CENTURION ERA IS AT END FOR O’NEILL
WHEN John O’Shea rides off into the summer sunset on June 2, Martin O’Neill will find himself without a centurion in his squad for the first time as Republic of Ireland manager.
Up to now, he had Robbie Keane, Shay Given and O’Shea in the ranks, senior players who have become senior citizens in internationals terms.
In terms of future centurions, there are questions marks over those players next in line for Ireland’s ‘100-cap Club’, Aiden McGeady (93 caps) and Glenn Whelan (83 caps).
Both have been outstanding servants but have become marginalised as Father Time has ticked at their shoulders. With O’Shea (37) following Daryl Murphy (35) and Wes Hoolahan (35) into retirement, O’Neill has cast a wide net in an experimental 40strong squad for the summer friendlies.
For all the excitement generated by Shamrock Rovers’ Graham Burke — it’s a long time since former Hoops strikers Mick Leech and Damien Richardson were on Ireland call — O’Neill knows he holds an ordinary hand, although the return of Callum O’Dowda after injury is a plus.
O’Neill admitted as much in Navan when he discussed a youthful squad for the games against Celtic (May 20), France (May 28) and USA (June 2).
Asked about the chances of the young bucks progressing to the front rank for the Nations League and Euro 2020, O’Neill didn’t build things up to be anything that they’re not. ‘I think some of the younger players would still have to prove themselves at international level for a start, which is quite difficult to do,’ he said.
‘I’m always hopeful, but you couldn’t be absolutely confident that some of these lads could step in and compete against say the likes of Denmark and Wales in those (World Cup) games we played. Certainly, not at this immediate stage, anyway.’
That said, there will be opportunities for fringe players to impress, chiefly against Celtic in Parkhead for the Scott Brown Testimonial as O’Neill has excused some of his senior crew from that game, including Shane Duffy.
‘It’s very important if some players get the opportunity, then they should grab it ahead of the matches coming up in September and October.’
While fresh faces are always welcome, none of the four uncapped newcomers are exactly regulars on ‘Match of the Day.’ One of them, Millwall’s Shaun Williams is almost 32 while Burke is operating in the League of Ireland.
He follows the Dundalk trio of Andy Boyle, Daryl Horgan and Gary Rogers as home-based players named by O’Neill and has much to play for in Parkhead on Sunday week where he should get a run.
‘I would hope he (Burke) would play some part in the Celtic game and if Rovers want him to play the night before (the Hoops are away to Sligo on Saturday week), I wouldn’t have a major problem with that,’ said O’Neill.
The manager saw for himself recently what Burke is capable of with a wonder goal against Cork City but stressed he didn’t promote him for that moment alone.
‘He has ability,’ acknowledged O’Neill. ‘Sometimes when you’re looking at a game and someone is standing out, you think “Is he capable of doing that let’s say, for instance, in the Premier League?” He (Burke) looks like he’s showing that ability again, and who knows what might happen in the future.’
As for the future of the gnarly vets, McGeady and Whelan, the future is not so clear. Along with Stephen Ward, who is managing a knee issue, McGeady (foot) wasn’t considered for end of term selection but Whelan continues to put himself forward.
Unlike O’Shea, he hasn’t bitten any bullet and made a call to O’Neill. Rather, he is available for selection until the manager decides otherwise.
‘I have left Glenn at his own devices because he is heavily involved there with Aston Villa and is playing the matches. He hasn’t spoken to me about retiring,’ said O’Neill.
Assuming Whelan wants to carry on, could O’Neill see him having a role to play? ‘Isn’t it the whole idea of football for younger players to come through and take the place of the older players, so much so the older players see no future for themselves? That’s the way I would look at it,’ said O’Neill.
It wasn’t exactly a ringing endorsement of a 10-year trench warrior. While time may be counting against Whelan, having a midfielder of his experience around the squad, may give the younger players something to aspire too just as Keane, Given and O’Shea have done in the O’Neill era.