Stephen Kenny named his 25 man squad yesterday in Abbotstown, ahead of the crucial Euro 2020 play-off in Slovakia next Thursday, followed by Nations League games at home to Wales and away at Finland. While the majority of the squad selected produced no major surprises, many League of Ireland fans will be delighted to see Shamrock Rovers’ Jack Byrne included, following his recent form as Rovers close in on their first title since 2011. After being left out of the last squad, Byrne has been exceptional in Rovers midfield, with Kenny praising his performance versus AC Milan in particular, “Jack is a very good player, he did well against AC Milan it must be said, and followed it up with 2 goals versus Dundalk, he’s in the squad on merit and he deserves it ”. Byrne’s last Ireland cap came in 2019 in a home win vs Bulgaria.
Blackburn defender Derrick Williams has been recalled to the squad, and while Robbie Brady & Callum O’Dowda were both selected despite recent injuries, Kenny remained optimistic for the pair, “there is some distance between now and meeting up on Sunday so we will see how that goes”. Kenny will be hoping for a clean bill of health when his squad trains on Monday, although 12 of his squad will not due to league action on Sunday. This leaves Kenny with just the Tuesday to have a full training session before the squad fly to Bratislava. 3 games in 7 days, with 1 being a play-off is demanding on the squad, as Kenny described, “It’s something we have to do, something extraordinary, we'll have to rally around and produce a big performance in Slovakia, it’ll be tough”.
Lots of eyes will be on Kenny’s team selection, and in particular whether he chooses to play Matt Doherty & Seamus Coleman in a back 5. Doherty seems to still be adjusting to his new club and has yet to hit the ground running, while Coleman has been superb for top-of-the-table Everton, and has been likened to Paolo Maldini by his boss Carlo Ancelotti. Kenny praised both yesterday by saying “Seamus is a great player and has started the season well, Matt finished the season brilliantly with Wolves and really looked back to himself last weekend. That bodes well.” The right-back debate will no doubt rumble onto next week.
Elsewhere, Randolph & Travers are recalled, while Kelleher is called up to the senior side for the 3rd time. In defence, Stevens, Lenihan, Egan, Williams & Duffy are included, with Kenny delighted with Duffy’s recent form at Celtic, “He will be really sharp and fit and he’ll get loads of practice playing how we will play”.
In midfield, Hourihane, McCarthy. Arter, Hendrick, Browne, Molumby, Byrne & Brady have all been selected, although Brady must pass a fitness test next week. In the forward line, Robinson has been chosen, with his brace at Chelsea at the weekend giving Kenny “food for thought”, while O’Dowda, McClean, McGoldrick, Connolly & Long will also meet up with the squad.