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.
James McClean's Ireland international career has been given the green light by FIFA.
The move clears the way for the Derryman to be included in the Ireland squad to be announced by
Giovanni Trapattoni tomorrow for the upcoming friendly against the Czech Republic In Lansdowne Road
on February 29th.
Ireland striker Robbie Keane has already become Aston Villa's in-game gaffer by shouting out pitch
instructions to his short-term colleagues.
Keane has ingratiated himself to team-mates and fans alike with his brilliant double in the 3-2
victory at Wolves last Weekend and it capped an amazing full Villa start for the 31-year-old Irish
captain who is currently on loan from LA Galaxy.
The FAI today officially confirmed that Giovanni Trapattoni's Ireland will play the Czech Republic
in a friendly in Dublin on February 29.
They said the friendly will be the first of two home matches to be played in the Aviva Stadium
before Ireland go to the Euro Finals in June. The second friendly will take place at the end of May
and the opposition will be revealed by the association soon.
Sunderland's experienced Ireland international defender John O'Shea has spoken of the positive
impact James McClean has had on the team since emerging on to the scene as a substitute in the 2-1
win over Blackburn on December 11.
McClean's impact has gradually increased and he has started in each of Sunderland's last three
games.
Ireland international Simon Cox fired West Brom into the fourth round of the FA Cup with a
hat-trick against Cardiff this afternoon.
Cox headed his first home from eight yards after a cross from Baggies captain Nicky Shorey. He
doubled his tally in the 61st minute with a scorcher from 25 yards that gave Heaton no chance as it
crossed the line after rattling off his post, and he sealed his hat-trick with an easy tap in from
an Odemwingie pass.
Manchester United and Ireland U21 international winger Robbie Brady will stay at Hull City until
the end of the season.
The 19-year-old Dublin born player has scored one goal from 22 appearances since joining Hull on
loan at the start of the season.
Tigers caretaker boss Nick Barmby said: "We've got a great platform for him to really kick on now.
Ireland international Ciarán Clark admits he has to keep his Aston Villa spot if he is to secure a
place in Ireland's 23 man squad for the Euro 2012 finals in Poland.
Clark, who can play in central defence or midfield, has recently regained his Villa spot in a
holding midfield role.
There was hardly a better way for Derry born James McClean to mark his first start for Sunderland
as Ji Dong-won scored a last-minute winner against Manchester City.
The 22-year-old Irish flyer starred on the left wing for Sunderland, who recorded their third win
in five games thanks to Dong-won's 93rd-minute goal.
Skysports.com understands a host of clubs are tracking Shamrock Rovers striker Karl Sheppard.
Sheppard is out of contract at the end of the month and the news has alerted a number of clubs in
England to his possible availability.
Should Sheppard leave Shamrock Rovers any compensation for his signature would be minimal as he has
only been at the League of Ireland club for a year and joined them on a free transfer.
Ireland manager Giovanni Trapattoni has won the Philips Manager of the Year award after guiding the
national side to their first major championship finals in 10 years.
The Italian was in competition with Dublin football manager Pat Gilroy, who led the capital side to
their first All-Ireland title in 16 years, Brian Cody, who lifted the Liam McCarthy trophy with
Kilkenny, and Leinster's Heineken Cup-winning coach Joe Schmidt.
Ireland face a tough group after being drawn against world and European Champions Spain, Italy and
Croatia in Kiev on Friday evening.
Giovanni Trapattoni's side, who will play all of their Group C games in Poland, kick off their
finals campaign against Croatia in Gdansk on 10 June.
Ireland will remain in the port city for the clash against tournament favourites Spain on 14 June,
before travelling to Poznan for the side's final group game against Italy on 18 June.
The draw for UEFA EURO 2012 will take place on December 2nd in Kiev, Ukraine. Ireland are 4th seeds
and the draw will determine our entry into one of four groups, A, B, C or D.
Each of the four groups will play matches across two host venues in one of the host countries,
either Poland or Ukraine.
Ireland are in the fourth group of seeds for the Euro 2012 finals draw, UEFA confirmed today.
Giovanni Trapattoni's 'Boys In Green', who completed a 5-1 aggregate play-off win against Estonia
last night, have been drawn alongside Denmark, France and Czech Republic in Pot 4.
Euro 2012 co-hosts Poland and Ukraine, who have already been allocated to groups A and D
respectively, are in the top group of seeds alongside reigning world and European champions Spain
and 2010 World Cup finalists the Netherlands.
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.
Stephen Kelly is out of Ireland's Euro 2012 play-off decider against Estonia on Tuesday night at
Landsowne Road.
The Fulham defender has been ruled out with a groin injury, although John O'Shea has recovered from
a hamstring problem and is likely to slot into the right-back position.
Ireland captain Robbie Keane believes their Euro 2012 play-off tie against Estonia is all but over
after their 4-0 first-leg win.
Keane scored twice as his team thrashed their nine-man hosts in Tallinn.
"It is a great result. This game should be over now and if we don't qualify we'll be devastated,"
said Keane ahead of Tuesday's return leg in Dublin.
Ireland manager Giovanni Trapattoni believes the stunning 4-0 win over Estonia in the first leg of
the Euro 2012 qualifying play-off last night demonstrated the progress his players have made in
recent times.
Ireland stand on the verge of qualifying for the tournament in the Poland and Ukraine after a
comprehensive success over their hosts, demonstrating great attacking quality, a feature often
lacking under the Italian.
Ireland assistant boss Marco Tardelli has told Ireland's players they could be preparing for the
most important games of their lives as they attempt to book a trip to the Euro 2012 finals in
Poland & Ukraine next summer.
Ireland face Estonia in a two-legged play-off over the next seven days with a place at next
summer's tournament at stake.
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.
Estonia stand between Ireland and a place in the Euro 2012 finals following today's
play-off draw in Krakow.
Giovanni Trapattoni's side will be away in the first leg on either Friday, 11 November/Saturday 12
November, with the return tie at the Aviva Stadium on Tuesday, 15 November.
Ireland skipper Robbie Keane is being given every chance to prove his fitness ahead of Tuesday
night's Euro 2012 showdown with Armenia in Dublin.
The 31-year-old Dublin born striker is a major doubt for the game at the Aviva Stadium which will
decide Ireland's Group B fate as they attempt to secure a play-off berth.
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 manager Giovanni Trapattoni has named his team for Friday's Euro 2012 Group 2 qualifier
with Andorra.
John O'Shea replaces Stephen Kelly with Sean St Ledger coming in for the suspended Richard Dunne
from Ireland's last game in Russia.
Trapattoni has resisted the temptation to bring Keith Fahey into the midfield after he hinted at
using the Birmingham midfielder in training earlier this week.
4 the Weekend: Manchester City to end bogey run, goal bets for St James's Park, Spain and Italy
is a post from: Just Football
Having taken the weekend off last week to enjoy Dublin being crowned All Ireland Football
champions in perhaps the most dramatic final of all time, it is back to the 11 a side game this
weekend and a selection of bets from across the main European leagues.
Ireland U19 international Paul George made his first competitive Celtic appearance last night in
the 2-0 victory over Ross County in the Communities League Cup.
George from Killough in County Down came on for the last few minutes of the game and only for an
excellent close range save late on from County keeper Frazer, he could well have marked his debut
with a first senior goal.
