Blues strikers Daryl Murphy and David McGoldrick have both been named in a 35-man provisional Republic of Ireland squad for their friendly against Holland at the Aviva Stadium on Friday 27th May.

The game is part of Ireland’s preparations for the European Championships in France in the summer, where they are grouped with Belgium, Italy and Sweden, with another friendly against Belarus set for Tuesday 31st May.

The squad, which will be reduced by one or two in the next few days, will meet up on Monday 23rd May at the FAI National Training Centre in Dublin. Manager Martin O'Neill says he will name his final 23-man squad for the Euros the day after the Holland game.

That squad will then take part in a week-long training camp at the Fota Island Resort in County Cork prior to the game against Belarus at Cork City's Turner's Cross.

McGoldrick, who returned to action in the final weeks of the season following a hamstring injury and scored two goals in the Blues’ final two games, has previously won two caps.

Murphy, who missed the final weeks of the domestic campaign with a calf problem sustained while away with Ireland, has made 20 international appearances. Both players are still looking for their first international goals. Former Blues skipper Jon Walters is also in the squad.

Republic of Ireland: Shay Given (Stoke City), Darren Randolph (West Ham United), David Forde (Millwall), Keiren Westwood (Sheffield Wednesday), Seamus Coleman (Everton), Cyrus Christie (Derby County), Paul McShane (Reading), Ciaran Clark (Aston Villa), Richard Keogh (Derby County), John O'Shea (Sunderland), Alex Pearce (Derby County, on loan at Bristol City), Shane Duffy (Blackburn Rovers), Marc Wilson (Stoke City), Stephen Ward (Burnley), Aiden McGeady (Everton, on loan at Sheffield Wednesday), James McClean (West Bromwich Albion), Glenn Whelan (Stoke City), James McCarthy (Everton), Jeff Hendrick (Derby County), David Meyler (Hull City), Stephen Quinn (Reading), Darron Gibson (Everton), Harry Arter (Bournemouth), Wes Hoolahan (Norwich City), Eunan O'Kane (Bournemouth), Anthony Pilkington (Cardiff City), Robbie Brady (Norwich City), Jonathan Walters (Stoke City), Jonathan Hayes (Aberdeen), Callum O'Dowda (Oxford United), Robbie Keane (LA Galaxy), Shane Long (Southampton), David McGoldrick (Ipswich Town), Kevin Doyle (Colorado Rapids), Daryl Murphy (Ipswich Town).

Photo: Action Images

MaySixth added 11:48 - May 12 Would love to see McGoldrick at the Euro's.
6

BigHibbs added 11:51 - May 12 I personally think it will do mcgoldrick good to go and play, some disagree (because of his injury list) but I just think the extra games and the rest of his body will help him come back better next year ! I don't think there are many better than him in the league. And murph still has a lot to offer he holds the ball so well and to be fair he's pretty good in front of goal. The way Ipswich play under mick sometimes means we underrate murph and think he's just a lump but there's more to his game than winning flick ons In other news the scum are back ! COYB

6

jas0999 added 12:13 - May 12 Reading between the lines of MM comments in recent weeks it would seem Murphy wasn't keen to ruin his euro chances by playing for us. Although you can understand to an extent, compare that attitude to Smith who puts us first. Murphy has been poor this season and I personally can't see him being a 20+ goal a season striker again. One excellent season, but overall hasn't had a great scoring record for us. I rate McGoldrick far higher.

0

TractorCam added 12:59 - May 12 jas0999 - slightly different when Smith has to do a 48 hour round flight
3

PhilTWTD added 13:03 - May 12 jas0999 Think it was more that Town's chances of making the play-offs were over so the club gave him every opportunity to get himself fit for the Euros. Had Town still been in the running, I reckon we would have seen him in the last couple of games.
4

floridaboy added 14:56 - May 12 With the strikers in the squad and his lack of matches can't see how they can take Murphy McGoldrick might fair better because he has got a few games in since coming back from injury
0

Penguinblue added 15:50 - May 12 None of my business really but I don't think either have put in a sufficient shift for Town to warrant being selected for their country. Seems something of a coincidence that their recovery coincides with call up time. Just a thought - after all we pay some of their wages
-2

have_a_word_with_him added 18:43 - May 12 Blimey that's some heavy cynicism! Great loyalty of the management to pick McGoldrick and testament to the ability we can all see, this is great news. Oh and Murphy has been poor this season? Really?! He's been on the end of hoofball every game once again which opposing teams have unsurprisingly worked out.
4

BackTheBlues added 13:50 - May 13 I'm a big fan of McGoldrick, I really am... But the cynic inside of mine can't help but think it's funny how every year he misses large parts of the season - but miraculously is fit for Transfer windows and international tournaments/games! Doesn't it seem odd? Because as we all know - on his day he is the best player in our league! I just hope we get 20+ games out of him next season! Because above all else, the style, the team selection, the performances - if we had had Didzy fit for them games against Bolton, Charlton etc. We would be in the play-offs!

0

BrettenhamBlue added 10:16 - May 14 They have a good chance of both making the final squad. Doyle isn't exactly free scoring and has been playing striker for his club, Keane is 35 and won't be expecting to play the full 90. O'dowda and Hayes are both wingers so main competition for 2 places up front will come from Walters and Long (though Walters can play in other positions). Good chance for them both I'd say as Ireland will want to take 4 strikers to the Euro's. Hopefully will be Murphy, Mcgoldrick, Long and Keane (Walters picked in other role).

0

Blogs 295 bloggers

Ipswich Town Polls