Doyle in the frame for battle in Austria

THERE WAS good news for Kevin Doyle when he was included last week in Martin O’Neill’s provisional squad for the World Cup qualifier against Austria in Vienna on Saturday, November 12.

With Shane Long and Daryl Murphy both ruled out owing to injury, hopes are high that the Colorado Rapids striker might see his international career resurrected in this vital game.

He was one of four forwards named on the squad along with Jonathan Walters of Stoke City who is certain to start, Aberdeen’s Adam Rooney, and David McGoldrick of Ipswich Town.

David Meyler from Hull City, who has strong family links with Tacumshane, was named among the midfielders on the squad.

Meanwhile, Orla Casey of Wexford Youths Women played for the first 79 minutes as the Republic of Ireland Under-17 team cemented their place as Group 10 table-toppers with a 4-1 triumph over Iceland at Turner’s Cross on Monday of last week.

The next target for the squad is the elite round in early 2017, with a place in next summer’s finals in the Czech Republic the ultimate goal.

In further good news, Enniscorthy’s Aaron Dobbs (Shamrock Rovers) and Rosbercon’s Thomas O’Connor (Southampton) have been named on the Republic of Ireland Under-18 squad for friendlies against the Netherlands and Germany respectively in Salou, Spain, next Friday and Sunday.