Kerr Names McAteer In Qualifier Squad

By Ade O'Connor
March 14 2003

Brian Kerr has named his opening European Championship qualifying squad, after taking over as Republic of Ireland manager in February. There are few surprises, as Brian Kerr adopts a traditional look to the Irish squad for these important fixtures against Georgia and Albania.

Jason McAteer makes the squads for the games against Georgia and Albania after returning from injury. There were fears that Kerr would deem the midfielder as unworthy of a place ahead of bright younger prospects.

There is no place for Wolverhampton Wanderers left winger Mark Kennedy, who was fancied to play a key role in Kerr’s Ireland team. Kerr admitted the Kennedy was unlucky to miss out on this occasion.

“Mark is unfortunate. He's playing well and we've watched him a few times but Damien (Duff) and Kevin Kilbane can both play on the left so we're well covered. If we lose some of our front players, Mark will come in."

Kerr indicated that he might play Duff on the left hand side of midfield, as opposed to the striker position that he was often used in under McCarthy. This may make place for Clinton Morrison or David Connolly to fulfil a starting berth.

Damien Duff plays in the left position for Blackburn Rovers, and is known to be very dangerous darting down the wing and cutting inside to threaten the goal. Having this option in two tricky away games may prove too good to miss for Brian Kerr.

Kerr may take pleasure in something which is predecessor rarely had at his disposal, a fully fit pool to choose his squad from, other than the exiled Roy Keane. However, Robbie Keane and Damien Duff have been kept out of their club sides with injuries as of late, but they will be expected to be fit to start for the games.

There are also places for Kenny Cunningham and Steve Finnan, who were unavailable for the 2-0 friendly win over Scotland. As of yet, it is unclear whether Cunningham will maintain the role as captain in the side.

Kerr has decided against picking Rory Delap, Steven McPhail and Richard Dunne. Their lack of presence in this Republic of Ireland squad may surprise a few, given their potential young talent, though through injuries these players may find themselves on the plane to the east of Europe all the same.

Ireland first makes the trip across to Tblisi in Georgia on March 29, with kick off scheduled for 3:00pm Irish time. This game is followed quickly by another testing encounter with Albania on Wednesday 2nd April; kick off at 5:30pm.

If Ireland are to have any chance of qualifying for the European Championships to be held in Portugal in 2004, picking up six points on this trip is vital.


The 26 man Ireland squad to play Georgia and Albania:

Goalkeepers:
Kiely (Charlton Athletic)
Colgan (Hibernian)
Given (Newcastle United)

Defenders:
Carr (Tottenham Hotspur)
Breen (West Ham United)
O'Brien (Newcastle United)
Cunningham (Birmingham City)
Kelly (Leeds United)
Finnan (Fulham)
O'Shea (Manchester United)
Harte (Leeds United)

Midfielders:
Carsley (Everton)
Healy (Celtic)
McAteer (Sunderland)
Kinsella (Aston Villa)
Holland (Ipswich Town)
Reid (Millwall)
Duff (Blackburn Rovers)
Kilbane (Sunderland)

Strikers:
Morrison (Birmingham City)
Doherty (Tottenham Hotspur)
Connolly (Wimbledon)
Keane (Tottenham Hotspur)