THERE were a few blasts from the past in Stephen Kenny’s 25-man squad ahead of the Republic of Ireland’s Euro 2024 qualifying double header against Group B favourites France and Holland next week.
Shane Duffy, now with Championship outfit Norwich City, has been recalled to the Irish back-line after a year out and will give the manager options, particularly with Seamus Coleman (injured) and Matt Doherty (suspended) ruled out.
Left back Enda Stevens is also back after an enforced sabbatical, largely due to a debilitating calf problem, with many believing the 33-year-old’s international days were firmly in his rearview.
“He missed the second half of Sheffield United’s season,” explained the manager at yesterday’s press briefing.
“I was in contact with him throughout the summer. He was out of contract and he was out training every day on campus in Portugal, with personal trainers, on his own to get himself ready.
“Stoke signed him. He’s started all their games this year. He’s played games in pre-season and in every game and it looks like he’s getting better.
Kenny acknowledged: “Many people probably felt he was at the other end of his career and he mightn’t come back. Calf injuries can be really tough when they tear.
“When you reach 30 they can re-occur. He's done terrifically well. He’s our most natural defender. He’s a defender, first and foremost. Fair play to him.”
Wexford-born Festy Ebosele has taken the road less travelled and is making his way at Serie A side Udinese and will come into the reckoning, along with Jason Knight and Alan Browne who will contest for the right wing-back role.
Belfast’s Mark Sykes has slipped out of the midfield reckoning for this make-or-break camp despite playing regularly for Bristol City.
Will Smallbone’s impressive rise to prominence hasn’t helped Sykes’s prospects of retaining his squad place either.
Aaron Connolly is another player making something of an international comeback.
Kenny had high hopes for the 23-year-old Galway native when he took the senior reins, but the livewire striker’s career took a nose-dive via Italy and a loan spell with Middlesbrough – but he appears to have got his mojo back at Hull City.
One player’s career who doesn’t seem to be going anywhere fast is Liverpool’s reserve ‘keeper Caoimhin Kelleher. Kenny fully expected the 24-year-old Cork native to move on from the Anfield giants to gain first-team football, but he remains on the bench.
“It's just a situation where he's behind the best goalkeeper in the world [Alisson],” said Kenny.
“It's a great club. A club with a great history, one of the top clubs in the world. It's just very hard for him.
“They are in the Europa League, he may play in that, I don't know. It would be great for him to play more matches in the Europa League and in the cup competitions. There's not much more I can say about that.
“There's a great set-up at Liverpool, but I am sure he just wants to play because he is good enough to play.”
Luton’s new signing Chiedozie Ogbene has been recalled to the squad too after missing the last camp that yielded a defeat to Greece and a home win over Gibraltar while Kenny has been hugely impressed with Will Keane’s form at Preston NE in the early throes of the season.
With a round of club games ahead this weekend, Kenny will be keeping his fingers crossed his players arrive in the Irish capital on Sunday evening unscathed and ready for Thursday’s clash with France in Paris.
Ireland's 25-man squad ( v France and Holland)
Goalkeepers: Gavin Bazunu (Southampton), Caoimhin Kelleher (Liverpool), Mark Travers (Stoke City, on loan from AFC Bournemouth).
Defenders: Matt Doherty (Wolverhampton Wanderers), Festy Ebosele (Udinese), Enda Stevens (Stoke City), Ryan Manning (Southampton), James McClean (Wrexham), Shane Duffy (Norwich City), John Egan (Sheffield United), Nathan Collins (Brentford), Dara O'Shea (Burnley), Darragh Lenihan (Middlesbrough)
Midfielders: Josh Cullen (Burnley), Jayson Molumby (West Bromwich Albion), Jeff Hendrick (Newcastle United), Alan Browne (Preston North End), Will Smallbone (Southampton), Jason Knight (Bristol City), Jamie McGrath (Aberdeen).
Forwards: Adam Idah (Norwich City), Will Keane (Preston North End), Evan Ferguson (Brighton and Hove Albion), Aaron Connolly (Hull City), Chiedozie Ogbene (Luton Town).
