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.
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.
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 will be based in Gdynia in Poland for Euro 2012, the Football Association today
confirmed
Giovanni Trapattoni and Marco Tardelli visited Poland this week to sign off on the base camp for
the finals.
Gdynia is located in the Pomeranian region of Poland and is part of a metropolitan area around the
city of Gdansk, known as Tricity.
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.
The Football Association of Ireland, in association with Three and supporter's group, ‘You Boys
in Green' today (November 4) joined the campaign to encourage fans to ‘Go Green on November
15'.
The campaign aims to encourage fans all over the country to get behind the team by wearing green on
November 15 when Ireland take on Estonia in the second leg of the EURO 2012 Play-off in Aviva
Stadium.
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.
Click HERE to listen
This is episode 2 in our series as excitement builds ahead of the playoff clash with Estonia. On
this epsiode, two dedicated Irish supporters join us to give their views.
We have John from YBIG.ie, a Raheny man looking forward to jetting off to Tallinn.
Ireland Under 21 international Conor Henderson has signed a new Arsenal contract to commit his long
term future to the Gunners.
Henderson has yet to make the breakthrough into the first team at the Emirates Stadium but is rated
extremely highly by club bosses.
The midfielder was a regular for the reserves last term and travelled with Arsene Wenger's senior
squad for the pre-season trip to Germany, only to suffer a knee injury that has kept him sidelined
for the past few months.
