Senior Squad
Mick McCarthy has today announced an initial thirty eight man squad for the upcoming 2021 European Championship Qualifying contests against Gibraltar and Georgia. The extensive squad size, echoing the actions of his predecessor, is surprising. The squad will be reduced prior to their gathering at the NTC Abbotstown and one must assume that the initial expanded squad is designed to keep all in the loop should and when injury has an impact. The inclusion of the three young goalkeepers, Kelleher, O’Hara and Travers may be seen as a positive look to the future. Injury ruled out Ciaran Clark, Michael Obafemi, Callum Robinson and Jonathan Walters although both Clark and Robinson have resumed training with their clubs this week and may yet enter the equation.
Goalkeepers: Caoimhin Kelleher(Liverpool), Kieran O’Hara(Macclesfield Town-loan from Manchester United), Darren Randolph(Middlesbrough), Mark Travers(AFC Bournemouth), Keiren Westwood(Sheffield Wednesday),
Defenders: Cyrus Christie (Fulham), Seamus Coleman(Everton), Matt Doherty(Wolverhampton Wanderers), Shane Duffy(Brighton & Hove Albion), Jimmy Dunne(Sunderland-on loan from Burnley), John Egan(Sheffield United), Richard Keogh(Derby County), Kevin Long(Burnley), Enda Stevens(Sheffield Wednesday), Stephen Ward(Burnley), Derrick Williams(Blackburn Rovers)
Midfielders: Harry Arter(Cardiff City), Robbie Brady(Burnley), Alan Browne(Preston North End), Jeff Hendrick(Burnley), Daryl Horgan(Hibernian), Conor Hourihane(Aston Villa), Alan Judge(Ipswich Town), James McCarthy(Everton), James McClean(Stoke City), Aiden McGeady(Sunderland), David Meyler(Coventry City-on loan from Reading),Callum O’Dowda(Bristol City), Glenn Whelan(Aston Villa), Shaun Williams(Millwall)
Forwards: Padraig Amond(Newport County), James Collins(Luton Town), Ronan Curtis(Portsmouth), Scott Hogan(Sheffield United-on loan from Aston Villa), Shane Long(Southampton), Sean Maguire(Preston North End), David McGoldrick(Sheffield United), Aiden O’Brien(Millwall)
Under 15
Following their one all draw on Tuesday afternoon, our U15 side took on their hosts Cyprus in their second contest, again in the Sotira Municipal Stadium, at 1pm this Thursday afternoon. Captain Evan Ferguson of Bohemian gave Ireland a first half lead but the hosts responded and scored twice in the second half for victory.