O'Neill: McGoldrick Has Groin Problem But Could Rejoin Ireland's World Cup Play-off Squad
Tuesday, 7th Nov 2017 10:22

Town striker David McGoldrick could still be involved in the Republic of Ireland’s two-legged World Cup play-off against Denmark, manager Martin O’Neill having revealed that the 29-year-old, who is on standby, has a “long-standing groin problem” and that he will speak to him regarding his fitness later in the week.

Yesterday, O’Neill announced a reduced squad for the tie against the Danes, who added Blues left-back Jonas Knudsen to their party on Sunday, with McGoldrick not included.

Explaining his absence, O’Neill, whose assistant is ex-Town boss Roy Keane, said: “David’s had a niggling groin. I was speaking to him and we’ll see how he is. There’s still room on the plane.

“We’ll have a look at it anyway. I think he’s a wee bit disappointed not making the bench the last time but, listen, he’s there, he has a bit of a long-standing groin problem and maybe the extra couple of days for him will help. I said I’d give him a shout on Thursday, see how he is.”

McGoldrick, who has won six Ireland caps without scoring, was left out of the matchday 18 for the penultimate World Cup group match against Moldova and subsequently asked to be released from the squad as he similarly wasn’t going to be involved in the final qualifier against Wales.

Ireland face the Danes at the Parken Stadium, Copenhagen on Saturday with the second match at the Aviva Stadium, Dublin next Tuesday.

Photo: Action Images

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Radlett_blue added 10:33 - Nov 7 Can see why he doesn't like joining up to make up the numbers for practice games . He's very tentatively Irish anyway - born in Nottingham, adopted & eventually discovered a biological grandmother who had been born in Ireland. Can't blame him for fancying an outside chance at playing in a World Cup finals, though.
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runningout added 11:12 - Nov 7 Good for CV too
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Len_Brennan added 12:17 - Nov 7

To be fair to McGoldrick, he had a link to Ireland through his adoptive parents when growing up, but he only found out that his biological grandfather (or grandmother perhaps) was Irish too a few years ago, which allowed him get the passport & required paperwork. It's still further away than I personally think should allow for eligibility, but not as mercenary as perhaps it sounds when it's suggested that he went digging into his family tree to see if he can find some connection to allow him a shot at international football with a country he had no interest in at all.

The "long standing ... niggling groin injury" is a red herring from O'Neill to avoid further questions on his omission though. He was unlikely to play more than 20 minutes in either game anyway & it didn't stop him playing the full 90 minutes (and scoring) on Saturday last.
The real hint on what is at the heart of this decision comes in the line "I think he's a wee bit disappointed not making the bench the last time".
Hence his inexplicable departure from a seriously depleted squad, particularly up front, prior to the Wales game and now this decision, while 2 forwards with no international experience at all are included for 2 crucial World Cup playoff games.
Maybe it's attitude and O'Neill has taken appropriate managerial action in response to something that Didz has said or done? He is a cautious, negative and defensive-minded coach, so perhaps he doesn't feel he can trust him to play the role he wants from him, particularly away from home. Maybe a bit like what has happened between McCarthy and Celina! I do feel disappointed for him though.

Carberry added 12:49 - Nov 7 Inadvisable to mess with O'Neill and Keane I would suggest.
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dirtydingusmagee added 15:56 - Nov 7 that will be no thanks Martin ,nice of you to offer hopefully.We are on the edge with keeping him fit all the time,we don't need any problems arising from training, or playing for O'Neal .
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