World Cup Playoff Squad Decided for The Boys in Green

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Crunch time has officially arrived for the Republic of Ireland. Heimir Hallgrímsson has announced his twenty-five man squad for the playoff semi-final in Prague against Czechia on Thursday. Some old and brand new faces will return for the boys in green’s biggest international break in recent memory.

The biggest game in Irish football since the 2-1 loss to France at Euro 2016 had sparked numerous debates online over what names may be added and who could be axed from the squad that got Ireland to this position in November.

Before anything was announced it was known that Burnley captain Josh Cullen would miss out due to injury, a huge blow in the middle of the field for Ireland as Cullen had finally come into his own in a green jersey during the last international break.

As well as Cullen missing out, there was a small injury crisis in the attack, leading to speculation over now 38 year old David McGoldrick coming out of international retirement following on from his impressive run of form for Barnsley since the turn of the year.

Before the announcement of the squad for this international break, it was announced that Hallgrímsson had signed a new deal with the FAI, keeping him as the head coach until the end of EURO 2028.

While the team Hallgrímsson has selected features some of the expected names like Caoimhín Kelleher, Troy Parrott and Nathan Collins, it has seen some shock inclusions with youth coming in as well as experience in a side with very little experience in these high pressure situations.

Bosun Lawal and James Abankwah come back into the squad looking for their first senior caps, after injury and lack of game time at club level had kept them out, while former England youth international and captain Harvey Vale makes his senior international debut for the boys in green after impressing as of late for QPR.

Vale saw his application to change nationality accepted in the last week with Hallgrímsson stating in his press conference ;“He expressed a desire to play for Ireland. He was injured then so we have been watching him. His development at Queens Park has been growing and it’s a perfect time to bring him into the squad.”

Alan Browne returns to the squad after an extended time away, as well as veteran wing back Robbie Brady, being joined by a newcomer in Luton Town goalkeeper Josh Keeley who fills in for the injured Gavin Bazunu, and a returning Sammie Szmodics, who’s career for Ireland certainly has not gone as well as it was projected to go.

The potential return of David McGoldrick did not occur for the boys in green however, with Bolton loanee Johnny Kenny and Adam Idah being named as the back ups for the inevitability starting Troy Parrott.

The prospect of a playoff final in Dublin awaits Ireland, starting with Czechia on Thursday while Denmark or North Macedonia await on the other side of the draw, looking to end the hopes of a first World Cup for the Republic of Ireland since 2002.

REPUBLIC OF IRELAND SQUAD

Goalkeepers: Caoimhin Kelleher (Brentford), Mark Travers (Everton), Josh Keeley (Luton) 

Defenders: Seamus Coleman (Everton), Jimmy Dunne (QPR), Nathan Collins (Brentford), Dara O’Shea (Ipswich), Jake O’Brien (Everton), John Egan (Hull City), James Abankwah (Watford), Liam Scales (Celtic), Robbie Brady (Preston), Ryan Manning (Southampton)

Midfielders: Jayson Molumby (West Brom), Bosun Lawal (Stoke), Jack Taylor (Ipswich), Alan Browne (Middlesbrough, on loan from Sunderland), Jason Knight (Bristol City), Finn Azaz (Southampton), Harvey Vale (QPR)

Forwards: Troy Parrott (AZ Alkmaar), Adam Idah (Swansea City), Johnny Kenny (Bolton), Chiedozie Ogbene (Sheffield United), Sammie Szmodics (Derby)