MARTIN O’NEILL HAS trimmed his Ireland squad ahead of next week’s Euro 2016 qualifying double-header against Gibraltar and Georgia.
After naming an extended 37-man panel last week, the Ireland manager last night confirmed his panel for the crucial Group D fixtures with uncapped duo Eunan O’Kane and Adam Rooney both retained.
Bournemouth midfielder O’Kane has enjoyed a bright start to the new Premier League season and impressed against Liverpool at Anfield while Rooney has already netted four goals for Aberdeen this term.
There’s no place for O’Kane’s team-mate Harry Arter, however. The 25-year-old made his international debut against England in June but hasn’t played since after picking up a debilitating hip injury.
He’s one of nine players left out including goalkeepers Kieren Westwood and Rob Elliot, Preston’s Greg Cunningham and Ipswich duo Daryl Murphy and David McGoldrick.
Murphy missed the weekend’s action with a calf injury and Mick McCarthy had previously hinted he wouldn’t be fit to report for international duty.
His absence gives Kevin Doyle an opportunity to work his way back into the reckoning.
The Colorado Rapids striker hasn’t played for the Boys in Green since the 7-0 thrashing of Gibraltar back in October last year but has enjoyed a new lease of life in America – scoring four goals this season.
Ireland face Gibraltar in Faro on Friday evening at 7.45pm before hosting Georgia in Dublin on Monday 7 September.
The Boys in Green currently lie in fourth place in Group D, two points behind Scotland who face Georgia and Germany next week.
IRELAND SQUAD: David Forde, Shay Given, Darren Randolph, Richard Keogh, Marc Wilson, Seamus Coleman, Cyrus Christie, John O’Shea, Alex Pearce, Ciaran Clark, Paul McShane, James McCarthy, Jeff Hendrick, Stephen Ward, Glenn Whelan, Eunan O’Kane, Aiden McGeady, James McClean, Robbie Brady, Anthony Pilkington, Stephen Quinn, David Meyler, Wes Hoolahan, Robbie Keane, Shane Long, Jon Walters, Kevin Doyle, Adam Rooney.
On standby: Alan Judge, Simon Cox, Rob Elliot, Anthony Stokes.
