ASTON VILLA GOALKEEPER Shay Given has announced his retirement from international football this evening.
The goalkeeper, who earned 125 caps for Ireland, had been widely criticised for his recent performances at Euro 2012, with many believing he wasn’t fully fit.
And the FAI confirmed the goalkeeper’s decision this evening with a statement, which read:
The Football Association of Ireland today (Monday) confirmed that Shay Given will retire from international football with the Republic of Ireland. The 36 year old goalkeeper spoke to Giovanni Trapattoni to inform him of his decision.Giovanni Trapattoni praised Shay for his outstanding contributions to Ireland during his 16 year international [sic] and for all that he had done under his own time as manager during a lengthy conversation this afternoon.
Speaking today Shay said, ‘This has been an extremely difficult decision for me to make. I have dedicated 16 years of my life to my country, and I have a great affinity with Giovanni Trapattoni’s squad. I’d like to thank the Giovanni, Marco and Alan Kelly for their support during my time with the team. I will continue to be Ireland’s biggest fan, and wish the lads well as they embark upon their new campaign.’
Given also continued to show his support and dedication to the squad by saying that should there be an emergency, he would happily return to assist with goalkeeping duties.
Giovanni Trapattoni and Marco Tardelli have said that they are extremely grateful that Given has said that he would make himself available should they need him.
Trapattoni said, ‘I understand the difficult decision that Shay had to make, and appreciate all of his efforts during his international career. He is a strong player, with a great character and his love of playing for his country always shone through. It has been a pleasure to work with him during my time with the team. I wish him the very best in his future. ’
Given holds 125 caps for his country making him the highest capped Irish player in history.
In addition, Given added, via Twitter:
“After a lot of thought and consideration, I have made the most difficult decision to retire from international football.
“It’s been a great honour and privilege to play and on occasion captain the team. I shall remain a huge fan of the team as I have been all my life and I wish them every success for the future.
“I wish to thank all the players,managers,staff & most importantly the most wonderful fans in the world
“Finally I would like to thank my wife Jane,my 2 amazing kids and my entire family for their unwavering support over the 16 years & 125 caps.”
Meanwhile, the Irish squad have suffered a further setback to their preparations for the upcoming friendly with Serbia on Wednesday, with news that Stephen Ward and Keith Treacy have had to withdraw through injury, while goalkeeper David Forde is also a doubt.
The squad have already been hit by several withdrawals, coupled with the absence of a number of high-profile players, including Robbie Keane.
If Sky Sports cared about their Irish customers, the first 15 minutes would be broadcast in Ireland.
Great comment!
Just show delayed footage at 5:15. Then when the second half kicks off you’d be back up to live coverage.. The studio guests on Spanish Football are muck anyway
But Sky don’t care about you. England is where they care the most.
@Eel Knack Mole: Like you lot aren’t popping over to England for EPL ganes!
Should change it to just domestic matches if it’s to protect crowd attendance
I don’t think it’s quite as straightforward as that but the 17:15 part bothers me greatly, if the rule ceased at 5 pm it would be good enough.
The reason the domestic only rule wouldn’t work is that they fear that if this game were on at 3pm that the crowds that might otherwise have attended games would be sitting at home or in the pub to watch this instead.
Why can’t they just start showing it at 5.01, then technically it’s not live
as long as first row sports can show it
Mobdro
No the quality can be quite crap. Download ace stream and use wizwig to find a good stream. Near HD quality if you have a fibre connection
Rules are made to be broken.
Is that a rule?
I like that Frank.
Just watch online
Normally takes 15 minutes to clear the JavaScript pop-ups!!!
Ad blocker
Loadamebollocks.Worse than itv
Do BT Sport not have to comply with this ruling? I May be completely wrong, but don’t they show games around this time on a Saturday?!
That’s correct. BT and setanta often show the 3pm game on a Saturday.
No, only Setanta do and it’s only available in Ireland
Wasn’t aware of that. Good to know!
Yeah because Sky Sport’s showing the game from the start would have any affect on the attendance of a Spanish football match sold out months ago.
Does anyone else fancy explaining it to him?
no point anthony. he simply doesn’t get it
There are no restrictions in the US thank goodness..that is an ass-inine rule.Can you imagine joining the match with one of the teams up by two or three….game over.Folks in Ireland who pay for this service should be up in arms.
Apart from the blackout rules for the NFL that prevent a game being televised locally if the game hasn’t sold out…
I will never have that problem with the Giants.
@Sean Mcphillips: Yes and we get to watch PGA golf live,while you have to wait for a basketball match to finish.
watching football is one of the few things that gets me through the week. real sense of anticipation for barca vs madrid then united vs chelsea on super sunday. looking forward to Saracens against Munster tonight too
Is this only for league games? The FA Cup Final was shown live for years with a 15:00 kickoff on a Saturday. If the rule can be flouted for that game, surely authorities can do the same for a game shown in another country?
Archaic rule….next up there’ll be a call to prayer on tv………….
Gave you a thumbs up but I don’t get the connection.
Dont RTE have that gong, sorry going already …
Find a bein sports stream online…they have Keys and Grey too.
Don’t watch football, if I wanted to watch someone try to score for 90 mins I would bring my friends to the pub on a Saturday night
Good one Joan
Cool story Joan you misery
You could quite possibly miss 3 or 4 goals in that 15 minutes!
Irish people complaining about British channels showing Spanish games. Bejaysus
Irish customers of said British channel you mean. Or perhaps you like to sit back and be taken for a mug.
” Of course, in this day and age there are plenty of ways for you to circumvent the blackout and watch the first 15 minutes… not that we’d be encouraging you to do that sort of thing.”…..Sly wont be happy with the str@@ming stealing their thunder!
Setanta show games from the premiership every weekend at 3pm whats the difference? ??
Only in Ireland they cannot show 3pm sat matches Ukky Kingdom
I am impressed by u saying UKky Kingdom. How long does the deal last until?