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Giovanni Trapattoni drops Kevin Foley from Ireland’s Euro squad

Paul McShane earns dramatic call-up ahead of finals

PATRICK COUNIHAN,

IrishCentral Staff Writer

Published Tuesday, May 29, 2012, 8:03 AM

Updated Tuesday, May 29, 2012, 1:09 PM

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Ireland Manager Giovanni Trappatoni

Photo by Google Images

Irish soccer manager Giovanni Trapattoni has sensationally dropped Kevin Foley from his European Championship squad.

Trap told the Wolves defender he is out of the final 23 man squad on Tuesday morning, just minutes before it was submitted to UEFA.

Foley’s ongoing hamstring injury problems and concerns about John O’Shea’s fitness mean Foley is out and Paul McShane is in the final squad for the tournament.

Trapattoni said: “With the injuries that we experienced in the squad over the past week, I have had to make a tough decision when it comes to naming the 23 players that must be submitted to UEFA for the championship.

“Kevin Foley, John O’Shea, Paul McShane, Darren O’Dea, Shay Given had all been carrying knocks and we have been monitoring them closely in their recovery.

“Although Kevin has been recovering well, I have made the difficult decision to leave him out of the 23 player list after completing fitness tests on John O’Shea and Paul Mc Shane this morning. I have spoken to him and understand how difficult it is, saying that he can remain with the squad if he wishes.”

Trapattoni lost Birmingham midfielder Keith Fahey to injury last Saturday with his place in the squad doing to Paul Green.

Nster.com

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Fightin69th | May 30, 2012, 06:08 AM EDT

Feel Gutted for Foley......He says that he felt betrayed...can't blame him. Trap stated that he needed cover in the CB role cause all 4 (Dunne, O'shea, St. Ledger, O'Dea) are carrying knocks. McShane can can play FB or CB, unlike Foley. Tough decision Trap made, hopefully it won't haunt Ireland. Foley is a decent player who would of probably seen some time at teh Euro's.

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Bythebay | May 29, 2012, 03:09 PM EDT

They're certainly not Jackie Charlton's boys!

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PhlutiePhan | May 29, 2012, 09:55 AM EDT

It is hard to figure just how well that the Irish will do in the Euros. In the match against Bosnia, there were mixed results. For the first 35 minutes, there was extended enthusiasm and aggression maybe too much so. For the final ten minutes of the first half, it would appear that their fitness was in question. Duff and Keane were outstanding. However, the same problem surfaced of "you can't win if you can't score". Keane was nullified very effectively by some type of umbrella defense by the Bosnians. They would put three players around Keane and when he flicked to Duff, they would drop off. Somehow, they have to get Keane open if they are to have a chance. Some type of pick play like in basketball should be utilized without being obstructive. The defense is great and McGeady looked good when he came on in the second half. The left winger McC looked good until the Bosnians figured out his moves. The goal scored by the Irish was a fluke. Walters is tall with no moves and plays like a wounded buffalo. He has no footwork at all. The head shots on corners were atrocious. The Irish have plenty of work to do if they are going to make any noise at all in the Euros. Croatia is already favored to beat them with Italy and Spain to follow. It looks like a short holiday. Again, Keane and Duff are great. On offense, the rest are pretenders.

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