SQUAD PROFILE: Ireland

[bluejock]

Manager - Giovanni Trapattoni

Squad

Goalkeepers - Shay Given (Aston Villa FC), Keiren Westwood (Sunderland AFC), David Forde (Millwall FC)

Defenders - John O'Shea (Sunderland AFC), Richard Dunne (Aston Villa FC), Stephen Ward (Wolverhampton Wanderers FC), Sean St Ledger (Leicester City FC), Darren O'Dea (Celtic FC), Stephen Kelly (Fulham FC), Paul McShane (Hull City AFC)

Midfielders - Glenn Whelan (Stoke City FC), Keith Andrews (West Bromwich Albion FC), Aiden McGeady (FC Spartak Moskva), Darron Gibson (Everton FC), Paul Green (unattached), Damien Duff (Fulham FC), Stephen Hunt (Wolverhampton Wanderers FC), James McClean (Sunderland AFC)

Forwards - Robbie Keane (LA Galaxy), Kevin Doyle (Wolverhampton Wanderers FC), Shane Long (West Bromwich Albion FC), Jonathan Walters (Stoke City FC), Simon Cox (West Bromwich Albion FC)

Ireland. Land of Guinness and honey. But mostly Guinness. And leprechauns too but they're not real apparently which makes me wonder who that little guy with the beard was that I woke up next to on my mate's stagger in Dublin. Trap's lads narrowly missed out on automatic qualification to Russia but cruised though the playoffs 5-1 on aggregate against Estonia, another ace place for a stag do by the way, but more on that if they ever qualify.

The squad is made up of largely English based players with our own Darron Gibson in midfield, although Seamus Coleman paid the price for an injury blighted season and misses out. Shay Given will probably play between the sticks and former blue Richard Dunne will be the rock/grock upon which their defence is built. Liverpool's striking version of Roy Hodgson, Robbie Keane, will lead the line and fans will hope to see him emulate Ray Houghton(prick)'s thunderbolt against Italy in New York (9 year old Jock was there by the way) complete with crap forward roll celebration. Rob, you can't do gymnastics pal, swerve it.

Jock's player to watch is Sunderland's James McClean. Perhaps a surprise choice as PTW, I have a feeling the young 'un will announce himself in a big way.

Prediction

I have a sneaky feeling that Ireland will be the benefactors of Italy's Ghost style meltdown, and could just pinch second place, as long as they take three points off Croatia in the first game. A quarter final would see them face either France or England, most likely France(not a dig ffs, don't ban me Mick!!!) and I can't see them going any further, although revenge for the infamous Hand of Frog incident would be a huge motivator.

Erin go bragh

 

[Elong]

They're gonna struggle aren't they? Best looking girls so far though Jock.

By the way, these are all fantastic, read each one and have to applaud you, they're ace x

 

[bluejock]

They're gonna struggle aren't they? Best looking girls so far though Jock.

By the way, these are all fantastic, read each one and have to applaud you, they're ace x

Cheers pal, this is the one I'm happiest with, some of them are a bit patchy. The Greece one is going to be full of spelling mistakes and skint jokes.

 

[Elong]

Cheers pal, this is the one I'm happiest with, some of them are a bit patchy. The Greece one is going to be full of spelling mistakes and skint jokes.

Don't forget their neo nazi party in power either. Actually do, GOT don't do politics

I'll make an effort to watch every game the Irish play, they seem the plucky underdogs to me, and they like it that way.

 

[Roztitute]

Hello ladies.


You needed a GIBBO pic tho lad.

 

[bluejock]

Hello ladies.


You needed a GIBBO pic tho lad.

FFS I knew I forgot something.

 

[Roztitute]

FFS I knew I forgot something.

But I applaud the beauties you picked out.

 

[Elong]

Don't worry about Gibbo, get some more lasses on there FFS.

 

[The Equaliser]

Good work sir, short and sweet.

Nice one for putting that pic of my sister in there btw.

 

[Neiler]

We're gash and we know it but will just get pissed anyway and enjoy it.


Smart money is on us getting out of that group even if we're awfull there is method to our awfullness and will be difficult to break down, will defo take point and will come down to tight margins.

I want England on Penos in the quaters, sort it our Roy and dont let me down.

 

[Allezfan]

I'm rooting for these in their group, like.

But only in a very patronising, patriarchal, 'haven't the little celts done well' kind of way.

 

[Neiler]

I'm rooting for these in their group, like.

But only in a very patronising, patriarchal, 'haven't the little celts done well' kind of way.

I think you guys will do well mate, with low expectations your slipping under the radar, could just win it.

 

[Allezfan]

I think you guys will do well mate, with low expectations your slipping under the radar, could just win it.

We have low expectations because we're not very good. I'm leary of talking that up as too much of an advantage.

 

[Neiler]

We have low expectations because we're not very good. I'm leary of talking that up as too much of an advantage.

Look at Chelsea mate, turned it on with the pressure of, i think your underestimating the power of wearing redshirts vs Germany and the spirit of 66, Andy Carrol could be a secret weapon!

Anyway we're gash so we'll prob win this. Go Greee.

 

[Azzurri]

Paul McShane.

LOL!