DESPITE IT ONLY being four years ago, the Irish team has undergone plenty of change in terms of personnel since the last time they competed in a Euros play-off.
At best, four players (Robbie Keane, Stephen Ward, Aiden McGeady and Glenn Whelan) who started the emphatic 4-0 win over Estonia have a chance to feature against Bosnia, although this number would be slightly higher were it not for suspensions and injuries.
Here’s the full team that lined up that night and what’s become of them in the four years since…
Shay Given: Having retired from international football following the ensuing disastrous Euro 2012 campaign, he returned to the fold in August of 2014 and won back his place as Ireland’s number one goalkeeper. Had the Stoke stopper not picked up an injury against Germany last month, he would almost certainly be starting against Bosnia.
Stephen Kelly: Kelly didn’t fare too well thereafter, failing to feature at Euro 2012 despite making the squad. He gradually faded away from the Ireland set-up and is currently without a club, after leaving Reading at the end of last season.
Sean St Ledger: Another who has fallen out of favour at international level, now 30, the centre-back has spent time in America of late, first with Kaka’s Orlando City, and now, alongside Kevin Doyle at Colorado Rapids.
Richard Dunne: One of the main reasons why Ireland ultimately made it to the Euros, Dunne is now retired from international football, and has struggled for football in general due to a series of injury problems. The 36-year-old has been without a club since being released by QPR last summer.
Stephen Ward: Ward has struggled for form at club level in the four years since featuring in the play-off and going on to appear for Ireland at the Euros. However, while many may have felt his international career was over, the Burnley full-back was given a surprise start last month against Germany and performed admirably despite a lack of first-team football with his club.
Damien Duff: The ex-Chelsea and Newcastle winger brought a distinguished career at international level to an end after the Euros. He can now be seen plying his trade at Shamrock Rovers.
Glenn Whelan: Pretty much the only player here whose situation is more or less the same now as it was then — Whelan is still a regular presence in midfield for both Stoke and Ireland.
Keith Andrews: A stalwart of the Irish team at the time, Andrews got the all-important first goal in Ireland’s play-off triumph. Last August, the midfielder announced his retirement from football. He is now a first-team coach with Championship club MK Dons.
Aiden McGeady: McGeady arguably enjoyed his best spell in an Ireland jersey around this period — he contributed more assists than any other player in Ireland’s qualification campaign. He remains part of the Irish squad, but is no longer first choice for club or country.
Robbie Keane: Still showing no sign of retiring anytime soon, but while back then, Keane was the first name on the teamsheet, he is now a more peripheral member of the team.
Jon Walters: More or less an ever-present in the Irish side nowadays (at least, when he’s not suspended), back then, Walters was making a rare start under Trapattoni (he didn’t start a single match at the Euros), and contributed by scoring the game’s second goal.
Subs: Stephen Hunt, Keith Fahey, Simon Cox, Keiren Westwood, Andy Keogh, Paul McShane, Darren O’Dea.
Mega :)
Blessed with such strength and depth now, hope we make the most of it. Heres to a healthy and successful 2015!
Have you been watching the provinces recently? Scrums in reverse all over the gaff.
Two world class players that I wish were kiwi. Hopefully they’ll bring back what Leinster have been missing.. Grunt and efficiency up front combined with some destructive ball carrying.
Great news coming into world cup year but the best thing is, they won’t just walk back into the team, they will have to fight for their place because the other lads have done so well in their absence. Happy days.
If fit both are automatic choices.
Nobody has come anywhere near performing even close to healys level. Scrum has been going backwards for ages.
The boys are back in town :-)
Hope Sean takes his time and comes back without injury concern. God have mercy on any team facing both him and Healy back on form! Exciting times ahead.
We still have time to sharpen up and blow Wasps and Castres away in January. Positive vibes chaps! Is MOC giving in on his stubborn ideology a little or is that just me? The last 3 games seem to be at least TRYING to sort out the problem areas? Is it just my wishful thinking?
Cian until we play with half backs that can move the ball we will not get any better.
No back tries created since away to traviso.
Reddan (Mc Grath 21), Madigan 10, Reid 12, Fitzy 13 please please please
Leinster have been getting very little forward ball for the their half backs to be fair.
Brilliant news, possible inclusion for the last two crucial pool games of the Champions Cup would be excellent and have them battle hardened for the 6 Nations :)
As Leinster was the only Irish team to win last weekend and showed a marked improvement in cohesiveness, when these two players become available it can only strengthen the squad. Running the ball requires winning the ball first and that is why the old saying ” forwards win matches the backs by how much”. Next Friday will show just how much Leinster’s forwards have improved as I am quite sure the breakdown will be contested with the usual Munster vigour that earned them a comprehensive win last time out.
Brian the breakdown was handed to Munster because someone though it was a good idea to put only one or two players into the ruck v Munster.
Hopefully Leo will have enough balls about him to speak up this time and tell Matt that unless your forwards meet Munster head on with at least if not more numbers at the ruck your going to get your ArSe handed to you