Sheffield keeper gets first Ireland call-up

Sheffield United goalkeeper Paddy Kenny has been called into the Republic of Ireland squad for the first time for the friendly clash with Brazil on February 18 at Lansdowne Road.

Also included in the 23-man squad is Sunderland midfielder Jason McAteer who has not featured for Ireland since September 2002.

Kenny’s inclusion is reward for his impressive form for Sheffield United over the last two years.

After joining the Blades on a three-month loan deal from Bury, Kenny made the move permanent in 2002, helping them reach the FA Cup semi-finals last season while, this year, they are currrently fourth in Division One.

Born in Halifax, Kenny is eligible because both of his parents were born in Ireland and declared for Brian Kerr’s team in 2002.

The 25-year-old comes into the squad as a direct replacement for Hibernian’s Nick Colgan, who has just returned to training after a month lay-off through injury.

Returning to the squad after a frustrating injury-plagued 17 months is McAteer. The 51-times capped midfielder was last seen in a green shirt in September 200,2 when he started Ireland’s 4-2 defeat by Russia in Moscow.

He limped out of that game after 65 minutes with a hamstring injury, which kept him out for almost all of last season. A brief return to fitness in March 2003 saw him called up for the double header away to Georgia and Albania, but his injury curse struck again and he was forced to withdraw.

This season, he has also been plagued by injuries, but returned to first team action in December and has been influential in Sunderland’s promotion push.

The remainder of the squad is along familiar lines. Back in the squad after injury problems are Lee Carsley (Everton), David Connolly (West Ham) and Alan Lee (Cardiff City), while Leeds United midfielder Stephen McPhail has been omitted.

Injury has robbed Kerr of the opportunity to select Colin Healy (Sunderland), Liam Miller (Celtic) and Steven Reid (Blackburn Rovers) while Gary Breen (Sunderland) is still short of match fitness having only recently returned to training.

Ireland (friendly v Brazil): S Carr, L Carsley, D Connolly, K Cunningham, R Delap, G Doherty, D Duff, R Dunne, S Given, S Finnan, I Harte, M Holland, G Kavanagh, R Keane, P Kenny, K Kilbane, A Lee, J McAteer, C Morrison, J Murphy, A O'Brien, J O'Shea, A Reid.