OTP gives you the lowdown on all the Euro 2012 teams. 10 word description: Rank outsiders relishing
being back on the major tournament scene. Coach: Giovanni Trapattoni Vastly experienced / old, Trap
has guided RoI to their first international tournament in 10 years. His reward is a draw against
his home nation, Italy, and the [.
By Alan Duffy
Republic of Ireland 1-0 Bosnia & Herzegovina Friendly 26th May 2012
Giovanni Trapattoni is getting a rather decent squad of players together, and against Bosnia &
Herzegovina in Dublin, another gifted young Irishman made his first start for the Republic.
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PETER SPRINGETT, RIP. Would Have Been Sixty-Six Today-
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Match Previews-
QPR COUNTDOWN CLOCKQPR 37 37
Bolton 37 35
Blackburn 37 31
Wolves 37 25
- Flashback: On This Day Eight Years Ago: Ian Holloway's QPR Win Promotion at Hillsbrough: The
2003/04 Season
- Flashback Four Years Ago Today: Luigi De Canio Departs QPR "By Mutual
Consent"
- TWO YEARS AGO: QPR WIN THE YOUTH CUP
- One Year Ago: Yesterday - QPR PROMOTED - FA Issues Its Verdict on QPR and
Faurlingate - Fine but No Points
- Deepest Condolences to Cardiff City on Failing to Reach the Playoff Final!
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PETER SPRINGETT, RIP. Would Have Been Sixty-Six Today-
Follow QPR REPORT on TWITTER!-
QPR REPORT MESSAGEBOARD - Visit the cutting-edge, football-only, QPR Report messageboard (and
see items you won't usually read elsewhere- For QPR History in Photos: Visit the truly-fascinating Bushman QPR Photo
Archives_______________________________________________________________________________
-
NEXT: Manchester City - "Shared" Players, Past Results, Photos & Video & Past Match Reports -
Match Previews-
QPR COUNTDOWN CLOCKQPR 37 37
Bolton 37 35
Blackburn 37 31
Wolves 37 25
- Flashback: On This Day Eight Years Ago: Ian Holloway's QPR Win Promotion at Hillsbrough: The
2003/04 Season
- Flashback Four Years Ago Today: Luigi De Canio Departs QPR "By Mutual
Consent"
- TWO YEARS AGO: QPR WIN THE YOUTH CUP
- One Year Ago: Yesterday - QPR PROMOTED - FA Issues Its Verdict on QPR and
Faurlingate - Fine but No Points
- Deepest Condolences to Cardiff City on Failing to Reach the Playoff Final!
Most domestic seasons haven't closed, yet the names of those heading off to the lands of
continental glory in the Polkraine are already dropping, along with some of the squads to be
whittled down in the coming weeks (the deadline being May 29th). Today Giovanni Trappatoni
announced Ireland's formal 23 and Germany a damn close 27.
Republic of Ireland manager Giovanni Trappatoni has named his Euro 2012 Finals squad and as
hoped and expected Sunderland's James McClean was named in the squad.
However there was sad news as Wigan midfielder James McCarthy made himself unavailable for the
squad following his Dad's fight with Cancer.
Ireland winger Aiden McGeady has urged Derry duo Shane Duffy and James McClean to take their chance
this week to impress Ireland boss Giovanni Trapattoni.
Duffy and McClean were not in Trapattoni's original squad for the Czech Republic friendly, but are
now in line to make their international debuts on Wednesday night at Lansdowne Road.
Ireland manager Giovanni Trapattoni has named a 24-man squad for the upcoming international
friendly against the Czech Republic in Dublin on February 29th.
Speaking after the squad announcement, the Irish boss said, "This game is the beginning of our Euro
2012 preparations.
"As we face this fixture, it is important for our players to remember the attitude and performance
that brought us qualification.
Ireland confirmed their place at next summer's European Championships with a 1-1 draw against
Estonia in the second leg of their Euro 2012 play-off.
Already four up from the first leg, Ireland looked to be coasting when Stephen Ward fired home the
opener after keeper Pavel Londak failed to hold Kevin Doyle's header.
John O'Shea and Kevin Doyle are back in the Ireland team for tomorrow night's Euro 2012 play-off
second leg against Estonia in Lansdowne Road.
Stephen Kelly at right back and Jon Walters in attack are the players that make way for the
returning duo.
O'Shea comes back into the side following a hamstring injury, while Doyle returns from suspension
to partner Robbie Keane in the Irish attack.
By Alan Duffy
Everything that could have gone right for the Boys In Green on Friday night did. Four away
goals, two (opposition) sendings-off and a clean sheet to take back to the Aviva Stadium made
Ireland's play-off victory over Estonia in Talinn the perfect night for the Republic.
Middlesbrough forward Tarmo Kink has acknowledged the depth of the Ireland team that arrived in
Estonia for the first leg of the Euro 2012 qualification playoff between the two nations but has
singled out Spartak Moscow's Aiden McGeady as the biggest threat.
Kink, who has scored four times in 22 appearances for his Championship outfit, is wary of other
seasoned Irish performers such as the Los Angeles Galaxy's Robbie Keane and Fulham's Damien Duff
but admits that the 25-year old McGeady is the one striking fear in Estonian hearts.
Giovanni Trapattoni has included Shane Long in his 26-man Ireland squad to face Estonia in the Euro
2012 play-offs next month.
West Brom ruled Long out for 'up to six weeks' after he was injured by Alan Hutton's two-footed
lunge during the first half of their 2-1 Premier League win at Villa Park.
Kevin Doyle's 10th international goal set Ireland on the road to a comfortable victory in Andorra
as Giovanni Trapattoni's men completed the first half of their European mission.
Doyle's seventh-minute strike gave Ireland an advantage they never threatened to surrender and when
defender Ildefons Lima deflected Aiden McGeady's shot into his own net 13 minutes later, the points
were effectively safe.
Ireland boss Giovanni Trapattoni saluted Richard Dunne and Shay Given for their heroic performances
in a precious 0-0 draw in Moscow.
Dunne produced two superb blocks and ended the game with four stitches in a head wound as Ireland
managed to cling on for their first ever point in Russia.
Will the baton ever be passed from Robbie Keane to Aiden McGeady?
Editor's Note: It was an odd, intermixing week for American and British Isle footie.
Midweek, the historic club Glasgow Rangers of the beleaguered Scottish Premiere League made
successful for two Americans, Alejandro Bedoya and Carlos Bocanegra.
By Chris Wright
Proof if proof were needed that the clones are walking among us...
1. Aiden McGeady (Spartak Moscow) and Denise Van Luyn (Uhtrecht Ladies)
It's a shit lookalikes staple and a down-right classic. Never gets old.
Goals from Keith Andrews and Simon Cox in either half saw Ireland pull off a famous victory over
Italy in Liege.
Andrews scored with a low effort into the corner of the goal on 36 minutes after an excellent back
heel from the impressive Stephen Hunt.
Giovanni Trapattoni's 'Boys In Green' then had to withstand pressure from the former world
Champions before substitute Cox tapped home a Hunt cross at the death to make sure of the win.
Ireland captain Robbie Keane has been passed fit for the Euro 2012 qualifier against Macedonia in
Skopje on Saturday night.
Keane, who suffered a groin injury during a training session on Thursday, will partner Simon Cox in
attack.
Darren O'Dea starts in defence along with Stephen Kelly, John O'Shea and Kevin Kilbane.
Ireland moved joint top of their Euro 2012 qualifying group with a hard-fought 2-1 win over
Macedonia at the Aviva Stadium.
Aiden McGeady's first international goal put Ireland ahead in the second minute and Robbie Keane
added a second from close range midway through the half.
Macedonia responded just before half-time when Ivan Trichkovski deceived Richard Dunne and slotted
past Keiren Westwood.
Keiren Westwood, Darren O'Dea and Kevin Foley will all make competitive debuts for Ireland in
Saturday's Euro 2012 qualifier against Macedonia.
Coventry keeper Westwood was always going to come in for the injured Shay Given to win his sixth
senior cap, while Wolves defender Foley takes over from John O'Shea at right-back.
Liverpool boss Kenny Dalglish is interested in signing Spartak Moscow winger Aiden McGeady this
summer and is closely monitoring the Irish international's situation in the Russian capital. The
former Celtic star has done well since his move to the Luzhniki in August but the 24 year old has
begun to be linked with interest from Zenit St Petersburg and Juventus amid reports that he could
be sold if a significant offer was forthcoming.
On international Wednesday a look at the often controversial question of international
eligibility.
A guest blog from Zoe Broome exploring the reasons and emotions that might be involved in making a
decision about which country to play for.
A tricky one this, with the eligibility rules never quite fully satisfying.
