SOME MAY HAVE viewed it as a pointless friendly, but for Richard Dunne and Wes Hoolahan, yesterday’s win over Georgia looks to have earned them spots in the starting XI for the World Cup qualifier against the Faroes Islands.
In front of an extremely small crowd at the Aviva Stadium, Ireland comfortably saw off the visitors, who had their goalkeeper Giorgi Loria sent off in the first half, thanks to goals Richard Keogh, Robbie Keane (2) and Simon Cox.
Friday sees Giovanni Trapattoni’s men play their only competitive fixture of the four-game schedule as Group C’s whipping boys the Faroe Islands arrive in Dublin.
After months of fans calling for Norwich playmaker Hoolahan’s inclusion in the team, Trap named him alongside James McCarthy in midfield and he came up with a number of telling passes before being taken off for debutant Stephen Quinn on 75 minutes.
When asked if Hoolahan would retain his place in the team at his media briefing in Malahide today, Trap said: “90% yes. We have no training today. After tomorrow we can also put things in place more.
“In Hoolahan there is the player who is clever and intelligent. I know before that he can do this. When you asked me about Hoolahan before I said his age is 30 years, we start a new generation for the next season.
“I said also maybe I ignored this a little bit. We achieved the qualification with Gibson, Whelan, Andrews.”
Hoolahan on the ball against Georgia. Credit: INPHO/Ryan Byrne
Dunne made his first appearance in a year when he was introduced on the 65-minute mark and was glad to be finally putting his nightmare run of injuries behind him.
Playing the defender, who is currently without a club, from the start could be a bit of a risk but the Italian believes he is ready.
I said probably yesterday but after this performance I saw him training well also. I think about the Faroe Islands he will be 90% on the pitch.
“Today I don’t see them and I am not a magician. When he comes back I will call him. Maybe two or three will come back after the day off and will have had an accident,” he joked, while explaining that he will evaluate the fitness of his squad tomorrow.
“I can’t say now 100% yes, (but) 90% yes. When they will be here I can be clear.”
Reporting by Niall Kelly
Forde – Coleman, O’Shea, Dunne, Wilson – McGeady, McCarthy, Hendrick, McClean – Hoolahan, Long….Now there’s an Irish line up I wouldn’t have a grumble with…
Good selection, have Keane as an impact sub then.
Missing a goal scorer ala keane.
Only saying goal scorer because of last game but I agree with impact sub above…Keane doesn’t have the strength Long has to battle defenders when your a lone striker, He would be too easily marked out the match…it’s either Keane – Walters or Long – Hoolahan…need an inventive attacker, Hoolahan is the only option we have
So who should we complain about not being in the team next?
Stephen Ireland or andy Reid will have a couple of decent games and the media will jump on them to be in the team.
If your an opposing manager. Trap is a dream. He tells you the day before who’s playing and how they line up. Any other manager anywhere else do this?
David Meyler
Forde. ..Coleman. .O Shea…Dunne. ..Wilson..
Walters. ..McGeady. .Whelan…McClean. .Holohan..Keane….
Guy’s. ..long and McCarthy are suspended…
Darren Gibson should be in the team and we badly need a decent keeper
Forde’s been excellent since getting the No.1 jersey albeit abit on the old side…is it just me or does Hendrick look a classy player, we desperately need an attack minded CM player who can bomb back just as quick, he seems like the guy for the job…Whelan out and Hendrick in…
Totally agree. Forde has done a damn good job. I like the look of Hendrick & I think Coleman has to be first choice right back from here on in.
Forde is the best of the middling bunch of available keepers. Experienced and playing first team ball. Much better option than Westwood for sure. And as you surely know at this stage Gibson has made himself unavailable for selection.
Forde is not rated highly by his club supporters. Also his kicking is dreadful, if ye look at some of the calls we conceded you will see they are caused by his bad kickouts(including eng goal)
You can only play with what’s put in front of you…Forde can kick long just the same as any other keeper but we don’t want that, short balls to def/mid is what gets a team going forward quickly, it needs those def/mid’s to show for the ball and have the confidence to do the right thing when they get it…Trap doesn’t inspire confidence in any of our players..We have such a decent squad they just need to be put together properly and told to show what they can do…
Yeah sure lets stick Ben foster in goals England don’t really use him sure! As I said he’s the best option out of a very average bunch of available keepers. Do you understand how international eligibility rules work?