GOLD RESERVE
Blades striker in to boost Kenny’s forward options
DAVID McGOLDRICK has joined up with the Republic of Ireland squad and is set for involvement against Finland tomorrow in the Nations League.
The Sheffield United striker has recovered from a foot problem and could replace Adam Idah in the starting XI as Stephen Kenny shuffles the deck with less than 72 hours between games.
Robbie Brady, who impressed as a substitute in the 1-1 draw in Bulgaria, comes into the reckoning too.
The Irish squad trains this morning in Abbotstown in preparation for the visit of Finland who lost 1-0 at home to Wales on Thursday.
A four-point return would put Kenny’s team on a decent footing in the group, and generate momentum ahead of the Euro 2020 play-off against Slovakia on October 8.
The Slovaks lost 3-1 at home to neighbours Czech Republic in the Nations League last night.
Meanwhile, the FAI was rocked yesterday by the decision of interim CEO Gary Owens to step away from the recruitment process for a permanent
CEO and signal his intent to return to the ‘business world’ when the post is filled. Owens was one of the favourites to land the €207,000-a-year job and his notice of departure caught FAI board members unawares. On Monday, Owens and FAI chairman Roy Barrett differed on whether there was a conflict of interest over the recommendation of Barrett by Bank of Ireland’s Patrick Kennedy for the job of FAI independent chair. With Owens heading for the exit, the focus falls on Niall Quinn, the out of contract deputy interim CEO. Meanwhile, after a scrappy stalemate in Sofia, the focus for Ireland is a three-point haul against Finland tomorrow. Whether that is achieved through a jammy late winner, or on the back of ‘Operation Freeflow’ with goals aplenty, won’t matter to midfielder Conor Hourihane (right). ‘Listen, we’re in a results business and we all want to win first and foremost. You simply have to win and win ugly at times — that would be absolutely fine as well. But if we can win and play well at the same time, that’s what everyone strives for,’ said Hourihane on the squad’s return from Bulgaria. Having played under Martin O’Neill and Mick McCarthy, the Aston Villa midfielder is experiencing a new philosophy under Stephen Kenny. Has he noticed anything different? ‘Maybe previously we relied on set-plays a little bit too much, but with this style of play we’ll create some more chances. The manager wants more lads in attacking areas. ‘It’s been a very easy change, really, a very, easy transition. The manager has come in, got his point across really well. I’ve been very impressed with what he’s had to say and what he’s given across to us.’ Hourihane took responsibility for the under-cooked pass which allowed Bulgaria to counterattack and score through Bozhidar Kraev just before the hour mark. ‘Yeah, I was disappointed with myself because I felt like it was a sloppy pass, a needless pass, I suppose. We have spoken about it and I had my hand up in the dressing room after it, so did a couple of the defenders. ‘After I gave the ball away, I think Shane (Duffy) and John (Egan) felt disappointed afterwards as well. I think it was a bit of a mixed bag from everyone really.’ For all the 60 per cent possession which Ireland enjoyed, Kenny avoided defeat in his first competitive game through a setpiece, when Shane Duffy headed home Robbie Brady’s corner. Hourihane was not at all surprised by the old one-two which caught Bulgaria on the chin. ‘We’ve always been a threat from set-pieces over the years, so that’s something in our DNA. ‘I think we could have scored from open play a couple of times too.’ With a home game tomorrow against Finland, Hourihane was asked if there was a burden on the players to implement Kenny’s creed. ‘Maybe it might stick out a little bit more because it’s a different style of play and we are going in a different direction. We’ll all take it in our stride. ‘I’m sure over the coming months, there’ll be improvements and we’ll get better.’ Kenny has built up the standard of player within the squad which Hourihane reckons ‘is refreshing to hear’. ‘He definitely believes in us and believes that there is quality in this squad. If you go through the team that played Bulgaria, bar Callum (O’Dowda), we’re all pretty much playing in the Premier League.’