Tournament
14.02.2006 at 19:00 -
The Irish U-21 s are off to a tournament in Madeira in mid-February. They open agains Madeira, with further matches against Finland and Portugal, I believe.
Republic of Ireland under-21 squad (for tournament in Madeira, February 14-18):
Goalkeepers: Colin Doyle (Birmingham City), Darren Quigley (UCD).
Defenders: Keith Keane (Luton Town), Gerard Nash (Ipswich Town), Paul McShane (Manchester United – on loan at Brighton), Marcos Painter (Birmingham City), James Hand (Huddersfield Town), Shane McFaul (Notts County).
Midfielders: Gary Dicker (UCD), Michael Collins (Huddersfield Town), Michael Timlin (Fulham), Willo Flood, Stephen Ireland (both Manchester City), Stephen Foley (Aston Villa – on loan at Bournemouth), Stephen Bradley (Drogheda United) , Roy O Donovan (Cork City).
Forwards: Aiden McGeady (Celtic), Stephen Ward (Bohemians), Andy Keogh (Scunthorpe United), Mark Yeates (Tottenham – on loan at Colchester United).
Due to injuries and club commitments the following players will not be part of the travelling squad:
Paul McShane (Brighton & Hove Albion)
Gerard Nash (Ipswich Town)
Stephen Bradley (Drogheda United)
Mark Yeates (Colchester United)
Aiden McGeady (Celtic)
Andy Keogh (Scunthorpe United)
Barry Corr (Sheffield Wednesday) - replaced Andy Keogh but now cannot travel.
The following players will replace the above:
Darren O Dea (Celtic)
Richard Keogh (Bristol City)
Patrick Cregg (Falkirk)
Leon Best (Southampton)
Alan O Brien (Newcastle)
Republic of Ireland manager Steve Staunton will be an interested spectator as the national U21 side contest a four team Madeira tournament.
Staunton travelled primarily to run the rule over exciting 19-year-old talent Stephen Ireland. However, the Manchester City midfielder withdrew from the squad yesterday following a groin injury sustained over the weekend. Ireland has been replaced by Waterford Uniteds Stephen Grant.
It was to be the first time that Ireland figured for his country since an altercation with Brian Kerr a few years ago.
Ireland U21 boss Don Givens believes the teenage sensation should figure in Stauntons plans for next months senior international friendly against Sweden.
"It was important to get him involved again. His past history is well documented, but that is in the past."
Though Ireland is not on show Givens believes that Stauntons trip will not have been wasted.
"I know Steve will be watching our first game against Madeira, which is good for the rest of the lads."
Givens hopes Staunton does not have the problems he has encountered over the past few days because of the original 20-man squad named on January 25, just 10 remain.
It has led to a flood of telephone calls in a bid to plug the gaps, with a frustrated Givens exclaiming: "It has been chaos. It was similar two years ago, but not to this extent, and means we go into the tournament with an understrength squad. But it is a chance for some of the lads to shine."
REPUBLIC U21 SQUAD: D Quigley (UCD), K Keane (Luton), J Hand (Huddersfield Town) , D O Dea (Celtic), R Keogh (Bristol City), G Dicker (UCD), R O Donovan (Cork City), S Ward (Bohemians), M Timlin (Fulham), A O Brien (Newcastle United), K O Connor (Wolves), C Deans (Waterford), A Keogh (Scunthorpe), A Stokes (Arsenal), D Randolph (Charlton Athletic), D O Carroll (Celtic), D Tyrell (Drogheda), J Hayes (Reading), S Grant (Waterford).
Finished Madeira 1-1 Ireland. Sub Jonathan Hayes got the equalizer for Ireland.
Starting XI for the match against Madeira (kickoff 4:00PM)
Darren Quigley (UCD);
Keith Keane (Luton Town),
Richard Keogh (Bristol City),
Christopher Deans (Waterford United),
James Hand (Huddersfield Town):
Roy O Donovan (Cork City),
Gary Dicker (UCD),
Michael Timlin (Fulham),
Alan O Brien (Newcastle Utd);
Stephen Ward (Bohemians),
Andy Keogh (Scunthorpe Utd).
The other members of the squad are:
Darren O Dea (Celtic),
Kevin O Connor (Wolverhampton Wanderers),
Anthony Stokes (Arsenal) - will join up this evening
Darren Randolph (Charlton Athletic),
Diarmuid O Carroll (Celtic),
Derek Tyrell (Drogheda United),
Jonathan Hayes (Reading),
Stephen Grant (Waterford United).
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