Euro 2012 Team-by-Team Preview: Republic of Ireland

31 May 2012 10:21
Manager: Giovanni Trapattoni

Group: C

Bet-at-home odds: 80,00

Fixtures: Croatia (10/6), Spain (14/6), Italy (18/6)

Squad

Goalkeepers: Shay Given (Aston Villa), Keiren Westwood (Sunderland), David Forde (Millwall)
Defenders: Richard Dunne (Aston Villa), John O’Shea (Sunderland), Sean St Ledger (Leicester City), Darren O’Dea (Celtic), Stephen Ward (Wolves), Stephen Kelly (Fulham), Paul McShane (Hull City)
Midfielders: Glenn Whelan (Stoke), Darron Gibson (Everton), Keith Andrews (WestBrom), Paul Green (Unattached), Damien Duff (Fulham), Aiden McGeady (Spartak Moscow), Stephen Hunt (Wolves), James McClean (Sunderland)
Strikers: Robbie Keane (LA Galaxy), Kevin Doyle (Wolves), Simon Cox (West Brom), Shane Long (West Brom), Jon Walters (Stoke)

The Republic of Ireland will be competing in the European Championships for the first time since 1988.

Expectations have increased since a convincing 5-1 aggregate victory over Estonia confirmed Ireland's place at the summers finals.

Ireland finished second behind Russia in qualifying group B, with an impressive tally of 21 points.

Italian manager Giovanni Trapattoni has got bundles of personal experience as well as a squad of experienced players including Richard Dunne, Shay Given, Damien Duff and Robbie Keane.

Spartak Moscow winger Aidan McGeady is one player who will want to impress, the 26-year-old has made it clear he wants to play and the highest level and this is a chance for him to do so.

Another player to watch will be Sunderland midfielder James McClean, who switched allegiances having represented Northern Ireland at U21 level.

Source: DSG