Kelly bemused by no-shows for crucial Skopje test

THE sixth of Ireland’s 10 European Championship 2012 qualifying fixtures draws ever closer and yet the focus remains stubbornly rooted to some of those who will play no part in Saturday’s tricky assignment in Skopje.

The dogs on the street have been talking about it. So too, have the players — with each other and the press — and the absence of certain colleagues has touched a nerve with Stephen Kelly who hasn’t missed an international call-up since his U19 days with Brian Kerr.

“I don’t understand it, to be honest,” said the Fulham defender.