Return to Cork revives memories of ‘Fota Four’

ONE year on from their preEuro 2016 training camp in Cork, Martin O’Neill brings a gaggle of his players back to Fota Island on Tuesday for a three-day training camp in the five-star resort.

Ahead of the friendlies with Mexico in New Jersey, Uruguay in Dublin and the visit of Austria for a vital World Cup qualifier, the Ireland boss confirmed that it will be predominantly those Championship players who have been off duty since their season finished that will travel to Leeside.

Twelve months ago, it was a very different scenario with players attempting to make their case for inclusion in the 23-man squad for the European Championships. After a 2-1 defeat to Belarus in a warmup game at Turner’s Cross, O’Neill then called out four players one-by-one to dash their Euros dream.

DAVID FORDE

Cut in favour of Keiren Westwood, the veteran stopper kept a stiff upper lift and even posed for selfies with fans outside Turner’s Cross who were unaware he had been dropped. Left Millwall and won a League Two title with Portsmouth.

DARRON GIBSON

A high-profile absentee from the final list for France, but no major surprise. Ended his injury-plagued spell at Everton by joining Sunderland in January but went down with them. Maybe regular football in the Championship will rekindle his spark.

EUNAN O’KANE

After being told he wasn’t needed for the Euros, O’Kane returned to his club, Leeds United, and looked to make an impression on new boss Garry Monk. He did so until Christmas when a pelvic injury flared up on international duty and he lost his place. Leeds went on to collapse in the run-in. DAVID McGOLDRICK Always deemed an outsider but after regaining fitness towards the end of the season O’Neill gave serious consideration to bringing the playmaker. Opted to go for tried and trusted instead and McGoldrick failed to hit heights at Ipswich Town, scoring five goals in 32 appearances.