Trio missing for Ireland

Gary Kelly, Colin Healy and Nick Colgan have been omitted from the Republic of Ireland squad for the Euro 2004 qualifiers against Albania and Georgia next month.

Leeds defender Kelly asked not to be considered because of he is receiving treatment for shin splints.

“He’s asked not to be considered so he can fully recover from the injuries he’s had during the season,” manager Brian Kerr said.

Celtic midfielder Healy and Hibernian goalkeeper Colgan are missing as both will still be involved in club football when the players report for duty on May 20.

Manchester City’s Richard Dunne is included in the squad after impressing Kerr with his performance in the friendly against Norway.

Republic of Ireland squad for the European Championship qualifiers against Albania on June 7 and Georgia on June 11 at Lansdowne Road: Given (Newcastle), Murphy (West Brom), Carr (Tottenham), Breen (West Ham), Dunne (Manchester City), Harte (Leeds), O’Shea (Manchester United), Finnan (Fulham), Cunningham (Birmingham), O’Brien (Newcastle), Carsley (Everton), Holland (Ipswich), Kinsella (Aston Villa), Kilbane (Sunderland), McPhail (Leeds), Quinn (Sheffield Wednesday), Reid (Millwall), Duff (Blackburn), Connolly (Wimbledon), Lee (Rotherham), Keane (Tottenham), Crowe (Bohemians), Doherty (Tottenham).