Soccer

Nine uncapped players in Irish squad

Republic of Ireland manager Steve Staunton has included nine uncapped players in his squad for the two-match trip to the USA …

Tue May 08 2007 - 01:00

Republic of Ireland manager Steve Staunton has included nine uncapped players in his squad for the two-match trip to the USA later this month.

Sunderland striker Daryl Murphy and Birmingham goalkeeper Colin Doyle have been rewarded for helping their teams to Premiership promotion with call-ups ahead of the matches against Ecuador and Bolivia.

Murphy scored twice in Sunday's 5-0 win at Luton which wrapped up the title for Roy Keane's team, while Doyle has impressed in the closing stages of the campaign as Birmingham joined Sunderland in reclaiming their Premiership status at the first attempt.

Sean St Ledger (Preston), Alex Bruce (Ipswich), Derek Geary (Sheffield United), Joseph O'Cearuill (Arsenal), Caleb Folan (Wigan) and Wolves duo Darren Potter and Andy Keogh have also been drafted into the squad for the games.

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Staunton has named 23 players in his provisional squad, which will be finalised after the Championship play-off semi-final between Wolves and West Brom.

Keogh and Molineux team-mate Darren Potter are likely to feature in the two-legged clash, as is Albion defender Paul McShane.

Staunton explained: "This is an opportunity for players to stake a claim to be in the squad when the Euro 2008 campaign resumes in the autumn.

"It will give me and the management team a chance to look at these players up close and it will also give them valuable international experience."

The match against Ecuador will take place in New York's Giants Stadium on May 23rd, with the Bolivia match due to be played in Boston's Gillette Stadium three days later.

Rep of Ireland:  Nicky Colgan (Barnsley), Wayne Henderson (Preston), Colin Doyle (Birmingham), Stephen Kelly (Birmingham), Paul McShane (West Bromwich), Sean St Ledger (Preston), Alex Bruce (Ipswich), Derke Geary (Sheffield United), Joseph O'Cearuill (Arsenal), John O'Shea (Manchester United), Kevin Kilbane (Wigan), Darren Potter (Wolves), Stephen Ireland (Manchester City), Stephen Hunt (Reading),  Alan O'Brien (Newcastle), Kevin Doyle (Reading), Shane Long (Reading), Caleb Folan (Wigan), Daryl Murphy (Sunderland), Stephen Elliott (Sunderland), Liam Miller (Sunderland), Anthony Stokes (Sunderland), Andy Keogh (Wolves).