Ireland fever takes hold in Tipperary
Credit: Extratime Team (ETPhotos)
Over 1000 fans turned up to get a glimpse of local hero Shane Long and the rest of the Irish squad this morning, as they prepare for Wednesday night’s friendly (kick-off 7.30pm) against Australia at the newly re-developed Thomond Park.
Leon Best was the only missing player as the rest of the squad underwent a light session in St Michael’s Cooke Park just to the north of the town. Kevin Doyle will definitely play some part according to Liam Brady, despite a recent hernia operation.
Trapattoni will urge his players to perform to the best of their abilities despite the start of the Premier League looming this weekend and the team will be as strong as possible. Also, it is expected that there will not be wholesale changes during the games, as has become a regular procedure during friendly internationals.
“It’s a great chance for us to try out the team that will play against Cyprus, I am sure the manager is thinking that way. That is the way he has been speaking anyway in the last couple of days. We are going to have a team that will be largely the team that will face Cyprus in September," Brady added.
Brady updated members of the media after today’s session on the squad. He said: “Mick McCarthy threw us a dummy last week. He asked me to me to tell the manager that it was very unlikely that Doyle would be here.
“He had an operation and he said that there was a little infection in the wound and he wasn’t going to be able to participate in their friendly match on Saturday. However, things changed on Friday.
“Mick rang me on Saturday and said that Doyle would be playing and he would get half an hour for Wolves in their friendly against a Spanish team and therefore he could have 45 minutes for us against Australia.”
Giovanni Trapattoni is expected to announce the strongest possible starting XI for the visit of the Socceroos and his only concern is the aforementioned Leon Best.
The 23-year-old returned to Coventry City for an assessment on an injury which he picked up on Sunday. “Leon Best is a doubt, he is going to have an examination in Coventry and they are going to let us know if he is available to join the squad, but I have to say it’s doubtful,” Brady stated.
Tickets have been selling slowly for the first Senior International ever to be played in the Mid-West, with the FAI expecting 18-20,000 to attend at the home of Munster rugby. Tickets are priced at €35 for the East and West terrace, while seats in the East and West stand are priced at €55.
Leon Best was the only missing player as the rest of the squad underwent a light session in St Michael’s Cooke Park just to the north of the town. Kevin Doyle will definitely play some part according to Liam Brady, despite a recent hernia operation.
Trapattoni will urge his players to perform to the best of their abilities despite the start of the Premier League looming this weekend and the team will be as strong as possible. Also, it is expected that there will not be wholesale changes during the games, as has become a regular procedure during friendly internationals.
“It’s a great chance for us to try out the team that will play against Cyprus, I am sure the manager is thinking that way. That is the way he has been speaking anyway in the last couple of days. We are going to have a team that will be largely the team that will face Cyprus in September," Brady added.
Brady updated members of the media after today’s session on the squad. He said: “Mick McCarthy threw us a dummy last week. He asked me to me to tell the manager that it was very unlikely that Doyle would be here.
“He had an operation and he said that there was a little infection in the wound and he wasn’t going to be able to participate in their friendly match on Saturday. However, things changed on Friday.
“Mick rang me on Saturday and said that Doyle would be playing and he would get half an hour for Wolves in their friendly against a Spanish team and therefore he could have 45 minutes for us against Australia.”
Giovanni Trapattoni is expected to announce the strongest possible starting XI for the visit of the Socceroos and his only concern is the aforementioned Leon Best.
The 23-year-old returned to Coventry City for an assessment on an injury which he picked up on Sunday. “Leon Best is a doubt, he is going to have an examination in Coventry and they are going to let us know if he is available to join the squad, but I have to say it’s doubtful,” Brady stated.
Tickets have been selling slowly for the first Senior International ever to be played in the Mid-West, with the FAI expecting 18-20,000 to attend at the home of Munster rugby. Tickets are priced at €35 for the East and West terrace, while seats in the East and West stand are priced at €55.
About Alan Smith
Alan Smith works as a sub-editor for the Guardian newspaper in London. Originally from Cork, he freelances for several other newspapers and websites. Follow him on twitter @alansmith90. View Full Profile