dingostew.com

Well, the qualifiers for the European Championships in 2012 begin this week. I'll be watching the Ireland games beginning this Friday at 4pm GMT away Armenia, with the first home game in the Aviva Stadium against Andorra on September 7th at 7.45pm

Here's the squad:

Republic of Ireland squad: Shay Given, Keiren Westwood, Joe Murphy; John O’Shea, Richard Dunne, Sean St Ledger, Greg Cunningham, Kevin Foley, Stephen Kelly, Paul McShane, Darren O’Dea, Kevin Kilbane; Keith Andrews, Glenn Whelan, Darron Gibson, Paul Green, Liam Lawrence, Aiden McGeady, Andy Keogh, Damien Duff, Keith Fahey, Keith Treacy; Robbie Keane, Kevin Doyle, Shane Long

Damien Duff is injured so the line-up is likely to be as follows:

Shay Given

John O'Shea
Richard Dunne
Sean St Ledger
Greg Cunningham

Glen Whelan
Darren Gibson
Liam Lawrence
Aiden McGeady

Robbie Keane
Kevin Doyle

Also, notice no Anthony Stokes in the squad! This bloke is still playing for the Under 21s, even though he's at least as good, if not better, than the backup strikers in the squad.

Hopefully they don't get distracted by the beer, Lager in Armenia is €1.19 EUR a pint.

http://www.pintprice.com/region.php?/Armenia/eur.htm

Also, why isn't Kevin Long in the squad? Three solid appearances for Cork as a centre back and scores in one. Perhaps because he spent too much time on the side waiting for clearance to play for the Clarets.

http://www.burnleyfootballclub.com/page/ProfilesDetail/0,,10413~50683,00.html

haha ye that bloke with the dodgy name!

Nah hes still playing for the Under 21's. Well, I dont think hes actually played for the U21s yet, but probably soon enough. He'll break through to the seniors maybe for the next World Cup campaign if he keeps improving. He needs to get himself into the premiership first though, because the current Irish manager doesnt bother looking at players outside of it!

Ams, dont suppose you remember any of this?

Check out the 1990's fashion!!



That peno shootout at 7 mins still gets me every time!!

I wonder will the place go as mad as that if (when) we qualify for Euro 2012?!?! THe only problem is, its in Poland and Ukraine! Expect the Poles to be booing Ireland at every chance! feckers!