WHO IS AT THE END OF THE GREEN MILE

JOHN O’SHEA (Age 36, Caps 117) This was always going to be his last campaign, with Martin O’Neill wanting the veteran to stay around to offer experience. He’s had a fantastic career and the only thing it has really missed is a World Cup appearance. It was too soon in 2002 but he probably thought there would be more chances. WES HOOLAHAN

(Age 35, Caps 43) Hoolahan is not expected to play for Ireland again, although he’s a lowkey individual so a big announcement would be a surprise. It’s a crying shame he’s reached the end of the line with only 43 caps. In a strange way, Tuesday could sum it all up – he was introduced too late into a team that didn’t really seem to suit his strengths. GLENN WHELAN

(Age 33, Caps 84) He’s no longer a guaranteed starter and Ireland have options in his position. David Meyler is now ahead of him in the pecking order and James McCarthy has always been given preference when he has been available. Whelan’s time is up; he is likely to be phased out. DARYL MURPHY

(Age 34, Caps 33) Murphy did sign a three-year contract with Nottingham Forest in the summer so it’s by no means guaranteed that he will step away as he will still be doing a job at Championship level. And Ireland do not have an abundance of strikers coming through the ranks. So it’s possible that the ball is in his court now. JONATHAN WALTERS

(Age 34, Caps 51) Similar to Murphy, it’s unlikely that Walters will get a call from O’Neill and be told that he is going to move on without him. But he’s been unable to get going at Burnley because of injury so uncertainty hangs over his Irish future. When fit, he’s probably Ireland’s most effective striker.