SoccerBlogs

Ireland's World Cup qualification hopes received a great boost after a fighting 0-0 draw against Sweden in Stockholm last night.

Giovanni Trapattoni's 'Boys In Green' had the better of the first-half exchanges with Shane Long wasting their best chance, blasting over when he had time and space inside the box.

Everton boss David Moyes is set to put his faith in Shane Duffy as Everton enter a pivotal spell in the Blues boss' Goodison reign.

The Derry born Ireland international has been told he is right in the mix to challenge favoured pair Phil Jagielka and Sylvain Distin for a first-team place as the Toffees chase a top four finish and FA Cup glory.

Ireland defender Marc Wilson is hoping his Stoke City return will give him a chance to join Ireland's battle for a World cup place in Brazil in 2014. The 25-year-old County Armagh born defender expects to be available for Stoke's game at Fulham next Saturday after four months out with a broken leg.

Giovanni Trapattoni has named his Ireland squad for the Poland international friendly on 6 February at the Aviva Stadium, their last game ahead of the crucial double-header away to Sweden and home to Austria on 22 and 26 March.

New faces include Anthony Pilkington as well as Derby County trio Conor Sammon, Jeff Hendrick and Richard Keogh.

Ireland boss Giovanni Trapattoni had named his squad for the upcoming friendly international against Greece in Dublin later this month.

The Boys In Green take on the Euro 2012 quarter finalists on the 14th Novemeber


Robbie Keane has been left out of the squad, as has striker Shane Long, who is suffering from a hamstring strain.

Ireland manager Giovanni Trapattoni will continue with his new premiership tour this weekend when he take's in the game between Stoke and Sunderland at the Britannia Stadium.



This follows on from his visit to Norwich last week to eye-up Wes Hoolahan & Anthony Pilkington in their impressive defeat of Arsenal at Carrow Road.

The Football Association of Ireland has confirmed that Giovanni Trapattoni will stay on as Ireland manager.

The association released a statement this evening confirming that the Italian would continue in his current role.

The FAI statement read: "While disappointed like everyone with the poor result and performance against Germany and understanding the frustration of some of our supporters, we believe the currnet position in the group means that qualification for Brazil in 2014 remains a realistic and achievable prospect"

"We reaffirm that Giovanni Trapattoni is to remain in charge of the national team.

Robbie Keane, Marc Wilson and Robbie Brady will start for Ireland when they take on the Faroe Islands in their World Cup 2014 qualification game on Tuesday evening in Tórshavn.

Under-pressure manager Giovanni Trapittoni is facing growing pressure from supporters, former players and the media after a dismal defeat to Germany last week and his player selection.

Ireland assistant boss Marco Tardelli is adamant that Ireland will go into their World Cup qualifier against Germany on Friday looking to secure all three points.

"We will try to win, it's normal for us. If we can win against Germany, it will be important for the team and for the country"

"But a draw?

Ireland under-19 manager Paul Doolin today announced his squad for the upcoming UEFA U19 Championships qualifying tournament.

Ireland will travel to Luxembourg next month where they will meet the hosts, FYR Macedonia and Germany in Group Five.

Thursday October 11
Ireland v Luxembourg


Saturday October 13
FYR Macedonia v Ireland

Tuesday October 16
Ireland v Germany


The top two nations qualify for the Elite Qualifying Round with the finals tournament in Lithuania next summer.

Ireland U17's secured an impressive 4-1 victory over hosts Macedonia in the second game of their UEFA Championships qualifying group in Skopje today.

Tom Mohan's side produced a disciplined and composed performance to move top of Group Ten on goal difference ahead of Sweden, who beat Romania 2-1 in the other game in the group.

Giovanni Trapattoni has named his starting eleven for tomorrow night's friendly international against Oman at Craven Cottage.

Kevin Doyle will captain Ireland for only the second time in his career in what is an experimental side, with a number of fringe & new players being given the opportunity to impress the Irish boss.

Ireland manager Giovanni Trapattoni has named his starting eleven for tomorrow's World Cup qualifier in Kazakhstan

Trap has named a back four of John O'Shea, Darren O'Dea, Sean St Ledger and Stephen Ward will line up in front of Sunderland keeper Keiren Westwood.

Wigan's James McCarthy starts in a four-man midfield that also contains Aiden McGeady, Simon Cox, and Glenn Whelan, while Jon Walters gets the nod ahead of Kevin Doyle to partner Robbie Keane up front.

Ireland Under-21 team boss Noel King has named his squad for the forthcoming UEFA U21 Championship qualifying Group Seven fixtures with Hungary and Italy.

The Irish face Hungary in Kecskemét on Thursday September 6 then meet the Italians in Casarano four days later.

"We have two games to go in our group and the simply facts are that if we win the two of them we'll get at least second place and hopefully that will secure a playoff place," said King.

Ireland Under-21 manager Noel King today announced his squad for the crucial UEFA U21 Championships Group Seven qualifying round match against Turkey.

The Irish will host the Turks in Sligo on August 14th.

King has a number of players available to him that were unable to feature in the 2-2 draw with Italy in June while several of the squad moved to new clubs in the close season.

Ireland international defender Richard Dunne has consulted Aston Villa manager Paul Lambert for advice about whether to retire from international football to focus on his club career.


Asked if he'd considered retirement, Dunne, who is entering the final year of his Villa contract, replied: "Yes, it has a few times.

Ireland international James McClean is already focused on Ireland's upcoming World Cup qualifying campaign and is hoping that Giovanni Trapattoni gives him the game time so he can show some of the excellent form witnessed at club level last season.

The Derry born winger saw only 14 minutes of competitive action for Ireland in the European Championships but is keen to claim a starting berth in the qualifiers which starts away to Kazakhstan in September.

Darron Gibson's move to Everton has helped to bolster his international credentials, according to Ireland boss Giovanni Trapattoni.

The 24-year-old Derryman impressed his experienced Italian manager as he shone during Ireland's 1-0 Euro 2012 warm-up win over Bosnia last Saturday.

Giovanni Trapattoni has named his starting eleven for tomorrow's Euro 2012 warm up game against Bosnia and Herzegovina at Lansdowne Road Dublin.

The team includes a start for Derry winger James McClean, while as expected, Keiren Westwood steps in for the injured Shay Given.

Darron Gibson And Glenn Whelan make up the central midfield pairing while, Kevin Doyle will parner Robbie Keane up front.

With only a couple of weeks to go until the 20,000+ Green Army leaves home shores for Euro 2012, it would seem that we have as many Ireland Euro 2012 songs as we have travelling fans.


Some are great, some are decent & some are...well...different!


So for your enjoyment i've linked below a selection of all the above mentioned.

Richard Dunne has spoken of his excitement at making the trip to Poland for the Euro 2012 finals next month, and going head to head against some of the world's best teams.

Ireland kick-off their Euro 2012 campaign against Croatia on Sunday June 10th in Poznan.They will then meet Spain – the tournament favourites and reigning world and European champions - in Gdansk on June 14th before meeting Italy in Poznan on June 18th.

Ireland have continued their march up the FIFA rankings list. The home draw with the Czech Republic has resulted in Giovanni Trapattoni's side moving up one spot to 18th place alongside Switzerland in the latest world rankings announced by FIFA.

It's Ireland's highest ranking since the summer of 2005 and shows the continued progress made by Giovanni Trapattoni during his four year reign as Irish boss.

Ireland international James McClean capped off a great few days with a man of the match display as Sunderland defeated QPR at the Stadium Of Light.

fresh from signing a new Black Cats contract yesterday, the Derryman set up the first goal, added one of his own before playing a crucial role in the third to secure a 3-1 victory over QPR.

Ireland midfielder Glenn Whelan has spoken of his pride at becoming Stoke City's most-capped international player.

Dublin born Whelan won his 37th cap against the Czech Republic on 29 February and that surpassed the 36 appearances made by England goalkeeper Gordon Banks during his five-year spell with the Potters.

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.

Sunderland midfielder James McClean has been called into Giovanni Trapattoni's Ireland squad for the friendly at Lansdowne Road on 29 February.

McClean tweeted after hearing the news of his international call-up: "Absolutely buzzin and honoured to be called up to represent my country.

Ireland international Keith Andrews is already eyeing up a long-term future with West Brom following a dream debut in last week's mauling of Wolves.

Dublin born Andrews, who started his career with Wolves in 1999, playing in 72 matches over six years, scored West Brom's fourth goal in the 5-1 rout at Molineux.

Shane Duffy @ShaneDuffy34
Seamus Coleman @seamiecoleman23
Steven Reid @stevenreid12
Noel Hunt @boyhunt
James McClean @JMcC_23
Shay Given @No1shaygiven
Anthony Stokes @stoksey10
Conor Henderson @Henderson_91
Matt Holland @mattholland8
David Meyler @DavidMeyler
Kevin Long @kevinlong28
Jay O'Shea @Jayoshea23
Dylan Hayes @DylHayes
Jack Grealish @JackGrealish1
Derrick Williams @DerickWilliams_
Gary O'Neill @GaryONeill_8
Bradley Lewis @BradleyLewis_1
Ciaran Clark @CiaranClark_21
Sean Long @Seanie95
Dylan McGlade @Dylan_McGlade
Dean Keily @deankiely40
Stephen Folan @StephenFolan
Callum Morris @Calmorris37
Conor Hourihane @ConorHourihane
Dave Langan @DavyLangan
Paul McGrath @Paulmcgrath5
Clinton Morrison @morrisonclinton
Rory Delap @Delap24
Wes Hoolihan @weshoolahan14
Simon Cox @Scoxy31Real
Conor Clifford @conorclifford91
Kevin Long @kevinlong28
Kenneth McEvoy @kennethMcevoy
Sean Scannell @BigScanz
Damien Delaney @damiendelaneyIT
Darren Randolph @Randz587
Karl Sheppard @karlsheppard21
Enda Stevens @Estevens1990
Jamie McDevitt @jamiedevitt20
Rhys Murphy @_murphy34
Ronan Murray @RonanMurray28
Mark Connolly @Mark5Connolly
Liam Irwin @1liamirwin
Ben Glasgow @Ben_Glasgow
Samir Carruthers @SamirCarruthers
Mikey Drennan @mikeydrennan
Sean Murray @seanmuzza
Connor Smith @connorsmith1993
Jamie Smith @Jamie_smith5
Kealan Dillon @KealanDillon

Irish boss Giovanni Trapattoni has called Everton defender Shane Duffy into the Ireland squad for this month's international friendly against Czech Republic at Lansdowne Road.

The 20-year-old Derry born defender will replace Richard Dunne in the 24-man squad after the Villa defender learned he will sidelined for eight weeks with a fractured clavicle suffered during Villa's 1-0 defeat to Manchester City yesterday afternoon.

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.

Everton Boss David Moyes has praised the maturity of Ireland U21 International Shane Duffy after his home Premier League debut at Goodison Park yesterday against Blackburn.

Speaking after the 1-1 draw Moyes said "Shane Duffy had a terrific game. He was arguably our best player today and he's a young boy; we just needed a lot more in every department.

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.

Everton have completed the signing of Irish international midfielder Darron Gibson from Manchester United for an undisclosed fee.

The 24-year-old Derry born international joins on a four-and-a-half year deal and will wear the number 4 shirt.

Gibson, whose last appearance for United came in a 5-0 win over Wigan on Boxing Day, will arrive at Finch Farm immediately and could make his debut when the Blues take on Aston Villa at Villa Park on Saturday.

Despite the recent bold pronouncements by new NI boss Michael O'Neill regarding his intention to stop players from the North opting to play for Ireland rather than his IFA team, it would seem, going by player statements in the past week, that his misguided mission is likely to continue falling on deaf-ears with players and supporters alike.

Ipswich boss Paul Jewell is hopeful of signing Leicester City defender Sean St Ledger after agreeing a fee as well as personal terms with the player.

But Jewell says the 27-year-old Irish international, who has made eight league starts this term, has a number of offers to consider.

Stephen Hunt has spoken of his excitement and the ‘buzz' surrounding the build up to Ireland's trip to the Euro 2012 finals in Poland next month.

Speaking to Ciarán Ó Raghallaigh on the Over The Line podcast Hunt spoke of his ‘unbelievable memories' of watching Ireland during the 1990 World Cup in Italy and the 2002 world Cup in Japan, and his hope of emulating the player s of previous campaigns.