Provisional Irish squad announced for crucial double header

Giovanni Trapattoni has announced a provisional 29 man squad for Ireland’s upcoming World Cup Qualifiers against Sweden on September 6^th in Aviva Stadium and Austria on September 10^th in Vienna.


Despite a number of previous withdrawals, Norwich City midfielder Anthony Pilkington has again been included in this squad. Trappattoni also saw enough at QPR’s game with Bolton at the weekend to recall Richard Dunne. The Dublin native helped his team keep a clean sheet and he now has a genuine chance of starting these crucial qualifiers.


However, there was no place for Kevin Doyle in the 29 and this is before the squad is cut to 23.The Italian manager has sympathy for Doyle’s plight but suggested that the former Cork City player may have to leave Wolves to force his way back into the Irish squad. 


The Irish management team have concerns about the fitness of Sean St Ledger, which has led to the call up of West Ham’s Joey O’Brien as defensive cover.


Speaking at the squad announcement, the Republic of Ireland manager said, “We have reached the most important part of our qualifying campaign. The team performed very well against both Sweden and Austria back in March. We will look to emulate both performances, and build towards producing two positive results.”


Republic of Ireland squad: Forde (Millwall), Westwood (Sunderland), Randolph (Birmingham City), O’Shea (Sunderland), O’Brien (West Ham), St Ledger (Leicester City), Wilson (Stoke City), Coleman (Everton), Kelly (Reading), O’Dea (Metalurh Donetsk), Clark (Aston Villa), Dunne (QPR), McShane (Hull City), Whelan (Stoke City), McCarthy (Wigan Athletic), Green (Leeds United), Hendrick (Derby County), McGeady (Spartak Moscow), Pilkington (Norwich City), McClean (Wigan athletic), Brady (Hull City), Meyler (Hull City), Hoolahan (Norwich City), Long (West Brom), Keane (LA Galaxy), Sammon (Derby County), Walters (Stoke City), Madden (Yeovil Town), Cox (Nottingham Forest).