Euro 2016 Preview - Republic of Ireland

Team: Republic of Ireland

Manager: Martin O’Neill

Group: E

Group Opponents: Sweden, Belgium & Italy

THE SQUAD

Martin O’Neill has opted to name a very predictable squad with really no notable omissions. The Derry native has chosen the experienced Shay Given, John O’Shea and captain Robbie Keane for the championships. The trio will play in a record third major tournament for the Boys in Green this summer. Despite injury concerns, both Keane and Everton midfielder James McCarthy have been taken, with Shane Duffy also getting the call-up following a late run of impressive club form. The most notable absentees include the injured Harry Arter, Everton midfielder Darron Gibson and surprisingly Millwall ‘keeper David Forde, who played a central role during the qualification campaign.

Republic of Ireland Squad in Full:

Goalkeepers: Darren Randolph (West Ham United), Shay Given (Stoke City), Keiren Westwood (Sheffield Wednesday).

Defenders: Seamus Coleman (Everton), Cyrus Christie (Derby County), John O’Shea (Sunderland), Ciaran Clark (Aston Villa), Shane Duffy (Blackburn Rovers), Richard Keogh (Derby County), Robbie Brady (Norwich City), Stephen Ward (Burnley).

Midfielders: Glenn Whelan (Stoke City), James McCarthy (Everton), Jeff Hendrick (Derby County), Wes Hoolahan (Norwich City), James McClean (West Bromwich Albion), Aiden McGeady (Everton), Stephen Quinn (Reading), David Meyler (Hull City)

Forwards: Shane Long (Southampton), Jon Walters (Stoke City), Daryl Murphy (Ipswich Town), Robbie Keane (LA Galaxy).

HOW THEY GOT HERE

Ireland qualified for the tournament having beaten Bosnia and Herzegovina in the two-legged play-off in November. Having drawn 1-1 in the first leg in Sarajevo with Robbie Brady giving Ireland the lead before Edin Dzeko equalised for the Bosnians, Ireland won the second leg comfortably. Two goals from Jonathan Walters at the Aviva Stadium meant that Ireland progressed to their second European Championship finals in succession.

Prior to the play-off, Ireland put together a spirited late revival in Group D having been seeded as the group’s second seed. Late group wins over Georgia, Gibralter and Germany meant that Ireland had a huge chance of gaining automatic qualification from the group as they headed to Warsaw for their final group match. The winner-takes-all match with Poland went the way of the Polish with Robert Lewandowski in inspired form, meaning that the play-off route was to be Ireland’s only hope.

Record: P10 W5 D3 L2 Pts 18

KEY PLAYERS

Robbie Brady – The Norwich left-sided player is arguably the most crucial component of Ireland’s side. His superb set-piece deliveries will be critical to Ireland should they hope to make progression in the competition. His pace, energy and power down the left flank will be difficult for any marker to handle.

Shane Long – Even though O’Neill tends to favour Jon Walters, Long has shown so far in 2016 that he is capable of producing superb displays. No one could ever doubt his energy, pace and work-rate, but his finishing often lets him down. However, he ended his season with Southampton well reaching double figures in the Premier League and he scored in Ireland’s recent friendly with the Netherlands. Another crucial player for Ireland if they hope to progress.

Darren Randolph – Assumedly the West Ham man will be Ireland’s first-choice ‘keeper for the tournament having started the play-off against Bosnia. He really hasn’t put a foot wrong for Ireland since being given his first genuine opportunity as a first-half substitute against Germany last October. His performances will the vital during the group stages as Ireland may be under the cosh for lengthy periods.

Where are they playing and staying:

June 13: Republic of Ireland vs Sweden, Paris

June 18: Republic of Ireland vs Belgium, Bordeaux

June 22: Republic of Ireland vs Italy, Lille

Ireland will be based in Versailles for the tournament with training and playing grounds residing close to the Versailles Palace, where Ireland will stay for the duration of their campaign.

Three Interesting Facts about the team:

Martin O’Neill is the first Irishman to lead Ireland to the European Championships. Jack Charlton (English) and Giovanni Trapattoni (Italian) led Ireland to their two prior European Championships in 1988 and 2012.

All but one of the Irish squad play their club football in England. Robbie Keane, the Irish and LA Galaxy captain is the only exception.

In both their European campaigns, Ireland have failed to progress beyond the group stages, and on both instances, they have been drawn in a group alongside the two eventual finalists. 1988- Netherlands & USSR and 2012- Spain & Italy.

THEIR RECENT FORM

Ireland have had a mixed run of form recently. They have won two of their last five games, defeating Bosnia in November’s play-off second leg and Switzerland in a friendly in March. They have lost once against Belarus and drawn against Slovakia and Netherlands at the Aviva Stadium.

First Game: Sweden at the Stade de France, Paris