Sports Digest: James McClean thrilled over Euro chance

Giovanni Trapattoni announced his 23 man squad for the Euros on Monday afternoon

He said, “At this moment McClean is playing well. He is young like the others. He has a good personality and is physically strong.

“He has improved. I saw him getting strong in the first games. Now he can score and has grown his personality. He can give us energy. He can be important in the second and third game in the group and he has the time in the future.”

Everton defender Seamus Coleman is the big loser at the squad announcement after he was placed on stand-by for the finals along with goalkeeper Darren Randolph, Paul McShane, Paul Green and Andy Keogh.

Trapattoni added, “I had the very difficult task in choosing this 23-man squad. Several players have proven their abilities to us during the qualifying campaign, and we are thankful to all who have played a part. However, we are happy with our choices.

“The stand-by list consists of very capable players who we would be happy to call upon if needed.

The game against Bosnia in the Aviva Stadium will be the beginning of our Euro 2012 journey, and it is important for the players to feel the energy from Irish fans before we go to our training camp.

“We will look to emulate the attitude and performance that brought us qualification, and push our limits further as we prepare for this tournament. We will be focused as we enter this important time.”

“The three aims are to recognize our limits, work to improve them and to have the belief that we can achieve and to never give up.

“Let’s not forget that we have arrived here through the team spirit and the collaboration of the players. We have no Messi, Ronaldo or other creative players. We have a strong team with organization and good balance.

“It has not been easy to choose players for the squad because we have many good players who deserve to be here. Many other players deserve to be here because they allow us to qualify. I will not forget them.”

Ireland squad: Shay Given (Aston Villa), Keiren Westwood (Sunderland), David Forde (Millwall); John O’Shea (Sunderland), Stephen Kelly (Fulham), Stephen Ward (Wolves), Richard Dunne (Aston Villa), Sean St. Ledger (Leicester), Darren O’Dea (Leeds), Kevin Foley (Wolves); Glenn Whelan (Stoke), Keith Andrews (West Brom), Keith Fahey (Birmingham), Darron Gibson (Everton), Damien Duff (Fulham), Aiden McGeady (Spartak Moscow), Stephen Hunt (Wolves), James McClean (Sunderland); Robbie Keane (LA Galaxy), Kevin Doyle (Wolves), Shane Long, Simon Cox (both West Brom), Jon Walters (Stoke).

Stand-by: Darren Randolph (Motherwell), Paul McShane (Crystal Palace), Paul Green (Unattached), Seamus Coleman (Everton), Andy Keogh (Millwall).
 
James McCarthy on Leave
JAMES McCarthy put family before football when he opted out of the European Championship finals – but the Premier League star says he is committed to the Irish team.

McCarthy has decided to stay at home with his ill father Willie, recently diagnosed with cancer, rather than travel to Poland next month.

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Nster.com