With 48 days remaining until Ireland’s opening match against Croatia at Euro 2012 on June 10th, who are the likely lads who will make the plane to Poland & Ukraine. Keep in mind, this is not the squad that I necessarily think should go, but rather will go as selected by Giovanni Trappatoni.
23 Man Squad
3 Goalkeepers
8 Defenders
8 Midfielders
4 Strikers
Let’s start with the keepers
Goalkeepers
Shay Given
One of the easier picks, 120 caps and rising, a vital part of this Irish side and one of the most respected keepers in the game. Deserves a big tournament following heroic service and some stunning displays.
Kieran Westwood
A quality keeper, who has had game time for Sunderland this season. A great understudy to Shay and more than capable if called upon.
Darren Randolph
Experiencing a tournament will be beneficial for his development. Whenever Shay Given decides to retire, you would imagine that Westwood will then step in and Randolph will be ready to deputise. Clearly though, as is the same with all third choice keepers, he will struggle for minutes on the pitch.
Defenders
John O’ Shea
One of the first names on the team sheet, great experience but more importantly big game experience from his time at Manchester United.
On several occasions has stifled some of Europe’s most feared attackers, Thierry Henry in the 2009 Champions League Final springs to mind. Has had slight injury setbacks this year but well thought of at Sunderland under Martin O’ Neill. Calm and collected on the ball.
Kevin Foley
Enjoying his football at Wolves and has never disappointed when called upon for his country. Reliable.
Sean St. Ledger
Has formed a more than solid defensive partnership with Richard Dunne and you get the feeling that he enjoys playing alongside him. Can be erratic at times but his bravery is one of the hallmarks of this Irish side. Dangerous in the opposition’s box at set pieces.
Richard Dunne
Our most important player, simple as that. Deserves more than anyone to play in a major finals having more or less missed out at the World Cup in 2002.
Paul McShane
Comes into the same category as St Ledger, actually don’t think there’s that much between them. Brave and can do a job.
Darren O’ Dea
Some might question his inclusion but the fact of the matter is that Trappatoni likes him. Fabulous performance out in Macedonia during qualification where he did very well against Goran Pandev. A traditional centre-half who loves defending.
Stephen Ward
Has made the left back slot his own, consistent form at Wolves has translated well into the international set up. Hopefully Wolves relegation to the Championship won’t have dampened his confidence too much. Ward’s positioning is sometimes a little suspect but overall he’s a lot better than other left fulls out there.
Stephen Kelly
A decent amount of experience on the international scene under his belt at this stage and is comfortable in either full back slot. Vital to have flexibility in tournament situations.
Midfielders
Damien Duff
Never lets his country down, always, always turns in a good display, in a side with not too much emphasis on creativity, a heavy burden rests on Duffer’s shoulders but he is finishing the season well with Fulham.
Seamus Coleman
Many people would argue for his inclusion, but I don’t see him playing at right back because John O’ Shea is there and I don’t see him playing wide on the left or on the right because Duff & McGeady have to play and will play in my view.
Make no mistake, Coleman will be effective in this tournament, just imagine a full back after spending sixty or seventy minutes defending against Duff or maybe McGeady and on comes Coleman with fresh legs rearing to go, running at defenders.
Coleman has featured in several recent squads which makes his inclusion likely but must be utilised this summer.
Glenn Whelan
Some aren’t his biggest fan, particularly the RTE Panel; the thing is though, if fit, he will play. Whelan has played in almost every competitive international since Trappatoni took over.
Looks to be a bit heavy legged come the 70 minute mark in games and doesn’t use the ball well enough on occasions. Can pop up with a goal though as was emphasised against Georgia (away) and Italy (home) during the 2010 World Cup qualification campaign.
Darron Gibson
A January move to Everton has turned the Derry man’s season around. Gibson has enjoyed a fine run in David Moyes side and crucially has played a key role in big games for Everton, most notably firing in the winner against Manchester City back in January.
The former Manchester United man has started a decent amount of matches under Trappatoni and has been involved in the majority of the Italian’s squads. This coupled with his recent form at Everton should secure his place on the plane.
Keith Andrews
Finished the qualification campaign very strongly, particularly in the first leg of the play off in Tallinn where he opened the scoring. Also amongst the goals while on loan at Ipswich and has blossomed in a West Brom shirt since joining the Baggies in January. Not a whole pile of craft with the ball but has a good engine. Will start.
Keith Fahy
Many people feel, (myself included) that Fahy warrants a starting berth in this team. Extremely comfortable on the ball, and fantastic delivery from set pieces. Should get a decent amount of time on the pitch in Poland.
Aiden McGeady
McGeady is our most dangerous attacking option, opposition teams double up on him every time he takes to the field. Versatile on either flank and loves cutting in and firing off his right boot but can just as easily take a full back down the line and get his cross in. A crucial player.
Stephen Hunt
It’s exactly the same as Seamus Coleman, Hunt has fantastic energy and a great delivery either from set pieces or from open play. Big impact player.
Strikers
Robbie Keane
Record International goalscorer and has got us out of several tricky situations in the past. As is true of several of the elder statesmen of this team, deserves another to grace a big tournament and will have a big part to play.
Despite his move stateside, he is a proven and respected goalscorer. Terrific contribution to Aston Villa’s cause while on loan, some spectacular goals and in some ways re-affirmed his status as a quality striker.
Kevin Doyle
Goals have dried up at International level for the Wexford man amd he has enjoyed a tough season domestically with Wolves. He is well aware that Jonathan Walters is hot on his shoulder but I feel his place in the side is safe. Trappatoni is loyal and I would be very surprised if Doyle doesn’t start.
What he brings to the party? Great focal point for the team, loves competing and making things difficult for centre halves and will run those channels all day. Vital for this Irish side to have an outlet as chances are, we’re going be under the cosh quite a bit given the quality of our group opponents.
Jonathan Walters
Fantastic addition to this Irish Squad, his performance in Tallinn in the first leg of the play-off against Estonia springs to mind.
Always has an impact when introduced from the bench. Domestically, Walters has kept his place in the Stoke side for the majority of the season, keeping out the likes of Cameron Jerome and Kenwyne Jones which is no mean feat.
Phenomenal engine and loves chasing lost causes and unnerving defenders, very similar to Doyle and certainly has an important role to play this summer.
Shane Long
Fantastic consistency for Reading in the Championship last year earned him a big money move to West Brom where he has enjoyed a good season. Explosive pace, and good option to have approaching the closing stages of games.
Those who may miss out:
James McClean
Terrific debut season for Sunderland, fantastic directness to his game, pace power with wonderful delivery to boot.
When introduced against the Czech Republic, the Aviva erupted and undoubtedly the other players got a lift from it which contributed to Ireland’s equaliser that night.
McLean has momentum and consistent form behind him heading into the summer. Young, brave and adored by the fans, it would be a travesty if the Derry man wasn’t to make the squad.
James McCarthy
A fantastic talent with great potential, I’m just not sure whether or not Trappatoni trusts him entirely. We’ve had the issue with him reporting or not reporting for International duty so you might wonder where exactly he stands with the manager.
Within this Irish side ball playing midfielders are not indulged but in Wigan’s recent upsurge, McCarthy has shown discipline, tenacity and general graft, all hallmarks of a Trappatoni midfielder.
Simon Cox
The West Brom man has regularly delivered for Ireland, most recently with a fine equaliser against the Czech Republic at the Aviva Stadium earning us a point.
Limited opportunites at West Brom has seen Cox frustrated and it is highly likely that he’ll move on in the summer. What he has in his favour is that he is a different option off the bench than Walters or Long.
Cox likes to come short and link the play, a clever player who could easily drop into a slightly deeper role if required.
danoneill1986 
Positional picks aside it will be an absolute joke if Paul McShane gets in ahead of genuine talent like McCarthy or McClean and an ever present and competent replacement like Cox. To say McShane can do a job and has a comparable record to St. Ledger is being far to kind to him. I cannot recall a game where he has not had at least one catastrophic error.
You make good points Donal, but just to re-iterate that from the outset I outlined that this is the squad I feel Trappatoni will take but not necessarily the squad I would choose myself.
I don’t make the comparison between McShane and St.Ledger’s respective records, clearly St. Ledger has performed far better on the International scene than McShane, I was merely making the point that they are a similar kind of player, i.e. brave, aggressive in the tackle and decent in the air. St.Ledger certainly has the edge in terms of positional play, while he is also more comfortable on the ball and poses a greater threat from set pieces.
Furthermore, I feel I make strong cases supporting the inclusion of McClean, McCarthy and Cox, I just feel that there is a good chance they won’t go based on Trappatoni’s squad selection record over the past three and a half years or so. Then again, lets hope I’m wrong and that at least McCarthy and McClean make the plane to Poland.
Thanks very much for your feedback, really appreciate it. Enjoy the tournament in the summer.
Dan
Cheers for that.
I understand that it was your take on who Trapp will take rather than who you believed he should take, I just felt you were a little generous in your assessment of Paul McShane!
As I said in another forum, I fear that the squad selection will cause much debate when it is announced as unless there are injuries to the “less popular” fringe players, there is a very high chance the likes of McClean and McCarthy may miss out. And before a ball is kicked I feel that will divide many Irish fans.