Reid Handed Debut
By Ade O`Connor
November 18 2003
Andy Reid of Nottingham Forest will make his debut for the Republic of Ireland tonight, as Graham Kavanagh returns to the Irish team after a lengthy absense. John Thompson may also make his bow tonight, in an experimental Ireland outfit selected by Brian Kerr.
By Ade O`Connor
November 18 2003
Andy Reid of Nottingham Forest will make his debut for the Republic of Ireland tonight, as Graham Kavanagh returns to the Irish team after a lengthy absense. John Thompson may also make his bow tonight, in an experimental Ireland outfit selected by Brian Kerr.
Kerr’s men will play no part in the upcoming Euro 2004 tournament, after crashing to a 2-0 defeat in Switzerland when only a win would do, so this friendly is the ideal opportunity to look to the future.
Andy Reid has been in superb form for Forest, scoring nine goals this season and creating a hatful; he is expected to start in the centre of the midfield, with Damien Duff moving to his traditional left wing role.
Cardiff City captain Kavanagh will make his return partnering Andy Reid in the middle of the park; Kavanagh too has been in form for Cardiff for some time, Kerr feeling that he could do a real job for the Irish in the future.
John Thompson is expected to grab his first cap, coming on as a substitute at some point. The Forest centre back was called into the squad after a number of withdrawals leaving a void at the heart of defence.
Gary Doherty partners Robbie Keane up front from the start, but Clinton Morrison of Birmingham City will get a chance to prove himself again at some point.
Manchester City’s Richard Dunne will also get the chance to build a rapport with Brian Kerr, after he was handed a starting berth alongside Kenny Cunningham. Steve Carr and John O`Shea will play either side of defence.
Shay Given adds another start to his name, although Nick Colgan should get on the field at some point during the game.
Ireland should be aiming to beat Canada, despite the inexperienced panel, as only Tomas Radzinski from Everton posses’ true top-flight talent. Nevertheless, the Canadians will not take proceedings easy, so Kerr’s men can expect a tough encounter.
The Republic of Ireland team to play Canada at Lansdowne Road at 7:30pm on Tuesday 18th November 2003:
Shay Given (Newcastle United)
Steven Carr (Tottenham Hotspur)
Kenny Cunningham (Birmingham City)
Richard Dunne (Manchester City)
John O`Shea (Manchester United)
Steven Reid (Blackburn Rovers)
Graham Kavanagh (Cardiff City)
Andy Reid (Nottingham Forest)
Damien Duff (Chelsea)
Robbie Keane (Tottenham Hotspur)
Gary Doherty (Tottenham Hotspur)
Andy Reid has been in superb form for Forest, scoring nine goals this season and creating a hatful; he is expected to start in the centre of the midfield, with Damien Duff moving to his traditional left wing role.
Cardiff City captain Kavanagh will make his return partnering Andy Reid in the middle of the park; Kavanagh too has been in form for Cardiff for some time, Kerr feeling that he could do a real job for the Irish in the future.
John Thompson is expected to grab his first cap, coming on as a substitute at some point. The Forest centre back was called into the squad after a number of withdrawals leaving a void at the heart of defence.
Gary Doherty partners Robbie Keane up front from the start, but Clinton Morrison of Birmingham City will get a chance to prove himself again at some point.
Manchester City’s Richard Dunne will also get the chance to build a rapport with Brian Kerr, after he was handed a starting berth alongside Kenny Cunningham. Steve Carr and John O`Shea will play either side of defence.
Shay Given adds another start to his name, although Nick Colgan should get on the field at some point during the game.
Ireland should be aiming to beat Canada, despite the inexperienced panel, as only Tomas Radzinski from Everton posses’ true top-flight talent. Nevertheless, the Canadians will not take proceedings easy, so Kerr’s men can expect a tough encounter.
The Republic of Ireland team to play Canada at Lansdowne Road at 7:30pm on Tuesday 18th November 2003:
Shay Given (Newcastle United)
Steven Carr (Tottenham Hotspur)
Kenny Cunningham (Birmingham City)
Richard Dunne (Manchester City)
John O`Shea (Manchester United)
Steven Reid (Blackburn Rovers)
Graham Kavanagh (Cardiff City)
Andy Reid (Nottingham Forest)
Damien Duff (Chelsea)
Robbie Keane (Tottenham Hotspur)
Gary Doherty (Tottenham Hotspur)
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