Ireland Euro hopes boosted as fit Dunne earns new QPR deal

The chances of Richard Dunne being available for Ireland’s Euro 2016 campaign have been boosted by the news that the veteran defender has signed a one-year extension to his contract with QPR.

Having missed an entire season through injury after the Euro 2012 finals, the 34-year-old has been a stalwart in the QPR defence as the London side look to gain promotion to the Premier League.

Considering the complicated nature of the injuries to his groin and abdominal muscles had threatened to end his career, the Dubliner is understandably thrilled with how well things have gone since joining Harry Redknapp’s side on an initial deal which would have been immediately terminated had his injury woes resurfaced.

“After missing a year through injury, to come back and play so many games is great,” he said. “There is naturally always that worry that the injury may go again, so to play as regularly as I have has been brilliant. If we can kick on now and finish on a high, that would be the ultimate end to the season.

“What we have to do now is try to get as many points on the board as possible, and also to mentally prepare ourselves for the play-offs.”