AS REPUBLIC of Ireland manager Brian Kerr prepares for tomorrow's match against Morocco in the last 16 stage of the World Youths Championship finals in Kuala Lumpur, his squad of 18 is somewhat depleted.
Yesterday morning, Athlone Town's Trevor Molloy was added to the casualty list. Molloy limped out of Sunday's 1-1 draw with China with an ankle injury. He was taken to hospital where an X ray revealed there was nothing broken. "That at least was a relief," said Dr Conal Hooper, medical officer with the party.
It now depends on Molloy's powers of recovery as to whether or not he will be fit enough to face the Moroccans. Including him on the list of casualties, however reduces the number of fully available players to 14 and if you allow one place for the goalkeeper (reserve Paul Whelan), then the number becomes just 13 for 10 outfield positions with the possibility of three substitutions.
The three definite nonstarters for tomorrow's game are goalkeeper Derek O'Connor and captain Thomas Morgan, who are both suspended, and John Burns, whose injured foot will still not be sound enough to allow him to play.
Yesterday, goalkeeper O'Connor was still finding it difficult to come to terms with the decision of Uruguayan referee da Rosa to send him off for timewasting on his kickouts against China.
"I could hardly believe my eyes, said O'Connor. "That's the way I always kick out the ball. I, take a light pause before I actually kick the ball but that is only to get my feet right and to get my balance.
"Anyway, you are only talking about one or two seconds. No more. There is no way I had any intention of timewasting.
"I was shattered when I saw the referee's action. I couldn't believe it. It will be very disappointing to miss the game against the Moroccans but the important thing is that we got through. It is a terrific achievement," said the Huddersfield Town goalkeeper.
