Ireland exonerated by Staunton

REPUBLIC of Ireland manager Steve Staunton has exonerated Stephen Ireland of any blame after an U21 mix-up this week by including the rising star in his brave new world.

Manchester City midfielder Ireland is part of the 23-man squad to face Sweden in a friendly at Lansdowne Road on March 1.

That will undoubtedly come as a relief to Ireland who feared he may have thrown his budding international career into jeopardy following a situation that failed to endear him to U-21 coach Don Givens.