Ireland to miss Czech clash following death of grandmother

STEPHEN IRELAND has been released from international duty following the death of his grandmother and will not be available for Ireland’s European Championship qualifier against the Czech Republic on Wednesday.

The midfielder has flown home to Cork to be with his family, having learned after Saturday night’s match in Slovakia – in which he scored Ireland’s first goal – that his grandmother, Patricia Tallon, had died suddenly.

Said Irish manager Steve Staunton: “He was very close to her and so we made arrangements overnight to get him home as quickly as possible.

“It is very important that he is with his family at this sad time and on behalf of the squad I want to extend our sympathies to Stephen and his family.”

FAI President David Blood expressed condolences on behalf of the Association to Ireland and his family, while Chief Executive John Delaney commented: “Stephen was very close to his grandmother so her death came as a big shock. Our staff worked through Saturday night to make arrangements to fly him home and he left Bratislava early on Sunday morning. Our thoughts and prayers are with him and his family at this time.”

Staunton will postpone until tomorrow a decision on whether to call up a replacement for Ireland, as he is awaiting fitness updates on Liverpool defender Steve Finnan and Wolves midfielder Darren Potter, both of whom missed the draw with Slovakia due to knee and groin injuries respectively.

“We still have 20 players, and the likes of Andy Reid and Stephen Hunt are fresh as they did not play on Saturday night, so we still have plenty of options,” said Staunton.

“Kevin Doyle and Richard Dunne both picked up knocks on Saturday night but they will get treatment over the next few days and I am confident that they will be fit.”

The Ireland manager admitted he was disappointed at conceding the late equaliser in Slovakia.

“The lads know we should have held on. It’s a hard lesson but it’s one we have to learn if we are going to have a winning mentality home and away. Our job now is to pick ourselves up and start focusing on the Czech Republic. It’s a game we are capable of winning and we will be approaching it in that frame of mind.”

The Republic of Ireland squad arrived here in Prague yesterday evening and will have their first training session in the Czech capital this morning.

Meanwhile, Damien Duff, who attended the game in Bratislava, yesterday flew back to England for further treatment on the foot injury which he confirmed will prevent him from resuming training for at least another nine weeks.