Trap arrival delayed but Finnan set for recall

REPUBLIC of Ireland boss Giovanni Trapattoni will today name his squad to face Australia next month at Thomond Park.

The Italian’s plans to reveal the squad yesterday were grounded when his flight from Milan to Dublin was delayed. The FAI said Trapattoni was unable to attend yesterday “due to technical problems delaying the flight from Milan to Dublin”.

Safely in Ireland, Trapattoni now names the squad in Limerick at 11am today for the friendly clash with Australia on August 12. And it appears veteran full-back Steve Finnan is set for a recall to the squad.

Finnan – originally from Janesboro in Limerick City – is returning to the English Premier League with Portsmouth after a troubled spell in La Liga.

Portsmouth boss Paul Hart has signed the Irishman from Espanyol on a one-year deal.

Finnan moved from Liverpool to Espanyol last season but it proved a difficult spell for the 33-year-old, plagued by injuries.

Finnan is now set to link up with his new Pompey teammates on their pre-season trip to Portugal this week.

A recall from Trapattoni could prove a big opportunity for Finnan to reestablish himself in the Irish fold.

The right full-back slot has proved a tricky gap for Trapattoni and his management team to fill.

Stephen Kelly, Kevin Foley and Paul McShane have all filled the role at various stages in recent sides but have come in for some criticism.

Finnan could get himself back into the reckoning with a strong showing at Thomond Park. The match will be Ireland’s final match before they face a vital World Cup Group 8 qualifier away to Cyprus on September 5. Trapattoni’s side are currently second in the table, one point behind Italy.

The match with Australia is the first of two planned for Thomond Park. Ireland will face South Africa there later in the year.

And playing at the home of Munster will have some significance. The Irish senior side have not played a home international outside of Dublin since 1985, when Flower Lodge – now the GAA’s Páirc Uí Rinn – hosted an international friendly against Spain in Cork.