ONE OF THE notable absentees from yesterday’s Ireland squad announcement for the upcoming friendly matches against France and the US was Sean Maguire.
Having made his senior international debut against Moldova last October, the 24-year-old Preston North End striker is a player fans are hoping can earn a regular place in Martin O’Neill’s team.
The former Cork City star enjoyed a promising start to life in the Championship last season, although he missed a substantial chunk of the campaign through injury.
Maguire featured in last Sunday’s friendly game with Celtic, but he has picked up a hamstring problem and won’t be involved in next week’s matches.
“We’re short of options in terms of strikers because of the injuries and he’ll be disappointed,” Keane said of the former Cork City striker.
“He has had a strange season, Seani, in the sense that he got a good move and was scoring goals, but he had a bad hamstring injury when he was getting back into it. We’re disappointed, but if it’s a minor injury then it’s not the end of the world.
“We’d rather he missed one or two friendly matches rather than bigger games coming up at the start of next season. We’re disappointed he’s not here but that’s the game.”
The squad heading to Paris to take on France on Sunday has experience in the likes of Seamus Coleman, Jon Walters, James McClean and Shane Long, but there are also several players aiming to establish themselves in the Ireland set-up.
Keane accepts that they are unlikely to show their full promise straight away, and on Thursday asked for patience from fans and the media.
“It’s difficult when you step into international football,” he added. “I felt even in my own career when I was playing at a decent level, it probably took me 20-25 games at international level before I found my feet. So we also shouldn’t be looking at these young lads and expecting miracles from them.
Let them learn their trade. Obviously, we want them to be playing at the highest level whatever country they’re playing in and when they come and play for Ireland, give them a bit of a chance.
“When I look at the young players coming through, players maybe new to the international scene – the Turkey game being a prime example – I’d be looking more at the senior players helping them more than anything else.
“Sometimes it’s the senior players who disappoint you more than the younger players, so these younger players need to be given a bit of breathing space. They need to see good examples around them, around the hotel, how you train — people like Seamus Coleman – to help the ones new to international football. We need to give them a bit of a break.”
The42 is on Instagram! Tap the button below on your phone to follow us!
Waterford seem to always be able to get over the line with Galway .
@Finnster: except when it mattered 3 years ago
@eoin carroll: there was that one time alright ; )
@Finnster: have we ever won In Waterford
Very very worrying for Galway. Serious lack of fight and passion. Another 20 years I’m afraid.
@Ray Ridge:
@Ray Ridge: You know the hurlers are struggling when the footballers score more than them.
@Mike Keane: The signs are not good Mike.
@Ray Ridge: give it a rest Ray , it’s only the League
@Finnster: only the league this year and only the league and championship last year. As I said the signs are very worrying.
@Ray Ridge: yes and what overachieving team do you support Ray ?
canning means everything
I like to see my team fulfil it’s potential…….so forgive me for not being happy with the performances over the last 18 months.
@Ray Ridge: Galway have only been beaten in championship by Limerick and Dublin since their loss to Tipp in the 2016 AI semi final . That’s not bad going, they have plenty of good players but some of them just not showing their potential.
@Ray Ridge: you were fairly harsh on the footballers earlier today too. We don’t all have to be cheerleaders but a bit of patience wouldn’t hurt!
@Freddie Rincon: After 19 years my patience is running out!!