Surprises in Trapattoni's first squad
by Gareth Maher, 13 May 2008
Giovanni Trapattoni has sprung a few surprises in his first squad as Republic of Ireland manager.
The Italian has named a 28-man squad to travel to Portgual as part of a training camp before competing in friendly matches against Serbia and Colombia this month.
Robbie Keane stays on as captain and there are a number of familiar faces in the final selection, along with plenty of new players that have been given a chance to impress.
As expected Stephen Ireland, Andrew O'Brien, and Steve Finnan have not been included, so Trapattoni has decided to switch his focus to players that are eager to fight for their place.
Crystal Palace youngster Sean Scannell, Ipswich Town midfielder Owen Garvan, and Blackpool winger Wesley Hoolahan earn their first call-ups, while QPR duo Damien Delaney and Martin Rowlands and Cardiff City's Stephen McPhail are rewarded for playing so well for their respective clubs.
West Bromwich Albion shot-stopper Dean Kiely has returned from international retirement and he will battle with it out with Scunthorpe United's Joe Murphy and Birmingham City's Colin Doyle for the number one jersey that is vacant due to injuries to Shay Given and Wayne Henderson.
Injuries keep out the aforementioned keepers as well as Lee Carsley, Kevin Kilbane, Joey O'Brien, and Steven Reid. There is no room in the final squad for Paddy Kenny, Clinton Morrison, or Stephen Elliott.
"Any player who is not in this squad is still in my thoughts," Trapattoni told the FAI website.
"Some players who were not in the preliminary squad are in this squad because they have impressed and are playing in positions where we had vacancies.
"We will continue to monitor every Irish player from the start of next season and if they impress they will be brought into the squad.
"The next two weeks are important. It is my first opportunity to work with the players and I am looking forward to it. We will have two training games in Portugal and the games against Serbia and Colombia so I will get to see all the players playing."
Republic of Ireland Squad
Goalkeepers: Colin Doyle, Dean Kiely, Joe Murphy.
Defenders: Alex Bruce, Damien Delaney, Richard Dunne, Kevin Foley, Stephen Kelly, Paul McShane, Darren O'Dea, John O'Shea.
Midfielders: Damien Duff, Owen Garvan, Darron Gibson, Wes Hoolahan, Stephen Hunt, Aiden McGeady, Stephen McPhail, Liam Miller, Darren Potter, Andy Reid, Martin Rowlands, Sean Scannell, Glenn Whelan.
Forwards: Kevin Doyle, Robbie Keane, Andy Keogh, Shane Long, Daryl Murphy.