Soccer

Martin O’Neill names extended Republic of Ireland squad

Manager is due to have a chat with Stephen Ireland who might then be added to panel

Republic of Ireland manager Martin O’Neill. Photograph: Ryan Byrne/Inpho
Republic of Ireland manager Martin O’Neill. Photograph: Ryan Byrne/Inpho
Fri May 09 2014 - 12:02

Republic of Ireland manager Martin O'Neill today named a provisional 32 man squad ahead of four friendly games in May and June. Ireland face Turkey on May 25th in the Aviva stadium followed by Italy at Craven Cottage on May 31st, Costa Rica in PPL Stadium, Philadelphia on June 6th and finally Portugal in Metlife Stadium, New Jersey on June 10th.

The squad will be trimmed down before it convenes on May 22nd. Speaking at today's press conference in FAI headquarters, O'Neill explained: "These four games will provide us with great preparation for our first European qualifier against Georgia in September.

“I have enjoyed working with the players to date, and intend to use this extended period with them in Mayand June to give me the opportunity to experiment and familiarise myself with the squad further.’

O’Neill was quizzed about the absence of Stephen Ireland. He explained: “It is a provisional squad and in accordance with the rules and regulations I can add and subtract as the case may be.

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“I met up with some of the lads at Stoke but I wanted to see Stephen by myself and I wanted the season to be over. I still intend to do that.”

O’Neill also explained why Richard Dunne was omitted. “”He’s a player I know inside out. He’s had a long season. I wouldn’t know the last time he went through a full season and barely missed a game.”

Dunne had previously indicated that he didn’t want to be considered for the upcoming matches. O’Neill added: “I have options. I wouldn’t mind looking at someone else.

Republic of Ireland squad: D Forde (Millwall); D Randolph (Birmingham City), R Elliot (Newcastle Utd), R Keogh (Derby County), M Wilson (Stoke City), S Coleman (Everton), J O'Shea (Sunderland), A Pearce (Reading), S Kelly (Reading), D Delaney (Crystal Palace), J O'Brien (West Ham), S Duffy (Everton), J McCarthy (Everton), J Hendrik (Derby County), C Clark (Aston Villa), S Ward (Brighton), G Whelan (Stoke City), P Green (Leeds Utd), A McGeady (Everton), A Pilkington (Norwich City), J McClean (Wigan Athletic), S Quinn (Hull City), D Meyler (Hull City), W Hoolahan (Norwich City), R Keane (LA Galaxy), S Long (Hull City), D Murphy (Ipswich Town), J Walters (Stoke City), K Doyle (QPR), A Stokes (Celtic), S Cox (Nottingham Forest), C Sammon (Derby County).