Robbie Keane - Back In Green

Nice job getting Given to stay with the good old Irish. Keep up the good work!

2013-03-25 23:45#87328 The Madridista : Nice job getting Given to stay with the good old Irish. Keep up the good work!

Thanks Jason I actually managed to convince him to come back the day he retired lol

Great job mate! I've actually never convinced someone to do that! TEACH ME MASTER!

Duff Announces Retirement

Irish midfielder Damien Duff has announced his retirement from international football ahead of Ireland’s first World Cup Qualifying squad selection. The 33-year-old was called up for the last squad, but failed to appear. After amassing 100 caps for Ireland, Duff has decided to call time on his international career.

Duff has had a rich career at club and international level. He currently plays for Fulham, but has also played for Newcastle United and Chelsea in the Barclays Premier League. He’s made over 400 league appearances in his career, which is an amount any player would be proud of.

Duff’s career has been equally as accomplished. He is one of just five players to have reached 100 appearances for Ireland, since making his debut against the Czech Republic in 1998. He’s scored 8 goals for the Irish team, and may have wished he could have scored more, being more of an attacking midfielder. He managed to make his 100th appearance at Euro 2012, against finalists Italy.

Duff is the second player to retire in Keane’s reign, but unlike Shay Given, Keane is thought to be unlikely to want to try and persuade Duff to change his mind, and come back into the international fold.

Duffer He's a legend of the game but you will move on strong without him, I hope!

2013-03-27 17:42#87551 Justice96 : Duffer He's a legend of the game but you will move on strong without him, I hope!

I reckon I'll be fine tbh. Got McClean to take his place

It would've been nice to make Duff tutor McClean into some mad skills he had before.

Good idea to use youth as in the past couple of years Ireland under age teams are doing well hopefully you can do it for the senior squad!

Ireland Announce Squad

Goalkeepers

Shay Given – Aston Villa FC
Paddy Kenny – Leeds United AFC
Keiren Westwood – Sunderland AFC

Defenders

Ciaran Clark – Aston Villa FC
Seamus Coleman – Everton FC
John O’Shea – Sunderland AFC
Alex Pearce – Reading FC
Stephen Ward – Wolverhampton Wanderers FC
Aidan White – Leeds United FC
Derrick Williams – Portsmouth FC

Midfielders

Robbie Brady – Hull City AFC
Darron Gibson – Everton FC
Jeff Hendrick – Derby County FC
James McCarthy – Wigan Athletic AFC
James McClean – Sunderland AFC
Aiden McGeady – FC Spartak Moscow
David Meyler – Hull City AFC
Sean Murray – Watford FC
Marc Wilson – Stoke City FC

Strikers

Simon Cox – Nottingham Forest FC
Rory Donnelly – Swansea City FC
Shane Long – West Bromwich Albion FC
Jonathan Walters – Everton FC

It’s a very strong squad for the Qualifiers. As we can see, Shay Given has been recalled following him coming out of retirement. Robbie Keane and Ireland are obviously keen to get those six points available ahead of facing Germany in the next international break.

Nice one mate Will be looking forward to see how Robbie Brady does

2013-03-28 23:50#87806 BeanyUnited : Nice one mate Will be looking forward to see how Robbie Brady does

Typical United fan

I'd say if you call up Andrew, Fahey, Forde and Doyle, I'd be happy

Just kidding, its a strong squad

Doyle? Anyways, Cox is really good, I have had him score over 25+ goals in Nottm Forst!

2013-03-29 04:16#87885 PaukerJ : Doyle? Anyways, Cox is really good, I have had him score over 25+ goals in Nottm Forst!

Doyle is like 28, I'm making the transition to bring younger players through

looks like a very decent squad Blue, good luck getting the 6 points available