IRELAND SET TO PLAY IN US TOURNAMENT
THE Republic of Ireland are likely to take part in a football tournament next summer after all — in the USA. The United States Soccer Federation (USSF) is keen to stage a competition for teams who missed out on the World Cup finals. Along with hosts USA, the organisers are targeting Italy, Holland, Chile and Ireland for a multi-nation event prior to the World Cup. Northern Ireland, Wales and Scotland may also be involved. African nations are on the USSF radar too, including Ghana, Cameroon and Ivory Coast. The event will allow embattled Martin O’Neill the chance to begin rebuilding the Irish squad and also to restore the damage to his own reputation following the 5-1 play-off mauling by Denmark. Formal invites have yet to be extended but the event has met with tacit approval from FIFA once it doesn’t clash with the World Cup, which kicks off on June 14. Dates, venues and the format have yet to be finalised but a minimum of three games seems likely. Ireland, who always have strong support Stateside, took part in the US Cup in 1992, 1996 and 2000, and also played in the World Cup finals there in 1994. Under O’Neill, Ireland have twice played in Giants Stadium, losing 5-1 to Portugal prior to the 2014 World Cup finals, and 3-1 to Mexico in June this year. Meanwhile, a ‘fed-up’ quintet of Irish players have returned to training at Burnley, according to manager Sean Dyche. Robbie Brady, Stephen Ward, Jeff Hendrick, Kevin Long and Jon Walters were sickened by Tuesday’s loss but were back on club duty yesterday. ‘The Irish guys are good but they have taken it [Tuesday] as a bit of knock, not just the fact they haven’t made it (to Russia), but the game and all that,’ said Dyche. ‘But they are in a group here who accept them back in very quickly, with open arms and say: “C’mon lads, we’ve got to get on with it”.’