Advertisement
Eunan O'Kane has made two Premier League appearances for Bournemouth this season. Andrew Matthews
COYBIG

Bournemouth's Eunan O'Kane in Ireland squad for next month's Euro 2016 qualifiers

The Boys in Green face Gibraltar in Faro before the visit of Georgia to Dublin in September.

IRELAND MANAGER MARTIN O’Neill has named his squad for the upcoming Euro 2016 qualifiers against Gibraltar and Georgia, with Bournemouth’s Eunan O’Kane among the players named.

The Boys in Green, currently fourth in Group D after six matches played, travel to Portugal to play Gibraltar in Faro on 4 September. Three days laters, the Aviva Stadium hosts their meeting with Georgia.

Along with O’Kane, two other uncapped players feature — Alan Judge and Adam Rooney, both of whom were also picked in the provisional squad for the games against England and Scotland last May.

Preston defender Greg Cunningham, who last played for Ireland in 2013, makes a surprise return, while Kevin Doyle and Rob Elliot are also recalled.

However, there is still no place for Crystal Palace centre-back Damien Delaney, who has shown good form in the Premier League recently.

Young O’Kane played last night (against Liverpool) and did very well,” said O’Neill at today’s press conference.

“I saw him a couple of times last season and when they eventually settled down to their first team line-up there were people in front of him like Harry Arter at the time.

“It was a big decision to put him in there last night and I thought he did really fine in the game. That will give him a big boost, to be playing at Anfield.”

IRELAND SQUAD: David Forde, Shay Given, Keiren Westwood, Darren Randolph, Rob Elliot, Richard Keogh, Marc Wilson, Seamus Coleman, Cyrus Christie, John O’Shea, Alex Pearce, Ciaran Clark, Paul McShane, James McCarthy, Jeff Hendrick, Stephen Ward, Greg Cunningham, Harry Arter, Glenn Whelan, Eunan O’Kane, Aiden McGeady, James McClean, Alan Judge, Robbie Brady, Anthony Pilkington, Stephen Quinn, David Meyler, Wes Hoolahan, Robbie Keane, Shane Long, Daryl Murphy, Jon Walters, Kevin Doyle, Anthony Stokes, David McGoldrick, Adam Rooney, Simon Cox.

Additional reporting by Paul Fennessy

Are Cork City’s title hopes over after back-to-back defeats?

Analysis: Two of the Premier League’s most creative players last weekend were Irish

Your Voice
Readers Comments
41
    Submit a report
    Please help us understand how this comment violates our community guidelines.
    Thank you for the feedback
    Your feedback has been sent to our team for review.