Republic of Ireland boss Mick McCarthy names 23-man squad for European Qualifiers
James McCarthy, Aiden McGeady and Cyrus Christie all omitted
Monday 18 March 2019 12:20, UK
Republic of Ireland boss Mick McCarthy has vowed to field his strongest possible team against Euro 2020 qualifying opponents Gibraltar as he prepares to launch his second tenure as manager.
McCarthy has whittled down a provisional squad of 38 to the final 23 for the trip to the Victoria Stadium on March 23 and the home game against Georgia three days later.
Both Group D games are live on Sky Sports.
Live Euro 2020 Qualifiers
Everton midfielder James McCarthy is among those missing out as he strives for match fitness following a leg fracture which has prevented him making a senior appearance for his club since January last year.
Sunderland's Aiden McGeady has also missed the cut despite catching the new manager's eye with a series of good performances in the Black Cats' Sky Bet League One promotion drive.
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Cyrus Christie, Kevin Long, Stephen Ward, David Meyler, Scott Hogan and Aiden O'Brien - all regular squad members under Martin O'Neill - do not make it.
McCarthy named Preston midfielder Alan Browne and Portsmouth striker Ronan Curtis but both have had to withdraw.
Browne suffered an ankle injury during his club's 2-1 Sky Bet Championship victory at Middlesbrough on Wednesday evening while Curtis severed part of a finger after catching it in a door.
McCarthy will name their replacements in due course.
Ciaran Clark, Callum Robinson, Jonathan Walters and Michael Obafemi had already been ruled out by injury.
Live Euro 2020 Qualifiers
Ireland are expected to get their campaign off to a winning start against Group D minnows Gibraltar but McCarthy won't be taking any risks.
He said: "Am I as green as I am cabbage-looking? We want to beat Gibraltar as that's our first game. I don't want any backlash from that.
"We'll go there with the strongest team I have and try win that game."
Republic of Ireland squad
Goalkeepers: Darren Randolph (Middlesbrough), Keiren Westwood (Sheffield Wednesday), Mark Travers (Bournemouth)
Defenders: Seamus Coleman (Everton), Matt Doherty (Wolves), Richard Keogh (Derby), John Egan (Sheffield United), Shane Duffy (Brighton), Enda Stevens (Sheffield United)
Midfielders: Alan Judge (Ipswich), Jeff Hendrick (Burnley), Conor Hourihane (Aston Villa), Alan Browne (Preston), Harry Arter (Cardiff), Glenn Whelan (Aston Villa), Robbie Brady (Burnley), Callum O'Dowda (Bristol City), James McClean (Stoke)
Strikers: Shane Long (Southampton), Sean Maguire (Preston), Ronan Curtis (Portsmouth), David McGoldrick (Sheffield United), James Collins (Luton).
