Advertisement
Morgan Treacy/INPHO

The42's ridiculously early Ireland starting XI for Euro 2016

We put on our manager’s hat – as well as a regular cap – to predict Martin O’Neill’s thinking.

IS SIX MONTHS too far out to predict Ireland’s possible starting XI for their Euro 2016 opener? What the hell, let’s give it a go anyway.

Martin O’Neill showed a propensity to throw at least one curveball into almost every team selection during the qualification campaign but he did arrive at a somewhat settled side during Ireland’s strong finish.

We are going to go for a very much in vogue 4-2-3-1 formation and here is how we see/hope Ireland lining up this summer in France.

GK – Darren Randolph

During a recent conversation about this position, a friend mentioned that he felt Shay Given should retain his place at the Euros – it was one of the two or three most shocking sentiments I had heard expressed all year.

Given showed no form throughout qualifying while Randolph looked assured between the posts since being roused out of obscurity mid-way through Ireland’s famous 1-0 win over Germany.

What’s more, the West Ham back-up has actually made a string of smart saves since and you never know, he could be good for another heat-seeking laserbeam of an assist.

ShivDes357 / YouTube

LB – Robbie Brady

Should he be further up the pitch? Possibly, but the prospect of Ireland having two attacking fullbacks bombing up the wings is very enticing. Brady’s set-piece ability has been slightly overrated – he needs about five attempts to clear the first man – but he is always good for one excellent delivery per game that often results in a goal.

He grew in stature as the campaign progressed and as one of the side’s few Premier League regulars it will be interesting to see how much he has grown by this summer.

CB – Ciaran Clark

Clark and Richard Keogh formed an excellent partnership in the absence of John O’Shea but the Aston Villa man should probably retain his place in the side at Keogh’s expense. Clark is relatively assured on the ball for a centre-back and made some superb last-ditch challenges to deny some of Europe’s most potent strikers during qualifying.

CB – John O’Shea

John O'Shea celebrates after the game Cathal Noonan / INPHO Cathal Noonan / INPHO / INPHO

It was tempting to stick with Keogh given the formidable tag-team he formed with Clark but you just can’t leave John O’Shea out. He is a heroic figure for Ireland as well as a great defender but as one of the oldest players on the team, his experience will be vital too.

RB – Seamus Coleman

Coleman is one of the premier right backs in the Premier League but he never quite reached his best form for Ireland during the qualification campaign. If Ireland are to do anything remotely memorable this summer, they will need an improved attacking performance from the Everton defender.

DM – Glenn Whelan

Whelan divides opinion like few players in the history of Irish football but it is hard to argue that he didn’t put in some of his best performances in the last year. There is still a question of whether his presence in the side detracts from James McCarthy’s effectiveness but Martin O’Neill is unlikely to shift from his preferred midfield duo at this stage.

Plus, he is on the road to finally winning Dunphy over.

DM – James McCarthy

Had his best ever Ireland performance against Germany, finally showing the tigerishness that people wanted to see. More of that this summer please.

LM – Jon Walters

Just get this man in the side and he will make things happen! Walters has taken over from Joe Schmidt as the nation’s sporting hero and we think that Martin O’Neill might pick him high up on the wing where his tenacious pressing can pay dividend.

AM – Wes Hoolahan

Wes Hoolahan with Ognjen Vranjes Donall Farmer / INPHO Donall Farmer / INPHO / INPHO

The Irish management team have finally placed a bit of trust in the attacking dynamo and he has repaid them with constant probing of opposition defences with tight passes. Still frustrating that he is often the first player called ashore but imagining what he might do this summer is a very exciting prospect.

RM – Jeff Hendrick

He wasn’t as effective in possession in the closing stages of the campaign as he had been earlier on, but he is still usually good for one sumptuous moment per game. Quality assists against Germany away and Georgia at home proved the difference in Ireland nailing down that playoff spot.

ST – Shane Long

Surely Long will get the nod over Daryl Murphy if he is fit this summer? Does anyone else get the feeling that this summer could be Long’s breakout just like Robbie Keane in 2002?

Roll on France!

‘This is an opportunity for someone to wear the green jersey and travel the world’

Fans will need to gamble online to access League of Ireland streams

Close
36 Comments
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Lucan People
    Favourite Lucan People
    Report
    Jan 1st 2016, 6:11 PM

    I know it’s early days but Harry Arthur could feature.

    124
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Hugh G. Johnson
    Favourite Hugh G. Johnson
    Report
    Jan 1st 2016, 7:32 PM

    Replacing who?

    26
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Aidan Prior
    Favourite Aidan Prior
    Report
    Jan 1st 2016, 8:46 PM

    At least get his name right, Arter!

    44
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute John Boyle
    Favourite John Boyle
    Report
    Jan 1st 2016, 6:08 PM

    Keogh in Clarke out good pick otherwise

    72
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Unknown
    Favourite Unknown
    Report
    Jan 1st 2016, 6:18 PM

    Keogh with that bloody head bandage of his in Clark out

    71
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Derek Mills
    Favourite Derek Mills
    Report
    Jan 2nd 2016, 9:33 AM

    I like Keogh as a centre half who will put his head in anywhere however his actual ability with the ball at his feet makes me cringe.

    5
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Ewan Scott
    Favourite Ewan Scott
    Report
    Jan 1st 2016, 6:12 PM

    Arter for whelan every day of the week!

    70
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Hugh G. Johnson
    Favourite Hugh G. Johnson
    Report
    Jan 1st 2016, 8:12 PM

    Hendrick ahead of either.

    8
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Declan Snow
    Favourite Declan Snow
    Report
    Jan 1st 2016, 6:31 PM

    Surely if Elliott continues for Newcastle he starts in goal?

    67
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Hugh G. Johnson
    Favourite Hugh G. Johnson
    Report
    Jan 1st 2016, 8:11 PM

    Randolph – Has performed superbly in his 7 starts for club and country this season; continuity
    Westwood – Starting every week at club level; more experienced than Elliot
    Elliot – Starting every week at club level; higher level than Westwood
    Forde – Has performed ably when called upon for Ireland; experienced
    Given – Can’t think of any pros

    25
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Andrew Heaney
    Favourite Andrew Heaney
    Report
    Jan 1st 2016, 11:56 PM

    So Forde and Westwood are experienced but not Given?

    14
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Hugh G. Johnson
    Favourite Hugh G. Johnson
    Report
    Jan 1st 2016, 7:33 PM

    Sad indictment of this team and the way it was run under Trapattoni that at age 29 Shane Long could have his breakout year.

    He should have been a guaranteed starter three campaigns ago.

    51
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute James
    Favourite James
    Report
    Jan 1st 2016, 8:14 PM

    Would like to see Robbie Brady get a chance on the left wing

    34
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Hugh G. Johnson
    Favourite Hugh G. Johnson
    Report
    Jan 1st 2016, 8:22 PM

    And Cunningham coming in at LB. 11 clean sheets in 24 games this season. Clattered Joey Barton out of it in Burnley game. Gets up and down wing like a trojan. Has bulked up. Calm and measured in defense.

    22
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Keith Ryan
    Favourite Keith Ryan
    Report
    Jan 1st 2016, 8:02 PM

    Whelan gets very harsh criticism. He actually does the dirty work and work that never gets the plaudits. Whelan should be the first name on the team sheet.

    26
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Hugh G. Johnson
    Favourite Hugh G. Johnson
    Report
    Jan 1st 2016, 8:20 PM

    These are the tropes you hear when people talk about Whelan, but the truth is his range of passing is not good enough; he never crosses the half way line, which inhibits the way we play when opp teams are set up in a way we could take advantage of (negativity for the sake of negativity); he puts the defence under pressure (suicide pass to Keogh v Poland, incredibly slow to react to Dzeko being in lots of space in a dangerous position in Dublin); his reactions are slow; he is not good enough in the tackle; he fails to organise the midfield, case in point goals in either Scotland game came because of gaps in midfield and and nobody leading and/or organising shape; no goal threat (I know he is a defensive midfielder but 0 goals in 200 games at club level is a fkn joke); he is terminally slow; terrible corners; loses concentration (Slovakia goal (a) coming from Whelan not picking up his runner); poor in the air; doesn’t have the physique to effectively play the role he is trusted with; holds back McCarthy and Hendrick whenever they play together; doesn’t adequately protect defense as I alluded to earlier………….

    24
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute phil
    Favourite phil
    Report
    Jan 1st 2016, 6:26 PM

    Brady and Walters on the wings. Cyrus Christie is having a brilliant season id stick him on the left.

    22
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Enda Layng
    Favourite Enda Layng
    Report
    Jan 1st 2016, 8:27 PM

    As of now hard to disagree . The Euros are a bit way and plenty of places to play for . I wish Shay would gracefully retire . A great servant but his time has past .

    14
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Fred west
    Favourite Fred west
    Report
    Jan 1st 2016, 10:54 PM

    A cap hungry dog is about all Given is at this stage .

    5
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Cathan#TeamMolly
    Favourite Cathan#TeamMolly
    Report
    Jan 2nd 2016, 1:01 AM

    If we can convert a CM (David Myler) and a top class LM (Robbie Brady) to LB then why don’t we convert a gem of a RB (Cyrus Christie) to LB, he is tall,fast and a threat going forward and he is young meaning he is open minded and can adjust to the change in positioning, Please MON make this happen.

    11
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Darragh
    Favourite Darragh
    Report
    Jan 2nd 2016, 1:32 AM

    (Off topic) Our central defence consists of Aston villa (20th) and Sunderland (19th) …. are there any good young centre backs coming through the ranks?

    10
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Hugh G. Johnson
    Favourite Hugh G. Johnson
    Report
    Jan 2nd 2016, 2:29 AM

    John Egan at Gillingham will probably be playing Championship level one way or other in a year or two’s time if he continues his current trajectory. Tommie Hoban has a bright future but has stalled at Watford due to injuries and their policy of signing 30 players in every transfer window.

    5
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Michael Johnston
    Favourite Michael Johnston
    Report
    Jan 1st 2016, 9:41 PM

    McGeady will play and will deserve to (after he switches clubs in January)

    6
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Conor
    Favourite Conor
    Report
    Jan 1st 2016, 6:25 PM

    Clark for Keogh whelan for arter Randolph for rob Elliot

    5
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Conor
    Favourite Conor
    Report
    Jan 1st 2016, 8:52 PM

    Other way round

    7
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute diarmuid mccarthy
    Favourite diarmuid mccarthy
    Report
    Jan 1st 2016, 8:34 PM

    I’ve said this before and I’ll say this again why not pick a team and formation around our strengths? Holding midfielders like Whelan are useless. If you hold the ball with competance and your shape then they are not needed. 3-5-2
    Elliott, Clarke-O’Shea-Keogh, Coleman-Arter-Hendricks-Hoolahan-Brady, Walters-Long……maybe Wilson instead of Keogh for shape.

    5
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Cathan#TeamMolly
    Favourite Cathan#TeamMolly
    Report
    Jan 2nd 2016, 1:02 AM

    3-5-2? Do you want us to get hammered?

    5
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute diarmuid mccarthy
    Favourite diarmuid mccarthy
    Report
    Jan 2nd 2016, 1:27 PM

    How? Why are we so obsessed with aping the premierships archaic tactics? We have three decent centre halves one great right full and no left back…..so why play with one? With 3-5-2 it allows us to get our best players on the pitch.

    3
    See 1 more reply ▾
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute diarmuid mccarthy
    Favourite diarmuid mccarthy
    Report
    Jan 2nd 2016, 1:30 PM

    Also it gets rid of the need for a holding midfielder….which is an absolute waste of a footballer. Holding midfielders do absolutely nothing for their team, people who think they do must not have noticed barcelona changing the game 10 years ago.

    3
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute sean o hannrachain
    Favourite sean o hannrachain
    Report
    Jan 1st 2016, 9:01 PM

    Clark and Keogh should be the partnership, Josh is finished as far as starting goes. Same as Robbie, great lads to have in the squad/on the bench

    4
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Hugh G. Johnson
    Favourite Hugh G. Johnson
    Report
    Jan 2nd 2016, 2:30 AM

    O’Shea had a mare against Poland in Warsaw but was superb during the rest of the campaign.

    5
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Richie Murphy
    Favourite Richie Murphy
    Report
    Jan 2nd 2016, 3:19 AM

    Get McLean on ☘

    3
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Flex
    Favourite Flex
    Report
    Jan 2nd 2016, 9:51 AM

    Have RTE got exclusive rights where we suffer Dunphy etc or does a real broadcaster have our games too?

    1
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Small Retort
    Favourite Small Retort
    Report
    Jan 2nd 2016, 10:08 AM

    All covered from Montrose. Happy new year baby!

    2
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Ciarán McHugh
    Favourite Ciarán McHugh
    Report
    Jan 1st 2016, 9:39 PM

    Richard Keogh has to be in there and long is more of a super sub

    1
Submit a report
Please help us understand how this comment violates our community guidelines.
Thank you for the feedback
Your feedback has been sent to our team for review.