Connolly turns down Ireland invite

Wimbledon striker David Connolly today refused to bail out the Republic of Ireland after 10 injury withdrawals derailed preparations for this week’s friendly against Greece.

Connolly, originally left out of the Republic’s 25-man squad for Wednesday’s international in Athens, declined an invitation to travel after all following today’s mass cry-offs.

The 10 withdrawals – including the likes of Premiership players Ian Harte and Robbie Keane – have forced stand-in manager Don Givens into a radical shake-up of his options.

The result is a new 18-man party with call-ups for Shelbourne’s Wes Houlihan, Bohemians’ Glenn Crowe and Coventry pair Richard Partridge and Barry Quinn – the last three named for the first time in a full international squad.

Under-21s boss Givens, in charge on a temporary basis following the recent resignation of Mick McCarthy, must now prepare a much-depleted side.

Those who have pulled out citing injury today are Tottenham’s Stephen Carr and Keane, Leeds’ Gary Kelly and Harte, Aston Villa’s Mark Kinsella, Sunderland’s Kevin Kilbane, Birmingham’s Clinton Morrison, Blackburn’s Damien Duff, Arsenal’s Graham Barrett and Newcastle’s Andy O’Brien.

The squad was already without Mark Kennedy, who announced last week he would not be available after returning only recently from a long-term injury.