CONTINUING the winds of change which are sweeping through the Republic of Ireland set up, Mick McCarthy has called up a further three uncapped players in his latest offering, the 26 man squad for the games against Celtic, pg, Croatia and Holland at the turn of the month.
The latest recruits are the precocious 18 year old Watford striker David Connolly Millwall's under 21 international midfielder Davey Savage, and another recent Republic of Ireland under 21 player, Birmingham centre half Gary Breen.
Also retained are the uncapped 20 year old pair of Norwich striker Keith O'Neill and Aston Villa midfielder Gareth Farrelly as well as Alan Moore and Curtis Fleming, who won their first caps in Prague last month when added to the original squad.
The other additions to the original squad for the Czech game are Alan Kernaghan, who was subsequently drafted onto the substitutes' bench, and Roy Keane, suspended for that game following his dismissal against Russia in March.
The three omissions are Packie Bonner (who will play for Celtic in McCarthy's testimonial on youth the first of these end of season games and then become the squad's goal keeping coach), Gary Kelly, who requires an operation on his troublesome knee injury, and John Aldridge, the Tranmere player manager who may well have played his last game for the Republic.
Another significant omission, again, is the Sheffield Wednesday midfielder John Sheridan yet to be called in to any of McCarthy's three squads so far. "If some of the other players don't do a job then I'll bring him back in," said McCarthy pointedly yesterday. "He's still only 30 but I need to look at the other fellas."
As regards the newcomers, McCarthy said. "Connolly is the big bonus. He's had some problems with injury this season and I'm just keeping my fingers crossed that he's okay. If he is, I will definitely cap him.
"The kids are in the squad with one eye on America they will definitely be going to the US Cup (in early June). It's important to have a look at the likes of Davey Savage and Gareth Farrelly."
. The Republic of Ireland under 16 side have qualified for the quarter finals of the European Championship finals after their 1-0 win over Poland in their concluding group tie in Wurmla, Austria yesterday, courtesy of a 64th minute goal by Leeds United's Stephen McPhail. The Irish will meet France in the last eight in Anstetten on Monday (kick off 1.00 local time).
