hardly Normal: that’s the starting 11…but that’s definitely not the formation as shown on here

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    Mute Snurt Burt
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    Aug 19th 2017, 2:32 PM

    @Hardly Normal: Champions league squad rotation already?

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    Mute Hardly Normal
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    Aug 19th 2017, 2:33 PM

    @Kian: ya had to double check , should be interesting..

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    Mute S Mac Giolla Choin
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    Aug 19th 2017, 2:34 PM

    @Kian: it’s almost like Klopp is afraid we’ll lose this one so he’s started a brutal team so he can says he was focussing on Hoffenheim. Imagine he’s publicly said the team doesn’t need any more transfers. My fear for this season grows by the match

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    Mute Scott Crossfield
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    Aug 19th 2017, 2:49 PM

    A special atmosphere awaits, strong line up

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    Mute Harry Corry
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    Aug 19th 2017, 4:25 PM

    @Scott Crossfield: Special atmosphere ???

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    Mute P O Leary.
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    Aug 19th 2017, 5:07 PM

    Everyone knows Liverpool are vulnerable at corners and Palace decide to go short on every corner. Strange decision.

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    Mute Aaron Quinn
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    Aug 19th 2017, 2:59 PM

    3-3

    60/1

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    Mute Fank Pulman
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    Aug 19th 2017, 3:09 PM

    Benteke will come back to haunt LFC…\o/…

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    Mute Jason Brosnahan
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    Aug 19th 2017, 3:14 PM

    @Fank Pulman: again, you mean. Didn’t he score at Anfield end of last season when Palace won.

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    Mute Fank Pulman
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    Aug 19th 2017, 3:36 PM

    @Jason Brosnahan: thank you for reminding me…

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    Mute Jude Flynn
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    Aug 19th 2017, 3:36 PM

    That is a weak ass XI for Liverpool. With CL coming rotation is gonna be the norm. Can’t see how they’ll compete with the Manchester squads

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    Mute Fank Pulman
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    Aug 19th 2017, 3:38 PM

    @Jude Flynn: certainly nor when mr C goes…

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    Mute Rusty Nuts
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    Aug 19th 2017, 4:55 PM

    @Jude Flynn: why, because man u have beaten West ham and Swansea and now they are great? Give it a rest will ye.

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    Mute Ich bin brendan
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    Aug 19th 2017, 5:36 PM

    @Rusty Nuts: because pool are struggling against average teams where United are hammering them. Only 2 games in but the diferrence in both teams are miles apart

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    Mute Niall Dillon
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    Aug 19th 2017, 3:19 PM

    The jerseys are somewhat clashing

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