Goalkeeper/defence
Gavin Bazunu will retain his place in the side barring any last-minute injuries. Mark Travers is the man most likely to come in on the off chance that happens.
The back three all did relatively well against Scotland and so it would be a surprise if Kenny made changes. That said, there could be an outside chance Shane Duffy plays given his prowess from set pieces — Ireland will need as many goal threats as possible on the pitch against a team that are likely to sit back and play a blanket defence at times.
Wing-backs
Matt Doherty looked tired on occasions during the Scotland game, which is perhaps not a surprise, given that he has yet to start a competitive match for Spurs this season. Yet the alternate options aren’t strong — 33-year-old Seamus Coleman’s days of playing 90 minutes/starting in that physically demanding role are probably behind him, and as well as he did for the games in June in Doherty’s absence, Alan Browne is not a natural wing-back and so picking him there ahead of the Tottenham man would be a big and somewhat controversial call.
James McClean did okay at the weekend and put in the corner for Ireland’s goal, but against a side as conservative as the Armenians, Kenny may favour the guile of Robbie Brady over the physicality and work rate of the Wigan star.
Midfield
Josh Cullen is suspended so it will be a rare case of an Ireland game where the Burnley man is absent from the starting XI. There are a couple of candidates to come in but Conor Hourihane is perhaps the most natural replacement in that slightly deeper midfield role. His ability on set pieces against a side that may prove difficult to unlock is another factor working in his favour.
It was no surprise Kenny went for the energy of Jason Knight and Jayson Molumby in a game as combative as the Scotland fixture inevitably was going to be. However, the Irish boss might be tempted to play someone else in what will be a very different type of game.
Jeff Hendrick is arguably better than any other Irish midfielder in the squad at producing an incisive, defence-splitting through pass and with this in mind, it would be no surprise to see the 30-year-old — who has made 10 appearances for a Reading team currently third in the Championship — start the game. Alan Browne is another who could come in if Kenny seeks to freshen things up further, though the exuberance of Knight might be considered a better fit alongside two midfielders who are the wrong side of 30.
Callum O’Dowda will likely have to settle for a place on the bench again, though his dribbling ability may prove useful at some point in proceedings.
Attack
Probably the area of the pitch with the tightest calls. When it comes to the Scotland game, Troy Parrott unfortunately will be most remembered for his costly miss when one-on-one with the goalkeeper, but the Preston loanee did well in general play, with some nice touches and a good work rate off the ball.
Michael Obafemi also caught the eye and caused the Scottish defence problems with his pace, movement and eye for a pass. But the Swansea forward has to be managed carefully given his recent record with injuries and so Kenny may decide to hold him in reserve this time around.
Chiedozie Ogbene, who was given half an hour on Saturday and looked lively when presented with a chance, could start from the outset this time — his five goals for Rotherham this season is more than Parrott and Obafemi have managed at club level combined.
Scott Hogan also has five goals this season for Birmingham in the Championship, though the fact that he was an unused sub at the weekend suggests he remains some way down the pecking order.
Callum Robinson, who has yet to score in nine appearances at club level, but has been prolific for Ireland in the relatively recent past and came off the bench at Hampden, is another option that Kenny may be tempted to consider.
Possible Ireland XI to face Armenia: Gavin Bazunu, Nathan Collins, John Egan, Dara O’Shea, Matt Doherty, Robbie Brady, Conor Hourihane, Jeff Hendrick, Jason Knight, Troy Parrott, Chiedozie Ogbene.
come on galway rid us of this cancer
for the second game Ina row Murphy has got away with a blatant black card.
I think all the premium players are being given the benefit of the doubt e.g. Donaghy’s clothesline tackle in first Munster final game. #dangerous
My god this blanket crap is ruining the game.
It was far from a game of blanket defenses. Far from it. It seems to be a phrase that gets lazily thrown around any time Donegal play. The funny thing is they only really played a pure blanket defense strategy in McGuinness’s first year in charge. After that, they still were very strong defensively, but they mixed it with a strong counter attacking football.
Rory Gallagher has had them playing quite attacking football all year.
Why isn’t this on telly?
it is, sky sports.
FFS, still can’t believe they sold out their supporters, shocking move outa a organisation who pretends to put its fans first
Ah give it a rest Philip
You have a defeatist attitude Declan, do you alway let people walk all over and take advantage of you?
20 years ago there would have only been one televised game per weekend, now all four this weekend on TV. Rte x2 and Sky x2. It’s an open market and brings revenue to the game. I’m off to the pub to watch Donegal v Galway. Galliamh Abù!
I actually thought giving sky the rights was a great decision. Rte coverage was and still is gone to the dogs. Their level of analysis is so poor. Sky are at another level in regards analysis in every sport. Look what they did to rugby coverage, if they can force rte to up their own game then it’s great all round.
It’s the same players and teams on the pitch reguard less of the station. Do u need to listen to a panelist to form your own opinion? Some people are unable to watch a game and form their opinion, it’s ok to admit it Declan
Don’t worry Philip, I’m well able to watch games, sitting in the Cusack stand here as I type. There’s more to the games of football and hurling than just what happens on the ball. So that’s where good analysts come into it.
U should make an appointment for spec savers so
You’ve lost your credibility Philip. Best thing you can do is put the phone down and go off and have your dinner.
Because the greedy men running the GAA gave it to Sky
Sorry but that’s only available to the small minority of fans who pay for Skysports or can afford to pay for it
Change the record, it’s a commercial marketplace and if sky want to deal well then why not
I think it’s a shite decision and the viewing figures prove it – vast majority of fans are locked out of watching these games
He’s waiting for his ma to finish cooking it
Philip, you’re aware that you pay for rte too, right? In fact, forced by law to pay for it.
Rte still televise the same number of games they always have, sky are simply expanding the audience base. If you don’t want to pay for sky sports, fair enough, but I doubt there’s a Gaa club in Ireland that doesn’t have it, so you could always be a loyal Gaa man and watch it in your local club.
Every club has sky sports, have u ever been to a local club match?
Oh dear. That’s an appalling attempt at trolling. You do realise that by not using 2 question marks you’ve used the 1st part of your sentence to agree with me, don’t you? I thank you. As to your question, yes, I’ve attended and played in 000′s of club and county matches in every county in Ireland. In recent years, I’ve yet to visit a Gaa social club that didn’t have sky sports. Are you aware of many that don’t? The number of pubs that don’t have it I imagine is miniscule too.
That’s not telly
Just a shit station
I just won’t watch any match on that
Just another way for the big boys to rob us. !!!
Fans first? The gaa always put the money first!
So you’re not a fan of fielding ball and delivering long, quick diagonal balls in to the forward line Stephen?
Or are you so entrenched in your opinion (or should I say Pat Spillane’s opinion 2-3 years ago) that you still think Donegal play blanket defensive football?
Sean stop acting the bollix they area horrible mob.
Paul, you’re the definition of a troll. You come on here after every Donegal game spouting absolute thrash trying to get a wind-up. You obviously get some sort of kick out of it. It’s getting a bit pathetic to be honest.
Any stream sites?
http://firstrowusa.eu/others/first-donegal-vs-galway-usae77af
Cheers Ronan! Do they have all Sky’s GAA coverage?
Galway are shocking bad. Absolutely so frustrating to watch the poor attempts at goal. Then try watching Donegal style of football truly awful
Terrible wife’s from both sides. Donegal only started popping them over when Galway gave up at the end. But Galway have a good team there. Donegal aren’t the team they were under McGuinness put will definitely put up a fight for us next Saturday. Mayo Abù!
Ha! Wides I mean!
So you’re not a fan of fielding ball and delivering long, quick diagonal balls in to the forward line Stephen?
Or are you so entrenched in your opinion (or should I say Pat Spillane’s opinion 2-3 years ago) that you still think Donegal play blanket defensive football?