Scoring spree lands Stokes Irish ‘B’ call

ANTHONY STOKES is set to start on the bench for the Republic of Ireland ‘B’ team to play Scotland in Dalymount Park next Tuesday.

The 18-year-old Dubliner, in hot scoring form for Falkirk since joining the club on loan from Arsenal, has been selected for the Irish panel by Steve Staunton, but the player’s involvement in the previous night’s SPL game against Hearts means that he will not be asked to play for 90 minutes.

However, it will be no surprise if, fitness permitting, the striker who has scored back-to-back hat-tricks for his club and the SPL Player of the Month for October, comes on to play some part in the game at Dalymount Park.

Indeed, perhaps the only surprise is his current goal spree didn’t earn him a place in the senior squad for next Wednesday’s European Championship qualifier against San Marino.

“There’s a bit of protection in that,” Staunton explained. “He’s 18. It would be easy to throw him in but it’s a game we have to win and the last game at Lansdowne Road. It’s going to be an emotional night for supporters. It might not be fair on the lad.”

But Staunton added his voice to those of Celtic boss Gordon Strachan, Falkirk manager John Hughes and the many others who have been heaping Stokes with praise in recent weeks.

“He always had the potential,” said Staunton. “He went backwards there at Arsenal for a while but going to Falkirk has given him a new lease of life and obviously he’s thriving on it.”

Stokes is joined by another former Irish Examiner Junior Sports Star award-winner, Ipswich Town’s Billy Clarke, in a 21-man squad which features just two players — Cardiff City’s Stephen McPhail and Newcastle United’s Alan O’Brien — who have been capped at senior level.

The eircom League is represented by four players, Joe Gamble and Roy O’Donovan of Cork City, Stephen Ward of Bohemians and Derry City’s Kevin Deery, although title-chasing Derry also have a game the previous night, against Waterford United.

Among the newest faces are Luton Town left-back Lewis Emanuel and Lincoln City midfielder Lee Frecklington, both of whom qualify for Ireland through their grandparents.

Steve Staunton picked the squad but it will be managed by ‘B’ team boss Pat Devlin, assisted by Shelbourne manager Pat Fenlon, U-21 coach Paul Clement, Cork City goalkeeping coach Phil Harrington and Finn Harps masseur Michael McGlynn.

Meanwhile Staunton yesterday reiterated his desire for a couple of training sessions at Croke Park before the Irish team take up temporary residence there next year and it’s believed the matter has been discussed at the highest level between the GAA and FAI.