Injury takes Kennedy out of Irish squad

Mark Kennedy has withdrawn from the Irish squad for the friendly international against Greece in Athens next Wednesday.

Kennedy, who has not been involved in an Irish squad since being included in the original squad for the World Cup finals in Japan and South Korea in the summer by Mick McCarthy, was injured playing for his club in a League game against Brighton on Monday night.

He contacted stand-in manager Don Givens to say he would not be fit to travel to Athens.

Brighton’s Graham Barrett, who is on loan to the club from Arsenal, was also injured in the game against Wolves on Monday but he feels he will be fit to travel to Greece.

The Irish squad are due to assemble at the Holiday Inn Hotel, Dublin Airport, at 12 noon on Sunday.

A training session will be held in the AUL Complex at Clonshaugh on Sunday afternoon at 2.30pm.

Manager Don Givens has also planned a training session at a local ground in Athens on Wednesday morning, the day of the game.