Advertisement
Is this it? Dunne, Given and Duff will face fresh questions about their international future if omitted. ©INPHO/Donall Farmer

Senior pros set to miss out on Serbia squad - reports

Shay Given, Richard Dunne, Robbie Keane and Damien Duff could all sit out next month’s trip to Serbia, according to reports this morning.

FOUR SENIOR Republic of Ireland internationals are set to miss out on a place in Giovanni Trapattoni’s squad for next month’s friendly against Serbia, according to reports this morning.

Shay Given, Richard Dunne, Robbie Keane and Damien Duff could all be omitted when the Italian names his 23-man squad at 1pm this afternoon, the Irish Independent and Irish Sun report.

The Boys in Green travel to Belgrade on 15 August for a warm-up match ahead of their opening World Cup 2014 qualifier in Kazakhstan in September.

But the senior quartet, who have racked up over 400 Irish caps between them, may be left at home.

Whether the move signals the beginning of the end for the stars’ distinguished international careers, or whether the notoriously conservative Trapattoni intends to use the game to blood some fresh faces for the road to Rio remains to be seen.

Trapattoni will name his squad in Ballybofey, Donegal this afternoon ahead of the FAI’s AGM which takes place in Letterkenny tomorrow.

Would you like to see the four veterans travel to Serbia next month?


Poll Results:

No - it's time to freshen up the squad completely. (127)
No - but I still think they should be part of the World Cup campaign. (111)
Yes - we shouldn't be so quick to cast off experienced players. (9)

Former Republic of Ireland international Sean O’Driscoll to coach Nottingham Forest

Europa League reports: Pat’s undone by late goal, as Sligo errors punished

Close
Comments
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute David OfBrien
    Favourite David OfBrien
    Report
    Nov 16th 2017, 4:52 PM

    Some player in his prime

    147
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Havid Dickey
    Favourite Havid Dickey
    Report
    Nov 16th 2017, 5:02 PM

    Stood up in that first test when someone needed too.

    72
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Limón Madrugada
    Favourite Limón Madrugada
    Report
    Nov 16th 2017, 5:06 PM

    Great support play , he loved following Drico in 2009 .

    56
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Aidan Kearney
    Favourite Aidan Kearney
    Report
    Nov 16th 2017, 8:36 PM

    One hell of a player, really stood out as a Lion. One club man. Best wishes.

    39
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Mark McVeigh
    Favourite Mark McVeigh
    Report
    Nov 16th 2017, 7:00 PM

    The autobiography has got to be called – ‘lions tours and injuries’ – great flanker even if he did spend most of his time out wide.

    14
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Gustave H
    Favourite Gustave H
    Report
    Nov 17th 2017, 5:26 AM

    A fantastic player and career. Considering his injury record he’s been astonishingly successful.

    Hopefully his injuries don’t cause him too much trouble going forward.

    A legendary lion.

    5
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Kevin Heaney
    Favourite Kevin Heaney
    Report
    Nov 17th 2017, 9:09 AM

    A show pony who got dump tackled over the sideline by Paddy Wallace!!

    4
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Cian O' Neill
    Favourite Cian O' Neill
    Report
    Nov 16th 2017, 6:18 PM

    A marvellous player. A real barn storming back row forward. Great to watch

    1
Submit a report
Please help us understand how this comment violates our community guidelines.
Thank you for the feedback
Your feedback has been sent to our team for review.