Three former Celts plus Darren O’Dea have been named in Giovanni Trapattoni Ireland squad for Euro 2012.
Shay Given and Robbie Keane survive from the 2002 World Cup squad with Aiden McGeady selected for a major championship for the first time.
Ireland have been drawn in the toughest group alongside Spain, Italy and Croatia with all three group matches played in Poland.
Former Hamilton Accies midfielder James McCarthy has opted out of the squad due to a family illness with Motherwell’s Darren Randolp named as stand-by keeper should Given, Kieren Westwood of Sunderland or Millwall’s David Forde pick up an injury.
Ireland face Bosnia in a friendly at the Aviva Stadium on May 26 with their first match of the Euros against Croatia on June 10.
Announcing his squad Trapattoni said: “I had a very difficult task in choosing this 23 man squad. Several players have proven their abilities to us during the qualifying campaign, and we are thankful to all who have played a part. However, we are happy with our choices.
“The standby list consists of very capable players who we would be happy to call upon if needed. The game against Bosnia in Aviva stadium will be the beginning of our EURO 2012 journey and it is important for the players to feel the energy from Irish fans before we go to our training camp.
“We will look to emulate the attitude and performance that brought us qualification, and push our limits further as we prepare for this tournament. We will be focused as we enter this important time.”
FULL SQUAD
Shay Given – Aston Villa, Keiren Westwood – Sunderland, David Forde – Millwall
Richard Dunne – Aston Villa, John O’Shea – Sunderland, Sean St. Ledger – Leicester City, Darren O’Dea – Celtic, Stephen Ward – Wolverhampton Wanderers, Stephen Kelly – Fulham, Kevin Foley – Wolverhampton Wanderers
Glenn Whelan – Stoke City, Darron Gibson – Everton, Keith Andrews – West Bromwich Albion, Keith Fahey – Birmingham City
Damien Duff – Fulham, Aiden McGeady – Spartak Moscow, Stephen Hunt – Wolverhampton Wanderers, James McClean – Sunderland
Robbie Keane – LA Galaxy, Kevin Doyle – Wolverhampton Wanderers, Shane Long – West Bromwich Albion, Simon Cox – West Bromwich Albion, Jon Walters – Stoke City
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cox and walters getting picked before stokes is a shocker like. Trap must not rate him at all. stubborn man!