John O'Shea and Brian Kerr get to work as new Ireland era begins
Interim Ireland manager John O'Shea, right, and technical advisor Brian Kerr. Picture: Stephen McCarthy/Sportsfile
A new era has begun – and an injustice belatedly rectified – with John O’Shea taking his first training session as Ireland’s caretaker manager.
The Ireland centurion assembled a 24-man squad, after Liam Scales and Troy Parrott withdrew through injury, on Monday at their Castleknock Hotel base and they had a light workout at the FAI’s pitches within the Sports Ireland campus at Abbotstown.
O’Shea will be in charge for two home friendlies, against Belgium on Saturday and Switzerland tomorrow week, before a permanent boss is unveiled by April – as promised by the FAI.
Lee Carsley remains favourite for the vacancy after negotiations to prise the former midfielder from England’s U21s weren’t completed by the time preparations for the March window began.
O’Shea will likely remain part of the new manager’s backroom staff and there could be a place too for Brian Kerr.
He was unceremoniously ostracised from the FAI after being sacked by former chief executive John Delaney as senior boss in 2005.
Stephen Kenny didn’t take kindly to Kerr’s criticisms of his reign while working as a Virgin Media pundit, leading to a breakdown in the relationship of a pair that were previously close stretching back to the beginning of Kenny’s coaching journey with St Patrick’s Athletic’s U21 team.
The idea of Kerr’s expertise and experience being utilised in this interim arrangement as technical advisor was floated by Marc Canham, the FAI’s director of football.
The 71-year-old is also highly rated by board member Packie Bonner, who worked as Kerr’s goalkeeping coach during his spell as boss between February 2003-October 2005.
Paddy McCarthy and Glenn Whelan, who like O’Shea represented Ireland’s youth teams during Kerr’s successful stint as underage manager, are also part of the staff.
Scales suffered an injury ahead of Celtics' 3-1 win over St. Johnstone while Parrott has missed Excelsior's last three matches, including their 1-1 draw against RKC Waalwijk on Saturday.
O'Shea opted against calling up any replacements. Joe Hodge and Andy Moran will add midfield depth when they join the squad for the Swiss game after featuring in Friday’s U21 qualifier in San Marino (5pm).
Former Ireland U21 and Derry City goalkeeper Brian Maher reported for duty, having been invited to train with the goalkeepers this week alongside Gavin Bazunu, Caoimhín Kelleher and Mark Travers.
Strong season ticket sales will have laid foundations for a strong turnout at Lansdowne Road for the first senior internationals of 2024 but the duo package remains on sale.
Ireland failed to qualify for the Euro finals this summer but both the Belgians, ranked fourth in Fifa’s standings, and the Swiss, situated 19th, are preparing for the football showpiece of the year.
Gavin Bazunu (Southampton), Caoimhin Kelleher (Liverpool), Mark Travers (AFC Bournemouth)
Seamus Coleman (Everton), Matt Doherty (Wolverhampton Wanderers), Nathan Collins (Brentford), Andrew Omobamidele (Nottingham Forest), Dara O'Shea (Burnley), Jake O'Brien (Lyon), Robbie Brady (Preston North End), Festy Ebosele (Udinese).
Josh Cullen (Burnley), Jason Knight (Bristol City), Will Smallbone (Southampton). Jamie McGrath (Aberdeen), Callum O’Dowda (Cardiff City), Mark Sykes (Bristol City), Finn Azaz (Middlesbrough), Mikey Johnston (West Bromwich Albion).
Evan Ferguson (Brighton and Hove Albion), Adam Idah (Celtic), Michael Obafemi (Millwall, on loan from Burnley), Sammie Szmodics (Blackburn Rovers), Chiedozie Ogbene (Luton Town).
Saturday, March 23rd; Ireland v Belgium, Aviva Stadium, 5pm
Tuesday, March 26th; Ireland v Switzerland, Aviva Stadium, 7.45pm
CONNECT WITH US TODAY
Be the first to know the latest news and updates
