No Surprises In Trap’s Latest Squad

January 19th, 2009 | by: Wayne Farry |

Trap announces WC qualifier squad

Giovanni Trapattoni has named his 25-man Republic squad for the World Cup 2010 qualifier next month. Before I talk about my feelings on the squad, I may as well post it up first.

So here is the ROI squad to face Georgia at Croke Park on February 11..

Goalkeepers; Shay Given, Dean Kiely, Keiren Westwood

Defenders; Alex Bruce, Damien Delaney, John O’Shea, Kevin Foley, Paul McShane, Richard Dunne, Stephen Kelly, Steve Finnan, Kevin Kilbane.

Midfielders; Aiden McGeady, Damien Duff, Darron Gibson, Glenn Whelan, Keith Andrews, Liam Miller, Stephen Hunt, Andy Keogh.

Forwards; Caleb Folan, Kevin Doyle, Robbie Keane, Shane Long, Noel Hunt.

The notable omissions are that of Manchester City’s Stephen Ireland and Andy ‘Big-Boned’ Reid. Not surprising omissions, but notable nonetheless. I think it’s a pity that Stephen Ireland isn’t in the squad. Now, this is one of two people’s fault; either Mr. Trapattoni or Stevie Ireland himself. There have been reports that although Ireland wants to return from his self-imposed exile he’s waiting for Trap to make the first move. Whilst Trap is apparently waiting for Ireland to declare himself available. This could go on for a while.

Reid is a more expected omission, he isn’t getting playing much for the Black Cats and he and Trap don’t see eye-to-eye, so that’s that.

A surprise inclusion, for me at least, is that of Steve Finnan. He hasn’t had the best of times at Espanyol, but obviously Trap still rates him. And let’s face it, he’s a better right-back choice than Paul McShane.

If you remember correctly, we beat Georgia 2-1 in Mainz a few months back, after the game was moved from Tbilisi due to Georgia’s conflict with Russia at the time.

So, it’s not a bad squad at all I think. I’m glad to see Noel Hunt there again. He may look like a little monkey but he’s a quality player that I honestly think could make the step up to the EPL. Bring on the Georgians.

Oh by the way, I’m the new blogger here for the Ireland World Cup blog. I’m Wayne, I’m from Leitrim and I blog over at the Man Utd Offside and the EPL Offside. So that’s the pleasantries over with. Good stuff…

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Comments

By Julian | January 19th, 2009 at 7:54 pm

Glad to see you blogging, Wayne on this half of theoffside. I’m Julian and I run the Italy WCB . Always nice to see more people joining the site, especially people in our qualifying group.

I had no idea that Stephen Ireland exiled himself from the squad. Can you go into more detail on that? Ie, why? Cause when I’ve seen him play this season, he’s been blistering and surely merits a call up.

Posted from United States

By Wayne | January 19th, 2009 at 8:21 pm

Hey Julian, cheers. I appreciate the welcome. I’m glad to be blogging on the international football as well as the domestic stuff.

Yeah, Stephen Ireland exiled himself from international football in September 2007, just before our qualifying match for Euro 2008 against the Czech Republic. Before the match, he said to our then manager Steve Staunton that his grandmother had died and that he had to leave the squad. However, this was found out to be untrue and his grandmother was in fact alive. He then tried to make up for it by saying it was his grandfather’s second wife that died, but that was untrue as well. In the end it was found out that his girlfriend had suffered a miscarriage. It was weird because if he’d told the truth about the miscarriage first he would have been allowed to go home anyway.

Everyone here in Ireland was pretty outraged that he lied, especially as we lost to the Czechs 0-1. After that, Stephen basically excluded himself from possible inclusion in future squads. There was even rumours he’d retire from international football.

In September 2007 he was in trouble with Man City after a website he had was found to have some really stupid stuff on it. It said “football is shit” and “why did I get stuck doin’ it?”.

It was a weird time and everyone was kinda questioned his state of mind because he didn’t seem to be healthy mentally.

Since Trapattoni took over there has been speculation that he might return but nothing has happened yet.

That’s pretty much the whole deal.

By Julian | January 19th, 2009 at 9:08 pm

Wow that’s quite the story. Do you think he’d be welcomed back after lying and being in exile for this long?

Posted from United States

By Wayne | January 19th, 2009 at 9:24 pm

Yeah, it’s quite a story alright.

I think he would be welcomed back now, even after all that happened. The main reason I think and want him to be welcomed back is because he’s probably our best player at the moment, with the exception of the imperious Shay Given.

He’s been Man City’s best player this season, far more consistent than Robinho and Republic of Ireland need some skill and real talent in the centre of midfield. Whelan and Gibson or Miller simply aren’t good enough.

PS: I’m assuming you’re from Italy. We’ve heard rumours over here linking Shay Given with some top Serie A clubs. Have you heard anything about this over there?

By Julian | January 19th, 2009 at 10:05 pm

I was actually born and raised in America (thoguh I’m 100% Italian in heritage). I’ve seen some rumors about Shay going to Serie A but they seem like your everyday rumors to me- nothing concrete. The way I see it, if he leaves Newcastle he’ll probably end up somewhere else in England. I’d be surprised to see him on the peninsula

Posted from United States

By Matt | January 22nd, 2009 at 12:11 am

Good to see a ROI blog up and going (pitty about your club team choice though ). I have to echo your thoughts about Finnan, mostly so I never have to see McShane start, ever again.