Rep. Of Ireland -v- Macedonia

Injury hit Ireland hope to get their European Championships 2012 qualifying campaign back on track with a win over a dangerous Macedonian side at Aviva Stadium tonight (Sat 26 Mar KO 19.45) , following a disappointing draw to Slovakia in their last competitive outing.

Giovanni Trapattoni knows that, in Goran Pandev, Macedonia have the potential to cause the Irish difficulty and, if he rings former national boss Mick McCarthy, he’ll be told of more than one expensive slip against the Balkan side.

A late goal conceded in Skopje in 1999, after Niall Quinn had put Ireland ahead early on, cost the boys in green their chance to automatically qualify for Euro 2000 and an even worse result two years earlier – a shocking 3-2 loss at the same venue – cost McCarthy’s men their chance to reach France 98.

Macedonia boss Mirsad Jonus feels his side are in with a shout of qualifying, given the tight nature of Group B. “This is a very strong and interesting group we are playing in, with the possible exception of Andorra, and that’s why this match is very difficult,” said Jonuz ahead of tonight’s encounter.

Ireland are missing key men in their back five as the small pool of Irish players is finally exposed in what seems like the first genuine injury crisis in years. John O’Shea pulled his hamstring for Manchester United last week, Sean St Ledger was injured in training the other day, Shay Given is out for months with a shoulder injury, Greg Cunningham is also sidelined for an extended period. Seamus Coleman, a possible replacement for O’Shea at right back although not favoured by Trap, is out with an ankle injury sustained after travelling to Ireland and Paul McShane was also crocked with a late injury, leaving Trap with few experienced players to pick from.

Richard Dunne has defied the odds to line up at centre half, but question marks remain about his fitness, as with Robbie Keane, who has played just 22 minutes with West Ham in recent weeks following his calf strain injury.

Keiren Westwood earns his first competitive start between the sticks, along with Kevin Foley and Darren O’Dea in defence. O’Dea, playing regularly at Championship struggling Ipswich, was chosen ahead of Aston Villa’s Ciaran Clark. Kevin Kilbane continues is incredible run for Ireland at left back, having played in every competitive game for Ireland since 1999.

Aiden McGeady and Damien Duff will work the wings around Darron Gibson and Glen Whelan, as James McCarthy has to settle for a place on the bench, with Robbie Keane and Kevin Doyle starting up front.

For Macedonia, defender Goran Popov should play while FC Thun midfielder Muhamed Demiri – who made his international debut against China last December – could earn his second cap.

Republic of Ireland starting team v Macedonia
Goalkeeper: Kieren Westwood (Coventry City)
Defenders: Kevin Foley (Wolves), Richard Dunne (Aston Villa), Darren O'Dea (Celtic - on loan at Ipswich Town), Kevin Kilbane (Hull City - on loan at Huddersfield Town)
Midfield: Aiden McGeady (Spartak Moscow), Darron Gibson (Manchester United), Glenn Whelan (Stoke City), Damien Duff (Fulham);
Strikers: Robbie Keane (West Ham United - on loan from Tottenham), Kevin Doyle (Wolves).