O’Brien out of Ireland squad

West Ham defender Joey O’Brien has been released from the Republic of Ireland squad for their end-of-season friendlies.

O’Brien was included in the provisional 32-man party for the games against Turkey, Italy, Costa Rica and Portugal when manager Martin O’Neill named it last week.

However, he will now not join up and concentrate instead on his own fitness programme.

A spokesman for the FAI said: “The Football Association of Ireland today confirmed that following discussions between FAI and West Ham’s medical teams, Joey O’Brien has been released from Martin O’Neill’s provisional squad to manage his off season medical programme.”

O’Brien will not be replaced in the initial party for the clashes with Turkey in Dublin on May 25, Italy at Craven Cottage on May 31, Costa Rica in Philadelphia on June 6 and the Portugal in New Jersey on June 10.