Kerr names team for Socceroos clash

Republic of Ireland manager Brian Kerr has named his team to face Australia in tonight’s friendly international at Lansdowne Road.

In addition to goalkeeper Nicky Colgan, who has just joined Stockport County on loan from Hibernian, Kerr has given a starting spot to Steve Finnan, who has also moved clubs during the summer, from Fulham to Liverpool.

Finnan, who came on as a substitute in Liverpool’s opening game against Chelsea in the English Premiership last Sunday, has not played for the Republic since the friendly against Norway in Lansdowne last April.

Finnan missed both the Euro 2004 qualifiers in Dublin against Albania and Georgia in June.

Kerr is putting out a strong side to face the Aussies in this the first meeting between the two nations.

New Chelsea star Damien Duff is included along with Robbie Keane (Tottenham Hotspur), John O’Shea (Manchester United) and Stephen Carr (Tottenham Hotspur).

Duff will play wide on the left to the exclusion of Kevin Kilbane (Sunderland). Robbie Keane will have his Spurs team mate Gary Doherty up front with him.

The full team is: Nick Colgan, Stephen Carr, Gary Breen, Kenny Cunningham, John O’Shea, Steve Finnan, Matt Holland, Mark Kinsella, Damien Duff; Gary Doherty, Robbie Keane.