SHAY GIVEN Aston Villa, 121 caps, age 36
Nicknamed “Lazarus” at Newcastle United because of his powers of recovery, Ireland’s record cap holder will be hoping that his latest brush with injury does not interfere with only his second leading tournament. Still a brilliant goalkeeper, Given jarred his knee in training before heading to Ireland’s Italian training camp.
SEAN ST LEDGER Leicester City, 26 caps, 27
A vital member of the team who lost so cruelly to Thierry Henry’s handball goal in Ireland’s World Cup qualifying play-off defeat to France, St Ledger has the opportunity for redemption here. The Leicester City defender has been named as a starter beside Dunne in the centre of Ireland’s defence against Croatia.
STEPHEN WARD Wolves, 11 caps, 26
A replacement for the long-serving Kevin Kilbane at left back, Ward has endured the disappointment of relegation with his club this season, but he has established himself as a pivotal member of Trapattoni’s team. His versatility — he is right-footed and also capable of playing in midfield — makes him an important squad player.
JOHN O’SHEA Sunderland, 75 caps, 31
Was another fitness concern for Trapattoni but the Sunderland defender, who had reported for duty nursing calf and ankle problems, played a full 90 minutes against Hungary on Monday and now looks set fair for the tournament. Capable of playing anywhere in the defence, O’Shea offers versatility and quality.
RICHARD DUNNE Aston Villa, 72 caps, 32
The rock of Ireland’s back four. Dunne caused his country some concern when he fractured his shoulder in February, but recovered in time to board the plane to Poland and Ukraine. Outstanding in the crucial 0-0 draw with Russia in qualifying — as was Given — the Aston Villa central defender will be a pivotal part of the team.
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GLENN WHELAN Stoke City, 38 caps, 28 Called into Trapattoni’s first Ireland squad, Whelan has been a regular presence since then, offering doggedness and a physical presence in midfield. “He’s a good lad, very single-minded,” Tony Pulis, his manager at Stoke, has said. “He’s got that Celtic blood in him and the determination to prove people wrong.”
AIDEN McGEADY Spartak Moscow, 48 caps, 26
Gave a glimpse of what can be expected of him in the final home friendly against Bosnia-Herzegovina, when he came on at half-time to inspire his team-mates to victory. The winger, who is his country’s first international to play club football in Russia, is a rarity in Trapattoni’s squad because of his ability to change a game.
KEITH ANDREWS West Brom, 28 caps, 31
Andrews, who signed permanently for West Bromwich Albion in January, is a holding midfield player who scored on his international debut against Poland four years ago. Once the youngest captain of Wolverhampton Wanderers for a century, his leadership qualities will be required in three testing group matches.
KEVIN DOYLE Wolves, 47 caps, 28
Has plundered ten goals for his country since making his debut in 2006, a total that reflects his role as a workhorse, willing runner and team player. He scored only four times in the league for Wolves last season but if his confidence has been drained by relegation, the knowledge that he will begin the tournament should help.
ROBBIE KEANE Los Angeles Galaxy, 115 caps, 31
Still the focal point of the Ireland team, Keane scored seven goals in qualifying fixtures for Euro 2012. The striker may be exiled at LA Galaxy, but he demonstrated that none of his predatory prowess had been forfeited when he found the net three times in six loan appearances for Aston Villa.
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DAMIEN DUFF Fulham, 96 caps, 33
Another veteran of the Ireland squad that competed in Japan and South Korea a decade ago, when he was one of their best players. Duff has since enjoyed a profitable spell in the Barclays Premier League, representing Chelsea, Newcastle United and latterly Fulham. He is capable of playing on either wing and much still depends on him.
STEPHEN KELLY Fulham, 30 caps, 28
Equipped to play anywhere across Ireland’s defence, Kelly offers valuable versatility, as well as intelligence: the Fulham player is one of the most erudite members of Trapattoni’s travelling party. Admitted after Kevin Foley’s departure that “something like this can change the dynamics of things, but we are a really, really close team”.
JONATHAN WALTERS Stoke City, 6 caps, 28
Walters can offer welcome variation, either on the right wing or as a central striker. Like all Stoke players, he can never be accused of not putting in a shift. A regular in the second half of Ireland’s qualifying campaign, Walters was another impressive performer in Ireland’s recent friendly win over Bosnia-Herzegovina.
KEIREN WESTWOOD Sunderland, 9 caps, 27
Started the match against Bosnia-Herzegovina and has always acquitted himself well, but the goalkeeper knows he cannot yet hope to displace Given as Ireland’s No 1. Endured a frustrating time in his debut season at Sunderland, playing well before succumbing to injury and then struggling to replace Simon Mignolet.
STEPHEN HUNT Wolves, 38 caps, 30
Has made the majority of his international appearances as a substitute, a trend that seems unlikely to change in this tournament. A creative winger, Hunt did not look confident against Bosnia-Herzegovina, which may have something to do with McClean’s startling emergence at the Stadium of Light this season.
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DARREN O’DEA Unattached, 14 caps, 25
Allowed to leave Celtic on a free transfer last week when the club decided to waive a one-year option on his contract. O’Dea spent last season on loan at Leeds United but that deal will not become permanent. Fitness concerns about other central defenders increase his chances of making an unexpected appearance.