Mick McCarthy has recalled seven players to the Republic of Ireland squad for the friendly international against Finland in Helsinki on August 21st.
Tottenham’s Stephen Carr, fit again after the knee problems that ruled him out of last season’s Premiership campaign and the World Cup finals, is selected in an Ireland squad for the first time in 12 months.
With the retirement of Alan Kelly, Steve Staunton and Niall Quinn, the manager has recalled six players who featured in Ireland’s preparation for the World Cup but who did not travel to the finals.
Stephen McPhail of Leeds, Celtic’s Colin Healy, Southampton’s Rory Delap, Gary Doherty of Tottenham, Millwall’s Richard Sadlier and Hibernian goalkeeper Nicky Colgan are selected.
Roy Keane, as expected, is not named among the 25. McCarthy confirmed earlier this week that the Manchester United captain would not feature in his plans for the upcoming Euro 2004 qualifying campaign, which starts against Russia in Moscow on September 7th.
Steve Finnan is selected despite picking up an ankle injury last month. He will miss the club’s Premiership fixture with Bolton next weekend but is expected to be fit for the Finland clash.
Mark Kennedy and David Connolly will miss both the Finland and Russia games through injury. Both players have had operations on groin and knee problems respectively and each will sidelined for at least 10 to 12 weeks.
Republic of Ireland squad to play Finland in Helsinki on August 21st
S Given (Newcastle Utd), D Kiely (Charlton), N Colgan (Hibernian); S Carr (Tottenham), S Finnan (Fulham), K Cunningham (Birmingham), G Kelly (Leeds Utd), A O'Brien (Newcastle), G Breen (West Ham), R Dunne (Manchester City), I Harte (Leeds Utd); J McAteer (Sunderland), M Holland (Ipswich), K Kilbane (Sunderland), S Reid (Millwall), C Healy (Celtic), M Kinsella (Charlton), L Carsley (Everton), R Delap (Southampton), Robbie Keane (Leeds Utd), C Morrison (Birmingham), D Duff (Blackburn), S McPhail (Leeds Utd), R Sadlier (Millwall), G Doherty (Tottenham).