Dundalk duo make final cut for Austria qualifier

Dundalk duo Daryl Horgan and Andy Boyle can put their FAI Cup final disappointment behind them as they make Martin O’Neill’s final Republic of Ireland squad for Saturday’s Russia 2018 qualifier away to Austria.

On Monday evening the Ireland boss confirmed a 28-man squad for the FIFA 2018 World Cup Qualifier in Vienna which saw a number of players ruled out due to injury.

Already missing were Shane Long and Daryl Murphy, while Cyrus Christie, Stephen Ward, James McCarthy and Stephen Quinn, who were in the provisional squad, all failed to make the final cut due to injury.

Some players, such as John O’Shea, require assessment by the FAI medical staff, hence the slightly enlarged final squad.

Cyrus Christie will miss the match in Vienna after breaking a bone in his foot in Derby’s 3-2 win over Wolves over the weekend. “Gutted to be out for a minimum of three months. Will see the surgeon to check there is no more damage and get a return date,” he said on Twitter.

The Ireland squad will train at the FAI National Training Centre in Abbotstown this week before departing for Vienna on Thursday. They come into the game joint-top of Group D with Serbia on seven points after three matches. Austria are three points behind them in the table.

Republic of Ireland Squad in full

Goalkeepers: Darren Randolph (West Ham United), Keiren Westwood (Sheffield Wednesday), Colin Doyle (Bradford City).

Defenders: Seamus Coleman (Everton), Richard Keogh, Alex Pearce (Derby County), John O'Shea (Sunderland), Ciaran Clark (Newcastle United), Paul McShane (Reading), Shane Duffy (Brighton & Hove Albion), Andy Boyle (Dundalk).

Midfielders: Aiden McGeady (Preston North End*), James McClean (West Bromwich Albion), Jeff Hendrick (Burnley), Glenn Whelan (Stoke City), Harry Arter (Bournemouth), Eunan O'Kane (Leeds United), David Meyler (Hull City), Stephen Gleeson (Birmingham City), Robbie Brady, Wes Hoolahan (Norwich City), Callum O'Dowda (Bristol City), Jonathan Hayes (Aberdeen), Daryl Horgan (Dundalk).

Forwards: Jonathan Walters (Stoke City), Adam Rooney (Aberdeen), Kevin Doyle (Colorado Rapids), David McGoldrick (Ipswich Town).

*indicates player is currently on loan

Extratime.ie will be covering the game from Vienna next week including Friday’s pre-match press conference and the match on Saturday evening in the Ernst Happel Stadium.