Trap lifts lid on 23 man squad

Speculation and conjecture was brought to an abrupt end when Giovanni Trapattoni announced his 23 man squad for EURO 2012 on Monday at a press conference in the Aviva Stadium. The only major questions that were to be answered however were over James McClean’s inclusion (or not), and the identity of the mystery player that was to withdraw for personal reasons.

Trapattoni for his part had let slip previously that there was a “90 to 99 per cent” chance of McClean being included, and true to his word the Sunderland winger received the welcome phone call this morning. The call-up for McClean caps off a remarkable season which started back in March 2011 with his then teammates Derry City. His move to Sunderland and his subsequent explosion onto the Premier League scene would have exceeded even the most optimistic of supporters, but the young man from Derry didn’t stop there. He was also named Sunderland’s “Young Player of the Year”, not to mention the small matter of his first Ireland cap against the Czech Republic in the Aviva last February.

Despite having played no part in Ireland’s qualifying campaign there had been a clamour for McClean’s inclusion, and the man that mattered most – Trapattoni – agreed that McClean had something to offer. “I think he can give us energy, quality “said the Italian.

“I am sure, because when in this ten days we have three games, we need the players or the option of playing maybe Duff or McGeady and maybe him in the second or the third game can be important. That is what he can give us that is important.” [sic]

The other question on everyone’s mind was also quickly answered as it was confirmed that James McCarthy will be unavailable for EURO 2012 due to an illness to his father. Trapattoni revealed that McCarthy had called him two weeks ago to inform him of his circumstances, and hinted that if the situation had been different McCarthy would indeed have found him on the plane to Poland.

Trapattoni went on to say how McCarthy would remain a part of his plans for the near future, and how he would be forgotten and his progress had not gone unnoticed. McCarthy had admitted to him that “psychologically I am not ready” and the Italian “respected his choice”.

Speaking of the team’s upcoming preparation, Trapattoni had a very fixed and focussed view of what he wanted.

“Our identity keeps improving, and while we are aware of our limits, we will look to push them and to further improve during our training camp.”

“There are three ways to improve this. First, recognise our limits. (Then) to work to improve them. Third thing, to have the belief that we can achieve, and to never give up.”

The Republic of Ireland’s preparation will first see them face Bosnia and Herzegovina in the Aviva on May 26^th, before they travel to Budapest nine days later to face Hungary. With these two games coming close to the tie versus Croatia in Poznan, Trapattoni wants to have “all the team and all the squad in fit condition” and is keen to give a game to as many players as he can. 

“Maybe they need more games. I use all the players, because in the friendly game you have seven changes.”

One player who can possibly feel aggrieved at being constantly overlooked is former Shelbourne midfielder Wes Hoolahan. Speaking of Hoolahan and “the system” Trapattoni was undeterred.

“Hoolahan is very great great player, but when we know Hoolahan he was already 28, 29. Now he’s 30. He’s played well. Also last game – fantastic – he score also, I saw. We saw many games.” [sic]

“We build a team with other system and other situation, because there is also James McCarthy, there is also Steve Ireland. With these players, and our system in this moment, we couldn’t change the system because the qualifier was important, it was no friendly game.”

“I wish (to) not change this striker because I am sure I am convinced that we couldn’t play with only one striker and one player like Hoolahan. Maybe in a friendly, but also in friendly game is important for ranking.”

Ireland have risen risen to 18^th place in the Fifa World Rankings in recent times, and Trapattoni believes this is largely down to the system hence is reluctance to change.

“We have no Messi or many other the creative players. Ronaldo, Maradonna in the past.”

“We have a strong team with this organisation, with this balance, that is the reason why. We not forget him, we continue to follow him.”

Twitter - How the players reacted

Following today’s announcement, some of the Irish squad members took to Twitter to voice their happiness at being included.

Although always a certainty to be included, Ireland’s number one Shay Given nonetheless tweeted : “Nice to be named in the squad today for the Euros in the summer. Really looking forward to it”.

Simon Cox also took to Twitter to display his delight at his inclusion “Wanna say thanks for all the kind messages of congrats for making the Euro2012 squad. It's an absolute honour to be named in the squad.”

While James McClean also spoke of the honour of the call-up : “absolutely honoured and cudnt be happier to have been call up to represnt my country at the euros no better feelin!” [sic].

Full Irish 23 man squad:

Goalkeepers: Shay Given, Keiren Westwood, David Forde

Defenders: Richard Dunne, John O’Shea, Sean St Ledger, Darren O’Dea, Stephen Ward, Stephen Kelly, Kevin Foley.

Midfielders: Glenn Whelan, Darron Gibson, Keith Andrews, Keith Fahey, Damien Duff, Aiden McGeady, Stephen Hunt, James McClean.

Forwards: Robbie Keane, Kevin Doyle, Shane Long, Simon Cox, Jon Walters

Standby List:

Darren Randolph, Paul McShane, Paul Green, Seamus Coleman, Andy Keogh