Damien Delaney’s Ireland days look to be over
The Crystal Palace defender was left out of the 37-man Ireland squad for the Euro 2016 qualifiers against Gibraltar and Georgia and there has been speculation his omission might be linked with a past argument with Ireland assistant manager Roy Keane when the duo worked together at Ipswich.
Delaney, though, said he has no issue with his fellow Corkman and claimed that, at 34, the ‘future of Irish football does not lie with me’.
“I just want to clarify my position with regards to the Ireland national team and my omission from the squad,” Delaney wrote on his Instagram account.
“I have no issue with Roy Keane and shook his hand this summer at a Cork City European match. I know at the age of 34 the future of Irish football does not lie with me, the rigours of Premier League football and the 24/7 dedication required takes its toll so I look on the international break as a chance to recover.”
Delaney, however, did insist he had never demanded a guaranteed starting berth with the Boys in Green. On Tuesday Ireland boss Martin O’Neill had said: “I had a conversation this time last year with Damien.
“Damien played in a game for me and then after a conversation at the time, he didn’t come out to the America trip with us. I think with the number of centre halves we had at the time he might have felt, with age catching up on him, he might have felt his time had gone. That was not the case, although I can’t guarantee anybody (a place) in the side.”
In his statement last night, Delaney said: “I spoke to Martin O’Neill and contrary to his recent comments I never asked for a regular starting position. I did however disagree with certain aspects which, out of respect to Martin and the national team, will remain private.”
Delaney went on to say Irish soccer needs a long term strategy in order for sustained success. He said: “Ireland need to plan for the long term even if it means sacrificing one maybe two major tournaments. We need to build an identity and team ethos from schoolboy football to full international that will last.”
Delaney also took the opportunity to hail former Ireland Giovanni Trapattoni.
“I understand people weren’t enamoured with Mr Trapattoni but whether you agreed with his philosophy or not you have to respect the man and the results he achieved with his philosophy.
“There are many footballing philosophies and we need to choose one that suits Irish traits and strengths best, similar to what Wales are now achieving or what M Trapattoni achieved in his time in charge.”
Delaney finished by saying he wished he could have done more. “I’ll always be an ardent supporter and wish I could have contributed more,” he concluded.
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