Delaney clarifies his international future

Damien Delaney took to Instagram last night to make an official statement in reaction to Martin O'Neill's remarks at Tuesday's Ireland squad announcement, clarifying his position with regard to the Irish national team.

Having started the season in good form and having played regularly for Crystal Palace the past two seasons in the Premier League, it perhaps came as a surprise to many people that Damien Delaney was not included in the 37-man provisional squad that O'Neill announced on Tuesday.

Martin O'Neill commented on Tuesday:

“I had a conversation this time last year with Damien. He played in a game for me (Ireland -v- Turkey, 25^th May 2014) and then we had a conversation at the time. He didn't come out to the American trip with us. I think he felt that with the number of centre halves we had at the time, [and] with his age catching up on him, that his time had gone.”

O'Neill continued to say:

“...He thinks at his age, he [would be] be running around and [he'd] just be part of the squad and I cannot guarantee [a starting place] to almost all of the team, so that was the case. But he has done well, he is starting with Crystal Palace now and all the best for him this season.”

With rumours circulating around regarding Delaney's relationship with Roy Keane, and also with Damien keen to clear other facts up, he decided to make a statement on his Instagram account about his own position on the matter.

“I just want to clarify my position with regards to the Ireland national team and my omission from the current squad. I have no issue with Roy Keane and shook his hand this summer at a Cork City European match.”

“I know that at the age of 34 the future of Irish football does not lie with me, the rigours of Premier League football and the 24/7 dedication required takes its toll so I look on the international break as a chance to recover.”

“That said I spoke to Martin O Neill and contrary to his recent comments I never asked for a regular starting position. I did however disagree with certain aspects which out of respect to Martin and the national team will remain private.”

“Ireland need to plan for the long term even if it means sacrificing one maybe two major tournaments. We need to build an identity and team ethos from schoolboy football to full international that will last”

“I understand people weren't enamoured with Mr. Trapattoni but whether you agreed with his philosophy or not you have to respect the man and the results he achieved with his philosophy.”

“There are many footballing philosophies and we need to choose one that suits Irish traits and strengths best, similar to what Wales are now achieving or what Mr. Trapattoni achieved in his time in charge.”

“I'll always be an ardent supporter and wish I could have contributed more... #coybig #identity”

It seems clear that Delaney is unselfishly and effectively discounting himself from inclusion in the Irish national set-up in the future, citing that he would prefer younger players receive an opportunity. He also admits the international break offers a good opportunity for him to recover, thus suggesting his focus is now at club level, where he's clearly having great success.

It also seems that Delaney truly cares about the path the Irish national team is taking and doesn't necessarily agree with its going. The fact he referred to Trapattoni and his football philosophy being effective for Ireland suggests he's perhaps disillusioned by Ireland's current direction and pathway.

He has distanced himself from rumours that there is an ongoing feud with Roy Keane, has denied he wanted a guarantee about playing regularly rather than being a squad member, but interestingly he has admitted that there appears to have been a mis-understanding between himself and Martin O’Neill with the pairs statements somewhat contrasting each other.

With all that said and done it would appear that Damien Delaney's involvement with the national team is all but officially over. Having made his debut for the national team in Trapattoni's first game in charge, Delaney went on to make nine international appearances for his country. He only made a single competitive appearance, against Germany in Ireland's 3-0 loss during the 2014 World Cup qualifying on 11^th October 2013. His last, and only appearance under Martin O’Neill came against Turkey in Ireland's 2-1 victory back in May of 2014.