Keeper Brian Murphy has been named in the Republic of Ireland squad for a training camp in Dublin from May 16th to 21st. Irish coach Giovanni Trapattoni will use the camp to assess his players ahead of Ireland’s Euro 2012 qualification campaign and could also call the likes of Owen Garvan into his party.
Despite the camp interrupting the glovesman’s close season, boss Roy Keane has no concerns about allowing him to take part: "These players go with our blessings, as much as we want them to get a good break over the summer.
"My advice to all these players is that if they get the opportunity, then go for it. We had the same with Jaime Peters having international games with Canada last summer.
"It looks as if we’re going to have eight or nine weeks off, which is too long for any footballer, so our players won’t be having that long off.”
Murphy, 26, has been in most of Trapattoni's recent squads, but is yet to win a cap. The squad, a strengthened version of which will play friendlies with Paraguay and Algeria on May 25th and 28th, will officially be announced on Monday.
Keane has already said that he expects pre-season training for 2010/11 to begin on June 28th.
Photo: ITFC.