The Boss, Mick McCarthy will announce his squad for the World Cup finals in Japan on Tuesday next, ending months of slow torture for Ireland Fans all around the world. It should also clarify the situation as to whether some players should, or should not book their own personal summer holidays. McCarthy will hold a press conference on Tuesday 7 May at 10:30am where he will name the players for the Far East.
The squad which he names' on Tuesday will also be involved in the Niall Quinn benefit game against Sunderland on May 14 and in a friendly international two days later on May 16 when Nigeria will provide the opposition at Lansdowne Road. Quinn has just announced that he will play one half in Green for the boys, and the other half in Red n White for the Black Cats. The Republic of Ireland National Squad will leave Dublin on their World Cup quest on May 17 with Saipan the initial acclimatisation base before the Cameroon game in Niigata on June 1.
Richard Dunne and/or Andy O'Brien could travel, however Mark Kennedy has still to prove his fitness and the "lately" out of favour Lee Carsley, is there to cover anyway. Mick is very fond of both Reid and Healy. However there’s probably no harm in predicting that the below players in "bold" will be our main squad travelling. In total, 3 Goalkeepers, 17 outfield players and disappointment for 3 of the other 6. Unless Kelly (Alan) is unfit, Colgan will stay at home. ROLL ON TUESDAY! 1. Shay Given (Newcastle) 2. Dean Kiely (Charlton) 3. Alan Kelly (Blackburn) 4. Steve Finnan (Fulham) 5. Gary Kelly (Leeds) 6. Gary Breen (Coventry) 7. Kenny Cunningham (Wimbledon) 8. Richard Dunne (Man City) "AND/OR" Andy O’Brien (Newcastle) 9. Stephen Staunton (Villa) 10. Stephen Reid (Millwall) OR Colin Healy (Celtic, Currently loaned to Coventry) 11. Ian Harte (Leeds) 12. Jason McAteer (Sunderland) 13. Roy Keane (Man Utd.) 14. Matt Holland (Ipswich) 15. Gary Doherty (Spurs) 16. Kevin Kilbane (Sunderland) 17. David Connolly (Wimbledon) 18. Lee Carsley (Everton) OR Mark Kennedy (Wolves) 19. Mark Kinsella (Charlton) 20. Niall Quinn (Sunderland) 21. Clinton Morrison (Crystal Palace) 22. Robbie Keane (Leeds) 23. Damien Duff (Blackburn)
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